Russian Physicist and World War II Russian Air Force Figure. She served as the chief of staff of the Russian women's 46th Taman Guards Night Bomber Aviation Regiment during World War II. Born in the city of Dankov to a family of physics teachers, her father had graduated from Moscow State University (MSU) with a degree in astronomy in 1910. After graduating secondary school in 1938 she enrolled in the MSU School of Physics, but following the German invasion of the Soviet Union, she dropped out after her third year to joined the military in October 1941. She completed her flight training at the Engels Military Aviation School and in 1942 she was appointed as the regiment's chief of staff. She accompanied 15 sorties as a navigator by the time she was demobilized with the rank of major in 1946. Her military awards include the Order of the Red Banner, the Orders of the Patriotic War (three awards), and the Order of the Red Star. Following the war, she finished her education and worked as a physicist at MSU, studying cosmic rays. She received numerous high state awards during her career and in 1990 she was awarded the title Honored Scientist of the Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic. She co-authored a book with Natalya Meklin-Kravtsova, an aviator from the regiment, titled "We Were Called Night Witches" about their experiences in the war, as their nickname given by their German opponents, Nachthexen, meant 'night witches'. She died at the age of 96.
Russian Physicist and World War II Russian Air Force Figure. She served as the chief of staff of the Russian women's 46th Taman Guards Night Bomber Aviation Regiment during World War II. Born in the city of Dankov to a family of physics teachers, her father had graduated from Moscow State University (MSU) with a degree in astronomy in 1910. After graduating secondary school in 1938 she enrolled in the MSU School of Physics, but following the German invasion of the Soviet Union, she dropped out after her third year to joined the military in October 1941. She completed her flight training at the Engels Military Aviation School and in 1942 she was appointed as the regiment's chief of staff. She accompanied 15 sorties as a navigator by the time she was demobilized with the rank of major in 1946. Her military awards include the Order of the Red Banner, the Orders of the Patriotic War (three awards), and the Order of the Red Star. Following the war, she finished her education and worked as a physicist at MSU, studying cosmic rays. She received numerous high state awards during her career and in 1990 she was awarded the title Honored Scientist of the Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic. She co-authored a book with Natalya Meklin-Kravtsova, an aviator from the regiment, titled "We Were Called Night Witches" about their experiences in the war, as their nickname given by their German opponents, Nachthexen, meant 'night witches'. She died at the age of 96.
Bio by: William Bjornstad
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