The Night Witches

What It Covers

The 588th Night Bomber Regiment, an all-female Soviet aviation unit in World War Two, flew outdated biplanes on nighttime harassment missions against German forces.

Key Questions Answered

• •Tactical advantage through limitations: The Po-2 biplanes' wooden construction and 90 mph maximum speed made them invisible to radar and too slow for German fighters to engage effectively in aerial combat.
• •Three-plane deception strategy: Night Witches flew in groups of three, with two planes drawing searchlights and gunfire while the third cut its engine to glide silently toward targets, rotating roles after each bombing run.
• •Combat effectiveness metrics: Over the war, 261 members flew 28,676 sorties, dropped 3,000 tons of bombs, destroyed 17 river crossings, 26 warehouses, and 12 fuel depots with only 32 pilot casualties.