The first of the women Heroes of the Soviet Union during the war years was 18-year-old partisan Zoya Kosmodemyanskaya. She was awarded the highest degree of distinction by decree of February 16, 1942 (posthumously). And in total, for their exploits during the Great Patriotic War, 90 women became Heroes of the Soviet Union, more than half of them were awarded the title posthumously.
Sad statistics: out of 27 partisans and underground women, 22 were awarded posthumously, out of 16 representatives of the ground forces, 13 were awarded posthumously. It is worth noting that 30 people found awards after the war. Thus, by decree of May 15, 1946, six pilots of the 46th Guards Taman Aviation Regiment received the “Golden Stars” of Heroes, and on the 20th anniversary of the Victory, 14 women were awarded at once, although 12 of them were posthumous.
The only foreigner among the Heroes is a rifleman of a company of machine gunners of the 1st Polish Infantry Division. T. Kosciuszko Anelya Krzywoń - died on October 12, 1943, saving wounded soldiers. On November 11, 1943, she was posthumously awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union.
The last time in the history of the USSR the title of Hero of the Soviet Union was awarded to women on May 5, 1990. The “Gold Star” was awarded to Ekaterina Demina (Mikhailova), a medical instructor of the 369th separate battalion of the Marine Corps. Two pilots, Ekaterina Zelenko and Lydia Litvyak, became heroes (posthumously). On September 12, 1941, Senior Lieutenant Zelenko rammed a German Me-109 fighter in her Su-2 bomber. Zelenko died after destroying an enemy plane. It was the only ram in aviation history performed by a woman. Junior Lieutenant Litvyak is the most successful female fighter who personally shot down 11 enemy aircraft and died in air combat on August 1, 1943.
Pavlichenko Lyudmila Mikhailovna
Born on June 29 (July 12), 1916 in the village of Belaya Tserkov, now a city in the Kyiv region of Ukraine, in the family of an employee. Russian. Graduated from the 4th year of Kyiv State University.
Participant in the Great Patriotic War since June 1941, volunteer. Member of the CPSU(b)/CPSU since 1945. As part of the Chapaev division, she participated in defensive battles in Moldova and southern Ukraine. For her good training, she was assigned to a sniper platoon. Since August 10, 1941, Pavlichenko, a sniper of the 54th Infantry Regiment of the 25th Infantry Division (Chapaevskaya), has been participating in the heroic defense of Odessa. In mid-October 1941, after bloody battles, the troops of the Primorsky Army were forced to leave Odessa and evacuate to the Crimea to strengthen the defense of Sevastopol.
Sniper Lyudmila Mikhailovna Pavlichenko spent 250 days and nights in heavy and heroic battles near Sevastopol. She, together with the soldiers of the Primorsky Army and the sailors of the Black Sea Fleet, courageously defended the legendary city of Russian military glory.
By July 1942, Lyudmila Pavlichenko had killed 309 Nazis with a sniper rifle. During the period of defensive battles, she trained dozens of good snipers, who, following her example, exterminated more than one hundred Nazis.
The title of Hero of the Soviet Union with the presentation of the Order of Lenin and the Gold Star medal was awarded to Lieutenant Lyudmila Mikhailovna Pavlichenko on October 25, 1943. (1).jpg)
Oktyabrskaya Maria Vasilievna
She was born on August 16, 1905 in the village of Kiyat, now the village of Blidneye, Krasnogvardeisky district of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea, Ukraine, in a peasant family. Ukrainian. Lived in Dzhankoy, graduated from 6th grade.
During the Great Patriotic War, she built the “Fighting Girlfriend” tank with her own savings. She graduated from the Omsk Tank School and from October 1943 she fought on her tank on the Western Front, being a mechanic-driver of the 2nd Tank Battalion of the 26th Guards Tank Brigade of the 2nd Guards Tank Corps of the Western Front.
On January 17, 1944, near the Krynki station in the Vitebsk region of Belarus, the “Fighting Girlfriend” tank had its caterpillar hit. The driver-mechanic M.V. Oktyabrskaya tried to repair the damage under enemy fire, but a mine that exploded nearby dangerously wounded her in the left eye.
On March 15, 1944, Maria Oktyabrskaya (nee Garagulya) died in a front-line hospital in Smolensk. She was buried there near the Kremlin wall at the Kutuzovsky cemetery.
The title of Hero of the Soviet Union was awarded posthumously to Maria Vasilyevna Oktyabrskaya on August 2, 1944.
She was awarded the Order of Lenin and the Order of the Patriotic War, 1st degree. .jpg)
Kislyak Maria Timofeevna
She was born on March 6, 1925 in the village of Lednoe, now within the city of Kharkov (Ukraine), into a peasant family. Ukrainian. She graduated from the Kharkov medical and midwifery school. She worked in a hospital as a nurse.
A participant in the Great Patriotic War, underground Komsomol member Maria Kislyak in February 1943 organized and led the underground Komsomol organization in the city of Kharkov, which actively fought against the enemy during the days of the occupation of the city. The young patriot wrote and distributed leaflets among residents of the village of Lednoye, destroyed SS officers, and transferred Soviet soldiers who were surrounded across the front line. She saved the lives of 43 wounded Red Army soldiers. Brave 18-year-old Komsomol member Maria Kislyak was arrested by the Gestapo at the end of May 1943 in her native village. Executed by fascist executioners on June 18, 1943.
