Meri Avidzba

Avidzba and her twin sister Hadzhera were born on 24 January 1917. She attended Sukhumi School No. 10. came to recruit aviators, Avidzba initially missed the opportunity. == Military career ==

In 1939, Avidzba joined the Military Medical Academy in Leningrad; when she heard that war was due to be declared she volunteered to transfer to the fighter aircraft training school in Perm. From Perm she moved to the military air school in Engels. In December 1942, Avidzba was posted to the Caucasus region, as a navigator in the 46th Guards Light Bomber Night Aviation Regiment of the 4th Air Army of the 2nd Belarusian Front – beginning her career in the Night Witches. During the war, Avidzba flew 477 combat sorties, totalling over 1000 hours of time in the air and dropped 63 tonnes of bombs onto the enemy. She fought in the North Caucasus, as well as on the 4th Ukrainian and 2nd Belorussian fronts. == Later life ==

After the end of the war, Avidzba returned to Sukhumi, where she was active in the community, particularly in memorialising the Second World War, as well as serving as governor of the school. She was also elected a deputy of the Supreme Soviet of Abkhazia. During her lifetime she was awarded the Orders of the Patriotic War (First and Second Degrees), the "For Defence of the Caucasus" Medal and the "For Victory over Germany" Medal. Avidzba died on 12 April 1986 in Sukhumi. == Legacy ==

Avidzba is remembered on stamps issued by the Republic of Abkhazia. Her military papers, flying scarf and other items from her career as pilot were donated by her to the Abkhaz State Museum. There is also a bust of her on display there. ==See also==