Roza Shanina
Soviet sniper
Died when: 20 years 300 days (249 months)Star Sign: Aries
Roza Georgiyevna Shanina (Russian: ??´?? ???´??????? ??´????, IPA: ['roz? g??'org???vn?'?an??n?]; 3 April 1924 – 28 January 1945) was a Soviet sniper during World War II who was credited with 59 kills, including twelve soldiers during the Battle of Vilnius.
Shanina volunteered for the military after the death of her brother in 1941 and chose to be a sniper on the front line.
Praised for her shooting accuracy, Shanina was capable of precisely hitting enemy personnel and making doublets (two target hits by two rounds fired in quick succession).
In 1944, a Canadian newspaper described Shanina as "the unseen terror of East Prussia".She became the first servicewoman of the 3rd Belorussian Front to receive the Order of Glory.
Shanina was killed in action during the East Prussian Offensive while shielding the severely wounded commander of an artillery unit.
Shanina's bravery received praise already during her lifetime, but conflicted with the Soviet policy of sparing snipers from heavy battles.
Her combat diary was first published in 1965.
