Lyubov & Mariya
Lyubov Karzeva served with the Red Army as a combat medic and a scout. She joined the army in 1941 and, unfortunately, not much is known about her or her service that I could find or verify. She was killed in action in January 1943. She is pictured with a PPD-40 submachine gun, which was the precursor to the PPSh-41.
Mariya Vasilyevna Smirnova was born on March 31, 1920. Before the war she worked as a schoolteacher, learning to fly with the local aeroclub. In 1940, she graduated flight training and became a full-time flight instructor. Her previously flying knowledge made her the perfect candidate for Marina Raskova’s women’s aviation units. In 1942 she was assigned to the 588th Night Bomber Regiment, officially becoming a “Night Witch.” She quickly excelled and was promoted to squadron commander in August 1943. Smirnova became the first of the Night Witches to reach 500 sorties on September 22, 1943. She and Yevdokiya Nikulina were the first women to be awarded the Order of Alexander Nevsky. By the end of the war, Smirnova slew 935 sorties, dropping 118 tons of bombs, and was awarded the Hero of the Soviet Union in October 1944.
After the regiment was deactivated, Smirnova left the military in October 1945. She married fellow airman Nikolai Lyubimov and had two daughters. Smirnova graduated from the Tambov Party School in 1954 and worked in various party committees. She died on July 10, 2002 and is buried in the Dmitrovo-Cherkassky cemetery.
Unfortunately, its a shorter newsletter this month due to my busy schedule.
Happy holidays to all!
