Illustrated with numerous fascinating photos and eight full colour plates detailing uniforms and equipment, a look at the vital jobs that women undertook at a time of national crisis.

Though for centuries fighting was considered primarily a man's job, the world wars of the 20th century demanded women's involvement in the war effort.

By World War II women were playing a major auxiliary role in all branches of the armed forces. From the daring female fighter pilots of besieged Russia to the heroic American nurses on the front line, this book looks at the vital jobs that women undertook at a time of national crisis. Numerous fascinating photos and eight full colour plates detail the uniforms and equipment of the British, American German and Russian women who participated in this global conflict.