Women of War - A Band of Brothers Story

Prologue

December 7, 1941. An infamous date in the history of the United States of America. The day the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor, leaving nearly 2,500 dead and almost 1,200 wounded. The day that caused the US to enter World War II.

3 months later, rumours began to spread. Rumours about the Army wanting to do a test-run of women in the field. And not as part of the WAC, no sir.

Everybody heard it from somebody who knew it for sure and everyone had an opinion about it.

"War ain't no place for broads", many would declare while their audience nodded their heads.

Others called it an outrageous idea. "Who's gonna take care of home when they are all rushing to go and fight?", they would clamour.

A few would shrug. "Let them", they would answer when asked. "They won't get far if they're not up to it."

And some would raise their heads, chin jutting out in defiance, and say: "Good. We can do this and we'll prove it."

In spring of the year 1942, the rumours were confirmed when it was announced that the US Army was looking for female volunteers for a "special, unprecedented program."

They would undergo a 4-week training and evaluation period before the best candidates would begin basic training, though in which Army branch that would be was anybody's guess.

***

"The Airborne?!"

The shocked gasp clearly carried over the other mutters and murmurs. The officer who had been tasked with informing the 35 selected women nodded.

"Indeed", he said. "You will be joining the 506th Regiment of the 101st Airborne Division at Camp Toccoa, Georgia. Transports leave tomorrow at 0900. Dismissed."

Linda Irwin shook her head, neatly styled hair bouncing. "I am not going into the Airborne", she declared. "I did not sign up for this."

"Then what did you sign up for?", Frances Shea wondered.

Linda shrugged and waved her hand in a vague gesture. "Not the Airborne."

"What, scared of flying?", Irene McKinsey laughed.

She received an indignant, semi-incredulous look in return. "No", Linda retorted. "Just not keen on jumping out of a moving airplane."

They turned the corner and entered the mess hall.

"What are you going to do?", Doreen Edwards wanted to know as she picked up a tray.

The 22-year-old Idaho native sighed. "I don't know. But I'm not going into the Airborne."

Theresa Nolan joined them in the line, wrinkling her nose at the less than pleasant-looking meal on her plate. She asked: "Why don't you at least try it?"

Linda's eyebrows scrunched into a reluctant grimace.

Over dinner, the conversation kept going in circles as Linda received several more suggestions as to what she could or should do.

"My God, it's not that difficult", Kathleen Preston groaned eventually, drawing everyone's attention. "If you don't think you can do it, then go tell them. Problem solved."

Everybody stared at her in silence.

Eventually, Louise Fields said: "Bravo, Kathleen. So tactful", making the woman in question flush and mumble an apology.

In the end, Linda did take Kathleen's advice. And thus, only 34 women boarded the train that would bring them to their new home in Georgia.

***

They were greeted by Colonel Robert Sink, commander of the 506th Regiment of the 101st Airborne Division. He was a tall and stern-looking man, whose mere presence immediately commanded respect.

"Ladies", he said, studying them as they stood before him in rank and file, "you represent the strength and bravery of the women in this fine country. I am damn proud that my regiment is part of this experiment and I have no doubt that you will do your families and your country proud."

He raised a finger to caution them. "But", he stressed, "the Airborne is a brand-new concept in the US Army and absolutely elite. There will be no allowances made for you in training. You want to be paratroopers, so you will have to work just as hard or even harder the men. You will expect no special treatment. Understood?"

"Yes sir", they chorused.

The colonel nodded, gracing them with a smile. "However, there are a few regulations in place to avoid potential problems between you and the men. For now, you have a separate billet, which is off limits to all male personnel. At a later stage, you will most likely be sharing the billets with the men, but we will cross that bridge when we get to it."

This earned him a few quiet chuckles and he continued: "Showers. There are no separated showers, so you will have to shower after the men. You will not take a shower on your own, this is non-negotiable. You will shower in twos, at least, the more the better. If, for some reason, you have to shower alone, you will have one or two men you trust standing guard in front of the door."

Col. Sink scanned the faces of the women, not missing the occasional frown of confusion or discontent.

"This is for your own safety", he explained frankly. "While I expect the men to be disciplined and civilised, there is no guarantee. And I'll be damned if you have to fear attack and injury from your own comrades."

After reassuring himself that they understood, he nodded once more and dismissed them.