I sent and you posted a story about my MIL Fran who was a Wasp in WW II. They did not fly combat missions. This video reminded me of the Russian female pilots who did fly combat missions.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Night_witches
"Night Witches" is the English translation of Nachthexen, a World War II German nickname (Russian Ночные ведьмы), for the female military aviators of the 588th Night Bomber Regiment, known later as the 46th "Taman" Guards Night Bomber Aviation Regiment, of the Soviet Air Forces. The regiment was formed by Colonel Marina Raskova and led by Major Yevdokia Bershanskaya.
Interesting story, the Night Witches; I have a copy on my book shelf. Imagine, an old lady of 29 as CO, with her husband a ground pounder, not knowing if he is alive, her kid with grandma in a town over run by Germans, etc. The women would use some of the hot water from the radiator to wash their hair. One woman, Lily Litvak, was an ace by the age of 19, if my memory serves me right. Amazing stories; a must read for every fighter pilot.
Love, the Russians, but not too fond of communism if you follow me. I was a cold warrior and would have shot down any Soviet aircraft coming to our land to help us live the communist dream, cute girl pilot or not.
This was a mixed unit; the free hunters, a rare thing. They flew Yaks (I flew one while instructing at USNTPS; got to fly a MIG, a YAK, and an SU). Night Witches by Bruce Myles is a great book; the Russian women pilots were just about kids. Those aircraft were a bitch to fly from my experience; it took a lot of upper body strength, especially when one did multiple missions. The women had separate quarters, very separate, and guarded. They needed everyone, and women made better fighter pilots than infantry, so there they were.
Life is different when your country is invaded. There is no more discussion about who can do what. Everyone does what they can. Grandma is a sniper; mom is a squadron CO; men do the hard thing with in close combat. It was not about rights but about survival; everyone did what they could. Few survived. Puts things in perspective, eh?
I sent and you posted a story about my MIL Fran who was a Wasp in WW II. They did not fly combat missions. This video reminded me of the Russian female pilots who did fly combat missions.
ReplyDeletehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Night_witches
"Night Witches" is the English translation of Nachthexen, a World War II German nickname (Russian Ночные ведьмы), for the female military aviators of the 588th Night Bomber Regiment, known later as the 46th "Taman" Guards Night Bomber Aviation Regiment, of the Soviet Air Forces. The regiment was formed by Colonel Marina Raskova and led by Major Yevdokia Bershanskaya.
Terry
Interesting and I didn't know this. Thanks.
DeleteInteresting story, the Night Witches; I have a copy on my book shelf. Imagine, an old lady of 29 as CO, with her husband a ground pounder, not knowing if he is alive, her kid with grandma in a town over run by Germans, etc. The women would use some of the hot water from the radiator to wash their hair. One woman, Lily Litvak, was an ace by the age of 19, if my memory serves me right. Amazing stories; a must read for every fighter pilot.
ReplyDeleteLove, the Russians, but not too fond of communism if you follow me. I was a cold warrior and would have shot down any Soviet aircraft coming to our land to help us live the communist dream, cute girl pilot or not.
Oh yes, Litvak was shot down at age 19, as an ace, after seeing her fiance in a fireball shortly before. Heartbreaking.
ReplyDeleteThe women would use some of the hot water from the radiator to wash their hair. One woman, Lily Litvak, was an ace by the age of 19.
DeleteInformative.
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after seeing her fiance in a fireball shortly before.
It was an all women unit, so her fiance was in another unit supporting them or.......?
This was a mixed unit; the free hunters, a rare thing. They flew Yaks (I flew one while instructing at USNTPS; got to fly a MIG, a YAK, and an SU). Night Witches by Bruce Myles is a great book; the Russian women pilots were just about kids. Those aircraft were a bitch to fly from my experience; it took a lot of upper body strength, especially when one did multiple missions. The women had separate quarters, very separate, and guarded. They needed everyone, and women made better fighter pilots than infantry, so there they were.
ReplyDeleteLife is different when your country is invaded. There is no more discussion about who can do what. Everyone does what they can. Grandma is a sniper; mom is a squadron CO; men do the hard thing with in close combat. It was not about rights but about survival; everyone did what they could. Few survived. Puts things in perspective, eh?
got to fly a MIG, a YAK, and an SU
ReplyDeleteWow! Great comment and thanks for the information.