American Women in WWII
hetWorld War II completely changed the roles of women. The percentage of women in the military and workforce increased. The immense amount of British women in the military set a model for American women. Wives felt a responsibility of caring for their families and filling the role of their husbands like never before.
Women in the Military Questioning the traditional gender roles was not popular, but it was said that putting women in uniform would free men for combat. Common roles of women included:
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"We both had to work, we both had children, so we became welders, and if i might say so, damn good ones." Women in the Workforce
Women were:
Some women worked out of patriotism; most women needed the money to care for their families. |
German Women in WWII
"It is therefore our task...to make the calling to motherhood the way through which the German woman will see her calling to be mother of the nation." Fighting Their Own War
While German women had little to no involvement in the fighting aspect of the war, they did feel its effects; foreign soldiers - mainly Russian men - were encouraged to rape every German woman they saw. It was seen as a good form of humiliation to rape women in front of their husband and children. There were over two million illegal abortions between the years 1945 and 1948. German women were also required to take a "duty year," which consisted of a year of working patriotically, though this never included actually fighting in the war. |
The woman's role in a German household was to be a good wife and child-bearer. Many women lost their jobs in order to completely commit their lives to having children and providing more Nazi soldiers. Hitler's Law of Encouragement of Marriage
In 1933, Hitler passed a law in which families would receive a loan of 1000 Marks per year, which was an average yearly salary. Rather than paying back this loan in money, women would pay back the loan with children. One child would pay back a quarter of the loan, two would pay back half of the loan, etc. On August 12th, Hitler's mother's birthday, the women who'd birthed the most children would be awarded the Motherhood cross. Lebensborns were beautiful, public buildings in which "pure" men could breed with "pure" women to further promote the Aryan race. The women who participated in the Lebensborns were single and clearly ready to mingle. These buildings had white flags with a red symbol in the center for identification.
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British Women in WWII
Prior to World War II, British women were thought of as housewives. Once they were married, they were expected to stop working and take care of their husband and children. It was common for a woman to take up sewing and trivial hobbies to abide their time. Once the war began, all of the men were leaving, so women began to work and even had a significant role in the army.
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Women Serving in the War
Over 100,000 women served in the British army. Beginning in the spring of 1941, every girl was required to register once they turned 18, and those who enlisted were assigned a job after they had been interviewed. Over 50% of those enlisted were nurses. At first, women in the army were not allowed to bear arms, but in December of 1941, the National Service Act made conscription of women legal. Jobs for Women During WWII, women eventually made up one third of the metal, chemical, ship building, and vehicle manufacturing industries. Women were also involved in many programs, such as Air Raid Precautions, Auxiliary Territorial Corps, and Woman's Volunteer Services. The WVS was paramount to the success of Britain. They organized evacuations, shelters, clothing exchanges, and mobile canteens. Women were also involved in the making of aircraft guns, but never had the official clearance to shoot them. |
Japanese Women in WWII
Japanese women had a small role in the war compared to women of other major countries involved in the war. However, like many other countries, the massive amount of men leaving to fight in the war meant major openings for women in the factories. All able women were required to work. By 1944, more than four million Japanese women were working in factories.
Another major role of Japanese women during WWII was, sadly, as a prostitute. Many women were forced into becoming "comfort women" for the Imperial Japanese Army. Over 200,000 women experienced this fate and would serve anywhere from 50 to 100 soldiers of the Japanese Army. |
Japanese women checking empty shells in
a factory in Japan |
Italian Women in WWII
Rather than fighting the war with their country, most Italian women were involved in the war on the other side..
Resistance groups starting popping up in 1943 with the Committee of National Liberation. Most Italian citizens were against Mussolini and Hitler, and wanted to rebel against the Nazi regime. In under a year the number of partisans rose to 82,000 and more than a quarter of those people were women. Many women were spies and would transport items such as clothing, food, and information to and from groups such as the Office of Strategic Services and Operational Groups.
Resistance groups starting popping up in 1943 with the Committee of National Liberation. Most Italian citizens were against Mussolini and Hitler, and wanted to rebel against the Nazi regime. In under a year the number of partisans rose to 82,000 and more than a quarter of those people were women. Many women were spies and would transport items such as clothing, food, and information to and from groups such as the Office of Strategic Services and Operational Groups.
Sadly, most women of the Resistance were never recognized for their deeds because they were either killed during the war or too afraid of the repercussions of admitting they were part of the rebellion.
French Women in WWI
It didn't stop there for French women. On the other hand, those who liberated France - the American soldiers - were also found guilty of raping French women.
Russian Women in WWII
As if to stay true to the Russian stereotype of fierce ruthlessness, the Russian women of WWII had their own regiment; they were called the "Night Witches." These women consisted of about 40 two-woman crews - most of whom were either teens or in their twenties. They would fly over Germany at night and would idle their plane engines to reduce the sound of the bombs dropping. Germans related this whooshing sound to a witch's broomstick, which led to the nickname. They led over 300,000 missions over the course of four years and dropped over 23,000 tons of bombs on Nazi soil. It was so difficult to catch these young women, that any Nazi soldier that downed a Night Witch would receive an Iron Cross as a symbol of bravery and strength.
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“We bombed, we killed; it was all a part of war. We had an enemy in front of us, and we had to prove that we were stronger and more prepared.” |
Eliana Albright and Lillian Redwine