Reina Pennington teaches military and Russian history at Norwitch University. Before she served in the Air Force, held the rank of captain, she was an intelligent officer and Soviet analyst. "Wings Women & War Soviet Airwomen in World War II" is her first book.
The Soviet Union held a unique place for the role of women in the armed forces. It was the first country which assigned women in combat flying. Also, it was the first country which its female armed forces fought beyond the Soviet border.
Invasion of the Soviet Union by Nazi Germany in 1941 (Operation Barbarossa) was a surprise for the Soviet Union. Nazis did not have any problem to penetrate into the Soviet Union for weeks,thousands of fighter planes destroyed on the ground. Reina Pennington argues the integration of women in flying units was because of a shortage of pilots and propaganda. During its early stage it was not easy and welcoming for women to fly in combat.
Male pilots had different attitudes toward female pilots. Some argued that females had not enough combat experience, some were concerned for female pilots' safety. Also, for some male pilots, their skills went under question because their superior officers compared them with the female pilots.
Before the Second World War there were few influential pilots such as Marina Raskova who had impressive flying records. She influenced many women, even the head of the state Joseph Stalin. She convinced Stalin to welcome women in the flying units.
I really enjoyed this book, it is easy to follow, I recommend it to any Soviet, military and women history enthusiast. ( )