What a fantastic video! It made me think about my mom and dad who were both WW2 veterans. My dad was a bomber pilot in the 8th Air Force and my mom was in the RAF. Both were stationed at Watton Field where they met each other.The stories my mom would tell me about the Battle of Britain were unbelievable........makes me feel so proud of my English heritage. Funny, at the time, when I came home after fighting in Vietnam my parents would tell me that they may have fought in the "big war" but I fought in the dirtiest war.I love and really miss my parents......may they rest in peace.
Geezz John - that's such a great story it makes me think there's a book and/or movie waiting to be written. I'm also of Brit heritage. My maternal Grandfather was actually a Home Child and was shipped to Canada at age 12 to work for some farmer in the Eastern Townships of Quebec. At 16 he left and found work in various places - I think he went as far as California, but returned to Canada to enlist in WWI. He fought at the Somme and Vimy with a Cavalry unit, until hit in several places with shrapnel and being shipped back to an English hospital. His Nurse introduced him to her Sister...and the rest, as they say, is History. I spent 16 years working in Veterans' Long Term Care, and heard some astounding stories from our Vets - mainly WWII and Korea, although when I started we still had a few WWI Vets in our facility. A few of the WWII Vets were woman, and I know one was one of the woman who moved and tested the aircraft. It must have been beyond heartbreaking for your parents to see you go to Vietnam, knowing War first hand - most parents would want to trade places rather than see that. Thank God you made it back. Your comment about loving and missing your parents really hit home, because me and my siblings are the same. I guess we are a few of the lucky ones, eh? Cheers, and if you haven't already, you might want to write down the stories your folks told you.👍
My mother was a WAAF in Montana with air transport command. She at first delivered bombers the the Alutian campaign then lend lease planes to Russia. My mother's first husband flew B24s and my father was a Marine with the first Marine division. Apparently that was common in WW2.
@@ggenergyarthurmiller5963 YES, AT FIRST, BRITAIN ENCOURAGED AMERICAN AND CANADIAN WOMEN, WHO COULD FLY, TO COME TO BRITAIN AND JOIN THE ATA. WHICH THEY DID, VERY SUCCESSFULLY. SO MUCH SO, THAT AMERICA CREATED THEIR OWN FORCE, AND THE US GIRLS WENT BACK HOME.
When I was a cashier at a Piggly Wiggly grocery store back in the 90s, one of my regular customers was an elderly woman who assembled P-47s for Republic Aircraft during WWII. I could have talked to her all day.
Incredible video . My mother was an air raid warden . She worked in London during the day and an arw af night . She told me she was machine gunned on Romford Station on her way to work on many occasions. Incredible people
@@SombreroD Actually, no I do not. I took it with my camera phone and there isn't an app that I used with any filters. But I'm actually flattered that you think so! 😅😅😅😚
Great documentary. Not only the women in the armed services, but at Bletchley Park, radio interceptions , in the avionics factories, women's land army. My grandmother Evelyn Griffiths worked as a supervisor at Smith's Industries & Jaeger in London and Treorchy in Wales , as well as bringing up 3 children
Thank you for recording for posterity the exploits of these wonderful women, most of whom will now sadly have passed away.. There place in history is now assured.
What an amazing and inspiring group of women - each one a modest heroine - candidly and simply relating their amazing experiences as if what they did were nothing special!! Respect!! 👍
My Sister in law was a WAAF girl, and thereby met her future husband , he was a Bomber Crew Member. She is still with us today, A terrific Lady , who is as bright and chatty as ever.
@@carolgruber9314 I can't mention my admiration for all the men and women who fought in one comment. For instance, I also admire one of my uncles who was a stoker during WWII and a cousin who died at Dieppe.
@@wbell539 My post was sarcastic! It is unfair to men to give equal accolades to women as is given to men ( redundancy for emphasis)!! The pilots who flew against the Luftwaffe in summer 1940 were superlative. They did not just fulfilled the call of duty they superseded it and MANY of these brave men paid the ultimate sacrifice. There was no time in history where women made that sort of sacrifice. I rest my case.
@@wbell539 my dad was a Stoker too in the British Merchant Navy. Atlantic and Arctic convoys. Bringing war materiel from America and delivering weapons to Uncle Joe via Murmansk and Archangelsk. Mam was a Land Army girl, who finished her service after the war supervising German and Italian POWs in agricultural work. She always said the German lads were very courteous and hardworking, and said that if her or one of the other girls ever dropped even a handkerchief a German lad would run to pick it up and return it immediately. Conversely, she always said Italian POWs were rude, surly and uncooperative. Considering she was half Sicilian herself, I believe she had no reason to be in any way prejudiced, and just told it like it was! (That also makes me 1/4 Sicilian, and proud of it!)
Watching this and listening to these women, a little part of me wishes that my grandmother was one of them. I have nothing but admiration for them and the seed they planted for equality.
I think one of the saddest things is how few people in North America really grasp the sheer volume of losses the UK suffered in both the First and Second World Wars. It’s simply not a statistic many here can fathom. 😞 So glad my father was a veteran and wasn’t afraid to share his memories with me.
& clearly, that's a heartfelt sentiment, Elizabeth, but you know, there were many N.American & Canadian losses in those two Great Wars - I'm tired of hearing this competitive & egregious argument that the allies across the pond came into both, much later; in fact, that's not entirely true - it's just little known. I am Irish (ROI), but my parents, uncles & aunts, even grandparents, served with the British forces against those evils of tyranny. Ultimately, those that did die for our liberty (in this present day) - irrespective of nationality, race, creed or colour, did their utmost to preserve such freedoms, sadly taken for granted in many cases. I served with the British army for five years, so have (perhaps) a degree more comprehension in what it is to live without oppressive administrations or dictatorships, & for which I am eternally thankful :)
@@andrewtongue7084 Well said Andrew , you're right in every way. However, there is of course, also an argument as to whether it was an American war at all, especially WW1. Some say that it was ,after all, a European war, among the Royal families, who were all linked together, and could have, should have, prevented it. As for WW2, that was a totally different scenario, against a vicious tyranny, that really did threaten the worlds freedom , and became , inevitably, a World War. That War, could not have been won without the American's vast wealth, armament production capabilities, and it's huge contribution from it's brave people. But, with the WW1 centenary last year 2018, and the 75th anniversary of 'D' Day this year, 2019. WE ALL MUST NEVER FORGET THOSE, WHO WILL NEVER GROW OLD.