For her heroism in the fight against the Nazi invaders on May 8, 1965, Maria Timofeevna Kislyak was posthumously awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union.
Awarded the Order of Lenin. 
Kashcheeva Vera Sergeevna
Born on September 15, 1922 in the village of Petrovka, now Troitsky district, Altai Territory, into a peasant family. Russian. She graduated from nursing courses in Barnaul in 1941.
In the Red Army since 1942, at the front since March 1942. Member of the CPSU(b)/CPSU since 1944.
The sanitary instructor of the battalion of the 120th Guards Rifle Regiment (39th Guards Rifle Division of the 8th Guards Army of the 3rd Ukrainian Front) Guard, senior sergeant Kashcheeva, on October 24, 1943, was among the first to cross the Dnieper River south of the city of Dnepropetrovsk. Being seriously wounded, she remained in the ranks, supporting and inspiring the soldiers.
On February 22, 1944, for the exemplary fulfillment of command assignments and the courage and heroism shown in battles with the Nazi invaders of the guard, senior sergeant Vera Sergeevna Kashcheeva was awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union with the Order of Lenin and the Gold Star medal. 
Litvyak Lidia Vladimirovna
Born on August 18, 1921 in Moscow. Russian. In 1935 she entered the flying club. After graduating from the Kherson Aviation School, she worked at the Kalinin Aero Club.
On September 13, 1942, in the skies of Stalingrad, she opened the account of her victories in the 437th Fighter Aviation Regiment of the 287th Fighter Division: she shot down a bomber and a fighter. On September 27, a Ju-88 was hit in an air battle. Then she shot down an Me-109.
Soon she was transferred to the 9th Guards Odessa Fighter Aviation Regiment, commanded by Hero of the Soviet Union L.L. Shestakov. In December 1942, Litvyak destroyed a bomber. Her glory was crowned with new victories even after her transfer to another regiment. By that time, Litvyak had 6 aerial victories to her name.
February 11, 1943 Lydia shot down 2 planes. In one of the battles, her Yak-1 was shot down, and she made an emergency landing on enemy territory. Jumping out of the cabin, she rushed to run from the German soldiers. But the distance was getting shorter. And suddenly our attack aircraft flew over the heads of the enemy. Pouring fire on the Germans, he forced them to throw themselves to the ground. Then he planned next to Lida and stopped. The pilot waved his hands. The girl squeezed herself onto the pilot’s lap, the plane took off, and soon Lydia was in the regiment. On February 23, 1943, Litvyak was awarded the Order of the Red Star.
On March 22, in the Rostov-on-Don area, Litvyak participated in the interception of a Ju-88 group. During a long and difficult battle, she managed to shoot down one Junkers. At this time, six Me-109s that came to help went on the attack. Lydia noticed them and, in order to disrupt the blow, stood in their way. The death carousel spun for 15 minutes. With great difficulty, the pilot brought the fighter home. Having reported that the task was completed, she lost consciousness... After treatment, she went to Moscow, giving a receipt that she would receive further treatment within a month. But a week later Lydia returned to the regiment. On May 5, Litvyak flew out to escort the bombers. A battle ensued, and Lydia shot down an enemy fighter. Two days later she shot down another Messer.
At the end of May, a spotter balloon appeared in the sector of the front where the regiment was operating. Repeated attempts to knock down this “sausage” led to nothing. Having taken off, Lydia walked along the front line, went deep into the enemy’s rear and approached the balloon from the direction of the sun. The quick attack lasted less than one minute! For this victory she was awarded the Order of the Red Banner. 
On May 21, Lydia’s husband, pilot, Hero of the Soviet Union Guard Captain Alexey Solomatin, died. For Lydia, the death of her husband was a heavy blow. On July 16, 1943, Litvyak flew out to escort attack aircraft. The fighters entered into battle with 30 bombers, accompanied by 6 Messers. In this battle, Litvyak personally shot down a Junkers and, together with a wingman, a Me-109, but she was also wounded. She refused the demand to go for treatment.
On that fateful day, she flew 3 combat missions. On the fourth flight, six Yak-1s entered the battle. And now the Junkers is on fire, the Messer is falling apart. Our six got ready to leave. Suddenly a Messer jumped out and fired a burst at the plane with tail number 23. The “Yak” seemed to have failed, but the pilot tried to level it near the ground... This gave birth to hope that she was alive. However, neither the plane nor the pilot could be found. Litvyak was nominated posthumously for the title of Hero of the Soviet Union. But there were rumors that the pilot was captured. Most of the aviators did not believe it and continued to find out Lydia’s fate. But the shadow of suspicion spread beyond the regiment. The command, showing “caution,” did not approve the nomination for the rank, limiting itself to the Order of the Patriotic War, 1st degree.
