Women pilots of World War II

the long version

Collected by one of the forty-nine members of class 44-W-2, Jean Hascall Cole's interviews with her former classmates document their valuable contribution to the history of women, aviation, and the military. Women Pilots of World War II presents a rare look at the personal experiences of the Women Air Force Service Pilots (WASPs) by recording the adventures from one of eighteen classes of women to graduate from the Army Air Forces flight training school during World War. II. This unique oral history verifies the flying accomplishments of these women pilots from as early as 1943. The women pilots of class 44-W-2 flew every type of aircraft, including heavy bombers, transports, and pursuits. Their experiences include crashes on takeoff, midair collisions, forced landings, parachute jumps from sabotaged aircraft, and many other exciting tales. Women Pilots of World War II starts with their training at Avenger Field in Sweetwater, Texas. Follows them to their bases, and documents what happened once the WASP program was deactivated in December 1944. In conclusion, the pilots speculate on the changing roles of women in our society, the value of their service to their country, and their contribution to the women's movement and society in general.