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MEDIA REVIEWS
| RADIO DIARIES: AN ORAL HISTORY OF THE WASPS. Produced by Joe Richman, Teal Krech, and Shelley Preston. Washington D.C., National Public Radio.
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Radio Diaries: An Oral History of the WASPs is a half-hour documentary chronicling the work of America's women pilots in World War II. When America entered the war, the Army Air Corps faced a crucial shortage of pilots. The solution was to train women to fly for the military in auxiliary roles. In 1942, the Women's Air Service Pilots program was created. It was the first time American women flew military aircraft. Although the documentary aired on December 18, 2002, the program is archived on the NPR website: http://www.npr.org/display_pages/features/feature_881741.html. |
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The documentary is without commentary and relies on the voices of some fourteen former WASPs. Interwoven with newsreel recordings from the 1940s and WASP's ditties, the women share their wartime memories. The broadcast opens with seventy-nine year old Elizabeth Eyre Taylor who continues to fly private aircraft. Taylor was one of over a thousand women pilots who, between 1942 and 1944, headed to Sweetwater, Texas, donned oversized men's flying suits, and learned to fly the army way. |
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The program is brief and provides an introduction to the WASPs Program. The women's stories are told in snippets without any real organization. Still, the documentary gives listeners an idea of the variety of the women's jobs. As a WASP, the main job of a woman pilot was to deliver or ferry military airplanes from factories to bases. Other jobs included instructing male pilots, testing airplanes, or strafing troops in training exercises. The documentary also gives some idea of the dangers these courageous women faced. One WASP shared her adventure of towing targets for inexperienced gunners. The men were so inaccurate, she refused to continue until they learned how to shoot. The program also mentions the 38 women pilots who lost their lives in either training or ferrying missions. Particularly touching was the memory of one pilot who accompanied her fellow WASP's body back to her hometown. |
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A prevailing theme in the program is the skepticism the WASPs faced as women doing a man's job. Even Air Corps Chief Hap Arnold doubted if women could fly military planes. Equally skeptical were the male pilots who trained the WASPs. Sometimes, the women were used to shame the male pilots. As WASP Dora Strother explained, she and another woman were chosen to fly the dangerous B-29, to show men it was safe and easy. After all, if a woman could handle the B-29 any man could fly the plane. Throughout the broadcast, the voices of the WASPs make two things clear: they all loved flying, and they relished the chance to use their skills to aid their country. The women continued to do their duty when they returned to their homes after the program disbanded in 1944. |
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Radio Diaries: An Oral History of the WASPs is a touching tribute to the Women's Air Service Pilots. However, with the exception of a few good quotes, the program will not greatly aid researchers. Since the documentary is brief, many aspects of the WASPs Program are left unexplored. For example, it makes no mention of WASP leader Jacqueline Cochran, the famous aviatrix who petitioned First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt and General Arnold to use women pilots in auxiliary roles. The WASPs' take on Cochran would have been an interesting addition. |
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Still, the documentary is not without value. It brings to life the contributions of America's women pilots in World War II. The documentary gives listeners first-hand accounts of the daily life of a WASP: the conditions she lived in, some of her experiences, and most importantly, her sense of pride for having given her best for her country. |
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| Rhonda L. Smith |
Visiting Assistant Professor
Eastern Kentucky University |
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