In the post-war years, fellow soldiers continued to search for the pilot. It was found in a mass grave in the village of Dmitrievka, Donetsk region. In July 1988, in Litvyak’s personal file, the entry “missing in action” was replaced with “died while performing a combat mission.” Veterans of the regiment renewed their petition to award her the title of Hero of the Soviet Union.
On May 5, 1990, for the exemplary fulfillment of command assignments and demonstrated courage and heroism in battles with the Nazi invaders, flight commander, fighter pilot, guard junior lieutenant Lidiya Vladimirovna Litvyak was posthumously awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union.
She was awarded the Order of Lenin, the Order of the Red Banner, the Order of the Patriotic War, I and II degrees, and the Order of the Red Star.
Polina Osipenko, Valentina Grizodubova and Marina Raskova, 1938. Photo: Alexey Mezhuev / TASS Photo Chronicle
Valentina Stepanovna Grizodubova is the first woman awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union, a pilot, a participant in the Great Patriotic War and a Hero of Socialist Labor. The daughter of the inventor and pilot Stepan Vasilyevich Grizodubov, Valentina took to the skies on her father’s airplane at the age of 2.5, and at the age of 14 she made her first glider flight in Koktebel at a glider meeting.
VALENTINA GRIZODUBOVA
Valentina has been fascinated by the sky and flying since childhood. As a student at the Kharkov Institute of Technology, she is enrolled in the first intake of the Kharkov Central Aero Club, which the future pilot successfully completed in three months. Since there were no opportunities to continue her flight training in Kharkov, Grizodubova, having left college, entered the 1st Tula Flight and Sports School of Osoaviakhim, after which she began working as a pilot instructor at the Tula Aviation School, then as an instructor at a flight school near the village of Tushino near Moscow . In 1934 - 1935, Valentina, as a pilot of the propaganda squadron named after Maxim Gorky, flew over almost the entire country on various types of aircraft of that time. Flew over the Pamirs, Kabardino-Balkaria, Fergana Valley. In 1937, Grizodubova set 5 world aviation records for altitude, speed and flight range, and a year later she led the crew of the Rodina aircraft, which made a non-stop flight from Moscow to Komsomolsk-on-Amur, flying 6,450 km in 26 hours 29 minutes, setting world women's aviation flight distance record. For this flight, Grizodubova was awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
With the beginning of the Great Patriotic War, Valentina Grizodubova was appointed commander of the ship of the Moscow Special Purpose Air Group. Since March 1942, she commanded the 101st transport aviation regiment, whose planes flew to the rear of the partisans. By May 1943, she personally flew about 200 combat missions on a Li-2 aircraft, including 132 at night, to bomb enemy targets and deliver ammunition and military cargo beyond the front line.
After the war, Valentina Stepanovna was sent to work in the aviation industry, where she worked for almost 30 years. The division of NII-17 (Institute of Instrument Engineering), headed by Grizodubova, tested electronic equipment for the Air Force and civil aviation. The pilot personally took part in flights to test and refine the radar equipment being developed at NII-17. In 1986, she was awarded the title of Hero of Socialist Labor for many years of valiant work. Streets in Vladivostok, Yekaterinburg, Zhukovsky, Kurgan, Novoaltaisk, Novosibirsk, Omsk, Smolensk, Stavropol and Rostov-on-Don are named after the pilot.
POLINA OSIPENKO
The famous Soviet pilot and hero of the Soviet Union was born in 1907 in the village of Novospasovka, which now bears her name, and became addicted to aviation thanks to her first husband, a military pilot. He prepared his wife to enter the Kachin school of military pilots, from which Osipenko graduated in 1933. Having become a flight commander in fighter aviation, in the summer of 1937 the pilot broke three world records for high-altitude flights with and without load. In 1938, she led the non-stop flight Sevastopol - Arkhangelsk, her crew also set an international women's record for flight distance on a closed curve. Osipenko was the second pilot of the Rodina aircraft, on which, on September 24 - 25, 1938, together with V. Grizodubova and M. Raskova, she made a record non-stop flight along the Moscow - Far East route. For this flight, all crew members were awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union. After this record-breaking flight, Osipenko worked as an instructor in aerobatics and trained fighter pilots. The pilot died in a plane crash on May 11, 1939 during a training camp, practicing blind flights. She was buried in Moscow near the Kremlin wall.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
MARINA RASKOVA
The Soviet pilot-navigator, major, also awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union, came to aviation in 1932: Raskova worked in the aeronautical laboratory of the Air Force Academy. And in 1934, after graduating from the Leningrad Institute of Civil Air Fleet, she became a navigator. She began working at the Air Force Academy named after N. E. Zhukovsky as a flight instructor. In 1937, as a navigator, she participated in setting a world aviation range record on an AIR-12 aircraft, and in 1938, in setting 2 world aviation range records on an MP-1 seaplane. During the famous record flight from Moscow to Komsomolsk-on-Amur, during an emergency landing on the orders of Grizodubova, Raskova parachuted into the taiga with only two chocolate bars in her pocket, and was found only 10 days later. For this flight, in addition to the title of Hero of the Soviet Union with the Order of Lenin, Raskova was given a special distinction - the Gold Star medal.
