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On Wings To War
Softcover: $20.00 (price includes shipping and handling) Order
Summary
ON WINGS TO WAR by Jan Churchill tells the story of the first women to fly
for the U.S. military.
Teresa James was one of the original WAFS (Womens Auxiliary Ferrying Squadron)
that was assembled by Nancy Love in September 1942 at New Castle Army Air Base
in Delaware. Teresa began her flight career as a flight instructor and air
show pilot in the 1930s. During the war, she married one of her students who
was a B-17 pilot. He was killed in a B-17 crash in France. Her husband’s
death was not confirmed by the War Department. Forty years passed until Teresa
returned to France and found out what really happened to her husband.
ON WINGS TO WAR tells the story of the WAFS who became WASPs in August 1943, and about their flying until they were disbanded, suddenly, on 20 December 1944. It is an emotional story as it describes how the women left their homes to fly for their country with no military recognition accorded to them. The book is profusely illustrated.
From the “Airpower Journal” (1992) by 2nd Lt. William D. Casebeer, USAF, Shaw AFB, NC
Jan Churchill makes extensive use of personal interviews with Teresa James, as well as James’ diaries, recollections, photographs, and memorabilia to give us a taste of a formative period in the Air Force’s history. Churchill’s book is enjoyable to read for several reasons. First, it makes extensive use of firsthand material provided by personal interviews with James. The fact that James is the primary source of most of the information gives the book an authenticity that is not forthcoming from secondary sources. James’ vivid descriptions give immediacy to the joys and terror of being a WASP.
Second, Churchill makes no attempt to deconstruct the early history of the WASP program. Her descriptions of the discrimination and bias that Teresa James confronted in her struggle for recognition for female aviators are not venomous, politically charged, or inflammatory. Instead, they are objective (yet personal) vignettes that drive home the effect of discrimination in the armed services.
Finally, the fact that the book is relatively short makes it easy to digest and enjoyable to read. ON WINGS TO WAR doesn’t pretend to be a comprehensive history of the WASP program but gives a personal “view from the cockpit” in a concise 184 pages. Other accounts of women in the Army Air Forces may be dry and impersonal, but not this one.
Reviews
Comment from Deborah G. Douglas
I just finished reading ON WINGS TO WAR - I really enjoyed it. I felt like I was sitting right next to Teresa listening to her recount her wartime experiences. I think you did a great job capturing the “essence” of Teresa - they way she talks (and thought and felt!). I also appreciated the clarity of the illustrations and the fact that you identified everyone in the photos.
Review by Wendy Hiester Gilbert (Cecil Whig - Nov. 26, 1992)
ON WINGS TO
WAR by local author Jan Churchill is the perfect Christmas gift for World
War II buffs and aviation enthusiasts. Churchill executes a well-researched
biography of the heroic aviator Teresa James. A WASP, James’ adventures
and experiences in the man’s world of aviation are intriguing reading.
Pulsing with vintage photographs and interesting documents, stepping into
Teresa James’ shoes is a joy. The story reads quickly and easily and
is an ideal gift for anyone from age nine to 90.
Book Review by Judy Thompson (EAA Chapter 240, Wilmington, Delaware)
Have
you ever read a book where you feel you are right there in the action?
That is the way I felt about Jan Churchill’s ON WINGS TO WAR, a biography
of Teresa James, an aviator stationed at New Castle Army Air Base as part
of the Women’s Auxiliary Ferry Squadron (WAFS), which later became the
Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP) during World War II. Teresa James
was born near Pittsburgh, PA, so is really a “local” celebrity.
This book is easy to read as it moves right along. There are many pictures
which adds to the personal aspect of the book. Throughout the book there
are references to areas I am familiar with such as the Wilmington Airport
( formerly New Castle Army Air Base) and Hotel duPont which additionally gives
me a feeling of local history.
The book is composed of general information and specific quotes by Teresa
James relating her experiences at New Castle, ferrying aircraft around
the country, and her activities, both personal and aviation related, after
the disbandment of the WASP on December 20, 1944. Jan makes Teresa a “real” person
who can be related to. One statement Teresa made which sticks in my mind
is “the fear never really left me to the point where I said I can
be sure I can go up there and get back down...Maybe I was an oddball, but
I was absolutely terrified.” This amazes me as she flew everything
from Piper Cubs to P-51s.
ON WINGS TO WAR would make a great gift for anyone interested in general
aviation or, specifically, the women ferrying pilots. It is written generally
for the lay person to understand. You don’t need a great understanding
of aircraft or World War II, just a general interest in the subject. I
feel Jan did much research on this book and definitely enjoyed reading
it.
Softcover: $20.00 (price includes shipping and handling) Order
