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Flying Higher: The Women Airforce Service Pilots of World War II

The year was 1943 and a global war was raging. In the U.S., all male military pilots were needed for combat duty, which left critical piloting jobs vacant across the land. Who would deliver the newly manufactured planes to their domestic bases? Who would help train cadet pilots and tow targets for gunnery practice, test new planes, and retest old ones? The answer was: the Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP).

Civilians all, they earned their military wings and undertook hazardous, sometimes deadly, flight assignments. These elite aviators were organized by powerhouse air legend Jackie Cochran, who fought all the way up to the top brass for them. Facing prejudice and discrimination, the WASPs were determined to do their duty for their country.

These young women loved their work and leapt at the chance to fly an array of aircraft: trainers, cargo, and fighter planes — even the B-29 and B-36 bombers that scared off many men! They were an intrepid group of crack pilots whose service was essential at the time but was soon forgotten by the military.

Adventurous in play as well as in work, the WASPs got into, and out of, some hair-raising episodes. The action is seen through the life of Marie Michell, a nineteen-year-old WASP, whose death in a crash underscores the dangers these women faced on a daily basis while serving their country. Wanda Langley has conducted extensive interviews with former WASPs and has the insider's details of their adventures, as well as their training and service.

  • Format
  • hardcover
  • Pages
  • 132
  • Language
  • english
  • ISBN
  • 9780208025067
  • Genres
  • history, aviation, biography
  • Release date
  • 2002