When the Great Patriotic War began, it was Marina Raskova, using her fame, who sought permission to create female combat units. In October 1941, she formed an air group of three women's air regiments: the 586th Fighter, 587th Bombardment, and 588th Night Bombardment, which received the unofficial name "Night Witches". Raskova herself was appointed commander of the 587th Women's Aviation Bomber Regiment. The pilot died on January 4, 1943 while on duty during a flight to the front in difficult weather conditions after reorganization. She was buried in Moscow on Red Square near the Kremlin wall.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
EVDOKIA BERSHANSKAYA
The Soviet pilot and participant in the Great Patriotic War became famous for the fact that during the war, at the age of 28, she led the 588th female night bomber regiment, which under her command fought until the end of the war, took part in the liberation of the North Caucasus, Kuban, Taman, Rostov region, Crimea, Belarus , Poland, participated in the battles near Berlin. The pilots flew 24 thousand combat missions. His attacks were so successful and accurate that the Germans nicknamed the female pilots “night witches.” For courage and bravery in battles for the Motherland, 23 girls were awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union. More than 250 personnel of the regiment were awarded orders and medals twice and three times. And Bershanskaya herself personally carried out 28 combat missions to destroy enemy manpower and equipment and became the only woman among women awarded the military orders of Suvorov III degree and Alexander Nevsky. Until its disbandment in October 1945, the regiment remained entirely female; only women served in all positions in the unit. After the war, the pilot worked in the Soviet Women's Committee and the War Veterans Committee.
Photo: airaces. ru
IRINA SEBROVA
Flight commander of the famous “Night Witches”, guard senior lieutenant graduated from the Moscow flying club in 1938, and from the Kherson military aviation school of pilots in 1940. She worked as an instructor pilot at the Frunze Aeroclub in Moscow, graduating several groups of cadets over two years of work. In 1942, already a fairly experienced pilot, Sebrova completed courses at the military aviation school of pilots, after which she was sent to the front. In 1944, the pilot became a flight commander of the 46th Guards Night Bomber Aviation Regiment, making the most sorties in the regiment - 1004, including 825 night sorties to bomb enemy troops, causing great damage to him in manpower and equipment. She distinguished herself in battles when breaking through enemy defenses on the Pronya River, during the liberation of Mogilev, Minsk, Grodno, for which she was awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union with the Order of Lenin and the Gold Star medal. After the war, the pilot worked at the Moscow Aviation Institute.
Photo: airaces. ru
VALERIYA KHOMYAKOVA
Valeria Khomyakova was born and raised in Moscow. Like most female pilots, Khomyakova came to aviation after graduating from a flying club, where she became an instructor pilot. As one of the best students, she was always assigned to air parades and was assigned the most important numbers of the program. After the start of the war, Khomyakova volunteered for the front in the Air Force, and soon she, who had excellent piloting technique, was enrolled in the 586th Fighter Aviation Regiment. Khomyakova was the first female pilot to shoot down an enemy plane in a night battle on September 24, 1942, defending Saratov from bombing. She died near Saratov on October 6, 1942 during a night takeoff from an airfield on a Yak-1 plane.
Photo: airaces. ru
LYDIA LITVYAK
Hero of the Soviet Union, fighter pilot, aviation flight commander, guard junior lieutenant Lydia Litvyak was born in 1921 in Moscow and already at the age of 14 she entered the flying club, and at 15 she made her first independent flight. Then she took geology courses and took part in an expedition to the Far North. After graduating from the Kherson pilot school, she became one of the best instructors at the Kalinin flying club. By the beginning of the Great Patriotic War, it managed to graduate 45 cadets. At the beginning of the war, having learned that the famous pilot Marina Raskova was recruiting women's air regiments, Litvyak set out to get an appointment to her air group. Having added 100 hours to her flight time, the pilot received her assignment.
Photo: airaces. ru
Litvyak made her first combat missions as part of the 586th Women's Fighter Aviation Regiment in the spring of 1942 in the skies of Saratov, covering the Volga from enemy air raids. From April 15 to September 10, 1942, she carried out 35 combat missions to patrol and escort transport aircraft with important cargo. Litvyak became the most effective female aviator of the Second World War, having completed about 150 combat missions, in air battles she personally shot down 6 aircraft and 1 observation balloon, and destroyed another 6 enemy aircraft in a group with her comrades. In 1943, Litvyak was awarded a new military award - the Order of the Red Star. A little earlier, on December 22, 1942, she was awarded the medal “For the Defense of Stalingrad.” During flights over Stalingrad, at her request, a white lily was painted on the hood of Lydia’s plane, and Litvyak received the nickname “White Lily of Stalingrad”; later “Lily” became the pilot’s radio call sign.
In April 1943, the popular magazine Ogonyok placed on the cover a photo of Lydia Litvyak and Ekaterina Budanova with the explanation: “12 enemy planes were shot down by these brave girls.”
On August 1, 1943, at the age of less than 22, Litvyak died in a battle over the Mius Front. Her remains were found only in 1979 and buried in a mass grave near the village of Dmitrievka, Shakhtarsky district. By decree of the President of the USSR of May 5, 1990, the pilot was posthumously awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union.
