From Google. Beautiful Work
Lidiya Litvyak was most successful woman-fighter ace of WWII.
Soviet Air Forces had some woman Air Units, most famous were women-pilots of low speed night bombers Po-2 (U-2) (archaic biplans).
But some girls were fighter-pilots.
Lidiya Litvyak firstly became fighter of 586th Women Fighter Air Regiment, it was Regiment of Air Defense System of Volga region.
In September of 1942 4 girls were transferred in "men" 437th FAR in Stalingrad. On next day after arriving Lidiya shot down Ju88.
On September, 14th Litvyak with other girl, E.Budanova, shot down BF109. Pilot of BF109 parachuted and landed near Soviet Airfield. German expert with Iron Cross was amazed when he saw Soviet fighter pilot who shot down his - young blonde girl.
Later Lidiya Litvyak fought in 9th Guardian FAR and in 73rd FAR.
Lidiya Litvyak (73rd FAR) on March, 22 of 1943 in Yak-1 plane alone attacked and shot down bomber and for next 15 minutes had combat against 6 (!!!) Bf109 of bomber’s escort. She even could to shoot down one Bf109 in this combat. She was wound in leg and shoulder but she could escape and to land damaged plane in fuselage in her airfield.
Lidiya Litvyak was killed in action on August, 1st of 1943. She had 12 personal and 4 group victories.
Other famous girl, her friend, Ekaterina Budanova was killed in action in summer of 1943. She had 10 victories in 266 combat flights.
