The Russian role in World War II is one of extremes. Initially involved in a secret non-aggression pact with Nazi Germany, which Russia used to invade neighboring countries without fear of German reprisal, it may have appeared that Russian intended to stay out of the war. But Hitler dissolved the pact when the Germans invaded Russia in 1941, bringing Russia into the war on the side of the Allies. By war's end, the Russians had suffered a higher number and percentage of casualties than any other nation. Russia also became the first nation to allow women in combat as a part of their organized military forces, through the female pilots known as the Night Witches.[1]

Marina Raskova, a Russian pilot, first proposed the idea of a female combat unit to Stalin. He accepted her proposal, and the 122nd Composite...

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