Russian woman became hero of 2 world wars
Kira Bashkirova may have had to return home from the frontline many times, but this could not stop the brave young woman from finding a way to return to the battlefield again and again.
During World War II, most of society believed that the battlefield was not a place for women. They could do support work and care for wounded soldiers in the rear, but were rarely allowed to participate in frontline activities.
However, not all women are willing to accept that prejudice. They still seek opportunities to fight the enemy rather than sitting on the sidelines or working only in hospitals.
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Volunteer “Nikolay Popov”
Sixteen-year-old Kira Bashirova saw the war break out in Vilno (today’s Vilnius), where she attended the local girls’ school. Knowing she would never be allowed to go to war, Kira chose to run away. She cut her long, flowing hair and sold a quarter of her jewelry to buy a military uniform. Then she took her cousin Nikolay Popov’s student card and headed to Lodza, Poland, where the 88th Petrovsky Infantry Regiment was stationed. She disguised herself as a man and volunteered for the regiment.
“Nikolay” fought bravely and often took on reconnaissance missions. During one night reconnaissance, the young soldier even took the enemy prisoner and was awarded the Cross of St. George, Fourth Class. At that time, she single-handedly captured the enemy soldier, as her comrade was wounded and could not help.
For a long time, Kira hid her true identity: bathing separately from the others, learning to speak with a male voice, and trying not to stand out from her teammates. She told her loved ones everything in letters, and her family could do nothing but accept Kira's choice.
The truth was finally discovered when Kira was hospitalized due to illness. Her commanders were surprised and quickly ordered her to be sent back to the rear. However, they did not take away her military awards and even sent her a letter of thanks.
It seemed like his military service was over at this point. However, Kira had no intention of giving up so easily.
“The brave young woman did not return home, but once again impersonated Nikolay Popov, becoming a volunteer in a new unit, where she was later wounded in the face of the enemy and taken to the hospital,” wrote the Zadushevnoe Pismo magazine about the heroine's brave actions in 1915.
After being exposed as a woman once again and sent home, Bashkirova wrote an official letter asking to return to the battlefield, this time using her real name. The request was accepted to Kira’s delight, and by October 1917 she was officially fighting with the Serbian Infantry Regiment.
Once again on the battlefield
After World War I ended, many years later, Kira no longer mentioned military service but focused on caring for orphans and founded an orphanage in Poltava, Ukraine.
When Nazi Germany attacked the Soviet Union in the summer of 1941, Kira (who had just married and adopted her husband’s name, Lopatina) once again went to war. As a mother of two and now 40 years old, Kira of course did not choose to repeat some of the admirable bravery of her youth, but still contributed to the overall victory in World War II.
As head nurse at the Murmansk Military Hospital, Kira cared for wounded soldiers, often taking on the most critical cases. She frequently assisted doctors in performing surgeries amid ongoing German air attacks.
Kira Lopatina's courage and self-sacrifice were noticed by the commanders. She was awarded the medals “For the Battle” and “For the Defense of Zapolyarye”./.