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Duration: 1 hour

During World War II, a remarkable band of female pilots fought against all odds for the right to aid the war effort. Without these Spitfire Women, the war may never have been won.

These trailblazers were part of the Air Transport Auxiliary, a thousand-strong organisation that delivered aircraft to the frontline RAF during Britain's darkest hours. Every day, responsibility fell on their shoulders to get the planes to the fighters, which often pushed them into dangerous and even deadly situations.

Using interviews with the last few surviving veterans, archive footage and dramatic reconstruction, this documentary brings to life the forgotten story of the ATA. The resilience of these women in the face of open discrimination is one of the most inspiring and overlooked milestones in women's rights. Their story is one of courage, sexism and patriotism, but above all a story about women who want to break the confines of the world they live in and reach for the skies.

Last on

Wed 16 Nov 2011 00:45 BBC Four

  • Photo: Air Transport Auxiliary group

    Photo: Air Transport Auxiliary group

    Some of the ladies of the ATA gather for a group photo in front of a plane during World War II.

  • Photo: Joy Lofthouse

    Photo: Joy Lofthouse

    Joy Lofthouse, one of the Air Transport Auxiliary pilots during the war, is here pictured in her uniform.

  • BBC History

    BBC History

    Explore the key events of the Battle of Britain with clips from over 50 years of BBC television and radio programmes.

    BBC History: The Battle of Britain

  • The Battle of Britain Season

    The Battle of Britain Season

    This programme is part of a season marking the 70th anniversary of The Battle Of Britain across BBC One, BBC Two and BBC Four.

    Go to The Battle of Britain Season site

  • BBC TV blog

    BBC TV blog

    Margaret Frost, who features in Spitfire Women, discusses her time in the Air Transport Auxiliary and the part she played in the Battle of Britain.

    Read the interview with Margaret Frost on the BBC TV blog

Credits

Director
Harvey Lilley
Producer
Harvey Lilley
Executive Producer
Kieran Smith

Broadcasts

See all broadcasts of Spitfire Women (15)

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