Women at War

On the ninth of May in 2010 people all over the world will celebrate the 65th anniversary of victory over the fascists.

World War II brought a lot of sufferings and hardships to thousands of people. But most of all women suffered from war hardships.

The Soviet Union, the United Kingdom and the USA played the main role in the struggle against Germany.
In all these countries women did their best to work for the victory.

In 1941 Britain became the first western country to call up women, to take part in war work. Some became mechanics and engineers; some drove tanks or built ships.

By 1944, more than 2 mln women had been working in the war industry in the USA.

Vera Lynn
Gracie Fields
In Britain the most famous females were Vera Lynn and Gracie Fields.

Lidiya Ruslanova
Lubov Orlova

Marina Ladynina
Valentin Serova

The most famous female SOE members were Violette Szabo and Odette Churchill.

One of the most famous Russian partisans was Zoya Kosmodemyanskaya. She was caught by the fascists in the village of Petrishchevo and hung.

Zinaida Portnova was the youngest woman to become a Hero of the Soviet Union.
In October 1943 Zina was captured by the enemy and executed. She was only 17 years old.

Nigh witches

Russian women did much more for the victory over the fascists.
Many women perished in World War II.
Women all over the world, who took part in that holy struggle are worth being remembered.

What women-heroines of the War
do you know?

Are there any women-relatives who fought at the fronts or worked in the rear in your family?