The first of the women Heroes of the Soviet Union during the war years was 18-year-old partisan Zoya Kosmodemyanskaya. She was awarded the highest degree of distinction by decree of February 16, 1942 (posthumously). And in total, for their exploits during the Great Patriotic War, 90 women became Heroes of the Soviet Union, more than half of them were awarded the title posthumously.Sad statistics: out of 27 partisans and underground women, 22 were awarded posthumously, out of 16 representatives of the ground forces, 13 were awarded posthumously. It is worth noting that 30 people found awards after the war. Thus, by decree of May 15, 1946, six pilots of the 46th Guards Taman Aviation Regiment received the “Golden Stars” of Heroes, and on the 20th anniversary of the Victory, 14 women were awarded at once, although 12 of them were posthumous.
The only foreigner among the Heroes is a rifleman of a company of machine gunners of the 1st Polish Infantry Division. T. Kosciuszko - Anela Krzywoń died on October 12, 1943, saving wounded soldiers. She died in a fire. On November 11, 1943, she was posthumously awarded the title of Hero.Among the Heroes is Hero of the Soviet Union Lyudmila Pavlichenko. The most productive female sniper - 309 killed (including 36 snipers).
The last time in the history of the USSR the title of Hero of the Soviet Union was awarded to women on May 5, 1990. The “Gold Star” was awarded to Ekaterina Demina (Mikhailova), a former medical instructor of the 369th separate battalion of the Marine Corps. Two pilots, Ekaterina Zelenko and Lydia Litvyak, became heroes (posthumously). On September 12, 1941, Senior Lieutenant Zelenko rammed a German Me-109 fighter in her Su-2 bomber. Zelenko died after destroying an enemy plane. It was the only ram in aviation history performed by a woman. Junior Lieutenant Litvyak is the most successful female fighter who personally shot down 11 enemy aircraft and died in air combat on August 1, 1943.
Hero of the Soviet Union Lydia Vladimirovna Litvyak. The most successful female fighter of World War II. She has 11 enemy aircraft shot down.
Today, having come home very impressed after the WWII museum, I decided to learn more about the women who took part in the battles. To my great shame, I have to admit that I heard many names for the first time, or knew them before, but did not attach any importance to them. But these girls were much younger than I am now, when life put them in terrible conditions, where they dared to perform a feat.
Tatyana Markus
September 21, 1921 - January 29, 1943. The heroine of the Kyiv underground in the years Great Patriotic War. Withstood six months of fascist torture
For six months she was tortured by the Nazis, but she withstood everything without betraying her comrades. The Nazis never found out that a representative of the people they had doomed to complete destruction had entered into a fierce battle with them. Tatyana Markus was born in the city of Romny, Poltava region, in a Jewish family. A few years later, the Marcus family moved to Kyiv.
In Kyiv, from the first days of the occupation of the city, she began to actively participate in underground activities. She was a liaison officer for the underground city committee and a member of a sabotage and extermination group. She repeatedly participated in acts of sabotage against the Nazis, in particular, during the parade of the invaders, she threw a grenade, disguised in a bouquet of asters, at a marching column of soldiers.
Using forged documents, she was registered in a private house under the name Markusidze: the underground fighters are inventing a legend for Tanya, according to which she - Georgian, daughter of a prince shot by the Bolsheviks, wants to work for the Wehrmacht, - supply her with documents.
Brown eyes, black eyebrows and eyelashes. Slightly curly hair, delicate, delicate blush. The face is open and decisive. Many German officers looked at Prince Markusidze. And then, on the instructions of the underground, she uses this opportunity. She manages to get a job as a waitress in the officers' mess and gain the trust of her superiors.
There she successfully continued her sabotage activities: she added poison to the food. Several officers died, but Tanya remained above suspicion. In addition, she shot a valuable Gestapo informant with her own hands, and also transmitted information about traitors working for the Gestapo to the underground. Many officers of the German army were attracted by her beauty and looked after her. A high-ranking official from Berlin, who arrived to fight the partisans and underground fighters, could not resist. He was shot and killed by Tanya Marcus in his apartment. During her activities, Tanya Marcus destroyed several dozen fascist soldiers and officers.
But Tanya’s father, Joseph Marcus, does not return from the next mission of the underground. Vladimir Kudryashov was betrayed by a high-ranking Komsomol functionary, 1st secretary of the Kyiv city committee of the Komsomol, and now an underground member Ivan Kucherenko. The Gestapo men are seizing the underground fighters one after another. My heart breaks with pain, but Tanya moves on. Now she is ready for anything. Her comrades restrain her and ask her to be careful. And she answers: My life is measured by how many of these reptiles I destroy...
One day she shot a Nazi officer and left a note: " The same fate awaits all of you fascist bastards. Tatyana Markusidze"The leadership of the underground ordered the withdrawal Tanya Marcus from the city to the partisans. August 22, 1942 she was captured by the Gestapo while trying to cross the Desna. For 5 months she was subjected to severe torture by the Gestapo, but she did not betray anyone. January 29, 1943 she was shot.
Awards:
Medal to the Partisan of the Great Patriotic War
Medal for the Defense of Kyiv.
