The only woman who performed an air ram during World War II

The pilot from Zhytomyr region Yekaterina Zelenko became the only woman who performed an air ram during the Second World War.

She shot down the Messerschmitt plane on September 12, 1941 over the village of Anastasovka in the Sumy region. Zelenko herself died, two days before she reached her 25th birthday.

At the front, Catherine fell almost from the first days of the war. Made 40 combat sorties - including night missions. Took part in 12 air battles with enemy fighters.

September 12, 1941 Zelenko remained in the air alone against seven enemy aircraft. The Germans took her in a ring. As soon as one of the aircraft was on sight, Zelenko pressed the trigger. "Messerschmitt" caught fire and went to the ground.

But the Su-2 was hit, both crew members were injured. Zelenko was wounded in the shoulder. She ordered the gunner to leave the plane, and she continued to fight. Having ordered the arrow to jump, made the air ram "Messerschmitt-109".

This was the first and only in the World War II air ram, which was carried out by a female pilot.