Natalya Kovshova
Encyclopedia
Natlya Venediktovna Kovshova (Russian: Наталья Венедиктовна Ковшовa, 26th November 1920 - 14th August 1942) was a female Soviet sniper
who fought in the Great Patriotic War. She fought with her friend Mariya Polivanova who acted as Natalya's spotter. Natalya fought bravely throughout the war, however she was killed fighting German Wehrmacht
forces near Novgorod in August 1942. Natalya was awarded the Hero of the Soviet Union
which was the Soviet Union's highest award for bravery.
; a large city which is the capital of the Republic of Bashkortostan in Russia
. Ufa is one of the largest cities in Russia. Shortly after her birth, her family moved to Moscow
. She was educated at a high school in Moscow. After graduating from high school, Natalya began work at a Moscow research institute while waiting to be accepted into a university of aviation. Natalya met a girl called Mariya Polivanova while in the institute. The two became good friends.
(self-defence) unit in Moscow with Mariya at age 21. These self - defence groups were started when German Luftwaffe
aircraft began to bomb Russian cities and towns. Natalya was put in charge of the observation and communication department. She spent many nights in the control tower. After her experience at the self - defence group, Natalya attended sniper training in the 528th Rifle Regiment. After her training had been completed, Natalya was sent to the front with the 528th Rifle Regiment.
In January 1942, Natalya and Mariya (who had joined the same regiment shortly after Natalya) began fighting the German forces on the Northwestern Front. Both women established themselves as the Regiment's resident snipers. Natalya was the shooter in the two - women sniper team, and Mariya acted as the spotter. Natalya and Mariya both fought in the Battle of Moscow
when the 528th Rifle Regiment were sent to help defend Russia's capital. During the battle, Natalya proved to be an expert sniper, killing many German soldiers. Natalya also dug numerous anti - tank emplacements, machine - gun nests, and infantry trenches during the defence. Natalya took the job of training new soldiers how to use the rifles. She also trained the best students to become snipers, teaching them marksmanship early; passing on her shooting skills. It is estimated that Natalya killed over 300 German soldiers during the battle for Moscow. For her actions at Moscow, Natalya was awarded the Order of the Red Star
.
Natalya Kovshova expressed great hatred of the Germans during the Great Patriotic War. She was inspired by the Soviet propaganda
explaining how the Soviet soldiers were fighting for the liberation of the Motherland. She wrote to her mother in 1942: "You can hear horrible stories from local residents who have been in the hands of the fascist pigs. The women we live with had a guest come to visit said that the Germans shot her brother and four of her friends simply because they went outside after 4pm."
Natalya found great delight in killing German soldiers. She wrote to her mother in July 7th 1942: "My dearest Mama!" "Please don't be angry that I didn't write to you about being wounded. But I didn't want to worry you for no reason, since nothing serious happened..." "I've been back with my unit 2nd June 1942. Now Mashenka (Mariya) and I are working with the young snipers. Their statistics are looking good. In the last two weeks of June our students took down 3 Fritzes. Not bad!"... "A few days ago five of us went on reconnaissance without saying anything to the company commander. We were right under the German's very noses and they had no clue!"
On the 14th of August 1942, Natalya's regiment was committed to the fighting near the village of Sutoki-Byakovo in the Novgorod Oblast
. The machine - gunners and snipers resisted the German offensive in trenches. The Russian soldiers were killed one after another. Finally there only remained Natalya and Mariya. Both of them were wounded. As being captured was an option, Natalya decided to pull the pin of her grenade, and wait to blow the German soldiers up when they reached the trench. When the Germans finally reached the trench, Natalya detonated the grenades, killing herself, Mariya and many German soldiers. She was posthumously awarded the Hero of the Soviet Union shortly after, in recognition of her sacrifice.
Sniper
A sniper is a marksman who shoots targets from concealed positions or distances exceeding the capabilities of regular personnel. Snipers typically have specialized training and distinct high-precision rifles....
who fought in the Great Patriotic War. She fought with her friend Mariya Polivanova who acted as Natalya's spotter. Natalya fought bravely throughout the war, however she was killed fighting German Wehrmacht
Wehrmacht
The Wehrmacht – from , to defend and , the might/power) were the unified armed forces of Nazi Germany from 1935 to 1945. It consisted of the Heer , the Kriegsmarine and the Luftwaffe .-Origin and use of the term:...
forces near Novgorod in August 1942. Natalya was awarded the Hero of the Soviet Union
Hero of the Soviet Union
The title Hero of the Soviet Union was the highest distinction in the Soviet Union, awarded personally or collectively for heroic feats in service to the Soviet state and society.-Overview:...
which was the Soviet Union's highest award for bravery.
Early Life
Natalya Kovshova was born on the 26th November 1920 in UfaUfa
-Demographics:Nationally, dominated by Russian , Bashkirs and Tatars . In addition, numerous are Ukrainians , Chuvash , Mari , Belarusians , Mordovians , Armenian , Germans , Jews , Azeris .-Government and administration:Local...
