Sounds Magazine, Volume 19, Number 1, Spring 2005 Page: 29 of 52
52 p. : ill. (some col.) ; 32 cm.View a full description of this periodical.
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Spring 2005 SOUNDS p.29
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The old pontoon bridge that spanned the waterway between the mainland and Surf City.
- photo provided by David Stal\man
pilots were "a weapon waiting to be
used." But it took some time to convince
the armed forces that women could be a
valuable addition.
When the Japanese bombed Pearl
Harbor, and we were to be challenged on
two fronts, the military concluded that
there would be a severe pilot shortage.
Jacqueline was given the go-ahead and
she organized a nationwide recruiting
effort for female pilots. They would be
trained in the rigors of flying matching
the pilot training of males.
After months of training, 25 top WASP,
who were selected to participate, went to
Washington, DC for their first briefing in
July 1943. Jacqueline Cochran, the new
Director of Women Pilots, talked about a
top-secret mission that would take them
higher and faster than women had ever
piloted. And not only that, it appeared to
be a dangerous mission that no man
would admit as doable by women.
In Washington, General Arnold saw
the young attractive women go by his
office. "You did say they could fly
Major Cochran," he remarked - skepti-
cally. "Towing targets for green air gun-
ners and ground artillery is not the
safest flying job around, but it's one of
the most war-essential duties. If this
experiment works, I'll have more pilots
for combat missions."
While they were at Washington thesewomen further proved themselves in the
high altitude-testing chamber, readying
them for high altitude target towing.
Camp Davis was already an important
antiaircraft gunnery training site target
and male pilots did the target towing.
These WASP were assigned there to
determine their capabilities and limits in
all the flying requirements for antiair-
craft weapon training.
The experiment included target tow-
ing, strafing, night flying- and radar.
tracking. It was eventually to release
male pilots from all kinds of flying
except combat. There were about 100
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Firing at the beach 1942-43 - photo provided by David Stallman
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Pletl, Connie. Sounds Magazine, Volume 19, Number 1, Spring 2005, periodical, Spring 2005; Hampstead, North Carolina. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth887602/m1/29/: accessed July 16, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting National WASP WWII Museum.