Soviet Women Soldiers Taking the Oath, Red Army 1942

August 21, 2025 - Reading time: 4 minutes

Soviet women soldiers taking their oath in 1942, joining artillery and air defense units of the Red Army.

This historic photograph shows Soviet women soldiers of the Red Army taking their military oath in 1942. Armed with Mosin–Nagant rifles fitted with bayonets, these young recruits were entering service in artillery and air defense units.

During the Great Patriotic War, women served not only in auxiliary roles such as communications and medical care but also as combat soldiers. Entire female formations were created, including the 1st Separate Women’s Reserve Rifle Regiment and the 1st Separate Women’s Volunteer Rifle Brigade (OZhDSBr), which consisted of seven battalions with a total strength of about 7,000 women.

Most of these recruits were only 19–20 years old, yet they carried out the same military duties as men, including guarding, operating artillery, and serving in air defense against German air raids. Their oath-taking ceremony reflected both the discipline of the Red Army and the determination of Soviet women to defend their homeland in its darkest hour.

This image remains a powerful reminder of the massive contribution of Soviet women to the war effort and their role in achieving victory.

Technical photo data:

📝 Source of information: Soviet wartime archives
📍 Location: USSR
📅 Date of photo: 1942
📷 Photographer: Unknown

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