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PBS News Hour

‘Spitfires’ tells the story of American women pilots in WWII

Season 2025 Episode 124 | 5m 50s

Wednesday is the 80th anniversary of VE Day, marking Germany’s unconditional surrender and the end of WWII in Europe. A new book “Spitfires” tells the little-known contribution American women made to that outcome by flying combat aircraft — not for U.S. forces, which denied them the opportunity, but for Britain’s Air Transport Auxiliary. John Yang spoke with author Becky Aikman to learn more.

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