Nadezhda Popova, WW II ‘Night Witch. Russian women who piloted planes made out of canvas and plywood flew 30,000 missions over four years. They dumped 23,000 tons of bombs on the German invaders, ultimately helping to chase them back to Berlin. Any German pilot who downed a “witch” was awarded an Iron Cross. Ms. Popova rose to become deputy commander of what was formally known as the 588th Night Bomber Regiment. She died July 8, 2013.
