When We Had Wings

Based on a true story When We Had Wings is a historical tale of nurses and the danger and deception they face during the war.

One of my favorite genres of books is historical fiction. And when it is set during WWII, it is a big draw for me. This amazing story, while about WWII, focused on a different aspect than those I’ve typically read. This book was set in the Pacific conflict ... specifically the Philippines. It also dealt with the little known story of the military nurses who served during this time. Words cannot describe the horrors they endured and the evil they witnessed. However, the friendships that developed were cherished and helped them face another day. I thoroughly enjoyed learning about the dedication the women displayed in such difficult circumstances, the strength of character, and their determination to survive. This is definitely one to put on your to-be-read list. It is heart wrenching but has you cheering them on hoping they will survive and be rescued.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Muse for my advanced review copy. All opinions and thoughts are my own.

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I loved learning about the first female POWs in World War II, since I knew nothing about this part of history. I found the different perspectives initially a little hard to keep track of in ebook form, so I'm glad I shifted to reading a physical book because this one was so good. As a sensitive reader, I thought it touched on so many difficult parts of war and the weight of the evil and suffering, without showing too much. I deeply appreciated these characters and the very real people they represented. This was a sobering, beautiful, brave story that I'm so grateful to have read.

This is the story I was desperate to read but was afraid to ask for. I’ve always been a big fan of WWII historical fiction and have wanted one set in the Philippines but because I have so much knowledge about what happened, I was afraid to get attached to characters and read about their suffering. This was such a well-written, all engrossing story that drew me in and made me feel everything I didn’t want to but I am grateful for the experience. It paints a horrifying picture of what happened in the Philippines during the war, what my grandparents lived through, and it broke my heart. The story itself moves slowly, which gives ample introduction to the area and the characters, and lays the groundwork for the atrocities (although worse happened, it is not detailed) inflicted on the enemies of the Japanese. I loved this book for the stories that it told and the history it portrays. Highly recommended!

THE GOOD:
Sweet novel of friendships forged and that last a lifetime. Also a story of adversity overcome time and time again as these nurses face different aspects of the WWII scene in the Pacific. Based on the true stories of these inspiring, fun, lively, and heroic ladies. Amazingly told via the alternating perspectives of each leading lady, each voice told by one of the three authors, which made for both brilliant authenticity and unique characters for all three.

THE BAD:
Nothing! Other than a small personal complaint that the Philippines are north of the equator, so in the North Pacific, not the South.

CONCLUSION:
Highly recommend! Will be a special favorite of Book Clubs and WWII Historical Fiction fans.

When We Had Wings was by three of my favorite authors, Ariel Lawhon, Kristina McMorris and Susan Meissner. Their writing meshed so seamlessly well that it was difficult to tell who had written what. Together they were able to tell the story and pay tribute to the brave and courageous army and navy nurses who became the first time ever female inmates in Japanese POW internment camps during World War II. When We Had Wings was a historical fiction novel based on real events. Little had ever been written about these nurses who dedicated their lives to caring for the sick and wounded soldiers stationed in the Pacific while simultaneously being subjected to the atrocities of war the Japanese army inflicted upon them. The combined research that these three masterful authors gathered and included in this book was impeccable. Some of the characters and the places mentioned within the book were real. When We Had Wings was well plotted and included the day to day duties the nurses carried out regardless of their circumstances, the widespread starvation instituted by the Japanese that resulted in widespread malnutrition, the chronic illnesses like malaria and dengue fever that raged rampantly, the cruel and unjust punishment the Japanese army handed out, the formation of long lasting and treasured friendships and even some romances. It was perfectly paced and the characters were well developed.

Three young women had completed their nursing training and found themselves on Manila Bay. They were Penny Franklin who was originally from Texas and was an U.S. Lieutenant Nurse in the Army. Then there was Angelita Capel, better known as Lita, who was a civilian nurse and a product of a Filipina mother and an American missionary father. Last to arrive was Eleanor Lindstrom. Eleanor was from Minnesota where she had lived on a dairy farm. She was now a nurse in the United States Navy. All three of them, Penny, Lita and Eleanor, had signed on for their own personal and varied reasons. The night Eleanor arrived and they all had drinks in Salon B of the Army and Navy club they instantly bonded and became true and trusting friends. They made a pact to see each other as often as they could. They named their designated day to meet HAM day.

In the beginning, Penny’s, Lita’s and Eleanor’s nursing duties on Manila Bay were light. Manila Bay felt like a tropical paradise. The weather was beautiful and they had ample free time. Everything changed drastically though when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor on December 7th. Shortly after, the Japanese began to bomb Manila. For the first time, the nurses were in the middle of real combat. They had not been trained to endure combat. The Japanese did not discriminate over where they dropped their bombs. Hospitals were not spared. The nurses were evacuated to different camps located within the jungle where they set up makeshift hospitals. While in the jungles, many soldiers fell victim to malaria and dengue fever. Shortly those camps fell to the Japanese as did the Philippines. For three long years, the nurses were kept prisoners of the Japanese army. They were starved and treated without mercy. They became so desperate for food that they resulted in eating grass and even bugs. The atrocities the Japanese army carried out were cruel and sadistic. Despite the starvation and weakened conditions Penny, Lita and Eleanor experienced, these brave nurses continued to care for their patients. Although, Penny, Lita and Eleanor found themselves separated during the Japanese invasion, they did wind up at the same place as each other even if it was only for a day or two. They constantly worried about each other. Lita became sick with malaria while they were in the jungle and although she recovered from it, the disease left her weakened and affected her limbs and her gait for her whole captivity. Penny, Eleanor and Lita endured three years in Japanese prison camps. They feared for their lives every day and those of the wounded and sick they nursed and all the children in their care as well. Penny. Eleanor and Lita also courageously helped the resistance by smuggling information out of the POW camp in any way they could. Information was also smuggled into the camps to learn about the Allied advancements. Would Penny, Lita and Eleanor survive the war to tell their stories and make the world aware of the way they were treated by the Japanese?

When We Had Wings was a story about committed, brave, resilient and courageous nurses that endured more than their share under the Japanese army during World War II. It was a story about friendship, devotion, bravery, dedication and even love. I really enjoyed the characters in this book and learning about what these heroic nurses endured. I listened to the audiobook of When We Had Wings that was performed very well by Saskia Maarleveld. Without hesitation, I highly recommend this book.

Thank you to Harper Muse for allowing me to listen to this audiobook through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Publication is set for October 18, 2022.

What a powerhouse of incredibly talented historical fiction writers! When We Had Wings was a powerful and stunning novel that I just cannot say enough good things about. These three authors wove their voices seamlessly through the pages of this unputdownable story. Memorable, inspiring, atmospheric, and compelling are just several words I would use to describe this WW2 story based on true events. This book offered a fresh perspective in the genre, based on "the Angels of the Bataan", the nurses in Manila during the war, and I couldn't have appreciated that more. Also, I loved the theme of the strength of female friendships throughout! A must read!

Many thanks to Harper Muse and Netgalley for the gifted e-copy!