I was wondering if some of you could help, I searched to see if you had already discussed anything similar to this, but couldn't find anything. So, I hope this is okay... Being a girl myself, I'm interested in the role that women played in the war. However, I know that is a little vague as it varies from country to country. However, I'm particularly keen to see if any of you know if a women, or women in general, ever charaded as a men to join the army and fight on behalf of their country? Any stories or information would be greatly appreciated!
In the American wars, up until after the Civil War, it wasn't unheard of for females to take on male personas and enlist to fight. Quite a few managed it, and served with bravery until discovered. One (I forget here name) even managed to serve throughout the entire Revolution and actually was honorably discharged with a PENSION! There was another in the Union Army who was only discovered when she was wounded and her treatment exposed her as female. She was discharged at that point, but given a soldier's health care benefit (I think) pension. Don't know if that will help, but when full physicals became the norm for enlistment or drafting, the hidden "gender" issue was no longer a concern. I'm sure other nations had many similar instances, until physicals were instituted I assume. And of course the former Soviet Union actively enlisted and recruited females during WW2, as do the Israelis today. I think both genders have compulsary military service in Israel, don't know about others.
The Russians and americans used female pilots to a great extent. The american AAF used female pilots to ferry planes from one base to another but as far as i know, never in a combat area or in actual combat. The russians had some female pilots called the "Night witches" that would fly around and bomb the Germans in harassing attacks at night. The russkis also had some very good female snipers that they used occasionally. Also as the war went on more and more of the German flak anti aircraft batteries, at least those in Germany, were manned wholly or partly by women. (Not to be too sexist but naturally you'd need some men around these units as who is going to handle the ammo and the other heavy work.)
There sure were many women in various wars. In WWI, my Grandmother was a Chief Warrent Officer, but that's all I know of her service. I also have at least two wartime German photos showing women. One shows a female Luftwaffe Helferin wearing her Luftwaffe uniform. Another shows an all female firefighting unit that was part of the regular German Army. These ladies are wearing figherfighters outfits and Army helmets. I wish I had a way to have these photos posted here elsewise-i'd gladly do so for you. Best regards-Carl.
The question wasn't "if" there were females who served in any armed forces, it was if females took on male personas or masqueraded as males in order to fight.
My grandmother has mentioned work as a Land Army Girl. Michelle Magorian often mentions the liberation of women who found work in munitions factories and as nurses (i.e. A Little Love Song, Cuckoo in the Nest, Back Home), they were able to break free from the persona of household, to do more and learn to be skilled persons like mechanics, or the necessary task of manning canteens for those who had no water supplies left or worse, no homes.
Hi there young lady. Russia lead the way in ww2 with using alot of females- Female snipers and female pilots that flew against German male pilots. England and America and germany also had females but with no combat roles. They did however test flight aircrafts and there was a female unit called wasps (i think i got the correct spelling) Also before ww1,Mexco had used female soildiers in there wars, i have seen photographs which other members show me and explain to me all about the photos.
....females masquerading, would be hard info to dig up considering there would probably be no record of it, if they were thought to be a man. i would suspect that women defending German homeland or even defending against invasion would've made attempts at trying to participate, but i think the reality of being able to hide your gender in the military is something that you'd only see in Hollywood. It may have occured in Colonial times and pre-1900. I
Here is one link where they make mention of masquerades - however, as mentioned they seem to refer to pre-WWI. DefenseLink News Article: Memorial Tells Obscure Facts About Women's Military Service One site mentioned that in WWII, women in the Resistance or Maquis may have masqueraded as men. This link Battleground: Women, Gender and ... - Google Book Search to the book Battleground: Women, Gender and Sexuality By Amy Lind, Stephanie Brzuzy has the following quote: “Originally, women who wanted to be members of the military had to disguise their gender and masquerade as men in order to serve their country. Nursing was the primary means for women to aid military causes. During World War II, women were finally allowed to enlist in the military, but as members of auxiliary forces....Even today, while the roles for women have been expanded, they are still barred from many occupations deemed unsuitable for women due to their close proximity to combat…. …With advancements in medicine, preenlistment physicals became more strict, making it nearly impossible for women to “pass” as men in order to serve ....."
I had always understood that to be the case, too. I ran across this radiophoto from the Alison Collection recently and it gave me pause to wonder. I'm frankly not sure what to think of this scenario. Has anyone else ever seen this particular photo before or have any thoughts to share about it?
Good pic documenting a Fraulein Fighter. I saw a few others recently for sale and seriously considering getting them (even though I make it a rule not to collect those kinds of photos)-that showed Fraus who were killed in battle. One such pic showed two deceased Fraus lying where they fell-just outside of a train. Also, the book: Blood Red Snow is written by a German E/Front vet who mentions having fought Female Russian Soldiers.
Hi there Doc. Sorry for confussing you,let me repharsed what i meant. Allies Women in the airforce and ground troops were never meant to be deployed as front line battle troops,where as Russian women were aloud to preseed with this kind action. Dear poor soul Lady.
I have read before where girlfriends of German soldiers of occupied countries dressed up as soldiers themselves in order to leave with retreating Whermact units. Some of them decided that they'd have a better chance of survival following their lovers to the Fatherland than staying at home in the newly liberated areas. The Resistance, angry locals and other "unpleasant elements" would surely cause them problems if they stayed. This could very well be one of those unfortunate women who felt that it was best to leave. Of course we will never know for sure. Just another unsubstantiated angle of mine of course....
I wondered about that myself, though I was unaware of any substantiation to that effect. Thanks for posting that. Do you recall where you might have run across that kind of info previously?
Hi A-58. No,you are correct! I have seen a video of this. German women actually dress in whermacht soldiers clothes,to by pass the American sodliers that were only letting german troops through,to escape the Russian forces,it may not be the same as you'res but there is evidance this did happend.
Doc Casualty - I can't remember where I read that. Over the years of independant study (studying history for fun) and pouring over massive trivia, it's become lost in that mush between my ears. I do remember seeing newsreels of German troops marching down a roadside like Heidi mentioned, right around VE Day. They were trying to escape the Russians and their retribution. Heidi - That is what I remember most, newsreels of those images. Now at least I know that I am not confusing what I read and what I saw in a movie....
