Soviet Women During WWII

ON THE HOMEFRONT AND ON THE BATTLEFIELD

Women in the Soviet Union during WWII not only fought in some instances but also made significant contributions in keeping their homes, families and country together during the war years. Women's contributions ranged from harvesting crops to flying fighter aircraft and shooting down enemy planes. Nothing was too difficult or too demanding during the war years.

Understanding the status of women in the labor force just before war broke out is important. Following the Revolution, women in the 1920s stood to gain as a result of rapid industrial growth and the growing urbanization of the population. Soon the demand for labor overwhelmed the male population, and women were drawn into the labor force in massive numbers.

The opportunity for work outside the home offered women of the Soviet Union the chance to gain a measure of independence, to earn their own wages and to escape the drudgery of purely domestic chores. By the period of 1932-37, women were 82 percent of all new workers. They entered varied fields of work, including science, education, public health and even eventually aviation. Thus, just prior to WWII, women had moved into many areas which were to become vital during the war years. When WWII broke out, it was reported that the party, Komsomol, trade unions, military commissariats and the Red Cross received thousands of applications from women who were very anxi

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f that meant sometimes dangerous work. Not surprisingly, some of the most dangerous work was in the medical field. Female doctors and nurses worked both in field hospitals at the front and at base hospitals in the rear. Although female doctors and nurses were not in the Red Army, they were under control of the military. Thus, those in the field hospitals at the front often followed the army. One particularly courageous doctor was Nina Notareva a volunteer in the Red Army who organized one of the first medsanbats, or field hospitals, that followed the army. Decorated for her work under fire, Dr. Notareva was wounded in the course of her duties. Yet she was anxious to return to the front to help the wounded. This strong sense of duty was prevalent in all aspects of the medical profession. Field nurses were perhaps even more physically courageous because they went into the field and carried out the wounded. Field nursing required not just physical stamina but bravery and courage. The nurses went out on the battlefield and carried out the wounded soldiers and their equipment. One field nurse who exhibited tremendous courage was Galina Karpenko. Karpenko was awarded the Order of Lenin for carrying 82 men, including al
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Some common words found in the essay are:
Defense Forces, Defense Society, Soviet Union, Anna Nikulina, War II, Red Army, Union WWII, Karpenko Karpenko, Air Defense, Dr Notareva, soviet union, air defense, world war, world war ii, red army, defense forces, war effort, service women, women war, war ii, national air, national air defense, women soviet union, air defense forces, women joined civilian,
Approximate Word count = 2596
Approximate Pages = 10 (250 words per page)

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