The Night Witches: Soviet Female Bombers

The Night Witches: Soviet Female Bombers

Date: 1942-1945

Story:

Deep in the heart of the Eastern Front, a chilling legend emerged among German soldiers: the "Night Witches." These were not mythical figures, but the female pilots of the Soviet 588th Night Bomber Regiment. Comprised entirely of women (pilots, navigators, mechanics, and ground crew), the regiment flew obsolete Polikarpov Po-2 biplanes, slow and flimsy aircraft typically used for crop-dusting. They operated under the cover of darkness, flying low and cutting their engines as they approached targets to glide silently, often making the only sound a soft "whooshing" of wind—hence the German nickname. Despite their outdated planes, they flew thousands of daring missions, disrupting German supply lines, bombing fortifications, and dropping psychological warfare leaflets. Many of these brave women completed over 800 missions each, often flying multiple sorties a night. Their incredible courage and unique tactics, enduring freezing conditions and constant danger, made them one of the most decorated units in the Soviet Air Force.

Reference:Cottam, Kazimiera J. Women in War on the Eastern Front: The Soviet Union's 'Night Witches'. Stackpole Books, 2008.

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