We’ve arrived at Saratov, a city at war. The darkened streets are filled with soldiers but we are still civilians, in our best clothes. Patriotic marches in celebration of the 24th anniversary of the founding of the<br/>Red Army and impassioned speeches by Comrade Stalin and Marshal Zhukov fill the air. “The day is not far distant when the Red Army will thrust back the brutal enemy and the red banners will fly again<br/>victoriously over the entire Soviet land.”<br/><br/>With a Red Army Air Force transit voucher in hand, we board a ferry across the Volga with a hundred other hopeful, enthusiastic, and confused young men and women. One woman stands out in the crowd—dressed in a splendid uniform with sky blue shoulder boards with a medal pinned to her chest. We haven’t yet learned to know either her rank or what the medal signifies, but we know we want to be just like her.<br/><br/>The woman looks the small knot of trainees.  "I'm Captain Eveniya Lobodeva, of the 588th Night Bomber Regiment.  The 588th is one of three regiments being formed by Major Marina Raskova, the famous air hero. We focus on night harassment and will do the most difficult, dangerous work."<br/><br/><em>Yelena takes off her babushka as a sign of respect to the Captain.  She glances at her fellow recruits, whom she has never met nor talked to before today and says.  "I think we are up for the challenge.  I am Yelena. " She gave a clumsy salute in return.</em><br/><br/>The Captain gives a nod to Yelena and then looks over the whole group and says.  "We’re glad to have competent new recruits. We’ll be flying outmoded biplanes under cover of darkness in all weather conditions.  The war situation is bad—even Comrade Stalin says as much. Our winter stopped the Fascists fifty miles from Moscow, but the spring muds have blunted our counter-offensive. Now things are very uncertain. Personally I aim to change that."