#3 Smashing A Myth - The Men Of The Night Witches Regiment.

[CtahhR]

This final piece of evidence proves that there were indeed men in the ranks of the 46th during their wartime combat activities (Their last combat sorties were on 4th May 1945).

This 26th October 1945 Order awards a pair of Medals "For Combat Merits" to male ground crew of the 1st Squadron of the 46th Guards Night-Bomber Aviation Taman Red Banner Order Suvurov III Regiment.

Rifleman-Armourer Guards Private Petr Fedorovich Orlovskij (Age 38, formerly of the 672nd Rifle Regiment)
Rifleman-Armourer Guards Private Aleksandr Fedorovich Sinitsin (Age 39, formerly of the 601st Rifle Regiment)

Both serving in the 46th from April 1945 after recovering from being wounded.


Although the myth is hopefully now totally smashed (and these are just the men who received awards), Pljuta's Medal "For Combat Merits" is a really outstanding researched Medal in the collection and will be held in the prestige it deserves.