; a large city which is the capital of the Republic of Bashkortostan in Russia
Russia
Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
. Ufa is one of the largest cities in Russia. Shortly after her birth, her family moved to Moscow
Moscow
Moscow is the capital, the most populous city, and the most populous federal subject of Russia. The city is a major political, economic, cultural, scientific, religious, financial, educational, and transportation centre of Russia and the continent...
. She was educated at a high school in Moscow. After graduating from high school, Natalya began work at a Moscow research institute while waiting to be accepted into a university of aviation. Natalya met a girl called Mariya Polivanova while in the institute. The two became good friends.
The Great Patriotic War
When the Great Patriotic War began in 1941, (as the Soviets called their part in the Second World War) Natalya joined a Narodnoe OpolcheniyeNarodnoe Opolcheniye
Narodnoe Opolcheniye or Opolchenie was the name of irregular troops formed from the population in Russia and Soviet Union to fight alongside the regular army during several wars throughout its history....
(self-defence) unit in Moscow with Mariya at age 21. These self - defence groups were started when German Luftwaffe
Luftwaffe
Luftwaffe is a generic German term for an air force. It is also the official name for two of the four historic German air forces, the Wehrmacht air arm founded in 1935 and disbanded in 1946; and the current Bundeswehr air arm founded in 1956....
aircraft began to bomb Russian cities and towns. Natalya was put in charge of the observation and communication department. She spent many nights in the control tower. After her experience at the self - defence group, Natalya attended sniper training in the 528th Rifle Regiment. After her training had been completed, Natalya was sent to the front with the 528th Rifle Regiment.
In January 1942, Natalya and Mariya (who had joined the same regiment shortly after Natalya) began fighting the German forces on the Northwestern Front. Both women established themselves as the Regiment's resident snipers. Natalya was the shooter in the two - women sniper team, and Mariya acted as the spotter. Natalya and Mariya both fought in the Battle of Moscow
Battle of Moscow
The Battle of Moscow is the name given by Soviet historians to two periods of strategically significant fighting on a sector of the Eastern Front during World War II. It took place between October 1941 and January 1942. The Soviet defensive effort frustrated Hitler's attack on Moscow, capital of...
when the 528th Rifle Regiment were sent to help defend Russia's capital. During the battle, Natalya proved to be an expert sniper, killing many German soldiers. Natalya also dug numerous anti - tank emplacements, machine - gun nests, and infantry trenches during the defence. Natalya took the job of training new soldiers how to use the rifles. She also trained the best students to become snipers, teaching them marksmanship early; passing on her shooting skills. It is estimated that Natalya killed over 300 German soldiers during the battle for Moscow. For her actions at Moscow, Natalya was awarded the Order of the Red Star
Order of the Red Star
Established on 6 April 1930, the Order of the Red Star was an order of the Soviet Union, given to Red Army and Soviet Navy personnel for "exceptional service in the cause of the defense of the Soviet Union in both war and peace". It was established by Resolution of the Presidium of the CEC of the...
.
Natalya Kovshova expressed great hatred of the Germans during the Great Patriotic War. She was inspired by the Soviet propaganda
Propaganda
Propaganda is a form of communication that is aimed at influencing the attitude of a community toward some cause or position so as to benefit oneself or one's group....
explaining how the Soviet soldiers were fighting for the liberation of the Motherland. She wrote to her mother in 1942: "You can hear horrible stories from local residents who have been in the hands of the fascist pigs. The women we live with had a guest come to visit said that the Germans shot her brother and four of her friends simply because they went outside after 4pm."
Natalya found great delight in killing German soldiers. She wrote to her mother in July 7th 1942: "My dearest Mama!" "Please don't be angry that I didn't write to you about being wounded. But I didn't want to worry you for no reason, since nothing serious happened..." "I've been back with my unit 2nd June 1942. Now Mashenka (Mariya) and I are working with the young snipers. Their statistics are looking good. In the last two weeks of June our students took down 3 Fritzes. Not bad!"... "A few days ago five of us went on reconnaissance without saying anything to the company commander. We were right under the German's very noses and they had no clue!"
On the 14th of August 1942, Natalya's regiment was committed to the fighting near the village of Sutoki-Byakovo in the Novgorod Oblast
Novgorod Oblast
Novgorod Oblast is a federal subject of Russia , located between Moscow and Saint Petersburg. Its administrative center is the city of Veliky Novgorod. Some of the oldest Russian cities, including Veliky Novgorod and Staraya Russa, are located there...
. The machine - gunners and snipers resisted the German offensive in trenches. The Russian soldiers were killed one after another. Finally there only remained Natalya and Mariya. Both of them were wounded. As being captured was an option, Natalya decided to pull the pin of her grenade, and wait to blow the German soldiers up when they reached the trench. When the Germans finally reached the trench, Natalya detonated the grenades, killing herself, Mariya and many German soldiers. She was posthumously awarded the Hero of the Soviet Union shortly after, in recognition of her sacrifice.