Eloquently put, Philip - to forget the origins of (our) liberty is to discount the courage, tenacity, & bravery of those fine individuals - indeed, "Lest We Forget.."
@@andrewtongue7084 ... And now look what that idiot, AOC is doing to "lest we forget"... Poor Illegals.. "Treated like the Jews were, by Nazis".. Demand we change our laws, for them...
I offer my absolute admiration & respect for these fine women - past & present - & without whom, Britain would (have) suffered even worse than they have already endured :)
Unfortunately, Robert, E mills' observation fails to consider the global impact in the "current suffering" he cites. That mills picks out Britain, alone, is indicative of same. Fundamentally, you'll never be able to convince someone to revise (their) despotic viewpoint - it's as intractable as the individual themselves, &, rather sad, too. Stay safe, Sir :)
To be honest though, it is a state that we have reached in society where you come to a documentary on the Battle of Britain and if you watch it you believe that the women had more of a hand in the victory pushing wood blocks around a table and delivering replacement planes, than the actual pilots who fought. The mostly male ground air-crews barely get a mention. Everyone so afraid of offending women that they just go hopelessly OTT with it. It used to be said that behind every successful man was a good woman, and that was pretty much true. Nowadays, it is more behind every successful man is a woman trying to claim credit for everything he did.
This is a worthy documentary but it fails to mention the Flying Nightingales, the air ambulance nurses who risked their lives during WWII to save wounded soldiers. They were a group of 200 nurses who made up the RAF’s Air Ambulance Unit, which operated under 46 Group Transport Command. I'm only aware of this little-known group of volunteers because my mother was an LACW (Leading Aircraft Woman). The Flying Nightingales were the only front line British female military personnel of WWII (apart from female SOE field agents, many of whom were commissioned into the WAAF). They flew aboard Dakotas (Douglas C-47 Skytrains) into occupied France to bring back wounded troops. Although operating for the air ambulance service these aeroplanes weren’t allowed to carry the red cross insignia because on the outward bound trips they were loaded with ammunition. Therefore they were legitimate targets for Ack-Ack fire and consequently many never returned.
My mother, who was 14 years old in 1940, on leaving school worked in a sweet factory in Liverpool, and helped out with firewatchers in the city centre during the blitz in 1941. By 1943 she was working at a factory in Marybone, Liverpool city centre called "Roe Brothers ltd". There she assembled the 3 inch 60lb rockets that were used by the RAF ground attack aircraft. All gave some, some gave all.
My mother worked at the Long Branch Arsenal in Canada, mainly on the draw bench. My friends mother was a Lancaster ferry pilot and another friend's mother who was English was a Spitfire ferry pilot.
There was a railwayman who was medically demobilized from the Canadian Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers and went back to the railway and hired many women to work in the shops on the Canadian National Railways. He met and married one of the first officers of the Woman's division of the Royal Canadian Air Force. They celebrated VJ day together: the result ME! He later related that since men who entered the armed forces were promised their jobs back after the war, he had to discharge many women after the war, and many of these women lost a man during the war and were left with small children to raise on their own.
My mom And Aunt worked at The GECO munitions plant In Toronto for about 9 months One day They were sick of eatting at the cafe They hopped a fence to run across the street to grab Fresh coffee And sandwiches And a donut...Well the Military guard caught them on the way back Both fired on the spot...Back then You could not leave work on break.. No matter what. Let alone return the same day lol
My late mother was Daphne nee Wilkinson & was in the WAAF & spoke often of it & her time at Farnham & Aldershott. She had a War album with photos of them. And she too had a voice that could break glass! I salute.
My last duty station in the Army as a Combat Medic was in a hospital after serving for several years in nothing but combat arms units like Infantry and Airborne. The ward I worked on was called “God’s waiting room” because we had all the terminal patients, who were mainly retirees. Many of them were WW2 vets like my grandfather was, and I LOVED talking to those old warriors and listening to their stories, and they loved it when I would stay awhile and visit with them. One man was a survivor of the Bataan Death March, and although I was a combat vet at the time, I was in awe of this man and what he went through which was more than I ever did. Had another one that was a waist gunner on a B-24, and one who was in Korea and Vietnam as a forward air controller pilot in an O-2 Bird Dog. Those men were my heroes growing up and one of the big reasons I served. God bless each and every one of those humble heroes.
Yes I personally knew two old WAAF’s..These two women were wonderful characters and their stories incredible. How they went to work knowing they were working in targeted areas and could be bombed anytime but didn’t care and just shrugged it off still amazes me after all these years. I’m in my late seventies now but their memories are still fresh. God keep them safe..😥🤗👵🥰
Russian women fought because the men were mostly dead. Not for any other reason. Certainly not to make some feminist point. Feminism is a big part of Communism, and therefore was disliked by Russian people. Just one more way of making life cold and grey.
@@wordsmith52 Russia did more of the fighting than all other countries combined. They won the war against Germany. It would be cool to hear some of their stories. The US lost like 400K people and the Russians lost 25 million.
@@djmaciiii Sorry, but you don't measure a nation's strength or fighting skills based on how many more died on your side than the other side. Quite the opposite in fact. Russia was helped by its own geography and bitter weather, not its ability to fight.
Very British at that time, the only time my very 'proper' Victorian grandmother was know to swear was the night she saw the Germans destroying the city of Coventry. In the process she was so angry she broke her false teeth !
"The lady's voice is normally clearer and comes over the mic much more clearly than a male voice." (11:04) Now that makes perfect sense- ashamed I hadn't thought of it before- especially in the context of the (relatively) primitive tech of the time. My mother had a voice that could cut glass at 50 yards and her enunciation was perfect, especially given the fact, like many of her contemporaries, she'd been given enunciation lessons at school. Whereas my dad's voice on home movies, while my mum's was loud and clear, would just break down to dim, incomprehensible mumbling.
