Medical women of the East Kazakhstan region during the Great Patriotic War: heroism and front daily life

Abstract

In the historiography of the Great Patriotic War, the main attention was focused on the political events, major battles, military strategy and tactics, evacuation and militarization of production, and military heroic exploits. However, the problems of women's participation in the war, their place and role in the military events and in the rear remained practically undeveloped. After the 1990s, the gender aspects of the history of wars became relevant. Scientists began to study the experience of women's participation in the war, to explore the models of women's memory of the war, public policy towards women, especially women's behavior in the war and in the rear. The article is devoted to the heroism of medical women called to the front from the East Kazakhstan region, who, at the cost of their lives, not only provided assistance to wounded soldiers, but also fought with the arms in their hands. The archival documents and memoirs of the front-line doctors reflect the difficulties and terrible pictures of the military everyday life. The authors conclude that the fate of every woman, filled with both heroic and tragic pages, is of great value and deserves attention