The Night Witches: The Incredible Women Who Struck Fear Into the German Army in WW2
Today I want to tell you a little bit about a remarkable group of women known as the Night Witches.
Yevdokiya Bershanskaya
The Night Witches were an all-female Soviet bomber regiment. They became famous for carrying out dangerous night bombing missions against German forces on the Eastern Front. Their official name was the 588th Night Bomber Regiment, later renamed the 46th Guards Night Bomber Aviation Regiment after their bravery was recognised.
Irina Fyodorovna Sebrova
After Germany invaded the Soviet Union in 1941, many young women who already knew how to fly wanted to help defend their country. They wrote to famous Soviet aviator Marina Raskova, who is often called the “Russian Amelia Earhart,” asking how they could serve. Using her influence with Joseph Stalin, she helped to gain approval for three women’s air force regiments, including the 588th.
Most of the women who joined were in their late teens or early twenties. Many had never seen combat before. Their commander was Yevdokiya Bershanskaya, who helped to turn these young volunteers into one of the most feared bomber units of the war.
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1941 Fighters move wounded man
They flew old Polikarpov Po-2 biplanes made of wood and canvas. These aircraft were originally designed as training planes and crop dusters, so they were slow, open to the cold air, and gave very little protection. They carried only small bomb loads, meaning crews often had to fly eight or more missions in a single night.
What made their attacks so terrifying was their technique. As they approached their target, they would cut their engines off and glide before releasing their bombs. German soldiers reportedly said that the noise was like a soft rushing sound that reminded them of a broomstick sweeping through the air, which is how some people believe they earned their nickname Night Witches.
Their first combat missions began in June 1942. From then until the end of the war, they flew across some of the fiercest fighting on the Eastern Front, including the Battle of the Caucasus, Crimean Offensive, operations in Poland, and the final push into Germany.
Despite their aircraft being outdated and them having to face anti-aircraft fire, searchlights, and enemy fighters, they kept going. Their courage was extraordinary. Many flew hundreds of missions. Irina Sebrova flew an astonishing 1,008 sorties, more than anyone else in the regiment.
By the end of the war, the regiment had flown over 23,000 combat sorties, dropped more than 3,000 tons of bombs, and delivered over 26,000 incendiary shells. They managed to damage bridges, railways, fuel depots, and enemy positions. They made a real impact on the war.
But their success came at a cost. Thirty-two members of the regiment sadly lost their lives during the war. Many were still only young.
In total, 23 members of the regiment were awarded the title Hero of the Soviet Union, one of the highest honours possible.
The Night Witches proved that courage, skill, and determination were far more important than age, gender, or outdated equipment.
Had you heard of the Night Witches before today?
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