Going slightly off subject, my Mum and her sister were incendiary spotters from a church spire in Manchester during the blitz for the Fire Service, they were 18 and 17 respectively, at least that is the story. RIP Mum and Aunty Betty, we will never forget.
very interesting documentary . These women are a class apart. My mother never spoke about her war but she was 19 in 1940 and she moved to London from the North of England . She was fluent in German, French and for some reason Swedish. She disappeared in 1940 and re emerged
My Mom joined the ATA in 1941 at the age of twenty - she ferried literally hundreds of A/C of all types from midlands factories to active units "darn saaf" to replace losses from active squadrons. She was sidelined by the imminent birth of my Brother Roger in 1944, by which time she had logged over 1800 hours of active flight across the airways of the UK - and a few that didn't exist (as such) in those days. So, having grown up in the postwar period as a council house kid, I eventually joined the Royal Navy as a Stoker, and by an accident of chance made a friendship with Louie Eiemh Hoch, president of the Singapore Aero Club. Under his tutelage I gained my PPL at the age of seventeen. and spent many happy hours in the air in the far East, flitting around various places that I wouldn't have had a chance to visit without wings. So, life goes on and we adjust to our surroundings; leaving the RN after the tragic experience of the fire on the USS Forrestal I set about making a home with my wife Hilary, who I'd met and married during my RN partition, I reverted to what I do best....... repairing and rebuilding engines. Ever concious of money shortages once my brood (two of each) got bigger, I expanded my mate base, and got a start with Brymon Airways, based at EGGB, just down rhe road from here. I was with Brymon for another nine years - delivering mail and small goods all over the UK, week in, week out - and although challenging at times, my tasks were (almost) always "do-able" by sticking to common sense and forward thinking, so although I did get a few "naughty situations" in the outer reaches of the British islands, I managed to avoid any major issues and made a whole load of friendships amongst all the various contacts I'd made over the years. Looking back, now at the ge of 72, I feel extraordinarily fortunate that although life had thrown all sorts of problems at me in more than 50% of my life, I came out of it more than a little surprised to find that I STILL had choices open to me - I still had some sort of "control" over what I did and when I did it. Long may it continue that way.........
@Ian Martin … wow! How chauvinistic. I was 7 yrs of age when war was declared but i have strong memories of women doing “mens work” throughout the war years & doing it very well. I joined the RAF in late 1950 as a Motor transport Driver/Mechanic. We had women in the same occupation doing exactly the same as their male counterparts. We accepted them as our equals. I carried those same thoughts of equality into my marriage which so far, has lasted 65 years come this October.
Teresa Shortnancy, here is how correct u are and how wrong Ian Martin is ... The Allies had women doing the work described in this video. During the Battle of Britain, the "Fatherland" did not because they thought the British would capitulate before the end of the summer of 1940. The side with the women working were clear victors. The side with typically four more years experience (the German men -- veterans of the 1935 civil war in Spain) came a cropper!
My mother was also in the ATS. She manned the antiaircraft guns. She also learned Morse code and intercepted German messages. I wish she was here so we could talk about this video.
Yeah that unit took 90% casualties. Yeah it was a bloody fight over 365 straight days in heavy combat. Didn't all of those women get the Medal of Honor?
There were no women at Dunkirk or no women amoung the few. Never in the field of human conflict.... There were no women in the cockpit of Spitfires or Hurricanes,, Yet they could do what men could do,,please
@E mills Yes l do as l am a qualified pilot, l have flown about 51 different aircraft on floats, wheels and skis and all having propellors, my longest flight was to Oshkosh, Wisconsin in a twin engined Cessna 310 with 4 other people we went from Oshawa Airport and back with no problems, Great flight.....
@P. Tiesti , I guess u never heard of a turbo prop[peller]. U incorrectly assume that if the engine is different there are no transferable skills. Can u drive a car with either a diesel engine or an all-electric motor?
Flying a multi engine jet sir liner or multi engine Halifax of Lancaster bomber there no real difference. You know shatter needs to be done you have the skills to do it all that’s missing is exactly where the various switches are located. The ladies could have taken control of the flight to Alicante if asked.
SJWs are a lot like Nazis. They don't take criticism particularly well, want to impose their narrow views on the rest of the world and hide out in their bunkers when things don't go so well.
To all the women of England and the US during that time, I thank them. Because of them they paved the way for the rest of us in the future. Nothing but admiration for these women.
Ever since watching a wonderful movie titled "Red Dog," I automatically turn on Closed Captioning for everything "in English." However, I still had to google the Colloquialisms. Such as the Aussies' affectionate nickname for Americans, which is "Seppies." (Because "toilet tanks" rhymes with Yanks.) FYI, my maternal great-Grandfather & great-great GrandDad were Limey sailors.
As a former volunteer fireman I remember the frustration of feeling useless before joining the fire brigade. I can only try to imagine what it's like in the time of war. For these women that frustration would be replaced with more pride than I can imagine and what they did was vital for their country's survival. I have deep respect for these women.
My Mum did clerical work in the RCAF during WWII. She didn’t like it much, but it enabled her to go to university after the war on scholarship, so she could become a physician, something impossible for Canadian farm girls at that time. Even in the 1960’s, my little sister was told by her teacher that she was mistaken, Mother must be a nurse, not a doctor!
In 2016, Dr. Tamika Cross, a black lady doctor from Houston, TX was not allowed to assist an un-responsive male passenger on a Delta flight, because the flight attendant said "they needed an actual doctor". And asked Dr. Cross for some credentials. A male doctor approached and was allowed to attend the patient. Male. White. Didn't show credentials. Looked like a doctor.Dr. Cross, female. And black. Couldn't possibly be a doctor.
And how about that little girl Mary Ellis, who had been given a 4 engine bomber to fly (instead of a spitfire ) and when she got aboard , on her own, she found a book of instructions, on how to fly the plane. As shown here ( its part of a larger film I've seen before) the snotty RAF Brass, refused to fly with a woman pilot, but he had to in the end. Mary Ellis, died earlier this year 2019, aged over 100. The last of these great brave ladies.
@@MrDaiseymay So one woman was greater than the men who flew and fought against mighty odds,,,and died in action. You are a very ungrateful person to the " few" who really saved Britain.
How can I take this class. I was a Political Science, History and English major and nothing would make me happier than to sit at your feet and take in all that you have to say. I am on Social Security Disability and get less than a thousand a month to live on I have nothing but the greatest admiration for you. please stay away from the coronavirus.
I have such deep admiration for these women, due to my Great GrandAunt being the wife of my USAFFE GreatGrandUncle. While he was at the Front, she assembled arms, guns and bullets in a Factory. Thank God both survived and lived long enough to tell us stories when I was elementary age. May God Bless All these women.
