{"product_id":"a-dance-with-death-soviet-airwomen-in-world-war-ii-9780890966013","title":"A Dance With Death: Soviet Airwomen in World War II","description":"\u003cp\u003eIn their own vivid words  the women members of the Soviet air force recount their dramatic efforts against the German forces in World War II. These brave women  the first ever to fly in combat  proved that women could be among the best of warriors  withstanding the rigors of combat and downing the enemy. The women who tell their stories here began the war mostly as inexperienced girls - many of them teenagers. In support of their homeland  they volunteered to serve as bomber and fighter pilots  navigator-bombardiers  gunners  and support crews. Flying against the Luftwaffe  they saw many of their friends - as well as many of their foes - fall to earth in flames. Their three combat Air Force regiments fought as many as one thousand missions during the war. For their heroism and success against the enemy  two of the womens regiments were honored by designation as \"Guard\" regiments. At least thirty women were decorated with the gold star of Hero of the Soviet Union  their nations highest award. But equally courageous were the womens efforts to show the Red Army that they were entirely adequate to the great role they sought. For even though Stalin had decreed equality for both sexes  the women had to grapple initially with deep distrust from male pilots and Red Army officers  against whom they eventually prevailed. War  Stalin-era politics  and human emotion mix in these gripping  first-person accounts. Supported by photographs of the women at war  the stories are unforgettable. Portraits of the women as they are now taken by award-winning photographer Anne Noggle  add the perspective of time to the experiences of the survivors of this great dance with death.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"My Store","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45648271638581,"sku":"ByrdShop_089096601X","price":33.97,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0627\/8139\/0901\/files\/9780890966013.jpg?v=1781715014","url":"https:\/\/atxbooks.com\/products\/a-dance-with-death-soviet-airwomen-in-world-war-ii-9780890966013","provider":"ATX Books","version":"1.0","type":"link"}