Women at war

In the historical context of the First World War, entrenched traditionalism, separate spheres ideology, patriarchy and, to some extent, Imperialism all contributed to the argument against using women in wartime British intelligence,’ writes Sarah-Louise Miller.

- By Allan Mallinson & Kate Green

This is a sweeping statement that could be challenged in a number of particulars, but it contains a central truth: that, in 1939, there were to all intents and purposes no women in British intelligence, whether ‘special’ (secret) intelligence, or military. Dr Miller goes on to say that, by 1939: ‘However much they did not want to, the British intelligence services had no choice but to turn to women to fill positions that were at the risk of being left empty if kept only for men.’

This is what the book is about, specifically those women in RAF blue who made it possible for the ‘Few’—Churchill’s description of Fighter Command’s pilots—to win the Battle of Britain. Further, they expanded into every area of RAF intelligence and beyond, into the likes of Bletchley Park and the Special Operations Executive, Churchill’s initiative to ‘set Europe ablaze’.

The Women Behind the Few, Sarah-Louise Miller (Biteback, £25)