The Soviet pilots who glided through the night like ghosts

Wars & Conflicts · Published 16 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: During World War II, a specialized Soviet unit of female aviators became a nightmare for German forces. By idling their engines and gliding toward targets, they moved with such silence that the enemy likened the sound of their planes to broomsticks, earning them the haunting nickname "Night Witches."

The 588th Night Bomber Regiment was born out of necessity and personal influence. Major Marina Raskova, a record-breaking long-distance pilot known as the "Russian Amelia Earhart," used her direct connection to Joseph Stalin to secure permission for all-female combat units. Stalin gave the green light mainly because of the 'tremendous international propaganda value' it offered. In June 1942, the front lines received a group of female volunteers aged between their late teens and early twenties.

Their tactics were defined by stealth and technical improvisation. Flying obsolete Polikarpov U-2 biplanes—originally designed for training and crop dusting—the pilots exploited the aircraft's maneuverability. Because the planes were so slow, they were often difficult for German fighters to hit. To maintain silence, the women would cut their engines near targets and glide to the release point. This method was so effective that German soldiers claimed the only sound they heard was like "broomsticks." Due to the heavy weight of their bombs and low-altitude flight paths, these pilots did not carry parachutes until 1944.

The unit's legacy is one of extreme endurance and high-stakes sacrifice. The unit reached a maximum of 40 two-person crews, completing more than 23,000 sorties and releasing upwards of 3,000 tons of bombs. While the Soviet Union had declared legal equality for women in 1917, these aviators faced a unique paradox: they were recognized as heroes of the state, yet faced immense social pressure to prioritize family over military careers in peacetime. Even under such strain, 23 individuals received the Hero of the Soviet Union title, making the regiment the Soviet Air Force's most decorated female unit.

The regiment's history is marked by both heroism and harsh reality. While many were celebrated, 32 members died during the war from combat, crashes, or tuberculosis. The unit was eventually disbanded on October 15, 1945, following the end of the conflict, leaving behind a legacy of precision bombing and survival in the face of overwhelming odds.

General information, not professional advice. Spotted an error? Flag the card or see corrections and complaints.

Intellect Plus is a visual educational discovery platform for exploring fascinating facts and ideas. Brain Food, Not Brain Rot. What is Intellect Plus?

Related

• Who were the daring female pilots known as the Night Witches of World War II?
• How an all-female Soviet regiment became the feared Night Witches of World War II
• How a slow, wooden biplane became the most feared night raider of two wars
• The Soviet bomber born in a prison cell that defined the Eastern Front
• The Soviet fighter so lethal the Luftwaffe ordered pilots to avoid it
• Why the nuclear triad remains the ultimate insurance policy against a global first strike
• A tenth-century Indonesian fleet sailed about 7,000 kilometres to raid East Africa
• Britain’s nuclear deterrent relies on a continuous, invisible presence beneath the ocean’s surface
• Ancient crews dodged ramming by rushing to one side and tilting their ship
• How the United States maintains its nuclear arsenal without conducting any explosive tests
• The elite graduate school that has produced more astronauts than any other institution
• The 35mm caliber that became the global standard for anti-aircraft defense

More in War and military · More in Wars & Conflicts · Latest · A–Z · All topics