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A Dance with Death Soviet Airwomen in World War II by Anne Noggle Introduction by Christine A. White |
" ... Each woman's story is unique and compelling."—Jeanne M. Holm, Major General USAF (Ret.), author of Women in the Military: An Unfinished Revolution.
"Anne Noggle's A Dance with Death captures an extraordinary—if largely unknown—episode in Soviet Russia's epic struggle with Nazi Germany." —Von Hardesty, curator, National Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian Institution
In their own words, faithfully translated from Russian, the world's first women combat pilots recount their battles against the German forces in World War II. Their stories are illustrated with photographs of the women at war and contemporary portraits by award-winning photographer Anne Noggle. Many of the women who tell their stories here were inexperienced teenagers when the war began. In support of their homeland, they volunteered to serve as bomber and fighter Pilots, navigator-bombardiers, gunners, and support crews. Flying against the Luftwaffe, they saw many of their friends and foes fall to earth in flames. Their three combat air force regiments fought as many as one thousand missions during the war.
For their heroism and success against the enemy, two of the women's regiments were honored by designation as "Guard" regiments. At least thirty women were decorated with the gold star of Hero of the Soviet Union, their nation's highest award.
But equally courageous were the women's efforts to show the Red Army that they were entirely adequate to the great role they sought. For even though Stalin had decreed equality for both sexe's, the women had to grapple initially with deep distrust from male pilots and Red Army officers, against whom they eventually prevailed.
ANNE NOGGLE was one of the Women Air Force Service Pilots in World War II, as shown in her book For God, Country, and the Thrill of It. She retired from the U. S. Air Force with the rank of captain and is currently adjunct professor of art at the University of New Mexico.
A Dance wtih Death
ISBN 0-89096-601-X $32.95
LC 94-1301. 6x9. 336 pp. 107 b&w photos. 1 map.
Women's Studies. Military History. Photography.
Publication Date: October 1994.
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