Death of Lydia Litvyak - Top scoring female pilot of all time | 11 - 18 victories - 1st August 1943

On 1st August, 1943, while escorting a flight of IL-2 Sturmoviks in her Yak 1b, Senior Lieutenant Lydia ‘Lylia’ Litvyak attacked a formation of German bombers. In the process, she was attacked by a formation of Bf 109s. An intense dogfight broke out in which Litvyak became separated from her comrades and she was last seen with smoke billowing from her Yak. She is believed to have rammed her attacker or been struck in the head by German fire. My Patreon: Patreon members: Ethan Esgro, David from Czechia Sources: Henry Sakaida, Heroines of the Soviet Union, Osprey vs Bf 109 .html