The Mother of Witches
The squadron was the brainchild of a woman named Marina Raskova, who was known as the “Soviet Amelia Earhart.” She was famous for being not only the first female navigator in the Soviet Air Force but also for her countless long-distance flight records. She would get letters from many women, telling her they wanted to join the war effort.
Marina Raskova, Captain Polina Osipenko, and Valentina Grizodubova, 1938. Photo by Sovfoto / Universal Images Group / Shutterstock
These female hopefuls knew that they were allowed to participate in support roles, but many wanted to be gunners and pilots and fly on their own. They wanted to get their hands dirty. Many of these young women were highly motivated after having lost brothers or lovers, or their homes and villages. Noticing such an opportunity, Raskova pleaded with Joseph Stalin to let her form an all-female fighting squadron.