Women Military Pilots of World War II: A History with Biographies of American, British, Russian and German Aviators

by Lois K. Merry

Overview

More than 2000 women in the United States, Great Britain and the Soviet Union flew military airplanes in organized units during World War II, yet their stories are largely unknown. These pilots ferried aircraft, flew targets for ground artillery practice, tested airplanes and equipment, and many of them flew in combat. The women pilots proved that they could manage bombers and fighters as well as their male counterparts, and several later remarked that "the airplanes didn't care who flew them." Topics covered include the training of female pilots, how female flight units were developed and structured, the hazards of conflict, and how these women reintegrated into civilian life following the war.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780786444410
Publisher:	McFarland & Company, Inc., Publishers
Publication date:	11/15/2010
Pages:	220
Product dimensions:	5.90(w) x 8.90(h) x 0.60(d)
Age Range:	18 Years

About the Author

Lois K. Merry is an academic librarian and head of access services, Mason Library at Keene State College in Keene, New Hampshire.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments viii

Preface 1

Introduction 7

Part I The Story Of The Women's Aviation Units

1 Transition from Civilian to Military Aviation 11

2 How Women's Units Came About 21

3 Women's Flight Units 33

4 Becoming Military Pilots 53

5 Daily Work in England and America 77

6 Hazards and Sacrifices 93

7 War's End 114

8 Conclusion 126

Part II Biographies

9 The Leaders' Stories 145

10 The Pilots' Stories 156

Chapter Notes 195

Bibliography 205

Index 209

Editorial Reviews

an important contribution to the growing scholarship on the role and experiences of women pilots during the Second World War”—H-Net Reviews.

From the Publisher

an important contribution to the growing scholarship on the role and experiences of women pilots during the Second World War

H-Net Reviews