Yet, for all the attention and honors given to female snipers and air crews, the group of women who stood out the most were the anti-aircraft crews at the early stages of the Battle of Stalingrad, a major turning point of the war.
The Soviet Army's 1077th Anti-Aircraft Regiment was composed entirely of women aged 16 to 25. On their own initiative, they turned their guns against the rapidly advancing German 16th Panzer Division, the leading group of the invading 6th Army.
Destroying enormous amounts of German equipment and killing numerous Panzer grenadiers, they blunted the German advance, allowing Soviet reinforcements to regroup and be deployed.
Their efforts were so significant that even the Germans described them as "tenacious fighting women." No single action in the defense of Stalingrad has been regarded as more important in attaining the crushing defeat administered to the Germans at Stalingrad.
Every May, Russians honor their World War II triumph on what they call Victory Day. Marching proudly in Red square among the ranks of dwindling veterans are women warriors who helped make the victory possible.
--GreGen
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