How to fight the "Night witches" or "Dunkin regiment", the only female regiment in the Second world

"The Germans called us the "night witches" and witches was only from 15 to 27 years." Echoes of the Second world are filled with stories of brave boys-the students who escaped to the front, but among many of the war heroes was and women. One of the most famous aviation regiments were the 46th guards women air regiment.

The aviation regiment was formed in October 1941, he managed the formation of Marina Raskova, pilot-Navigator, which in 1938 he participated in the establishment of the aviation distance record.

The commander of the same regiment was assigned to Evdokia Bershanskaya, an experienced pilot with a decade of experience. It was under her command of the woman and fought until the end of the war. Although the regiment jokingly called "Darkinym regiment" on behalf of his commander, funny in its activities was not enough.

"Baptism of fire" pilots was the operation to break through powerful defensive line of the German fascist troops to the Blue line in the area of Novorossiysk. After the liberation of the Taman. 11 women died during the operation.

"Night witches" got another nickname because I flew mostly at night. Pilots operated light biplanes Polikarpov, which was also called Po-2.

Despite its maneuvering advantages, light airplanes had no protection — they easily made their way with heavy guns, they were on fire from a single spark.

In order for the Board has placed enough bombs, the girls even parachutes are not taken, and as the weapon was carried only pistols. Later they were replaced by machine guns. But the gun could not save the pilot if it got into the spotlight. If this happened, it was doomed.

Mechanics regiment of women — repaired planes literally for hours.

Before the war, "the pilot" studied three years, on time, but it was not, and "swallows" mastered the art of heaven for six months, practicing 12 hours a day.

Flew "the witch" very often: per night single aircraft made to 10 or more sorties. "Night witches" blew up 17 crossings, 46 of ammunition depots, 86 emplacements of the enemy, 12 fuel tanks, 9 trains, 2 railway station, captured by the enemy. Only they dropped more than 3,000 tons of bombs. But this is just numbers, they do not understand neither head nor heart.

Just the girls "flew" from 800 to 1000 times.