Had a great uncle in London who survived, told us told stories of the blitz. One of his best friends flat ( apartment) was bombed. He was first to go in to find his friend after the bombing. He moved some debris away and entered the flat. There on the kitchen table was his friend staring right at him at eye level. He called out to his friend but he was stone cold dead. A shell fragment or the blast had tore him in two and the top half from mid stomach up was sitting there upright on the table with his eyes wide open. My Uncle had nightmares for the rest of his life about that one incident!
This is a excellent Video. The footage is stunning, where did it come from? My Mother was in the Women's Land Army. I would love to see a Timeline Video of such quality about the Land Army ??
Calling the Second World War the beginning of women’s liberation isn’t only historically inaccurate but does a great disservice to the women of early generations who literally put their bodies and lives on the line to attain suffrage and rights for women. I under the statement was being made out of thoughtless ignorance, but while the role of women during Second World War certainly contributed to the change in culture and the advancement of women’s civil rights, just as the First World War and the Second World War contributed toward greater demand for civil rights by African Americans in the U.S., it was far from the beginning of the movement or the accomplishments won for women’s rights.
I was really enjoying learning about the women in World War 2. Then, at 26 minutes the singing drowned out the narration. Aside from that it's a well done video.
Highly recommended, reading the paperback "RAF Biggin Hill". You can buy this old book online for a few £ / € / $ I grew up very near RAF Biggin Hill and that too was a memorable experience including seeing many times Spitfires and Hurricanes grounded and flying.
Yes! Women can roll up their sleeves and work. Funny that men never thought of that back then. Especially since women have been at work since the beginning of civilization. Lovely episode. Thanks, Timeline.
My Dad USArmy Air Corp was stationed at Waycross Georgia used to be disgusted when the WAF pilots used to fly into the base not because they were women but because they were flying he was prevented from flying because he was color blind and couldn't fly
Every woman did their "bit" in the second world war, with some of them being very much operational with anti-aircraft units and S.O.E.and the women of S.O.E, who came from all backgrounds and nationalities were second to none for courage, many of them suffering appalling torture and death at the hands of the Nazis, but they all did their "bit" to defeat the Nazis. ✌👍
My grandparents lived through both world wars in England. I grew up listening to their stories and thinking man were they tough! Lol Not like today’s generation who can’t even go cramping without their cell phones. They even bring lights that are controlled by an app on their phone lol
World War II put all the Allies in a position were everything had to be rethought and streamlined. The social status of women changed for ever when they went to work all over the world. I can't help but think that if we had broke all stereotypes in regards to women, black men and women we would have won sooner.
When I meet people that did fight during ww2 it's all ways so interesting talking to them. And what several of my family did during ww2 hope i have the same hart
many moons ago, my female BMT flight integrated with a formally all male training squadron and the boys could not keep their eyes off of us. The ones who were caught had to go around with a paper bag on their heads! Really funny
What a privilege to hear from these heroes directly about their experiences.
What a fantastic video! It made me think about my mom and dad who were both WW2 veterans. My dad was a bomber pilot in the 8th Air Force and my mom was in the RAF. Both were stationed at Watton Field where they met each other.The stories my mom would tell me about the Battle of Britain were unbelievable........makes me feel so proud of my English heritage. Funny, at the time, when I came home after fighting in Vietnam my parents would tell me that they may have fought in the "big war" but I fought in the dirtiest war.I love and really miss my parents......may they rest in peace.
Geezz John - that's such a great story it makes me think there's a book and/or movie waiting to be written. I'm also of Brit heritage. My maternal Grandfather was actually a Home Child and was shipped to Canada at age 12 to work for some farmer in the Eastern Townships of Quebec. At 16 he left and found work in various places - I think he went as far as California, but returned to Canada to enlist in WWI. He fought at the Somme and Vimy with a Cavalry unit, until hit in several places with shrapnel and being shipped back to an English hospital. His Nurse introduced him to her Sister...and the rest, as they say, is History. I spent 16 years working in Veterans' Long Term Care, and heard some astounding stories from our Vets - mainly WWII and Korea, although when I started we still had a few WWI Vets in our facility. A few of the WWII Vets were woman, and I know one was one of the woman who moved and tested the aircraft. It must have been beyond heartbreaking for your parents to see you go to Vietnam, knowing War first hand - most parents would want to trade places rather than see that. Thank God you made it back. Your comment about loving and missing your parents really hit home, because me and my siblings are the same. I guess we are a few of the lucky ones, eh? Cheers, and if you haven't already, you might want to write down the stories your folks told you.👍
My mother was a WAAF in Montana with air transport command. She at first delivered bombers the the Alutian campaign then lend lease planes to Russia. My mother's first husband flew B24s and my father was a Marine with the first Marine division. Apparently that was common in WW2.
@@ggenergyarthurmiller5963 YES, AT FIRST, BRITAIN ENCOURAGED AMERICAN AND CANADIAN WOMEN, WHO COULD FLY, TO COME TO BRITAIN AND JOIN THE ATA. WHICH THEY DID, VERY SUCCESSFULLY. SO MUCH SO, THAT AMERICA CREATED THEIR OWN FORCE, AND THE US GIRLS WENT BACK HOME.
Vietnam was a Horrifying war like if ww2 was on one of doses islands Samoa Guam or Wake Island .
Your parents raised a fantastic son any parent would admire
When I was a cashier at a Piggly Wiggly grocery store back in the 90s, one of my regular customers was an elderly woman who assembled P-47s for Republic Aircraft during WWII. I could have talked to her all day.
BULLY! BULLY! I just love that BRITISH TENACITY! Thank you for this tribute to the often unsung heroines of this "Greatest Generation!"
Incredible video . My mother was an air raid warden . She worked in London during the day and an arw af night . She told me she was machine gunned on Romford Station on her way to work on many occasions. Incredible people
My grandmother was one of them! God bless you Sarah Elizabeth Woollends!!!
That's fantastic! God bless..
SaraBeara
+ You be proud, if there is a little bit of her in you, you can't go wrong.
Meanwhile she has profil picture with thousand of filters
@@SombreroD Actually, no I do not. I took it with my camera phone and there isn't an app that I used with any filters. But I'm actually flattered that you think so! 😅😅😅😚
Great documentary. Not only the women in the armed services, but at Bletchley Park, radio interceptions , in the avionics factories, women's land army. My grandmother Evelyn Griffiths worked as a supervisor at Smith's Industries & Jaeger in London and
Treorchy in Wales , as well as bringing up 3 children
God bless them for their service. They deserve the admiration of every single one of us for what they did.
