Capt. Lulu Davies, the heroine of my World War II historical romance His Very Own Girl, is British civilian pilot. As fit fighting men in the Allied countries joined the armed forces, women took increasingly prominent roles in the work place. That meant some flew planes.
The Air Transport Auxiliary in the UK employed men who were missing limbs, missing eyes–but who could still ferry repaired, new, and reserve aircraft to where they were needed all over the UK. Eventually, as ATA pilots began to transport troops and provide field ambulance flights, even these men did not meet demand. The ATA quickly opened their rolls to women.
One in eight ATA pilots were women, and 15 lost their lives during the war. The ATA became the first organization within the British government to authorize equal pay for equal work, and thereby attracted women from around the world to participate. Pilots began with single-engine aircraft and worked their way up to larger, more difficult planes, including massive four-engine bombers. Together with the men, they delivered over 300,000 aircraft to their destinations.
In the US, a similar civilian ferrying system was established in 1942, called the Women Airforce Service Pilots, or WASPs. They received as little as 35% of the pay men received, yet they handled over 50% of aircraft ferried in the USA. Their duties were expanded to more dangerous roles, such as towing targets for aerial gunnery practice. Some women went on to become flight instructors.
After delivering 12,650 aircraft, the WASPs were disbanded in December of 1944. Although 38 WASPs died in service to their country, records of the entire organization were sealed for 35 years. It wasn’t until the Carter Administration that they were awarded full military benefits and honors.
Here, Lulu faces male chauvinism even as she’s trying to save lives.
“Get on the horn and find a squadron,” Lulu said. “Yanks, Brits–I don’t care.”
She returned her gaze to the slate gray sky beyond the punctured window. Cold February air blew against her face. Although her responsibility to a plane full of wounded soldiers and nurses banged against her senses, she blocked them out.
Every instinct narrowed on a single goal: survival.
Two more German Messerschmitts jumped out of the thick winter clouds and sideswiped the plane. Four in all. Gunfire sprayed just off starboard.
They’re bloody toying with me.
Lulu jerked the transport’s controls to the left. She worked hard to rein in the adrenaline whipping through her veins, but she still wound up shouting into the headset. “Cpl. Ramis, I need an ETA on our backup.”
“Spitfires from the 122nd Squadron, RAF, will be here in twelve minutes. They’re scrambling to intercept.”
“We’ll be smoldering in a field with the cowpats by then. Do you want that?”
“Nor I. Sergeant Peterson? Please consult your lovely maps. I need to get to the nearest antiaircraft battery.”
“We’re not authorized to fly outside this lane,” Peterson said. “We’ll get in the way of eastbound flights.”
“Should I see anyone, I’ll be sure to get the hell out of their way–which is what I’m trying to do with these Jerries. If you don’t fancy your chances with me, I suggest you find your chute. Either jump or use the silk to shut your blimmin’ mouth.”
I like to think that in a small way, His Very Own Girl and its intrepid heroine, Lulu, will open readers’ eyes about these women flyers and the immense contribution they made to the Allied war effort!
Summer has been a blast! Available now from Pocket Books are three Christ Family romances. FLAWLESS kicked it off with a tale of an estranged couple’s search for love. The 99¢ tie-in novella, “A LITTLE MORE SCANDAL” follows two aspiring lovers to London. And the Scottish-set second novel, STARLIGHT, was an RT BookReviews 4½ Star Top Pick. “Richly nuanced characters and a superbly realized Victorian setting come together brilliantly.” ~ The Chicago Tribune
I’ve also launched a co-written pseudonym, Katie Porter , with my long-time friend and critique partner, Lorelie Brown. Our “Vegas Top Guns” series of contemporary erotic romances launched from Samhain with DOUBLE DOWN and INSIDE BET, both of which were RT BookReviews 4½ Star Top Picks: “This racy, raunchy, hella good read…will move Fifty Shades of Grey to the children’s section of the bookstore.”
Where to find me:
I’d like to give away a digital copy of HIS VERY OWN GIRL in any format. Just answer the question: Where would you most like to fly, and why? Hopefully not while evading enemy aircraft!
Thanks again to The Book Pushers for featuring His Very Own Girl!
The giveaway will end on Saturday the 15th of September – Good luck!