Title Hero of Ukraine
Tatiana Markus A monument was erected in Babi Yar.
Lyudmila Pavlichenko
07/12/1916 [Belaya Tserkov] - 10/27/1974 [Moscow]. An outstanding sniper, she destroyed 309 Phishists, including 36 enemy snipers.
07/12/1916 [Belaya Tserkov] - 10/27/1974 [Moscow]. An outstanding sniper, she destroyed 309 Phishists, including 36 enemy snipers.
Lyudmila Mikhailovna Pavlichenko born July 12, 1916 in the village (now city) Belaya Tserkov. Then the family moved to Kyiv. From the very first days of the war, Lyudmila Pavlichenko volunteered to go to the front. Near Odessa, L. Pavlichenko received a baptism of fire, opening a combat account.
By July 1942, L.M. Pavlichenko had already killed 309 Nazis (including 36 enemy snipers). In addition, during the period of defensive battles, L.M. was able to train many snipers.
Every day, as soon as dawn broke, sniper L. Pavlichenko left “ to hunt" For hours, or even whole days, in the rain and in the sun, carefully camouflaged, she lay in ambush, waiting for the appearance of "goals».
One day, on Bezymyannaya, six machine gunners came out to ambush her. They noticed her the day before, when she fought an unequal battle all day and even evening. The Nazis settled over the road along which they were delivering ammunition to the neighboring regiment of the division. For a long time, on her bellies, Pavlichenko climbed the mountain. A bullet cut off an oak branch right at the temple, another pierced the top of his cap. And then Pavlichenko fired two shots - the one who almost hit her in the temple, and the one who almost hit her in the forehead, fell silent. Four living people shot hysterically, and again, crawling away, she hit exactly where the shot came from. Three more remained in place, only one ran away.
Pavlichenko froze. Now we have to wait. One of them could be playing dead, and maybe he's waiting for her to move. Or the one who ran away had already brought other machine gunners with him. The fog thickened. Finally, Pavlichenko decided to crawl towards her enemies. I took the dead man’s machine gun and a light machine gun. Meanwhile, another group of German soldiers approached and their random shooting was again heard from the fog. Lyudmila responded either with a machine gun or with a machine gun, so that the enemies would imagine that there were several fighters here. Pavlichenko was able to come out of this fight alive.
Sergeant Lyudmila Pavlichenko was transferred to a neighboring regiment. Hitler's sniper brought too many troubles. He had already killed two snipers of the regiment.
He had his own maneuver: he crawled out of the nest and approached the enemy. Luda lay there for a long time, waiting. The day passed, the enemy sniper showed no signs of life. She decided to stay the night. After all, the German sniper was probably used to sleeping in a dugout and therefore would be exhausted faster than she. They lay there for a day without moving. In the morning it was foggy again. My head felt heavy, my throat was sore, my clothes were soaked with dampness, and even my hands ached.
Slowly, reluctantly, the fog cleared, it became clearer, and Pavlichenko saw how, hiding behind a model of snags, the sniper moved with barely noticeable jerks. Getting closer and closer to her. She moved towards him. The stiff body became heavy and clumsy. Overcoming the cold rocky floor centimeter by centimeter, holding the rifle in front of her, Lyuda did not take her eyes off the optical sight. The second acquired a new, almost infinite length. Suddenly, Lyuda caught sight of watery eyes, yellow hair, and a heavy jaw. The enemy sniper looked at her, their eyes met. The tense face was distorted by a grimace, he realized - a woman! The moment decided life - she pulled the trigger. For a saving second, Lyuda's shot was ahead. She pressed herself into the ground and managed to see in the sight how an eye full of horror blinked. Hitler's machine gunners were silent. Lyuda waited, then crawled towards the sniper. He lay there, still aiming at her.
She took out the Nazi sniper book and read: “ Dunkirk" There was a number next to it. More and more French names and numbers. More than four hundred French and English died at his hands.
In June 1942, Lyudmila was wounded. She was soon recalled from the front lines and sent with a delegation to Canada and the United States. During the trip, she was received by the President of the United States, Franklin Roosevelt. Later, Eleanor Roosevelt invited Lyudmila Pavlichenko on a trip around the country. Lyudmila has spoken before the International Student Assembly in Washington, before the Congress of Industrial Organizations (CIO) and also in New York.
Many Americans remembered her short but tough speech at a rally in Chicago:
- Gentlemen, - a ringing voice rang out over the crowd of thousands of people gathered. - I am twenty five years old. At the front, I had already managed to destroy three hundred and nine fascist invaders. Don't you think, gentlemen, that you've been hiding behind my back for too long?!..
After the war in 1945, Lyudmila Pavlichenko graduated from Kiev University. From 1945 to 1953 she was a research fellow at the General Staff of the Navy. Later she worked in the Soviet War Veterans Committee.
>Book: Lyudmila Mikhailovna wrote the book “Heroic Reality”.
Awards:
Hero of the Soviet Union - Gold Star Medal number 1218
Two Orders of Lenin
* A ship of the Ministry of Fisheries is named after Lyudmila Pavlichenko.