@Jesus Christ ???
If i had a grandma like any one of these great ladies, I would have bragged about them no end! They were all gorgeous too!
i did they never spoke about it
My grandmother and my aunt were both in WAAF and they never spoke of it to us OR each other.
@@electoplater .
Thank you for recording for posterity the exploits of these wonderful women, most of whom will now sadly have passed away.. There place in history is now assured.
What a insight into what some women done in the war .I have nothing but admiration for every single one of them. Xx
What an amazing and inspiring group of women - each one a modest heroine - candidly and simply relating their amazing experiences as if what they did were nothing special!! Respect!! 👍
Nothing but admiration for these ladies.
My Sister in law was a WAAF girl, and thereby met her future husband , he was a Bomber Crew Member. She is still with us today, A terrific Lady , who is as bright and chatty as ever.
What about the men who fought and died in the cockpits of those Spitfires and Hurries you dont admire them,,cant even give them a honorable mention?
@@carolgruber9314 I can't mention my admiration for all the men and women who fought in one comment. For instance, I also admire one of my uncles who was a stoker during WWII and a cousin who died at Dieppe.
@@wbell539 My post was sarcastic! It is unfair to men to give equal accolades to women as is given to men ( redundancy for emphasis)!! The pilots who flew against the Luftwaffe in summer 1940 were superlative. They did not just fulfilled the call of duty they superseded it and MANY of these brave men paid the ultimate sacrifice. There was no time in history where women made that sort of sacrifice. I rest my case.
@@wbell539 my dad was a Stoker too in the British Merchant Navy. Atlantic and Arctic convoys. Bringing war materiel from America and delivering weapons to Uncle Joe via Murmansk and Archangelsk. Mam was a Land Army girl, who finished her service after the war supervising German and Italian POWs in agricultural work. She always said the German lads were very courteous and hardworking, and said that if her or one of the other girls ever dropped even a handkerchief a German lad would run to pick it up and return it immediately. Conversely, she always said Italian POWs were rude, surly and uncooperative. Considering she was half Sicilian herself, I believe she had no reason to be in any way prejudiced, and just told it like it was! (That also makes me 1/4 Sicilian, and proud of it!)
Watching this and listening to these women, a little part of me wishes that my grandmother was one of them. I have nothing but admiration for them and the seed they planted for equality.
I think one of the saddest things is how few people in North America really grasp the sheer volume of losses the UK suffered in both the First and Second World Wars. It’s simply not a statistic many here can fathom. 😞 So glad my father was a veteran and wasn’t afraid to share his memories with me.
& clearly, that's a heartfelt sentiment, Elizabeth, but you know, there were many N.American & Canadian losses in those two Great Wars - I'm tired of hearing this competitive & egregious argument that the allies across the pond came into both, much later; in fact, that's not entirely true - it's just little known. I am Irish (ROI), but my parents, uncles & aunts, even grandparents, served with the British forces against those evils of tyranny. Ultimately, those that did die for our liberty (in this present day) - irrespective of nationality, race, creed or colour, did their utmost to preserve such freedoms, sadly taken for granted in many cases. I served with the British army for five years, so have (perhaps) a degree more comprehension in what it is to live without oppressive administrations or dictatorships, & for which I am eternally thankful :)
@@andrewtongue7084 Well said Andrew , you're right in every way. However, there is of course, also an argument as to whether it was an American war at all, especially WW1. Some say that it was ,after all, a European war, among the Royal families, who were all linked together, and could have, should have, prevented it. As for WW2, that was a totally different scenario, against a vicious tyranny, that really did threaten the worlds freedom , and became , inevitably, a World War. That War, could not have been won without the American's vast wealth, armament production capabilities, and it's huge contribution from it's brave people. But, with the WW1 centenary last year 2018, and the 75th anniversary of 'D' Day this year, 2019. WE ALL MUST NEVER FORGET THOSE, WHO WILL NEVER GROW OLD.
Eloquently put, Philip - to forget the origins of (our) liberty is to discount the courage, tenacity, & bravery of those fine individuals - indeed, "Lest We Forget.."
@@andrewtongue7084 ... And now look what that idiot, AOC is doing to "lest we forget"... Poor Illegals.. "Treated like the Jews were, by Nazis".. Demand we change our laws, for them...
@Shasta Graff The US did not lose an entire generation of young men.
I offer my absolute admiration & respect for these fine women - past & present - & without whom, Britain would (have) suffered even worse than they have already endured :)
Unfortunately, Robert, E mills' observation fails to consider the global impact in the "current suffering" he cites. That mills picks out Britain, alone, is indicative of same. Fundamentally, you'll never be able to convince someone to revise (their) despotic viewpoint - it's as intractable as the individual themselves, &, rather sad, too. Stay safe, Sir :)
Indeed, Robert
the queen did a lot during war also she was mechanic and drive ambulance
To be honest though, it is a state that we have reached in society where you come to a documentary on the Battle of Britain and if you watch it you believe that the women had more of a hand in the victory pushing wood blocks around a table and delivering replacement planes, than the actual pilots who fought. The mostly male ground air-crews barely get a mention. Everyone so afraid of offending women that they just go hopelessly OTT with it.
It used to be said that behind every successful man was a good woman, and that was pretty much true. Nowadays, it is more behind every successful man is a woman trying to claim credit for everything he did.
It's a shame what women have become today.
This is a worthy documentary but it fails to mention the Flying Nightingales, the air ambulance nurses who risked their lives during WWII to save wounded soldiers. They were a group of 200 nurses who made up the RAF’s Air Ambulance Unit, which operated under 46 Group Transport Command. I'm only aware of this little-known group of volunteers because my mother was an LACW (Leading Aircraft Woman). The Flying Nightingales were the only front line British female military personnel of WWII (apart from female SOE field agents, many of whom were commissioned into the WAAF). They flew aboard Dakotas (Douglas C-47 Skytrains) into occupied France to bring back wounded troops. Although operating for the air ambulance service these aeroplanes weren’t allowed to carry the red cross insignia because on the outward bound trips they were loaded with ammunition. Therefore they were legitimate targets for Ack-Ack fire and consequently many never returned.
How many of them died in combat?
My mother, who was 14 years old in 1940, on leaving school worked in a sweet factory in Liverpool, and helped out with firewatchers in the city centre during the blitz in 1941. By 1943 she was working at a factory in Marybone, Liverpool city centre called "Roe Brothers ltd". There she assembled the 3 inch 60lb rockets that were used by the RAF ground attack aircraft. All gave some, some gave all.
