Thursday, 30 September 2010

Spitfire Women

WATCH:

AVAILABILITY:

7 days left to watch (or download at BBC iPlayer).

Last broadcast today, 19:00 on BBC Two (England, Scotland only) (see all broadcasts).

NEXT ON:

Today, 21:00 on BBC Two (Northern Ireland only)

SYNOPSIS

During World War Two, 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 Auxillary, 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.

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

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

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

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

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

  1. Sat 18 Sep 2010
    20:00
    BBC Four
  2. Mon 20 Sep 2010
    21:00
    BBC Four
  3. Tue 21 Sep 2010
    00:35
    BBC Four
  4. Tue 21 Sep 2010
    03:35
    BBC Four
  5. Thu 23 Sep 2010
    01:30
    BBC Four
  6. Thu 30 Sep 2010
    19:00
    BBC Two (England, Scotland only)
  7. Thu 30 Sep 2010
    21:00
    BBC Two (Northern Ireland only)

Posted by Britannia Radio at 20:31