The film, directed by Jane Marsh, depicts the role of the Woman's Division in the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) during the Second World War, who freed up men for flying duties.

[1] [Note 1] Typical of the NFB's wartime series of documentary short films, Wings on Her Shoulder relied heavily on military assistance in obtaining footage.

[5] Historian Malek Khouri analyzed the role of the NFB wartime documentaries with Wings on her Shoulder characterized as an example of a propaganda film.

"During the early years of the NFB, its creative output was largely informed by the turbulent political and social climate the world was facing.

World War II, Communism, unemployment, the role of labour unions, and working conditions were all subjects featured by the NFB during the period from 1939 to 1946".