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The displaying of wartime insignia or wartime flags from any nation on this page serves only to represent a historical time and   place.

It is in no way designed to represent or support the actions of any modern political activities and designed only to support my hobby.

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 Mariya Oktyabrskaya

09.1943 - 01.1944 (KIA)

         Born into a peasant family in the Crimea Mariya was one of ten children. In 1925 she married a young army 

    officer and in tribute to the October revolution she and her husband changed their surname to Oktyabrskaya. Her

    husband was killed in the fighting around Kiev in August 1941 but the news took one year to reach her. Her desire

    for revenge led her to sell all of her possessions to raise funds to purchase a tank for the red army. Mariya placed

    one condition on this donation; she must be allowed to drive it! Realising the publicity opportunities the high

    command approved her request and at the age of 38 she commenced training. In Sept 1943 she was assigned to  

    26ya Gvardeyskaya Tankovaya Brigada (26th Guards Tank Brigade) as a mechanic - driver. When Mariya arrived

    at her unit in a T34 tank emblazoned with the Turret slogan Boyevaya Poduga or Fighting Girlfriend. The Tankists

    viewed her with scepticism and considered the assignment a publicity stunt. In combat during October and

    November 1943 Mariya distinguished herself as a skilled and fearless driver, manuvering her tank like a veteran

    and accounting for many enemy troops and guns in close assaults during her rampage of revenge.

( click on the Red Star logo or Mariya's picture to read more of her wartime history )

      6ya Tankode Santniki.

   THE PEOPLES ARMY

      26ya Gvardeyskaya Tankovaya Brigada.

   THE PEOPLES FACTORY

  HEAVY WEAPONS SECTION