Evdokiya Nosal Bomber pilot Date of Birth: 13.03.1918 Country: Ukraine

1. Biography of Yevdokia Nosal
2. Aviation Career
3. Combat Achievements
4. Hero of the Soviet Union
5. Legacy
6. Combat Record

Biography of Yevdokia Nosal

Yevdokia Ivanovna Nosal was born on March 13, 1918, in the village of Burchak, in what is now the Mikhailovsk district of the Zaporozhye region, into a peasant family. She worked as a teacher in the city of Nikolaev before pursuing a career in aviation.

Aviation Career

Nosal graduated from an aeroclub and the Kherson Aviation School in 1940. She worked as a pilot instructor at the Nikolaev Aeroclub. In May 1942, she joined the Red Army and began serving on the frontlines of the Great Patriotic War.

Combat Achievements

As the deputy commander of the 46th Guards Night Bomber Aviation Regiment (218th Night Bomber Aviation Division, 4th Air Army, North Caucasus Front), Yevdokia Nosal performed 354 combat missions, bombing enemy targets and destroying their forces and equipment. On April 23, 1943, she tragically lost her life while carrying out a combat mission southwest of Novorossiysk.

Hero of the Soviet Union

For her courage and military valor demonstrated in battles against the enemy, Yevdokia Nosal was posthumously awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union on May 24, 1943. She was also honored with the orders of Lenin, the Red Banner, and the Red Star.

Legacy

Yevdokia Nosal was buried in the town of Pashkovsky, Krasnodar City Council. Her documents are preserved in the museum of Pashkovskaya School. A secondary school in her hometown and School No. 58 in Krasnodar were named in her honor. Additionally, a bust of the heroine was installed in the Victory Square of the town of Mikhailovka in the Zaporozhye region.

Combat Record

Yevdokia Ivanovna Nosal began the war as an ordinary pilot but quickly rose through the ranks. In June 1942, she performed 95 night combat missions, targeting mechanized enemy units, river crossings, railroad trains, and warehouses. She caused 10 major fires and 18 explosions, destroying one enemy crossing. For these actions, Nosal was awarded the Order of the Red Star.

After receiving this award, she performed 120 more combat missions, achieving victories in each one. She caused 14 fires and 16 explosions in enemy positions, destroyed two river crossings on the Terek River, and directly hit an enemy train with personnel and equipment at the Ardona station. For her excellent execution of combat tasks, she was awarded the Order of the Red Banner.

After receiving her first and second government awards, Nosal flew on 139 more bombing missions against the enemy. Her skills improved with each flight, and her strikes became more accurate. She caused 19 major fires, 64 explosions, and destroyed one enemy anti-aircraft position.

On the night of April 22-23, 1943, Yevdokia Nosal carried out a bombing raid on the enemy southwest of Novorossiysk. This was her 354th combat mission. On the way back, their U-2 aircraft was attacked by an enemy fighter.

Nosal was killed by shrapnel from the enemy projectile. The plane began to lose altitude, but the navigator, Senior Guards Sergeant Kashirina, took control of the aircraft and safely landed it at their base. Yevdokia Nosal was the first to be awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union in the 46th Guards Taman Regiment. Following her, 22 more female pilots were awarded this honor, all of whom performed several hundred combat missions, with some exceeding 1,000.