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MilitaryBBC World Service: The Night Witches of World War Two
BBC Word Service: The Documentary
The Night Witches of World War Two
Duration: 26 Minutes
ABOUT:
"Orna Merchant learns how, during World War Two, a desperate Soviet Union created three all-female aerial combat units. The most celebrated of these was the 588th Night Bomber Regiment.
Using Polikarpov Po-2 wooden biplanes, as the aviators approached their target they would cut their engines and glide in to drop their bombs. The eerie sight and sound of this – added to the surprise discovery of them having all women crews - led German forces to nickname them ‘Nachthexen’ - the Night Witches.
Their basic Russian aircraft were not fitted with any form of protection from enemy fire, so a direct hit from defensive positions almost guaranteed they were coming down, and due to weight limits the crew of just a pilot and navigator flew without parachutes. Their mission was to cause chaos among the axis forces, keeping them awake and in fear at night.
These women would go on to become celebrated in their home country. They secured distinguished honours, including Heroes of the Soviet Union, Heroes of the Russian Federation, and Hero of Kazakhstan, and have been celebrated in books and films."
NB: You may need a BBC Sounds account to listen.
I have the original that was published in 1999 and downloaded the 2014. This chapter is like night and day between the two books.
I really hate how Gender Ideology has seeped into the things I love best: books.
So far the Mystery genre umbrella hasn't been effected, yet. But Fantasy/Sci-Fi/Horror definitely has because it's speculative fiction. It's malleable enough for the insertion. There has been a certain amount of frequency of writers going into Trans subs asking for information.
Interesting, what are some of the differences (seems like a lot!) between the two versions?
I agree. Talking about intersex people or people with AIS in the context of gender is harmful and cruel. Now that I've read this chapter, I have the language for participating in conversations about intersex people. I won't though, because the LGBT cult doesn't allow conversation, but I would be ready.
I haven't looked, but I wonder if that later materials at the end of this edition talk about "lady brains" and our wider brain diversity in genes expressed from the X chromosome. The research was just beginning. We need more research into the female body, but I guess anyone reading this book already knows that.
I appreciate how she started this chapter with an argument between a man and a woman, then revealed that it was about her parents, and the effect it had on her. She's very good at balancing dialogue, interviews, and expository passages.
It's really a shame how so much of the inclusivity movement has started with good intentions (body positivity,
intersexVSD* language, mental and sexual health awareness) and it's all become something so stifling and unproductive.*Variations of Sexual Development