Roza Shanina, a female Soviet sniper who fought in World War II and got 54 confirmed hits. Allied newspapers called her, “the unseen terror of East Prussia.”

“The essence of my happiness is fighting for the happiness of others. It’s strange, why is it that in grammar, the word “happiness” can only be singular? That is counter to its meaning, after all. … If it turns necessary to die for the common happiness, then I’m ready to.” -Roza Shanina

Roza Shanina was a Soviet sniper during World War II, credited with fifty-four confirmed hits, including twelve soldiers during the Battle of Vilnius. Praised for her shooting accuracy, Shanina was capable of precisely hitting moving enemy personnel and making doublets (two target hits by two rounds fired in quick succession). She volunteered to serve as a marksman on the front line.

Allied newspapers described Shanina as “the unseen terror of East Prussia”. She became the first Soviet female sniper to be awarded the Order of Glory and was the first servicewoman of the 3rd Belorussian Front to receive it. Shanina was killed in action during the East Prussian Offensive while shielding the severely wounded commander of an artillery unit.

She was, as the Russians say, a terrifying Nazi slaughtering badass.

(Source)

December 20, 2013 | Categories: History, Photography, Pursuit of Happiness, Stunt Queens, The Drama Of It All, The Politics of Cultural Destruction, Women's Issues, World War Two | Tags: Adolf Hitler, Communism, Communist, East Prussia, Empowerment, Europe, Female, Germany, History, Hitler, Military, Nazi, Photo, Photography, Politics, Roza Shanina, Russia, Russian, Shanina, Sniper, Soviet, Soviet Sniper, Soviet Union, USSR, War, Warfare, women in the war, Women Snipers, women soliders, womens issues, Womens Rights, World War two, WW2 | 3 Comments