This Female Sniper Was So Lethal They Called Her ‘Lady Death’

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By Kristin Hitchcock Published
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This Female Sniper Was So Lethal They Called Her ‘Lady Death’

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Lyudmila Pavlichenko originally wanted to be a teacher. However, when Nazi Germany invaded Russia, she was one of the first to volunteer for the military.

Let’s learn about her amazing life…

Why We’re Covering This

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Several movies have been made about Lady Death.

Lyudmila Pavlichenko’s story has spurred the writing of several books and a movie. We expect her vibrant history to lead to more publishers producing content about her. Sadly, the movie industry hasn’t made a comeback, but that doesn’t mean it won’t keep producing movies.

Early Life

GAZ-67 | Russian Soviet World War II Four-wheel Drive Army Truck Gaz-67 Car In Forest
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She was born around 20 years before WWII kicked off.

Lyudmila Pavlichenko was born in Belaya Tserkov, Ukraine, in 1916.

Education

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Her original plan was to become a professor.

She studied history at Kiev University before becoming a sniper in the Soviet Red Army. Her goal was to be an educator.

Joining the Army

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She was one of the first volunteers to join the Red Army.

Pavlichenko joined the Red Army after the German invasion of the Soviet Union in 1941. She was one of the first volunteers.

Training as a Sniper

Sniper+Scope | 34 Squadron undertake Live Fire Tactical Training at Otterburn Camp.
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She trained quickly as a sniper.

She trained as a sniper and was assigned to the 25th Rifle Division on the Southern Front. Before enlisting, she was a member of a shooting club.

Her Kill Count

A close-up of the magazine and firing button of World War II rifles
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We don’t know the exact kill count, though it’s likely around 300.

She is credited with killing more than 250 German soldiers and snipers during World War II, but it is possible that the count is closer to 305. She was one of the most decorated women in the Soviet military, so much so that other countries thought she was a propaganda tool.

Getting Wounded

the kremlin | Festive day of November
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She spent lots of time in Moscow during her recovery.

In 1942, she was wounded by a mortar and sent to a hospital in Moscow. Sadly, she lost much of her unit in this attack.

U.S. Tour

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She was sent to the US to convince the public to join WWII.

While she was recovering, she met Eleanor Roosevelt, who invited her to tour the United States. Her visit to the United States helped to raise awareness of the Soviet Union’s struggle against Nazi Germany.

After the War

Moscow+Russia | St. Basil's Cathedral, Moscow
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She spent the rest of her life in Soviet Russia, where she remained a prominent figure.

After the War, She worked as a naval architect and eventually became a university professor, like she dreamed of being before the war.

Books

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Today, her books are still popular.

She wrote several books about her experience during World War II. It’s these books that we draw much of our information about her from today.

Later Honors

russia+Rocket+artillery | Soviet 2K11 Krug long-range surface-to-air missile system. Советский ЗРК 2К11 "Круг".
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She continued to get rewards for her service in the Red Army.

Later in life, she continued to earn many medals and honors and was a prominent figure in the Soviet Union.

Death

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Even after her death, she remained a legendary figure in Russia.

She died in 1996 at the age of 80.

Photo of Kristin Hitchcock
About the Author Kristin Hitchcock →

Kristin Hitchcock is a financial expert who has been writing on topics related to retirement for over eight years. Her knowledge spans a wide range of areas, including navigating the complexities of Social Security, developing sustainable investment strategies, and helping individuals achieve their retirement goals.
Throughout her career, she has written for various platforms, including several retirement communities, to ensure that seniors have access to clear and actionable financial advice.

Kristin is also an active investor with more than ten years of experience in a diverse range of investment strategies, including short-term trades, dividend stocks, and options. She enjoys simplifying complex trading concepts by writing easy-to-follow guides that help readers meet their investment goals.

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