SOVIET LADY SNIPER #1: ROZA SHANINA

Roza Georgiyevna Shanina (Ро́за Гео́ргиевна Ша́нина; 3 April 1924 – 28 January 1945) was a Soviet sniper during World War II, credited with 54 confirmed targets hit, including 12 snipers during the Battle of Vilnius.

Praised for her shooting accuracy, Shanina was capable of taking precise bolt action shots on moving enemy targets. She fired in quick succession, effectively eliminating two enemies by double shots. Shanina volunteered to serve as a marksman on the front line.

The Allied newspapers described Shanina as "the unseen terror of East Prussia". She became the first Soviet female sniper to be awarded the Order of Glory and the first servicewoman of the 3rd Belorussian Front to receive it.

Shanina died during the East Prussian Offensive while shielding the heavily wounded commander of an artillery unit.