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Flying for Her Country The American and Soviet Women Military Pilots of World War II
Amy Goodpaster Strebe
Foreword by Trish Beckman
Book Code: C9434
ISBN: 0-275-99434-1
ISBN-13: 978-0-275-99434-1
144 pages
Praeger Security International General Interest-Cloth
Publication: 8/30/2007
List Price: $39.95 (UK Sterling Price: £22.95)
Availability: In Stock
Media Type: Hardcover
Also Available: Ebook
Trim Size: 6 1/8 x 9 1/4
Subjects: Reviews:
  • Amy Goodpaster Strebe has penned a fine history of women military pilots....Until now, the role played by women in the air forces of the U.S. and the Soviet Union has gone largely unrecognized. Flying For Her Country goes a long way in correcting this oversight. Highly Recommended.
    —WWII History     Oct/Nov 2008
  • Strebes book is excellent....Meticulously researched, well-written, and convincingly argued and documented....One of the book's great strengths is a comprehensive bibliography that makes it particularly valuable as a reference for students and professionals alike.
    —Air & Space/Smithsonian     February/March 2008
  • During WWII, women pilots were given the opportunity to fly military aircraft for the first time. In the US, famed aviatrix Jacqueline Cochran formed the Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP) program, which sent over 1,000 women flyers to ferry aircraft from factories to airbases throughout the US and Canada. In the Soviet Union, Marina Raskova, famous for her historic Far East flight in 1938, formed the USSR's first all-female aviation regiments, which flew combat missions along the Eastern Front. Historian and journalist Strebe, one of the leading experts on the women military pilots of WWII, tells their stories, and looks at the obstacles these women faced as they challenged assumptions of male supremacy in wartime culture. B&w historical photos are included.
    —Reference & Research Book News     November 2007
  • Endorsement From Gen. Chuck Yeager
    General Chuck Yeager Foundation
    www.chuckyeager.com:     I really enjoyed the book. It tells the true story of how women were involved in aviation during the war.
  • Endorsement From Deanie Bishop Parrish, WASP (44-W-4)
    Associate Director, Wings Across America:     Before reading Flying for Her Country, I never imagined that the Russian women military pilots of WWII had the same values (honor, integrity, courage, commitment, faith, patriotism, service and sacrifice) as America's WWII women pilots. This fascinating book portrays a significant chapter in history that is not found in most history books. It is educational, motivational and inspirational as it chronicles the history of how these young women military pilots proved that, no matter the challenge, no matter your nationality, and no matter how difficult the mission, you can do anything, if it's the right thing to do and you put your mind to it. Flying for Her Country corroborates what I have known since my early childhood, "With God's help, nothing is impossible.
  • Endorsement From Dr. Peggy Chabrian
    President and Founder, Women in Aviation, International:     Amy Goodpaster Strebe has done an outstanding job researching and writing about the invaluable contributions made by women pilots in the Second World War. As pioneers in military aviation, the WASP proved to the world that they were indeed capable of flying both fighter and bomber aircraft. In the case of the Soviet women aviators who saw combat along the Eastern Front, their indomitable spirit and heroism in battle have made them legendary. A book depicting the combined achievements of these intrepid military airwomen is long overdue. I highly recommend it.
  • Endorsement From Dr. Mary Pickering
    Professor of History, San Jose State University:     Strebe's book offers a beautifully written, well-researched account of a little known but fascinating aspect of World War II. Her story of these women aviators in the U.S. and USSR is both dramatic and moving. Their courage is truly remarkable. Equally amazing is the way they were treated by their respective governments because of their gender. Strebe's book is not to be missed by anyone interested in women's history and military history.
Description: During the Second World War, women pilots were given the opportunity to fly military aircraft for the first time. In the United States, famed aviatrix Jacqueline Cochran formed the Women Airforce Service Pilots program, where over one thousand women flyers ferried aircraft from factories to airbases throughout the United States and Canada from 1942 to 1944. The WASP operated from 110 facilities and flew more than 60 million miles in 78 different types of aircraft, from the smallest trainers to the fastest fighters and the largest bombers. The WASP performed every duty inside the cockpit as did their male counterparts, except combat, and 38 women pilots gave their lives in the service of their country. Yet, notwithstanding their outward appearance as official members of the U.S. Army Air Forces, the WASP were considered civil servants during the war. Despite a highly publicized attempt to militarize in 1944, the women pilots would not be granted veteran status until 1977. In the Soviet Union, Marina Raskova, Russia's "Amelia Earhart," famous for her historic Far East flight in 1938, formed the USSR's first all-female aviation regiments that flew combat missions along the Eastern Front. A little over one thousand women flew a combined total of more than 30 thousand combat sorties, producing at least 30 Heroes of the Soviet Union. Included in their ranks were at least two fighter aces. More than 50 women pilots were killed in action. Sharing both patriotism and a mutual love of aviation, these pioneering women flyers faced similar obstacles while challenging assumptions of male supremacy in wartime culture. Despite experiencing discrimination from male aircrews during the war, these intrepid airwomen ultimately earned their respect. The pilots' exploits and their courageous story, told so convincingly here, continue to inspire future generations of women in aviation.
LC Card Number: 2007016220
LCC Class: D790
Dewey Class: 940
PDF Catalogs:
PSI Public Library Spring 2008.pdf
PSI Catalog Fall 2008.pdf
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