Measures 5" x 7", printed on textured cardboard photo paper. In the photo, we see a woman in Air Force uniform with pilot's wings patch on the sleeve and Air Force insignia in her collar tabs, but without rank insignia. The caption reads "Sr. Lt. Turiashvili." The caption, made with a felt-tip pen, and the inscriptions on the verso, made in ballpoint pen, strongly suggest that this is a military archival photo. It is safe to presume that the photo captured a moment when Turiashvili was about to graduate, or had already graduated from the military aviation school but had not yet been com

Measures 5" x 7", printed on textured cardboard photo paper. In the photo, we see a woman in Air Force uniform with pilot's wings patch on the sleeve and Air Force insignia in her collar tabs, but without rank insignia. The caption reads "Sr. Lt. Turiashvili." The caption, made with a felt-tip pen, and the inscriptions on the verso, made in ballpoint pen, strongly suggest that this is a military archival photo. It is safe to presume that the photo captured a moment when Turiashvili was about to graduate, or had already graduated from the military aviation school but had not yet been commissioned as an officer. The wings on her sleeve indicate that she was not necessarily a pilot but definitely flight personnel.

In very good to excellent condition. The image shows some dust particles that were not removed before printing, but the photo itself is in excellent condition: no scuffs, scratches, stains, or any other wear. The verso is clean, showing minimal storage wear.

We were able to find much more information on one of Russian military archival websites podvignaroda.ru. Lidiya Turiashvili was indeed a pilot during WW2. She fought in a medical aviation squadron with the 48th Rifle Regiment, Southern Front, and was wounded twice during her flight missions. The first wound was severe: a bullet to her left leg which damaged a ligament. It happened on 21 December 1941 near the city of Kerch. On another flight mission on 27 July 1942, near Rostov, she got a shrapnel flesh wound to her left shoulder which missed any vital organs.

Based on her performance in combat, then Junion Lieutenant Turiashvili was commended to be awarded with the Order of the Red Star but was approved for the Medal for Combat Service, with which she was awarded on 6 November 1944.

Research Materials: photocopy of the award document for the Medal for Combat Service (included with the photo).

Please note that the penny in our photo is for size reference.
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