Women in the Soviet Air Force

[Jim O]

Many Soviet women and girls served in the Air Force of the USSR, serving with the Voyenno-Vozdushniye Sily (Air Forces, in Russian). In 1942, three air regiments were formed from female volunteers:

• The 586th Women's Fighter Regiment (initially equipped with Yakovlyev YaK-1s and later YaK-7Bs)
• The 587th Women's Day Bomber Regiment (flying Petlyakov Pe-2 2-engined bombers)
• The 588th Women's Night Bomber Regiment, the famous "Night Witches" (flying Polikarpov Po-2 biplanes)

Many other women also served integrated with men with other aviation units. They also served flying and as gunners in the famous Il-2 and Il-2M3 Shturmovik tank busters, the "Flying Bathtub".

Thousands of female aviators won orders and medals. 29 won titles of Hero of the Soviet Union. 23 of these went to the Night Witches.

Perhaps the most famous of Soviet female World War II era aviators was Lilya (Lidiya) Vladimirovna Litvyak, aka the White Rose of Stalingrad.

She had 12 personal kills and three shared. She died in action near Orel after having survived going down behind enemy lines twice.

[Pirate-Drakk]

Wasn't their a squadron of Russian women called the "Night Witches"?

[McCoy]

The 588th Women's Night Bomber Regiment, the famous "Night Witches" (flying Polikarpov Po-2 biplanes)

Yes there were n' Jim O have allready listed 'em here above.

[Whiterook]

This really is fascinating. To think that a woman's role in combat has been debated into the new millenia seems so farsical, doesn't it?

[Biscuit]

Good point Emery! Its kinda funny to hear people saying something can't be done and then point to someone doing it.

[Whiterook]

Especially when you point back 60+ years ago...and they look puzzeled at you because, well, there's no comeback for them. I mean, how do you put up an argument to not putting women in combat, when other nations proved how effective they could be.

[Biscuit]

I heard a quote one time that was something to the effect of 'You can not deny an idea whose time has come!' But, it has been my experience that people, myself included in some instances, will cling onto the last vestige of a known ideal that is wrong and sinking when there is a perfectly enlightened view throwing you a life vest. I guess it can be chalked up to those silly humans!

[Whiterook]

A wise observation, Heather. Yes, it's amazing how much people will cling to some foolishness, yet throw enlightenment out the window like flaming bag of poo.

[Pirate-Drakk]

Originally Posted by Whiterook

This really is fascinating. To think that a woman's role in combat has been debated into the new millenia seems so farsical, doesn't it?

Those ignorant people aren't reading our forum...

[Whiterook]

Originally Posted by Pirate-Drakk

Those ignorant people aren't reading our forum...

You got an excellent point there!!!