Lydia Litvyak | |
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![]() Litvyak, c. 1941-43 | |
Native name | Лидия Владимировна Литвяк |
Nickname(s) |
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Born | Moscow, Russian SFSR | 18 August 1921
Died | 1 August 1943 near Kozhevnia, Ukrainian SSR, Soviet Union | (aged 21)
Allegiance | Soviet Union |
Service/ | Soviet Air Force |
Years of service | 1941–1943 |
Rank | Senior lieutenant |
Unit |
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Battles/wars | Eastern Front of World War II |
Awards | Hero of the Soviet Union (posthumous) |
Lydia Vladimirovna Litvyak (Russian: Лидия Владимировна Литвяк; 18 August 1921 – 1 August 1943), also known as Lilya, was a fighter pilot in the Soviet Air Force during World War II.[1] Historians' estimates for her total victories range from thirteen to fourteen solo victories and four to five shared kills in her 66 combat sorties.[2][3][4][5][6] In about two years of operations, she was the first female fighter pilot to shoot down an enemy aircraft, the first of two female fighter pilots who have earned the title of fighter ace and the holder of the record for the greatest number of kills by a female fighter pilot. She was shot down near Orel during the Battle of Kursk as she attacked a formation of German aircraft.