The documentary series, WW2: Women on the Frontline, airing on Channel 4, uncovers the untold stories of courageous women who played pivotal roles during World War II. The first episode, titled “Behind Enemy Lines,” highlights the remarkable experiences of female pilots, journalists, guerrillas, and spies who defied expectations, challenged prejudices, and often excelled beyond their male counterparts.
This episode explores the lives of extraordinary women who found themselves on the front lines of the war, taking on dangerous and pivotal roles. We learn about Josephine Baker, an entertainer in 1930s Paris, who joined forces with French Military Intelligence. Baker used her celebrity status to spy on Axis officials and smuggle crucial information, often concealed in invisible ink on her sheet music.
The Special Operations Executive dispatched hundreds of female agents into occupied Europe. Among them was Noor Inayat Khan, who served as a wireless operator, dealing with covert communication challenges. Across the Atlantic, the episode introduces us to Lilly Stein, a young Austrian spy who employed seduction tactics to extract secrets from high-profile men. Lilly’s story is complex; while vilified publicly, she also faced allegations of being blackmailed by the Nazis due to her Jewish heritage.
The episode also celebrates the bravery of Selma Van de Perre, a Jewish woman who joined the Dutch Resistance as a courier, and teenage sisters Truus and Freddie Oversteegen. These young women used their appearances to deceive German officers, luring them to their deaths, all while carrying out acts of sabotage disguised as men.
WW2: Women on the Frontline: Behind Enemy Lines airs on Saturday, 3rd August 2024, at 7:00 pm on Channel 4.