This is the best content on the internet. Everyone should see this. I learned a lot. Thank you for your service.
Vera Lynn had one of the strongest and prettiest singing voices I remember as a kid growing up.
My mother worked at the Long Branch Arsenal in Canada, mainly on the draw bench. My friends mother was a Lancaster ferry pilot and another friend's mother who was English was a Spitfire ferry pilot.
There was a railwayman who was medically demobilized from the Canadian Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers and went back to the railway and hired many women to work in the shops on the Canadian National Railways. He met and married one of the first officers of the Woman's division of the Royal Canadian Air Force. They celebrated VJ day together: the result ME! He later related that since men who entered the armed forces were promised their jobs back after the war, he had to discharge many women after the war, and many of these women lost a man during the war and were left with small children to raise on their own.
My mom And Aunt worked at The GECO munitions plant In Toronto for about 9 months One day They were sick of eatting at the cafe They hopped a fence to run across the street to grab Fresh coffee And sandwiches And a donut...Well the Military guard caught them on the way back Both fired on the spot...Back then You could not leave work on break.. No matter what. Let alone return the same day lol
My late mother was Daphne nee Wilkinson & was in the WAAF & spoke often of it & her time at Farnham & Aldershott. She had a War album with photos of them. And she too had a voice that could break glass! I salute.
Thank you for your service, and for taking the time to tell your stories.
My last duty station in the Army as a Combat Medic was in a hospital after serving for several years in nothing but combat arms units like Infantry and Airborne. The ward I worked on was called “God’s waiting room” because we had all the terminal patients, who were mainly retirees. Many of them were WW2 vets like my grandfather was, and I LOVED talking to those old warriors and listening to their stories, and they loved it when I would stay awhile and visit with them. One man was a survivor of the Bataan Death March, and although I was a combat vet at the time, I was in awe of this man and what he went through which was more than I ever did. Had another one that was a waist gunner on a B-24, and one who was in Korea and Vietnam as a forward air controller pilot in an O-2 Bird Dog. Those men were my heroes growing up and one of the big reasons I served. God bless each and every one of those humble heroes.
And thank you for your service too.
@@walterkronkitesleftshoe6684 .
Yes I personally knew two old WAAF’s..These two women were wonderful characters and their stories incredible.
How they went to work knowing they were working in targeted areas and could be bombed anytime but didn’t care and just shrugged it off still amazes me after all these years. I’m in my late seventies now but their memories are still fresh.
God keep them safe..😥🤗👵🥰
Would have been cool if they interviewed some of the Russian women, who were fighter pilots snipers etc.
Russian women fought because the men were mostly dead. Not for any other reason. Certainly not to make some feminist point. Feminism is a big part of Communism, and therefore was disliked by Russian people. Just one more way of making life cold and grey.
Yes , there were a lot of Russian snipers and Fighter Pilots operating in England in 1940.
Russia was Britain's enemy in 1940 as it had sided with the Nazis.
@@wordsmith52 Russia did more of the fighting than all other countries combined. They won the war against Germany. It would be cool to hear some of their stories. The US lost like 400K people and the Russians lost 25 million.
@@djmaciiii Sorry, but you don't measure a nation's strength or fighting skills based on how many more died on your side than the other side. Quite the opposite in fact. Russia was helped by its own geography and bitter weather, not its ability to fight.
23:25...
I Love How She Tells the Story of the Close-Call.
Very British at that time, the only time my very 'proper' Victorian grandmother was know to swear was the night she saw the Germans destroying the city of Coventry.
In the process she was so angry she broke her false teeth !
"The lady's voice is normally clearer and comes over the mic much more clearly than a male voice." (11:04) Now that makes perfect sense- ashamed I hadn't thought of it before- especially in the context of the (relatively) primitive tech of the time. My mother had a voice that could cut glass at 50 yards and her enunciation was perfect, especially given the fact, like many of her contemporaries, she'd been given enunciation lessons at school. Whereas my dad's voice on home movies, while my mum's was loud and clear, would just break down to dim, incomprehensible mumbling.
Going slightly off subject, my Mum and her sister were incendiary spotters from a church spire in Manchester during the blitz for the Fire Service, they were 18 and 17 respectively, at least that is the story. RIP Mum and Aunty Betty, we will never forget.
So cool! Thank you ladies for these great testimonies!
very interesting documentary . These women are a class apart. My mother never spoke about her war but she was 19 in 1940 and she moved to London from the North of England . She was fluent in German, French and for some reason Swedish. She disappeared in 1940 and re emerged
My Mom joined the ATA in 1941 at the age of twenty - she ferried literally hundreds of A/C of all types from midlands factories to active units "darn saaf" to replace losses from active squadrons.
She was sidelined by the imminent birth of my Brother Roger in 1944, by which time she had logged over 1800 hours of active flight across the airways of the UK - and a few that didn't exist (as such) in those days.
So, having grown up in the postwar period as a council house kid, I eventually joined the Royal Navy as a Stoker, and by an accident of chance made a friendship with Louie Eiemh Hoch, president of the Singapore Aero Club.
Under his tutelage I gained my PPL at the age of seventeen. and spent many happy hours in the air in the far East, flitting around various places that I wouldn't have had a chance to visit without wings.
So, life goes on and we adjust to our surroundings; leaving the RN after the tragic experience of the fire on the USS Forrestal I set about making a home with my wife Hilary, who I'd met and married during my RN partition, I reverted to what I do best....... repairing and rebuilding engines.
Ever concious of money shortages once my brood (two of each) got bigger, I expanded my mate base, and got a start with Brymon Airways, based at EGGB, just down rhe road from here.
I was with Brymon for another nine years - delivering mail and small goods all over the UK, week in, week out - and although challenging at times, my tasks were (almost) always "do-able" by sticking to common sense and forward thinking, so although I did get a few "naughty situations" in the outer reaches of the British islands, I managed to avoid any major issues and made a whole load of friendships amongst all the various contacts I'd made over the years.
Looking back, now at the ge of 72, I feel extraordinarily fortunate that although life had thrown all sorts of problems at me in more than 50% of my life, I came out of it more than a little surprised to find that I STILL had choices open to me - I still had some sort of "control" over what I did and when I did it.
Long may it continue that way.........
todays generations men and women could bloody learn a thing or two from this lot
Not to worry, you two boomers will be long gone before you know it
ok boomer...greed is good right?
