Challenges faced by women aviators
Despite receiving official support from the state, women aviators experienced discrimination from their fellow male pilots and military personnel as well as from the Germans, facing especially harsh treatment when captured. Many women were raped or tortured.
By the time women were allowed into the airforce, the Red Airforce had already lost many planes to the Germans. As a result, women had to use 1920s wooden biplanes. "These planes lacked radios, modern navigational equipment, and only carried two bombs." (Garber) |
"[These women] without complaining bore all the difficulties is a credit to them, and evoked tremendous respect from those around them"
-Vladimir Lavrinenkov
Raskova (initially) faced challenges in training the recruited volunteers for her original three all-women air regiments.
"The recruitment and training of aviators within Aviation Group 122 was challenging in much the same way as it was for other Soviet aviation groups. A command structure needed to be implemented. Volunteers needed aircraft, armaments, uniforms and supplies at a time of unprecedented demand in a rapidly deteriorating strategic position. But whilst other Soviet aviation groups faced the same challenges, for Aviation Group 122 the challenges were greater because they involved women." (Pennington) |
“When men flew Lilia’s plane, they sometimes found one of her little bouquets. They would pick it up between their fingers,, as if holding something rotten—and shout, ‘What the hell is this?’ and they threw it out of the cockpit.” |
"Almost every time, we had to sail through a wall of enemy fire. When the wind was strong it would toss the plane. "In winter, when you'd look out to see your target better, you got frostbite, our feet froze in our boots, but we carried on flying." - Nadezhda Popova |