Osprey Publishing
World War II Allied Women’s Services
Martin Brayley, with illustrations by Ramiro Bujeiro
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Based on my own military experience I
have found that the attitudes displayed to women in the services tend to a
universal categorization of “dykes, bikes and brides!” This disgracefully
dismissive view reflects the conservative and sexist conditioning still rife in
our society. In fact this publication informs us that the tales of supposed
immorality amongst women in the ranks affected recruitment and morale to such an
extent that the FBI were called in to investigate the cause. However it was not
an Axis plot that was doing the damage, but pure unadulterated rumour mongering
and gossip.
This volume from Osprey serves to
give the other side of the coin, and draw a more accurate picture of the role of
servicewomen during World War II, than that drawn by Carry on England or South
Pacific. Without women rallying to the colours Britain would have had no
effective defence against air attack, the work of the intelligence and support
services would have ground to a halt, and of course the armaments industry would
simply have been overwhelmed.
Martin Brayley has, I think for the
first time, provided a detailed account of these service units, their history
and uniforms. He provides a number of anecdotes that illustrate the value to the
war effort of these women. For example how many warships do you think could be
crewed by the men released for duty by women undertaking shore duty? Although
perhaps the author makes one faux pas in highlighting the praise Eisenhower
showered on servicewomen, given the special services he received from his own
driver.
I suppose that this addition to the
popular Men at Arms series will be of only limited interest to the wargaming
community, which is a shame. I found the contents interesting, and clearly
presented. The text is supported by a wide range of contemporary photographs,
some of which made me wonder about a number of gaming scenarios, especially
based on a Seelowe, or parachute attack situation.
The brief inclusion of details of
Soviet Women’s war service gives wider scope for the gamer. The 122nd
Air Group of the Red Air Force was crewed entirely by women, as was the 587th
Bomber, and 588th Night Bomber Regiments. Eventually some 10%+ of the
Red Army were women, taking on front line duties as well as support.
Less familiar, to me at least, were
the units recruited and operating through out the countries of the Empire, and
the various foreign volunteers units that served in the Allied armies. They all
receive mention on this publication.
The colour illustrations are of the
usual high Osprey standard but serve to illustrate the details of uniforms and
so perhaps do not stir the imagination of the wargamer as much as other volumes.
However for the military modeller there is a wealth of detail in these pages.
In all a very interesting read, and though of limited wargaming interest a very worthwhile addition to the library of any World War II fan.
JOS
Men at Arms series No 357 Softback 48pp PriceŁ8.99/$14.95
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