Night Witch

by George Sapio

SOLO ONE-ACT (70 min.) For three years during WWII, the 588th Night Bomber Regiment of the Soviet Air Force, the first-ever female fighter pilots (in the history of war) flew nightly missions against the massive German war machine. They flew in all kinds of weather: rain, snow, sub-zero freezes, with no radar, lights, or parachutes. They flew over 300 sorties, often with ten or more missions per squad every...

SOLO ONE-ACT (70 min.) For three years during WWII, the 588th Night Bomber Regiment of the Soviet Air Force, the first-ever female fighter pilots (in the history of war) flew nightly missions against the massive German war machine. They flew in all kinds of weather: rain, snow, sub-zero freezes, with no radar, lights, or parachutes. They flew over 300 sorties, often with ten or more missions per squad every night, dropping bombs on the Nazi front lines. The regiment was staffed entirely of women, including all support staff. They were one of the most highly decorated elite regiments in Soviet history. They flew biplanes. They dealt with misogyny and hardship. And they had the Nazis terrified of them.

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Night Witch

Recommended by

  • Ian Thal: Night Witch by George Sapio
    “

    Masha Pavlov is an engaging character, proud of her role as a light bomber pilot fighting back the German invasion of the Soviet Union, and still excited to describe the giddiness of flight and the machines that took her into the air, even as she recounts the humiliation of official misogyny, ill-fitting uniforms, antiquated technology, no parachutes, the death of many of her fellow Night Witches, and a state that swept their heroism under the rug once the war was over.

    Masha Pavlov is an engaging character, proud of her role as a light bomber pilot fighting back the German invasion of the Soviet Union, and still excited to describe the giddiness of flight and the machines that took her into the air, even as she recounts the humiliation of official misogyny, ill-fitting uniforms, antiquated technology, no parachutes, the death of many of her fellow Night Witches, and a state that swept their heroism under the rug once the war was over.

    ”
  • Vivian Lermond: Night Witch by George Sapio
    “

    A phenomenal one woman show that reconstructs the truth of a hidden mission of historical valor, silenced by the sexist Soviet post WW 11 regime! This is a story that needed to be told, and Sapio has given us that gift! A wonderful story, well executed!

    A phenomenal one woman show that reconstructs the truth of a hidden mission of historical valor, silenced by the sexist Soviet post WW 11 regime! This is a story that needed to be told, and Sapio has given us that gift! A wonderful story, well executed!

    ”
  • Nora Louise Syran: Night Witch by George Sapio
    “

    Reading just the extract of this play was riveting. Sapio keeps it moving along at a clip, punctuating the female pilot's story with other Night Witches' stories, photographs and demonstrations --all with a wry humor that will draw audiences in. Bravo.

    Reading just the extract of this play was riveting. Sapio keeps it moving along at a clip, punctuating the female pilot's story with other Night Witches' stories, photographs and demonstrations --all with a wry humor that will draw audiences in. Bravo.

    ”
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