Warrior Women

Category

Library Item

Item no

32732

Title

"The Greatest Thing ... Since Joan of Arc": Warrior Women.

Description

From the Illustrated London News published August 4th, 1917, page 127. Full titles: Heroines of Russia: Some of the contingent of 200 women that suffered 150 casualties (including 20 killed) at Smorgon and Krevo, and took 100 prisoners; With a portrait of Kerensky and men of the guard of honour: the colours of the women's contingent blessed in St. Isaac's Cathedral

Artist / maker

Unknown

Date

1917

Size

39.6 x 26.7 cm

Type

Press cutting; Reproduction

Location

Reference Library

For the first time in combat history, the First World War drew women by the thousands on to battlefields and into trenches to fight as soldiers alongside men. These female warriors often hid their gender, with the truth about their identity only revealed if medical treatment was administered.

While most countries did not officially put women in combat roles, Russia was an exception and Russian women served openly in military operations during much of the war. One example is the famous Russian soldier Maria Bochkareva; in 1917, with Russia facing revolution, an all-female battalion was established with Bochkareva as commander. The battalion's mission was to lead the charge and shame men from deserting the cause.

Read history as it happened with free access to the Scotsman Digital Archive.

You can search the entire 1914-19 archives of the Illustrated London News online.

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Animals > Mammals > Dogs

Events > Wars > World wars

People > Adults > Crowds

People > Adults > Men

People > Adults > Women

People > Military activities > Soldiers

Places > Europe > Russia