What can be done in 21 years? Most by this time say goodbye to school, start working or just get a new specialty. Someone by the age of 21 manages to get married, have children. But many have the feeling that a whole life lies ahead, you can take your time - you are only 21. All accomplishments, achievements - all the most important - it is over there, around the corner, it will still be.
Natasha Kovshova at age 21 became a Hero of the Soviet Union. But only this title was awarded to her posthumously.
The family that has lost many
The civil war in many families brought destruction and death. Natasha’s family was no exception. The girl’s mother, Nina Dmitrievna Aralovets, was born in a large Bashkir family. Her father was a rural teacher, revolutionary, one of the first chairmen of the village council Dmitry Aralovets. He died before the birth of Natasha - in 1918. I had to pay for my views not only with my own life, but also with the lives of my young sons. Grandfather Natasha and her two uncles, mother's brothers (they were 17 and 19 years old), were executed by the White Guards. Nina, at that time a fifteen-year-old girl, was thrown into prison, after her release she became a zealous revolutionary and leader of the local Komsomol members.
The paternal line did not bypass the misfortunes either. So, in 1920, uncle, the hero of the Civil War, Vitaly Kovshov, died - the girl did not have time to recognize him. Much more painful for the girl was the loss of her father.
Natasha Kovshova lost her father at the age of seven. Venedikt Kovshov also fought on the side of the “Reds” in the Civil War, but he was ruined by his sympathy for Trotsky. He participated in the Trotskyist opposition, was expelled from the party and arrested, spent more than ten years in the Kolyma camps, then - exile in the Krasnoyarsk Territory. The girl never saw him again.
Childhood
From the age of seven, the girl was brought up by her mother - their whole family from now on consisted of two people. The girl was very poor in health, constantly sick. She could not go to first grade with her peers. The girl sat down at her desk only at the age of nine, after her mother decided to move to Moscow.
The school began hardening, physical activity, sports. At the same time, the mother instilled in her daughter a love of books. According to the memoirs of Nina Aralovets, Natasha for all her childhood did not tear a single leaf in the book - such a careful attitude was instilled in them.
Natasha Kovshova did not like to fight, she tried to resolve all disputes peacefully. The future heroine grew up as a calm, thoughtful and kind child.
Young years
Natasha studied at school No. 281 on Ulansky Lane, now this school No. 1284. After ten classes, the girl decided to go to the Moscow Aviation Institute, was preparing for exams. At the same time, she worked in the Orgaviaprom trust industry organization as an inspector of the personnel department; at the same time engaged in a dash.
Natasha passed the final exams at the Aviation Institute - her dream of becoming an engineer and pilot was getting closer. And here is the war. Work in the aircraft industry made it possible to evacuate, but the girl had the wrong character. Natasha Kovshova did not hesitate for a minute. She voluntarily leaves for the military school of snipers, and since October 1941 - on the front line.
War
Natasha Kovshova, sniper of the Soviet army, fought on the North-Western Front. She fought all the battles with her “fighting friend” - Masha Polivanova, with whom she became friends at work at Orgaviaprom. Masha was 2 years younger than her friend, and she, like Natasha, enrolled voluntarily in the school of snipers. In the very first months of the war, Polivanova lost her two brothers.
The tandem, made up of two young girls, made a significant contribution to the cause of a common victory over fascism. According to some historians, on the account of Natalya Kovshova 167 soldiers and officers of the German army, on the account of Maria Polivanova - 140. In addition, they also own the feat of saving the commander from the battlefield - under heavy fire they were able to carry the commander of the regiment S. Dovnar.
In the spring of 1942, girls turned into seasoned, experienced snipers - they were already training new arrivals, passing on their experience.
On August 13, 1942, Kovshova Natalia Venediktovna and Polivanova Maria Semenovna were presented for the award with the Orders of the Red Star. Exactly the day before his last battle.
Feat
On August 14, 1942, a battle took place near the village of Sutoki, Novgorod Region. The 528th Infantry Regiment led the offensive. Natasha Kovshova was in a sniper group, tasked with her fire to prevent the advance of the Germans.
No matter how experienced fighters they may be, but the enemy outnumbered them. Mortars were launched on snipers, the group commander was one of the first to die. Soon three survived - Natasha Kovshova, Masha Polivanova and Red Guard Novikov. Novikov was seriously wounded, he could no longer fight, the girls had to shoot back. This could not last long - the cartridges were running out.
Further events are known from the mouth of that very fighter Novikov. He was the only one who could survive - the Nazis mistook him for the dead.
At some point, a German officer was able to approach them, offered to surrender - and was immediately shot. But the cartridges ran out, both girls were seriously injured, bleeding, and only 4 grenades from the ammunition.
Two of them girlfriends were able to throw at the approaching Nazis. But the forces were already running out. And, already realizing that this was the end, Natasha and Masha allowed the Fritz to get closer to themselves and gently shook the grenades that remained with them … Two explosions merged into one.
