Natalya Kovshova

Natlya Venediktovna Kovshova (Russian: Наталья Венедиктовна Ковшовa, 26 November 1920 – 14 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.

Early life
Natalya Kovshova was born on 26 November 1920 in Ufa; 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.

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 Opolcheniye (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 7 July 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 14 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. Late in the 'sixties a big Soviet fishing factory trawler was christened "Natalya Kovsheva".