Radar Girls: a review — women in wartime

Radar Girls: A Review of Historical Fiction – Women in War

I don’t normally read WWII historical fiction, but I made an exception for a favorite author. Reading Sara Ackerman’s lovely novel Radar Girls was a delight. And it made me nostalgic. Though I wasn’t born until after WWII, both my parents served during the war. I’ve long loved and connected with Hawaii, both from beautiful travels there and because my mother was born in Honolulu. As a young woman during WWII, she enlisted in the Navy (“better unifirms”). She became a control tower operator. Reading Acknerman’s inspired account of women in Hawaii serving their country by doing similar highly technical work reminded me of my mother’s wartime stories.

Ackerman’s story begins on the terrible day of the Japanese bombing of Pearl Harbor. Her main character, Daisy, sees the planes overhead while she’s diving and fishing along the shore. She hears the explosions and knows what it means. Soon, she’s recruited to learn to operate radar. The new technology will give the islands advance warning.

The plot focuses on this young woman’s coming of age and discovering her intelligence and abilities. Having grown up poor, Daisy doesn’t believe in herself. A sweet romance is a sub-plot. Daisy is charming and believable, her naivete transforming into insight and self-awareness. Vividly drawn, we see her intelligence taking hold and pushing her to do her best for her island and country. When she falls in love with a neighbor, a pilot, her humble, tender hearted feelings are touching.

The history and detail compelled me. I was surprised that Pearl Harbor was bombed so badly because of the lack of any early warning system. Radar had not yet been installed in Honolulu. Ackerman’s research was very thorough. Learning about the new radar equipment and how to use it was fascinating. Radar had just been invented, and it proved a game-changer for the Allies in England and in the Pacific. Daisy, along with other young women are raw recruits, having to learn complicated equipment and master the associated math. It was then assumed that women lacked the intelligence and concentration to do thjis kind of work, but the men had to go into battle. The military had no choice but to recruit women. That was how these girls proved their ability. Military  sexism is an ongoing tale in America, but so is the heroism of women in the military.

My Mother and Other Women in Wartime

My mother faced this prejudice too. Like the radar girls, she learned to operate a control tower at the Naval base in Philadelphia, guiding planes to and from the airfield. She wanted to fly planes. But after the war, the military banned women from the control tower, let alone from flying. My mom has often told me she’d have liked to be a pilot. It was one of her great disappointments. No wonder I sensed, as I grew up, a sadness that surrounded her as she went about the life of a wife and mother. She had seen an adventurous life and been barred from it. Now her life was driving me to school and ballet lessons. Baking and decorating. Hosting my father’s pilot and rocket scientist friends, instead of being one of them.

Daisy’s bravery and determination spoke to me because of my mom’s wartime experience and later disappointment. The Radar Girls and women of her wartime generation are an important part of our history. More of their stories should be told. Women will be fully recognized for their achievements when these stories are told. 

All in all, it’s an inspiring tale. The beautiful setting and dramatic moment in history make for a great read. I highly recommend Radar Girls.  And everything else Ackerman has written. 

For another of my books reviews, check out a recent one to a fabulous and hilarious time travel series by Jodi Taylor. More reviews on the way.