* N. Atarov wrote the story “Duel” about Pavlichenko’s fight with the German sniper
American singer Woody Guthrie wrote a song about Pavlichenko
Russian translation of the song:
Miss Pavlichenko
The whole world will love her for a long time
For the fact that more than three hundred Nazis fell from her weapons
Fall from her weapon, yeah
Fall from her weapon
More than three hundred Nazis fell from your weapons
Miss Pavlichenko, her fame is known
Russia is your country, fighting is your game
Your smile shines like the morning sun
But more than three hundred Nazi dogs fell from your weapons
Hidden in the mountains and gorges like a deer
In the treetops, without fear
You raise your sight and Hans falls
And more than three hundred Nazi dogs fell from your weapons
In the summer heat, cold snowy winter
In any weather you hunt down the enemy
The world will love your sweet face just like I do
After all, more than three hundred Nazi dogs died from your weapons
I wouldn't want to parachute into your country like an enemy
If your Soviet people treat the invaders so harshly
I wouldn't want to find my end by falling at the hands of such a beautiful girl,
If her name is Pavlichenko, and mine is three-zero-one
Marina Raskova
The pilot, Hero of the Soviet Union, set several women's flight distance records. She created a women's combat light bomber regiment, nicknamed the "Night Witches" by the Germans.
In 1937, as a navigator, she participated in setting the world aviation record for range on the AIR-12 aircraft; in 1938 - in setting 2 world aviation range records on the MP-1 seaplane.
September 24-25, 1938 on an ANT-37 aircraft " Motherland"made a non-stop flight Moscow-Far East (Kerby) with a length of 6450 km (in a straight line - 5910 km). During a forced landing in the taiga, she jumped out with a parachute and was found only 10 days later. During the flight, a women's world aviation record for flight distance was set.
When the Great Patriotic War began, Raskova used her position and personal contacts with Stalin to obtain permission to form female combat units.
With the beginning Great Patriotic War Raskova made all her efforts and connections to achieve permission to form a separate women's combat unit. In the autumn of 1941, with official permission from the government, she began to create women's squadrons. Raskova searched throughout the country for students of flying clubs and flight schools; only women were selected for the air regiments - from the commander to the maintenance personnel.
Under her leadership, air regiments were created and sent to the front - the 586th fighter, 587th bomber and 588th night bomber. For their fearlessness and skill, the Germans nicknamed the regiment’s pilots “ night witches».
Raskova herself, one of the first women to be awarded the title Hero of the Soviet Union , was awarded two orders of Lenin And Order of the Patriotic War, 1st degree . She is also the author of the book " Notes from the navigator».
Night Witches
The girls of the air regiments flew light night bombers U-2 (Po-2). The girls affectionately named their cars “ swallows", but their widely known name is " Heavenly slug" Plywood airplane at low speed. Every flight on the Po-2 was fraught with danger. But neither the enemy fighters nor the anti-aircraft fire that met " swallows"on the way they could not stop their flight to the goal. We had to fly at an altitude of 400-500 meters. Under these conditions, it was easy to shoot down slow-moving Po-2s simply with a heavy machine gun. And often planes returned from flights with riddled surfaces.
Our little Po-2s gave the Germans no rest. In any weather, they appeared over enemy positions at low altitudes and bombed them. The girls had to make 8-9 flights per night. But there were nights when they received the task: to bomb " to the maximum" This meant that there should be as many sorties as possible. And then their number reached 16-18 in one night, as was the case on the Oder. The female pilots were literally taken out of the cockpits and carried in their arms - they fell off their feet. The courage and bravery of our pilots was also appreciated by the Germans: the Nazis called them “ night Witches».
In total, the planes were in the air for 28,676 hours (1,191 full days).
The pilots dropped 2,902,980 kg of bombs and 26,000 incendiary shells. According to incomplete data, the regiment destroyed and damaged 17 crossings, 9 railway trains, 2 railway stations, 46 warehouses, 12 fuel tanks, 1 aircraft, 2 barges, 76 cars, 86 firing points, 11 searchlights.
811 fires and 1092 high-power explosions were caused. 155 bags of ammunition and food were also dropped to the surrounded Soviet troops.
War does not have a woman's face. It’s always hard for men at the front, but it’s much harder for women. However, 75 years ago, Soviet women showed heroic courage by standing up to defend their Motherland. At dawn on June 22, 1941, Nazi Germany treacherously invaded the territory of the Soviet Union without declaring war. And the War began. Terrible, cruel, killing over 20 million people.
Zoya Kosmodemyanskaya. Scout
The first woman awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union (posthumously) was a young 18-year-old intelligence officer Zoya Kosmodemyanskaya, whose name is still a standard of courage, patriotism and heroism. In November 1941, Zoya carried out a mission in the village of Petrishchevo - together with the other members of the detachment, she burned down populated areas on the orders of the Headquarters of the Supreme High Command. However, the girl was captured. The Nazis brutally tortured the girl all night: they beat her with rubber truncheons and kicked her, stripped her naked and took her out into the cold for several hours, pulling out her nails. But Zoya did not give out the names of the remaining members of the squad. In the morning, a sign with the inscription House Arsonist was placed around the girl’s neck and she was taken to her execution, which took place in front of almost all the village residents. According to eyewitnesses, Zoya behaved proudly, and her last words were: “ No matter how much you hang us, you can’t hang us all, there are 170 million of us. But our comrades will avenge you for me!" Zoya became the most famous Komsomol heroine. After the war, streets throughout the country were named after her, museums and monuments were opened.
