Title
Wings, Women, and War: Soviet Airwomen in World War II Combat (Modern War Studies),Used
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The Soviet Union was the first nation to allow women pilots to fly combat missions. During World War II the Red Air Force formed three allfemale unitsgrouped into separate fighter, dive bomber, and night bomber regimentswhile also recruiting other women to fly with mostly male units. Their amazing story, fully recounted for the first time by Reina Pennington, honors a group of fearless and determined women whose exploits have not yet received the recognition they deserve.Pennington chronicles the creation, organization, and leadership of these regiments, as well as the experiences of the pilots, navigators, bomb loaders, mechanics, and others who made up their ranks, all within the context of the Soviet air war on the Eastern Front. These regiments flew a combined total of more than 30,000 combat sorties, produced at least thirty Heroes of the Soviet Union, and included at least two fighter aces.Among their ranks were women like Marina Raskova ('the Soviet Amelia Earhart'), a renowned aviator who persuaded Stalin in 1941 to establish the allwomen regiments; the daredevil 'night witches' who flew ramshackle biplanes on nocturnal bombing missions over German frontlines; and fighter aces like Liliia Litviak, whose twelve 'kills' are largely unknown in the West. She also tells the story of Alexander Gridnev, a fighter pilot twice arrested by the Soviet secret police before he was chosen to command the women's fighter regiment.Pennington draws upon personal interviews and the Soviet archives to detail the recruitment, training, and combat lives of these women. Deftly mixing anecdote with analysis, her work should find a wide readership among scholars and buffs interested in the history of aviation, World War II, or the Russian military, as well as anyone concerned with the contentious debates surrounding military and combat service for women.
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- Q: What is the main topic of 'Wings, Women, and War'? A: 'Wings, Women, and War: Soviet Airwomen in World War II Combat' explores the historical role of Soviet women pilots during World War II, detailing their involvement in combat missions and the formation of all-female military units.
- Q: Who is the author of this book? A: The book is authored by Reina Pennington, who provides a comprehensive account of the experiences of Soviet airwomen during the war.
- Q: What are the key features of this book? A: Key features include an illustrated edition, a thorough narrative of women's contributions to the Soviet air force, and detailed accounts from personal interviews and Soviet archives.
- Q: How many pages does the book have? A: The book contains 320 pages, making it a substantial read on the topic of Soviet airwomen in WWII.
- Q: What is the condition of the book? A: The book is listed as 'New', ensuring that customers receive a product in pristine condition.
- Q: What type of binding does this book have? A: This edition of the book is paperback, which is suitable for easy handling and reading.
- Q: When was 'Wings, Women, and War' published? A: 'Wings, Women, and War' was published on January 22, 2002.
- Q: What insights does the author provide about the Soviet airwomen? A: Reina Pennington draws upon personal interviews and archival research to highlight the recruitment, training, and combat experiences of female pilots, navigators, and support staff.
- Q: Is this book suitable for academic research? A: Yes, this book is suitable for scholars and enthusiasts of aviation history, World War II, and military studies, as it provides detailed historical analysis and personal narratives.
- Q: Does the book focus on specific individuals in the Soviet air force? A: Yes, the book highlights notable figures such as Marina Raskova and Liliia Litviak, showcasing their contributions and heroic actions during the war.