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balm5's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
informative
inspiring
slow-paced
4.0
ellies_tbr's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
4.5
cmbwell's review against another edition
3.0
This is a book club choice.
I think this is the first time I've learned about WWII from the Russian point of view. It was very interesting, although I had some trouble keeping the women straight as he profiled so many of them chronologically.
I think this is the first time I've learned about WWII from the Russian point of view. It was very interesting, although I had some trouble keeping the women straight as he profiled so many of them chronologically.
mrrogers's review against another edition
4.0
The writing isn't great, but the stories and personal experiences are incredible. Action, drama, and even some comedic elements (Russian women pilots are apparently great at flying drunk).
This should be adapted into a mini-series following the template used for "The Pacific" and "Band of Brothers." Spielberg -- get on this!
This should be adapted into a mini-series following the template used for "The Pacific" and "Band of Brothers." Spielberg -- get on this!
sunflowerjess's review against another edition
4.0
I had never heard of the Night Witches before, which is a crying shame. I’m not much of a war history person, but the story of these incredible women warriors is a treasure. My only complaint with this book is that it was written by a dude - I would have much preferred to read this material from a Russian female author, but couldn’t find anything. But that is hardly the author’s fault. Extremely well-written and engaging, this book depicts the professional and personal lives of the pilots with respect and honor.
kate_lynn's review against another edition
5.0
Bruce Myles has done a wonderful job weaving all of the interviews he conducted together to make a gripping portrait of WWII Russia.
Before coming across this work, I never knew women flew for Russia during the second war! It is a historically important story and should be more commonly known!
Before coming across this work, I never knew women flew for Russia during the second war! It is a historically important story and should be more commonly known!
lnatal's review
3.0
Available at BBC Radio 4.
Lucy Ash tells the extraordinary but little-known tale of Russia's three all-female regiments that flew more than 30,000 missions on the Eastern Front during Second World War. At home they were celebrated as Stalin's Falcons, but terrified German troops called them the Night Witches.
Lucy travels to Moscow and Rostov-on-Don to meet a number of these formidable women, who are now grandmothers in their 80s and 90s. She discovers that their bravery has inspired aerobatic champions, comic book artists and even a Dutch heavy metal band.
Lucy Ash tells the extraordinary but little-known tale of Russia's three all-female regiments that flew more than 30,000 missions on the Eastern Front during Second World War. At home they were celebrated as Stalin's Falcons, but terrified German troops called them the Night Witches.
Lucy travels to Moscow and Rostov-on-Don to meet a number of these formidable women, who are now grandmothers in their 80s and 90s. She discovers that their bravery has inspired aerobatic champions, comic book artists and even a Dutch heavy metal band.
michaelnlibrarian's review
4.0
I had recently started reading a much more recent book about the Soviet women pilots of World War II, but had given up on it. I found this and was much happier with it.
The "night witches" were the first women combat pilots I had heard of - they flew biplane training aircraft that had been converted to night bombers to bomb frontline German encampments, often switching off their engines and gliding in to attack at low altitude. In addition, there was squadron of larger medium bombers as well as a squadron of fighters. The book discusses all three, switching from one to another group, proceeding chronologically through the war.
The British author was able to visit the Soviet Union and interview several dozen of the surviving pilots as his primary source of information. The scope includes more than just their combat flying, but also their lives at frontline air bases.
One might wonder how the Soviets came to use women pilots. After the Germans invaded, the Russians were desperate for trained pilots and women had been included in Soviet flying clubs and many sought to join the Soviet military as pilots - given the level of experience that some had, it made good sense to take them into combat roles.
Wikipedia article on "night witches." describes the Night Witches squadron in some detail, and has links to short entries about the two other squadrons.
The "night witches" were the first women combat pilots I had heard of - they flew biplane training aircraft that had been converted to night bombers to bomb frontline German encampments, often switching off their engines and gliding in to attack at low altitude. In addition, there was squadron of larger medium bombers as well as a squadron of fighters. The book discusses all three, switching from one to another group, proceeding chronologically through the war.
The British author was able to visit the Soviet Union and interview several dozen of the surviving pilots as his primary source of information. The scope includes more than just their combat flying, but also their lives at frontline air bases.
One might wonder how the Soviets came to use women pilots. After the Germans invaded, the Russians were desperate for trained pilots and women had been included in Soviet flying clubs and many sought to join the Soviet military as pilots - given the level of experience that some had, it made good sense to take them into combat roles.
Wikipedia article on "night witches." describes the Night Witches squadron in some detail, and has links to short entries about the two other squadrons.
kristianbeverly's review
5.0
A WWII group biography about an incredible group of young Russian women pilots that fought against Nazis.