This is not related to my History final I have tomorrow morning, but more so on personal curiosity. I've read about the Women Army Corps, and the navy's WAVES, but from what I found was that these were non-combat roles that fulfilled duties such as transportation, nurses and clerical duties. Is it safe to say this was partly due to the "traditional views" of women? Clearly they signed up by the 150,000+.. they were passionate.
What changed with the WASPs being a combat unit? Was that the only women's combat unit during World War II? And if so... What was different from having women active in combat via airplanes than on foot or by sea?
I appreciate any and all responses!
I am definitely inspired by everyone who contributed to the war efforts before and leading up to World War II, but especially that 40s decade.
I think you might be mistaken (or possibly confusing American WASPs with Soviet female combat pilots, as the VVS has several all-women combat regiments). WASPs were not combat aviators. The entire purpose of their existence was to fulfill non-combat pilot roles to allow more men to see action, and they were considered civilians, not airwomen. They certainly flew combat aircraft, but this was well away from the actual fighting, such as providing ferry service to bring aircraft from the factory. The closest role to actual combat I'm aware of would be towing targets for live-fire training by (male) pilots, or anti-aircraft crews, and make no mistake, that was hazardous duty, and with things messed up big, pilots died in that role. In total, 38 women in the WASPs (or WAFS/WFTD which predated it) died from various causes, but combat wasn't one of them.
Douglas, Deborah G.. American Women and Flight Since 1940. Lexington: University Press of Kentucky, 2003
The WASP were not combat Pilots. The program was “created” in order for male pilots to be freed of jobs such as towing targets, ferrying aircraft, etc., in order to be released into combat roles. At the time, the mentality was that women were not able to participate in the war effort in combat roles, especially in roles such as Pilots. However, these women proved themselves time and time again!
Source: the research I conducted for my senior thesis