A Soviet squadron soared straight into the history books under the cover of night during World War II (1939–1945). By war's end, the squadron had flown more than 30,000 missions and dropped over 23,000 tons (almost 21,000 metric tons) of bombs on German targets.
What made this squadron so unique? It was made up entirely of women. Most were between 17 and 26 years old.
Actually, female pilots weren't uncommon during World War II. Many countries, including the United States, allowed women to fly transport planes. These pilots delivered troops and gear to support the war. But Marina Raskova wanted to do more. Raskova was the first female navigator for the Soviet Air Force. Many people knew her as "the Soviet Amelia Earhart." Raskova wrote a letter to Soviet leader Joseph Stalin pleading for permission to train female pilots for battle. In October 1941, Stalin agreed. The Soviet Union became the first country to allow women to participate in combat missions.
The all-women 588th Bomber Regiment wasn't exactly given top-notch equipment, though. The pilots were issued outdated, open-cockpit biplanes. The planes were made from plywood and canvas. They were intended for crop-dusting, not combat. The planes didn't have radar or radios, either. The crew had to use tools like rulers, stopwatches, pencils, and flashlights instead. The women couldn't even pack parachutes. The added weight would've been too heavy for their planes.
The women found clever ways to handle the hardships. They stuffed the toe end of their men's combat boots with old bedding to keep their feet from flopping around. Then, they got to work. Male pilots got years of training. The women had to master the same tasks within months.
By June 1942, they had orders for their first official mission: bomb German headquarters.
They followed a basic game plan. The women flew in groups of three planes. The first two drew German gunfire and searchlights away from the third plane. Once spotted, they split up. Then, the pilots flew in different directions, distracting German forces. The remaining plane swooped in under the cover of darkness until it reached its target. They repeated these steps to allow each plane to drop the two bombs it carried. The pilots followed the same plan for most of their other operations.
The weight of the bombs forced the women to fly at low altitudes. Flying at night was their only cover. But they had another trick up their sleeves. As each plane approached its bombing target, the pilot would cut the engine. Then, she would glide the rest of the way. The Germans thought this sounded like a sweeping broom. When they heard that, it was too late. The Nachthexen—or "The Night Witches," as the Germans called them—had likely succeeded.
The stealth pilots were so dreaded that German forces wouldn't smoke at night. The soldiers feared light from their cigarettes would give away their location. Any German who shot down one of the planes was automatically awarded an Iron Cross medal. The darkness and silence helped protect the women somewhat. But their planes caught fire easily. Even the smallest bullet could set the whole thing on fire. One pilot counted 42 bullet holes after a mission. And the Germans weren't the only enemy. The women had to battle the weather, too. Flying in an open cockpit during the Soviet winter was harsh. Many pilots ended up with frostbite.
The "Night Witches" squadron flew its last mission on May 4, 1945. Three days later, Germany surrendered. Twenty-four of the women received a "Hero of the Soviet Union" medal. But the squadron as a whole wasn't treated as heroic. They weren't even allowed to take part in the Soviet victory parade. The squadron's founder, Raskova, got top honors, though. She was given the first state funeral of World War II after she died in 1943. And her ashes were buried inside the Kremlin in Moscow.
QUESTION 3
QUESTION 3 OF 8
3 / 8
According to the Article, why did the women fly planes in groups?
A.The pilots were mostly young women who had trained for only a few months before their missions.
B.The pilots needed backup since the planes were made of plywood that could easily catch fire.
C.The pilots wanted the planes to create the sweeping broom sound that the Germans heard before attacks.
D.The pilots needed two planes to distract German forces so the third plane could reach its target.