Mariya Smirnova

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.

[1][2] Several months after the German invasion of the Soviet Union, Smirnova volunteered to join the women's aviation group founded by Marina Raskova.

After completing initial training at Engels Military Aviation School in February 1942 she was assigned to the 588th Night Bomber Aviation Regiment, with which she was deployed to the warfront in May 1942 as a deputy squadron commander; the unit was renamed in February 1943 as the 46th Guards Night Bomber Regiment.

After the regiment was disbanded in October 1945 she left the military, having been declared unfit for remaining a pilot by a medical commission.

After moving to Kalinin (Tver) in 1956 she initially worked as head of a kindergarten before taking a job at the regional party committee.