Heroes of the Soviet Union Evgenia Zhigulenko, Irina Sebrova, Larisa Rozanova, 1945. Evgenia Zhigulenko : “The Germans called us night witches, and the witches were only between 15 and 27 years old.”.
The 46th Guards Taman Red Banner Order of Suvorov 3rd degree night bomber aviation regiment has a separate niche in military history. Its uniqueness lay in the fact that the regiment was entirely female. The regiment was jokingly called the “Dunkin Regiment”, and the Germans called the pilots night witches for their fearlessness. The regiment's first combat mission took place on June 12, 1942; on October 15, 1945, the regiment was disbanded. During the hostilities, the pilots flew more than 20 thousand combat missions and dropped more than 2 million kg of bombs. 23 female pilots of the regiment have the title of Hero of the Soviet Union, two navigators of the regiment have the title of Hero of Russia, one girl is the People's Hero of Kazakhstan. Evdokia Davydovna Bershanskaya (Bocharova), the girl who led the regiment, is the only woman awarded the Order of Suvorov.
Natalya Meklin, Irina Sebrova Irina Sebrova made the most sorties in the regiment - 1004. She was distinguished by increased discipline, courage and bravery. Hero of the Soviet Union.
Natalya Meklin - 980 combat missions. She became famous for her fearlessness. Fellow soldiers noted her combat prowess as a model for the entire corps. Hero of the Soviet Union.
Evgenia Zhigulenko - 968 combat missions, 10 of which were very dangerous. Hero of the Soviet Union.
Smirnova Marina Vasilievna - 950 combat missions. Hero of the Soviet Union.
Antonina Fedorovna Khudyakova - 926 combat missions. Hero of the Soviet Union.
Many books and films were dedicated to the women's regiment, and museums were opened in Russian cities. The girls themselves published biographies.
Lyudmila Pavlichenko. Sniper Lyudmila Pavlichenko is the best female sniper in history. At the age of 25, she volunteered to go to the front as soon as the war began. Participated in the defense of Odessa and Sevastopol. Lyudmila spent a year at the front, after being wounded she was evacuated and never returned to the war. However, during this year the girl killed 309 fascist invaders - a result that exceeds the achievements of many male snipers. On October 25, 1943, she was awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union.
Nina Petrovna Smirnova. Sniper Smirnova Nina Petrovna is an amazing woman. She volunteered for the front on June 22, 1941 at the age of 48! Considered one of the best snipers of the Leningrad Front. She went through the entire war at the forefront, never getting wounded. Killed 122 fascist invaders, trained more than 500 snipers. The regiment loved her and called her mom. They noted her fearlessness, courage and endurance. She died on May 1, 1945 - the car she was riding in fell into a cliff. She was posthumously awarded the Order of Glory, 1st degree, medals for military merit and for the defense of Leningrad, the Order of the Patriotic War, 2nd degree, as well as an award weapon - a personalized sniper rifle.
Kashcheeva Vera Sergeevna Kashcheeva Vera Sergeevna – guard senior sergeant, sanitary instructor of the battalion of the 120th Guards Rifle Regiment of the 39th Guards Rifle Division. With the beginning of the war, she took a nursing course and worked for a year in a hospital in the city of Barnaul. In 1942 she was enlisted at the front, and in April 1942 she found herself in a terrible battle. She courageously carried wounded soldiers from the battlefield under heavy machine-gun fire, when mines and shells exploded. When meeting an enemy, she took up arms. At the same time, she was both a scout and a liaison. She was awarded the medal For Courage, for the courage that the girl showed in the battles of Stalingrad. Reached Berlin. Hero of the Soviet Union.
Demina Ekaterina Illarionovna The military biography of Demina Ekaterina Illarionovna can be enough for several dozen books, and one can only admire her courage. When the war began, the girl was only 15 years old. Having added 2 years to herself, she volunteered for the front. She was wounded in battle, and from 1942 she served on the military ambulance ship Krasnaya Moskva. After the Battle of Stalingrad, she insisted on enlisting in the 369th Separate Marine Battalion, which was formed in February 1943 from volunteers in Baku. The girl fought bravely with the soldiers and also rescued the wounded from the battlefield. She was wounded three times and still, despite serious injuries, Catherine remained in the ranks and saved her fellow soldiers. I went through the whole war. Has many awards. Hero of the Soviet Union.
Much has been written about women in war. According to official data, more than 800 thousand women participated in the War. However, no one can say with certainty how many of them actually happened. The names of some women remain unknown, but their exploits are immortal.
Ninety-five women earned the title of Hero of the Soviet Union. Some received the award posthumously. For exploits, for fearlessness, for courage. The Motherland endlessly thanks and honors the memory of its Heroes. We remember. We are proud.
