Details the experiences of female Soviet combat pilots in World War II--the only women to serve in this capacity on either side. Led by Marina Raskova, three regiments of all-women flight teams suffered casualties of war along with discrimination on the ground, to make significant contributions to the war effort. Includes black-and-white photographs and extensive sidebars that place these pilots within the larger context of the Russian war effort and socio-political landscape.

Battle cry : a prologue -- The future war -- The great patriotic war : the first year : 1941-1942 -- The great patriotic war : the second year : 1942-1943 -- The great patriotic war : the third and fourth years : 1943-1945 -- After the war.