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The Documentary: The Night Witches of World War Two

The Night Witches of World War Two

31/01/2023 GMT

BBC World Service - The Documentary, The Night Witches of World War Two

The all-female Soviet combat unit which terrorised German forces using wooden biplanes

The all-female Soviet combat unit which terrorised German forces using wooden biplanes.

Orna Merchant learns how, during World War Two, a desperate Soviet Union created three all-female aerial combat units. The most celebrated of these was the 588th Night Bomber Regiment.

Using Polikarpov Po-2 wooden biplanes, as the aviators approached their target they would cut their engines and glide in to drop their bombs. The eerie sight and sound of this – added to the surprise discovery of them having all women crews - led German forces to nickname them ‘Nachthexen’ - the Night Witches.

Their basic Russian aircraft were not fitted with any form of protection from enemy fire, so a direct hit from defensive positions almost guaranteed they were coming down, and due to weight limits the crew of just a pilot and navigator flew without parachutes. Their mission was to cause chaos among the axis forces, keeping them awake and in fear at night.

These women would go on to become celebrated in their home country. They secured distinguished honours, including Heroes of the Soviet Union, Heroes of the Russian Federation, and Hero of Kazakhstan, and have been celebrated in books and films.

Presenter: Orna Merchant
Producer: Russell Crewe and Maya Mitter
A Made in Manchester production for BBC World Service

(Photo: Night Witches of Russia, WW2 female fighter pilots. Credit: Nikolai Ignatiev/Alamy)

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