In the skies over Nazi Germany, Soviet women turned rickety crop-dusters into killing machines.
A female Soviet pilot, decorated with medals, stands next to a plane in 1942. By Michael S. Rosenwald Michael S. Rosenwald Enterprise reporter focusing on history, the social sciences, and culture. Email Bio Follow March 1 at 7:00 AM At the height of World War II, as darkness descended on the battlefields, a nightmare would appear in German skies.
But now, thanks to New York Times best-selling author Kate Quinn, their story is being revived. Quinn’s new historical novel “The Huntress,” published last month, highlights the exploits of the Night Witches and is being heavily promoted on social media. To create her fictional Night Witches, Quinn relied, in part, on a collection of interviews with real Night Witches titled “A Dance with Death: Soviet Airwomen in World War II.” The women described their fascination with flight in the days after Amelia Earhart captured the world’s attention.Nadezhda Vasiliyevna Popova, one of the pilots interviewed, said she volunteered after her brother was killed in battle.
But none of that mattered to the Night Witches. In reading about their missions and examining pictures of them, Quinn was astounded by just how far they’d go to drop their bombs.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
U.S.-backed SDF expects fierce battle in final IS enclaveThe U.S.-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) expect a fierce battle with Islam...
Read more »
Opinion | The fierce urgency of climate change'The fierce urgency of climate change' via postopinions
Read more »
Denver high school changes policy allowing Black History event opt-outDenver high school reverses controversial policy that allowed students to opt out of attending a Black History Month assembly.
Read more »
Investigation opened after Rep. Matt Gaetz tweets apparent threat to Michael CohenRep. Matt Gaetz, a fierce defender of Trump from Florida, posted an apology on Twitter hours after his viral tweet.
Read more »
Controversial Serena Williams Cartoon Ruled 'Non-Racist' By Australia's Press CouncilThe cartoon, published last September in Australia's Herald Sun, sparked a fierce backlash, with critics calling it a sexist and racist caricature of the tennis star.
Read more »
More rain coming as another atmospheric river-fueled storm rolls toward Los AngelesA fierce winter storm that has flooded roads, brought winds strong enough to topple trucks on highways and created treacherous conditions through the Sierra Nevada in Northern California is expected to clip Los Angeles on Wednesday.
Read more »