Glider pilots of the US 52nd Troop Carrier Wing flying a Waco CG-4A glider above Comiso Airfield, Sicily, 1943. The tow rope attached above the glider cockpit seen through the wind screen. This is an unusual position for the tow rope, generally attached to the glider’s nose or bottom the nose, which force to an under trail tow. Victor Sierra

Inside a glider cockpit

The United States Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASPs) and the British Women’s Auxiliary Air Force (WAAFs) were created to employ women pilots in roles that were traditionally occupied by men. The WASPs trained a total of 1074 pilots to fly planes between factories and air bases, freeing male pilots for combat and other military roles. They also flew cargo planes and towed target planes for target practice. Although civilian, they were trained to fly most of the military planes flown in WWII. Tragically, 38 WASP pilots were killed in training or active duty accidents, but did not receive military funerals. WAAFs, the British Women’s Auxiliary Air Force was composed of over 180,000 women at its peak. Women of the WAAF assumed flying roles in the Air Transport Auxiliary, as well as many non flying roles, including packing parachutes, radar and communications duties, as well as plotting and directing planes in the defensive Battle of Britain.



WASPs/WAAFs 

From the USAAF’s 57th Fighter Group history: «As the enemy retreated towards the Alps, the base in Grosseto soon was left far behind the bomb line, and on April 27 [1945] they moved northward to Villafranca di Verona Airdrome. En route to the new location the ground crews drove through the battlefields of the Apennines and saw evidence of the effective dive-bombing. The Po Valley was a revelation to the men who enjoyed the picturesque fertile country, comparatively untouched by war. Everyone had heard so much about the beautiful country and now had an opportunity to see the industrial and agricultural center of Italy for himself. Finally on May 2nd [1945] came the astounding news that the German High Command in Italy had surrendered unconditionally and all hostilities would cease immediately. The Group had aircraft out on reconnaissance missions, and control tower personnel got a thrill in calling to them over the radio, “Return to base, the war is over”». In the photo, a picture of the photographic album all in color of James C. "Wabbit" Hare, pilot of 57th FG’s 65th Fighter Squadron, one of the P-47D Thunderbolt, Plane #77, of the 57th’s 66th FS “Exterminators” at Villafranca. In background a liaison-observation plane (left) Stinson L-5B Sentinel and (right) a transport plane Douglas C-47. Victor Sierra