The "Night Witches" were an all-female, highly decorated Soviet Air Forces regiment during World War II, officially known as the 588th Night Bomber Regiment. They were renowned for their nighttime bombing missions against Nazi Germany, using antiquated biplanes to great effect. The Germans, terrified and frustrated by their nocturnal attacks, nicknamed them "Nachthexen," meaning "Night Witches".
The 588th Night Bomber Regiment was formed in 1941 by Marina Raskova, often called the "Soviet Amelia Earhart". She convinced Stalin to allow women into combat roles, specifically forming this all-female regiment.
They flew obsolete, slow, and open-cockpit Polikarpov Po-2 biplanes, which were also known as "crop dusters" and "mules". These aircraft were difficult to shoot down because they flew slower than the stall speed of German fighters.
The Night Witches were masters of nighttime warfare. They would fly in near silence by cutting their engines and gliding towards their targets, delivering bombs and then speeding away before the Germans could react.
The regiment flew over 23,000 sorties, dropping 3,000 tons of bombs and 26,000 incendiary shells, according to Wikipedia. They were the most highly decorated female unit in the Soviet Air Force. Many pilots flew over 800 missions, and 23 were awarded the Hero of the Soviet Union
One of these aircraft is on display at the FLYING HERITAGE & COMBAT ARMOR MUSEUM at Paine Field in Everett, Wa., just north of Seattle. Being's Everett plant is at Paine Field; been there dozens of times working with Boeing. Great tours at both locations. https://flyingheritage.org/
ReplyDeleteGive the Sabaton 'Night Witches' a listen. It's on their 'Heroed' a;bum
ReplyDeleteit was a way for them to strike back early in the war and lasted until the end. they scared the shit out of the Germans.
ReplyDeletegliding in low and no sound until they dropped their bombs and flew away.by 1943, the Germans where scared shitless if the was a moon that guided them in. not fast by ANY means, no armor at all and whatever weapons, they carried them !
but they sure had more than enough 'balls" to get the job done. and they , the Germans never had a fire at night. no matter how cold it got because of them.