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terça-feira, 25 de abril de 2017

Наталья Венедиктовна Ковшовa - Natalya Venediktovna Kovshova


Natalya Venediktovna Kovshova (Russian: Наталья Венедиктовна Ковшовa, b. 26 November 1920 – d. 14 August 1942) was a Soviet sniper who fought in the Great Patriotic War.
She fought with her friend Mariya Polivanova who acted as her spotter. Natalya fought bravely throughout the war; she was killed fighting German Wehrmacht forces near Novgorod in August 1942. She was awarded the Hero of the Soviet Union which was the Soviet Union's highest award for bravery.


Natalya Kovshova was born in Ufa, the capital of the Republic of Bashkortostan in Russia, and  is one of the largest cities in Russia.
Shortly after her birth, her family moved to Moscow. After graduating from high school, Kovshova began work at a Moscow research institute while waiting to be accepted into a university of aviation. She met a girl called Mariya Polivanova while in the institute; the two became good friends.


When the Great Patriotic War began in 1941, Kovshova joined a Narodnoe Opolcheniye (self-defence) unit in Moscow with Polivanova at age 21. These self-defence groups were started when German Luftwaffe aircraft began to bomb Russian cities and towns.
Kovshova was put in charge of the observation and communication department, spending many nights in the control tower.
After her experience at the self-defence group, Kovshova attended sniper training in the 528th Rifle Regiment. After her training had been completed, she was sent to the front with the 528th Rifle Regiment.


In January 1942, Kovshova and Polivanova, who had joined the same regiment shortly after Kovshova, began fighting the German forces on the Northwestern Front. Both women established themselves as the Regiment's resident snipers. Kovshova was the shooter in the two-women sniper team, and Polivanova acted as the spotter.
They both fought in the Battle of Moscow when the 528th Rifle Regiment were sent to help defend Russia's capital.
During the battle, Kovshova proved to be an expert sniper, killing many German soldiers. She also dug numerous anti-tank emplacements, machine gun nests, and infantry trenches during the defence. She took the job of training new soldiers how to use the rifles.
She also trained the best students to become snipers, teaching them marksmanship early; passing on her shooting skills. It is estimated that Kovshova killed over 300 German soldiers during the battle for Moscow.
For her actions at Moscow, Kovshova was awarded the Order of the Red Star.


 Kovshova expressed great hatred of the Germans during the Great Patriotic War.
She was inspired by the Soviet propaganda explaining how the Soviet soldiers were fighting for the liberation of the Motherland.
She wrote to her mother in 1942:
"You can hear horrible stories from local residents who have been in the hands of the fascist pigs. The women we live with had a guest come to visit said that the Germans shot her brother and four of her friends simply because they went outside after 4pm." Natalya found great delight in killing German soldiers.



She wrote to her mother on 7 July 1942:
"My dearest Mama!" "Please don't be angry that I didn't write to you about being wounded. But I didn't want to worry you for no reason, since nothing serious happened..." "I've been back with my unit 2nd June 1942. Now Mashenka [Mariya] and I are working with the young snipers. Their statistics are looking good. In the last two weeks of June our students took down 3 Fritzes. Not bad!"... "A few days ago five of us went on reconnaissance without saying anything to the company commander. We were right under the German's very noses and they had no clue!"


On 14 August 1942, Kovshova's regiment was committed to the fighting near the village of Sutoki-Byakovo in the Novgorod Oblast. The machine gunners and snipers resisted the German offensive in trenches. The Soviet soldiers were killed one after another, until only Kovshova and Polivanova remained, both wounded.
As being captured was not an option, Kovshova decided to pull the pin of her grenade, and wait to blow the German soldiers up when they reached the trench.
When the Germans finally reached the trench, Kovshova detonated the grenades, killing herself, Polivanova and many German soldiers.


                                                                         She was posthumously awarded the Hero of the Soviet Union shortly after, in recognition of her sacrífice.


    1944 Soviet postage stamp depicting Polivanova and Kovshova


Kovshova´s biography book cover.


Kovshova and Polivanova



In Moscow, where the corners of Maria Polivanova and Natalia Kovshova Streets meet, there are two memorial plaques celebrating the memory of the heroic friends.

                                                               

Another one of the fabulous EK Castings miniatures, proudly made in Russia :)

26 comentários:

  1. This is a splendid piece! Your 54mm brushwork is some of your finest. Impression is very realistic.
    Wonderful!

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    1. Thank you Jonathan for your always kind support :) This is my 3rd 54mm mini. To my surprise, I am really enjoying painting in this scale :D More to come in the following weeks!! Cheers my friend!

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  2. Quelle superbe figurine! Et une belle page d'histoire...

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    1. Merci chèr Phil :) Quelle femme, et quele histoire!! :D A bientôt!

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  3. Fantastic painted miniature my friend! Tha face is awesome!

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    1. Thank you Michał, your kind support means a lot to me! :D Cheers!

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  4. A very inspiring story and a very great soldier. I love the way you captured the pride and heroism in her face. Lovely work.

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    1. Thank you Michael, you just made my day, those are very kind words and I did try to capture an expression of pride. I am very glad you liked it :D Cheers!

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  5. This is absolutely superb, wonderful work.

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    1. Thank you Michael, your approval and kind comments are very much appreciated :D Cheers!

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  6. Respostas
    1. Thank you Klingula, I am very happy that you like it! :D Cheers!

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  7. Великолепная работа, Рожерио!!!

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    1. Большое спасибо, дорогой друг, Ты очень любезны. я очень рад, что тебе это нравится.. :D

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  8. Замечательно! Это отличная работа.

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  9. Красавица! Очень красиво получилось! И миниатюра хорошая,не зря ты в Россию ездил!

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    1. Спасибо, мой друг, за добрые слова! Мне очень понравился мой визит в замечательную Россию и надеюсь скоро вернуться! :D

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  10. eta samaya hrabraya Ruskaya krasavitza :) Slavic history has always been written with outstanding bravery and heroism

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    1. Thanks Dez for your kind comment :) Yes, I totally agree!!! Cheers!

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  11. Que guapa te quedó amigo. Muy bonita la miniatura. Veo que tienes una colección de miniaturas de rusos
    Un abrazo

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    1. Gracias Kike! :D Si, tengo unos cuantos más y espero pintar todos!!! Un abrazo!

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  12. Wow! Amazing paint job on a wonderful mini...and what an amazing character!

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    1. Thanks Gordon, you´re vey kind! :D She was indeed an impressive woman, what bravery!! Cheers!

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  13. Excellent figure, I love the beautiful and bright painted face!

    P.S:Welcome to 1:32 world! :)

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    1. :D Thank you George!!! I´ll be staying in this Brave New World for a while, I guess - I´m loving it ;) Cheers!

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