Night Witches

Also known as 588th Night Bomber Regiment, 46th Guards Night Bomber Aviation Regiment

all-female regiment of the Soviet Air Forces

Key facts

Active: 1942–1945
Country: Soviet Union
Branch: Soviet Air Forces
Role: Harassment and tactical bombing
Nickname: Night Witches
Engagements: World War II Eastern Front
Decorations: Guards designation , Order of the Red Banner , Order of Suvorov
Regimental commander: Yevdokiya Bershanskaya
Deputy regiment commander: Serafima Amosova
Commissar: Yevdokiya Rachkevich
Bomber: Polikarpov Po-2

via Wikipedia infobox

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Article

"Night Witches" was a World War II nickname for the all-female military aviators of the 588th Night Bomber Regiment, known later as the 46th "Taman" Guards Night Bomber Aviation Red Banner and Order of Suvorov Regiment, of the Soviet Air Forces.

Major Marina Raskova used her position and personal contacts with the Soviet leader Joseph Stalin to obtain permission to form female combat units. Combat facilitated and ushered in a reluctant acceptance of women in military, based more upon practicality and necessity than for equality. On October 8, 1941, an order was issued to deploy three women's air-force units, including the 588th Regiment. The regiment, formed by Raskova and led by Major Yevdokiya Bershanskaya, was composed primarily of female volunteers in their late teens and early twenties.