Very true mate. Unfortunately we have a nation of what I call (I can't-ers). Too bloody lazy to get out of bed in the mornings.
So, Britain had Rosie the Riveters also. Just goes to show that women can rise to the occasion. Admire them all. 💪.
@Ian Martin please find a corner of the earth to live on and not talk to anyone else ever again thanks.
@Ian Martin yeah thats about right :) if you can't understand why, not my problem.
@Ian Martin … wow! How chauvinistic. I was 7 yrs of age when war was declared but i have strong memories of women doing “mens work” throughout the war years & doing it very well. I joined the RAF in late 1950 as a Motor transport Driver/Mechanic. We had women in the same occupation doing exactly the same as their male counterparts. We accepted them as our equals. I carried those same thoughts of equality into my marriage which so far, has lasted 65 years come this October.
Teresa Shortnancy, here is how correct u are and how wrong Ian Martin is ...
The Allies had women doing the work described in this video. During the Battle of Britain, the "Fatherland" did not because they thought the British would capitulate before the end of the summer of 1940. The side with the women working were clear victors. The side with typically four more years experience (the German men -- veterans of the 1935 civil war in Spain) came a cropper!
This is stunning, we must hear the first hand accounts from every side before it's too late for us and future Generations.
Thank goodness for the 'battle for Britain' film....every documentary uses clips from it.
What about the Women’ that maned the Air artillery guns ? My mother-in-law was on them on the Norfolk coast she was a sergeant in the ATS.
My mother was also in the ATS. She manned the antiaircraft guns. She also learned Morse code and intercepted German messages. I wish she was here so we could talk about this video.
Yeah that unit took 90% casualties. Yeah it was a bloody fight over 365 straight days in heavy combat. Didn't all of those women get the Medal of Honor?
My mother was on the "home front" she was making RADAR, she wasn't allowed to talks about it.
My mother was in the English Navy in WW2 and worked at Bletchly breaking codes.
There were no women at Dunkirk or no women amoung the few. Never in the field of human conflict.... There were no women in the cockpit of Spitfires or Hurricanes,, Yet they could do what men could do,,please
so the passenger on a British plane in the 80s or 90s most likely able to land the plane could well be the grandma sitting next to you
@E mills Yes l do as l am a qualified pilot, l have flown about 51 different aircraft on floats, wheels and skis and all having propellors, my longest flight was to Oshkosh, Wisconsin in a twin engined Cessna 310 with 4 other people we went from Oshawa Airport and back with no problems, Great flight.....
That generation was the Greatest Generation indeed - regardless of the country.
@P. Tiesti , I guess u never heard of a turbo prop[peller].
U incorrectly assume that if the engine is different there are no transferable skills. Can u drive a car with either a diesel engine or an all-electric motor?
Flying a multi engine jet sir liner or multi engine Halifax of Lancaster bomber there no real difference. You know shatter needs to be done you have the skills to do it all that’s missing is exactly where the various switches are located. The ladies could have taken control of the flight to Alicante if asked.
And today the youngsters want safe spaces, because words hurt.
pul--ease don't.
That's insane!
Unlike, say, ageing keyboard warriors who have no fking idea about much at all.
SJWs are a lot like Nazis. They don't take criticism particularly well, want to impose their narrow views on the rest of the world and hide out in their bunkers when things don't go so well.
@@bustermk2 WELL SAID!! 👏🤣
What a wonderful film! Mary Ellis was featured in another... Spitfire! What a jewel! Much love and respect for all these fine ladies!
To all the women of England and the US during that time, I thank them. Because of them they paved the way for the rest of us in the future. Nothing but admiration for these women.
they did the same jobs stateside. i.e. intelligence, clerical, also look up Rosie the Riveter
W.A.S.P. = WomenAirforceServicePilots
26:30 Could you play the music a bit louder? I can still hear the narration.
No kidding! Parts of this are SO BAD! I have found many doc.'s like this - fire the sound tech! 😱
I absolutely abhor background music of any kind
Ever since watching a wonderful movie titled "Red Dog," I automatically turn on Closed Captioning for everything "in English." However, I still had to google the Colloquialisms. Such as the Aussies' affectionate nickname for Americans, which is "Seppies." (Because "toilet tanks" rhymes with Yanks.) FYI, my maternal great-Grandfather & great-great GrandDad were Limey sailors.
As a former volunteer fireman I remember the frustration of feeling useless before joining the fire brigade. I can only try to imagine what it's like in the time of war.
For these women that frustration would be replaced with more pride than I can imagine and what they did was vital for their country's survival. I have deep respect for these women.
What A Great Video! Love The History Of Wartime England & Never Knew About The British Version Of The WASPS. Thank You For Sharing.
My Mum did clerical work in the RCAF during WWII. She didn’t like it much, but it enabled her to go to university after the war on scholarship, so she could become a physician, something impossible for Canadian farm girls at that time. Even in the 1960’s, my little sister was told by her teacher that she was mistaken, Mother must be a nurse, not a doctor!
In 2016, Dr. Tamika Cross, a black lady doctor from Houston, TX was not allowed to assist an un-responsive male passenger on a Delta flight, because the flight attendant said "they needed an actual doctor". And asked Dr. Cross for some credentials. A male doctor approached and was allowed to attend the patient. Male. White. Didn't show credentials. Looked like a doctor.Dr. Cross, female. And black. Couldn't possibly be a doctor.
Thank you for this presentation of a most amazing group of women. Please do one on their counterparts in the U.S.
No disrespect, but the American mainland was never under constant bombarbment by one means or another, this was a whole different ball game.
My mum was a nurse; an aunt was a nursing officer ( at Belson) but best was my wife's aunt who was a degaussing officer at the Firth of Forth.
Great, so many channels with war stories. These women are wonderful.
God bless you ladies, all of you.
Mum was a lathe turner in a munitions factory, she never knew what she was making !
Women flying Spitfires,wow.
And how about that little girl Mary Ellis, who had been given a 4 engine bomber to fly (instead of a spitfire ) and when she got aboard , on her own, she found a book of instructions, on how to fly the plane. As shown here ( its part of a larger film I've seen before) the snotty RAF Brass, refused to fly with a woman pilot, but he had to in the end. Mary Ellis, died earlier this year 2019, aged over 100. The last of these great brave ladies.
