101-Year-Old WWII Nurse Anna Kotova Shares Her Front Line Story

WWII veteran Anna Kotova shared her memories with Orda.kz.

Anna Nikanorovna lives in the Osakarov district of the Qaraganda region. At 101 years old, she remains in good spirits and sharp-minded. A social worker helps her with daily tasks, but Anna is still ready to light the stove, care for animals, and cook when needed.

I've been like this since childhood. And I wasn't afraid at all at the front, not at all! I wish I'd flinched! No! Well, I never had a childhood. I was 18 years old. I spent more time at the front than at home,
says Anna Nikanorovna. 

Determined to serve, Kotova completed nursing courses at the onset of the war and persistently approached the enlistment office to volunteer.

On the second day I come again, the military commissar says: 'But I told you not to come!' And he sends me away again. You know, I'm telling you the truth, I leave the office, and I'm in tears. 'Okay,' I say, 'you've already sent me away for two days, and if I come a third time, you won't send me away.' And on the third day I go again,
she recalls. 

Her perseverance paid off. She joined the 065th evacuation hospital on the 2nd Ukrainian Front, where she was known as "Sister Anya."

In May 1943, she began treating the severely wounded.

There was one pilot, he had a chest wound. You know, such a wound – you could see his heart! – Anna Nikanorovna’s eyes fill with tears. – You take a bandage, put it on – you’re still dumbfounded. They were very serious. You couldn’t leave him. And there weren’t enough nurses. How many patients passed through my hands. One day we'd accept them, the next we'd send them deep into the rear, and then accept them again. And what kind of patients there were – without legs, without arms...

Kotova served through the Battle of Kursk and was demobilized only in June 1946, while stationed in Hungary. She was awarded the Order of the Patriotic War, 2nd degree, the medal "For the Victory over Germany", the medal "60 Years of the Liberation of Ukraine from the Fascist Invaders", and the "Excellent Sanitary Service" badge.

After the war, she continued working in the Osakarov district’s healthcare system.

Today, only eight WWII veterans live in the Qaraganda region. For the 80th anniversary of the Victory, each will receive a one-time payment of five million tenge.

Original Author: Inna Rutz