Mariya Vasilyevna Smirnova | |
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Native name | Мария Васильевна Смирнова |
Born | 31 March 1920 Vorobyovo village, Tver Governorate, Russian SFSR |
Died | 10 July 2002 Tver, Russia | (aged 82)
Allegiance | Soviet Union |
Service | Soviet Air Force |
Years of service | 1941–1945 |
Rank | Major |
Unit | 46th Taman Guards Night Bomber Aviation Regiment |
Battles / wars | World War II |
Awards | Hero of the Soviet Union |
Mariya Vasilyevna Smirnova (Russian: Мария Васильевна Смирнова; 31 March 1920 – 10 July 2002) was a squadron commander in the 46th Taman Guards Night Bomber Aviation Regiment (nicknamed the "Night Witches") of the Soviet Air Forces during the Second World War. For her actions during the war, she was made a Hero of the Soviet Union on 26 October 1944.