@E mills I guess that must be why they used to enjoy cheaper car insurance
@@MrDaiseymay So one woman was greater than the men who flew and fought against mighty odds,,,and died in action. You are a very ungrateful person to the " few" who really saved Britain.
@@MrDaiseymay ... lest we forget ...
I owe my life to such brave ladies
May God Bless them all √
Hat down to all this brave women and hat down to makers of this documentary, really nice!
Great Britain .Great Ladies.There will always be an England.
@Jesus Christ YEP. JUST STAY THERE A MINUTE -----NURSE !!!!!!!!
And a Scotland, Wales and Ireland.
How can I take this class. I was a Political Science, History and English major and nothing would make me happier than to sit at your feet and take in all that you have to say. I am on Social Security Disability and get less than a thousand a month to live on I have nothing but the greatest admiration for you. please stay away from the coronavirus.
I WAS WICKED. I NEVER WANTED THE WAR TO END. THATS THE HEART OF A TRUE AVIATOR AND WARRIOR. GOD BLESS YOU ALL. THE BIG THE LONG AND THE WICKED.
Great video!
I have such deep admiration for these women, due to my Great GrandAunt being the wife of my USAFFE GreatGrandUncle. While he was at the Front, she assembled arms, guns and bullets in a Factory. Thank God both survived and lived long enough to tell us stories when I was elementary age. May God Bless All these women.
brave heart womens on world war two
Awesome! Semper Fidelis, Ladies!
Had a great uncle in London who survived, told us told stories of the blitz. One of his best friends flat ( apartment) was bombed. He was first to go in to find his friend after the bombing. He moved some debris away and entered the flat. There on the kitchen table was his friend staring right at him at eye level. He called out to his friend but he was stone cold dead. A shell fragment or the blast had tore him in two and the top half from mid stomach up was sitting there upright on the table with his eyes wide open. My Uncle had nightmares for the rest of his life about that one incident!
God Bless your Great Uncle, Carey M
This is a excellent Video. The footage is stunning, where did it come from? My Mother was in the Women's Land Army. I would love to see a Timeline Video of such quality about the Land Army ??
Calling the Second World War the beginning of women’s liberation isn’t only historically inaccurate but does a great disservice to the women of early generations who literally put their bodies and lives on the line to attain suffrage and rights for women. I under the statement was being made out of thoughtless ignorance, but while the role of women during Second World War certainly contributed to the change in culture and the advancement of women’s civil rights, just as the First World War and the Second World War contributed toward greater demand for civil rights by African Americans in the U.S., it was far from the beginning of the movement or the accomplishments won for women’s rights.
The hero ladies could listen to them all day a salute to you all!
The women who contributed so much for freedom certainly deserve to be honored by generations to come.
Fantastic, my mother was a, Sargent in the WAAF'S. But sadly she never spoke much about it.
I was really enjoying learning about the women in World War 2. Then, at 26 minutes the singing drowned out the narration. Aside from that it's a well done video.
God bless them.Superb.
I didn't know how much involved the women were in the defense of England..bravo ladies
Wait until you see the Russian ladies during ww2.
I wish my grandmother had the fortitude these ladies had.
The spitfire pilot lady at around 23 minutes is hilarious
awesome stuff
And the women in SOE, they were incredibly brave these women.
Highly recommended, reading the paperback "RAF Biggin Hill".
You can buy this old book online for a few £ / € / $
I grew up very near RAF Biggin Hill and that too was a memorable experience including seeing many times Spitfires and Hurricanes grounded and flying.
Badass Granny "I broke me back, which was unpleasant..."
Yes! Women can roll up their sleeves and work. Funny that men never thought of that back then. Especially since women have been at work since the beginning of civilization. Lovely episode. Thanks, Timeline.
Respect all these women,
Thank you for your help
It would be good to hear some of the comments if the background noise didn't drown them out!
Truly inspiring
They we're Britain's greatest generation.
THERE LIKES WILL NEVER COME AGAIN.
My greatest respect to them.
Bless them all..
💖💕💟💓💜💛💚💗👍👍👍👍👍👍👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏
This forgets that in WWI thousands of women worked in armaments factories.
Look up the eddystone disaster. German spies blew up a munition plant.in eddystone,pa
German female spies? I was talking British....
@@andreasegde the women were american.men were overseas.so women made bombs..
Not in WWI they didn’t. They did in the UK.
Its about women serving in uniform in WW2.
What a brilliant generation those people were.
Fabulous amazing women 💪💪❤❤
Gonna save this and watch it after I clock off! 😉
My Dad USArmy Air Corp was stationed at Waycross Georgia used to be disgusted when the WAF pilots used to fly into the base not because they were women but because they were flying he was prevented from flying because he was color blind and couldn't fly
Love them,thank you
Every woman did their "bit" in the second world war, with some of them being very much operational with anti-aircraft units and S.O.E.and the women of S.O.E, who came from all backgrounds and nationalities were second to none for courage, many of them suffering appalling torture and death at the hands of the Nazis, but they all did their "bit" to defeat the Nazis.
✌👍
My grandparents lived through both world wars in England. I grew up listening to their stories and thinking man were they tough! Lol
Not like today’s generation who can’t even go cramping without their cell phones. They even bring lights that are controlled by an app on their phone lol
British women were just as tough as the men fighting in the Battle of Britain , very resilient people indeed !!!
Such wonderful fortitude...!.....Never say die....Just look at OUR NHS....!
Large chunks of the film Battle of Britian.
Very recommendable
World War II put all the Allies in a position were everything had to be rethought and streamlined. The social status of women changed for ever when they went to work all over the world. I can't help but think that if we had broke all stereotypes in regards to women, black men and women we would have won sooner.
Too bad all the commercials were interrupted by the documentary. 🙄
When I meet people that did fight during ww2 it's all ways so interesting talking to them. And what several of my family did during ww2 hope i have the same hart
God bless you lovely lady.
much respect for these women. :)
my respect gose out to all the men and women who sacrificed there life for my freedom
I remember my grandad telling dad how distracting it was having these young 18-20 yr old women around during WW2
Haha....no doubt. Sounds like a personal problem all the same. Focus on the foresight not the rearsight. :)
Boys will be boys don't matter what country u from we always lose our consetrasjon see sweet girl's
many moons ago, my female BMT flight integrated with a formally all male training squadron and the boys could not keep their eyes off of us. The ones who were caught had to go around with a paper bag on their heads! Really funny