Lydia Litvyak | |
|---|---|
 Litvyak, c. 1941-43 | |
| Native name | Лидия Владимировна Литвяк |
| Nickname(s) |
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| Born | 18 August 1921 Moscow, Russian SFSR |
| Died | 1 August 1943 (aged 21) near Kozhevnia, Ukrainian SSR, Soviet Union |
| Allegiance | Soviet Union |
| Service | Soviet Air Force |
| Years of service | 1941–1943 |
| Rank | Senior lieutenant |
| Unit |
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| Battles / wars | |
| Awards | Hero of the Soviet Union (posthumous) |
Lydia Vladimirovna Litvyak (Russian: Лидия Владимировна Литвяк; 18 August 1921 – 1 August 1943), also known as Lilya, was a fighter pilot in the Soviet Air Force during World War II.[1] Historians' estimates for her total victories range from thirteen to fourteen solo victories and four to five shared kills in her 66 combat sorties.[2][3][4][5][6] In about two years of operations, she was the first female fighter pilot to shoot down an enemy aircraft, the first of two female fighter pilots who have earned the title of fighter ace and the holder of the record for the greatest number of kills by a female fighter pilot. She was shot down near Orel during the Battle of Kursk as she attacked a formation of German aircraft.
- ^ Goodpaster 2007, p. 27.
- ^ Simonov & Chudinova 2017, p. 105.
- ^ Jackson 2003, p. 57.
- ^ Seidl 1998, p. 323.
- ^ Bergström 2007, p. 83.
- ^ Spick 1999, p. 120.