# Khiuaz Dospanova

> Soviet Po-2 navigator in WWII and Hero of Kazakhstan (1922-2008)

**Wikidata**: [Q3197271](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q3197271)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Khiuaz_Dospanova)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/khiuaz-dospanova

## Summary
Khiuaz Dospanova was a Soviet military navigator who served in World War II as part of the all-female "Night Witches" regiment, flying Po-2 bombers. A decorated veteran and Hero of Kazakhstan, she is celebrated for her contributions to the Soviet war effort and her legacy as a pioneering female aviator in Central Asia.

## Biography
- **Born**: May 15, 1922  
- **Nationality**: Soviet (1922–1991), Kazakhstani (1991–2008)  
- **Known for**: Night bomber navigator in WWII, Hero of Kazakhstan  
- **Employer(s)**: Soviet Air Forces (588th Night Bomber Aviation Regiment)  
- **Field(s)**: Military aviation  

## Contributions
- **WWII Service**: Conducted over 800 combat missions as a navigator for the 588th Night Bomber Aviation Regiment (Night Witches) from 1942 to 1945, targeting Axis positions on the Eastern Front.  
- **Decorations**: Earned 12 Soviet military awards, including the Order of the Red Star, Order of the Patriotic War (1st class), and the Medal "For the Victory over Germany."  
- **Post-War Recognition**: Awarded the title Hero of Kazakhstan (1993) and the Order of the Fatherland (Kazakhstan) for her wartime service.  

## FAQs
**What was Khiuaz Dospanova’s role in WWII?**  
She served as a navigator in the 588th Night Bomber Aviation Regiment, flying Po-2 biplanes in nighttime missions against German forces.  

**Why was she awarded the title Hero of Kazakhstan?**  
The honor, conferred in 1993, recognized her exceptional bravery and contributions to the Soviet victory in WWII.  

**What notable awards did she receive?**  
Key awards include the Order of the Red Star, Order of the Patriotic War (1st class), and Jubilee medals commemorating WWII anniversaries.  

## Why They Matter
Dospanova’s service exemplified the critical role of women in Soviet military operations during WWII, particularly in the Night Witches regiment, which disrupted Axis supply lines and morale. Her posthumous recognition as a Hero of Kazakhstan solidified her status as a national symbol of resilience and patriotism, bridging Soviet and post-Soviet historical memory.

## Notable For
- Member of the all-female "Night Witches" regiment.  
- Recipient of 12 Soviet military decorations.  
- First Kazakhstani woman to receive the Hero of Kazakhstan title (1993).  
- Completed over 800 combat missions during WWII.  
- Posthumously honored with the Medal "10 years of Astana" (2008).  

## Body

### Early Life  
Khiuaz Dospanova was born on May 15, 1922, in the Kazakh Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic. She joined the Soviet military in 1942, undergoing training as a navigator amid the German invasion of the USSR.  

### Military Career  
Assigned to the 588th Night Bomber Aviation Regiment (later renamed the 46th Taman Guards Night Bomber Aviation Regiment), Dospanova flew in Po-2 aircraft, which were adapted for stealthy nighttime bombing raids. Her unit, nicknamed "Night Witches" by German forces, conducted precision strikes on enemy positions, supply depots, and communication lines. She participated in campaigns across the Eastern Front, including the Battle of the Caucasus and the liberation of Warsaw.  

### Decorations and Legacy  
Dospanova received 12 Soviet awards, including the Order of the Red Star (1943), Order of the Patriotic War (1st class, 1945), and the Medal "For the Victory over Germany" (1945). Post-war, she worked as a flight instructor and advocate for veterans’ rights. Following Kazakhstan’s independence in 1991, she was honored as a Hero of Kazakhstan (1993) and awarded the Order of the Fatherland for her "outstanding contribution to the defense of the Motherland."  

### Post-War Life and Death  
Dospanova died on May 20, 2008, at the age of 86. Her legacy endures as a symbol of female military service and Kazakhstani national pride, with her image featured on commemorative stamps and memorials.  

### Historical Significance  
As one of the few Kazakh women in the Night Witches regiment, Dospanova’s story highlights the intersection of gender, nationality, and military sacrifice in Soviet history. Her dual recognition by both the USSR and independent Kazakhstan underscores her enduring relevance in Central Asian and post-Soviet memory politics.

## References

1. [Source](https://archive.is/LZrw)
2. [Source](https://web.archive.org/web/20140222133929/http://airastana.com/kaz/ru/news/Embraer-after-Hiuaz.aspx)