AS GERMAN troops poured into the Soviet Union in the midst of World War 2, Lyudmila Pavlichenko rushed to join the Red Army.
Out-of-touch recruiters found the prospect of a 24-year-old woman joining the ranks nothing more than a joke - and suggested she give up to become a nurse.
But within a year Pavlichenko had the last laugh when she was hailed with the nickname "Lady Death".
The marksman became the most successful female sniper in history, even earning herself an unprecedented trip to the White House - being the first Soviet citizen to be received by a US President on this day 79 years ago.
She clocked up 309 kills and is claimed to have never lost a sniper duel during her years of service - always getting her man.
Back in 1941, Ukrainian-born Pavlichenko was studying history at Kyiv University when news came that Hitler had severed ties with Joseph Stalin.
She immediately attempted to join the army in a bid to defend her country - but was turned away because of her gender and urged to instead become a nurse.
"The recruitment officer eyed her in amazement," Soviet Military Awards wrote of the encounter.
Continues...
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Out-of-touch recruiters found the prospect of a 24-year-old woman joining the ranks nothing more than a joke - and suggested she give up to become a nurse.
But within a year Pavlichenko had the last laugh when she was hailed with the nickname "Lady Death".
The marksman became the most successful female sniper in history, even earning herself an unprecedented trip to the White House - being the first Soviet citizen to be received by a US President on this day 79 years ago.
She clocked up 309 kills and is claimed to have never lost a sniper duel during her years of service - always getting her man.
Back in 1941, Ukrainian-born Pavlichenko was studying history at Kyiv University when news came that Hitler had severed ties with Joseph Stalin.
She immediately attempted to join the army in a bid to defend her country - but was turned away because of her gender and urged to instead become a nurse.
"The recruitment officer eyed her in amazement," Soviet Military Awards wrote of the encounter.
Continues...
How deadliest ever female sniper 'Lady Death' killed 309 Nazis during WW2
AS GERMAN troops poured into the Soviet Union in the midst of World War 2, Lyudmila Pavlichenko rushed to join the Red Army. Out-of-touch recruiters found the prospect of a 24-year-old woman joinin…
www.the-sun.com
