The Woman Who Killed Nazis with her Bare Hands
Women's History
•
8m 55s
This is the untold story of Nancy Wake — journalist, smuggler, spy, resistance commander, and certified Nazi nightmare. Known as The White Mouse by the Gestapo for her ability to evade capture, Nancy became one of the most decorated women of World War II — and one of the boldest.
From dodging Gestapo agents in occupied France, to training with Britain’s top-secret SOE, to cycling 500 kilometers through enemy territory to save a Resistance network — Nancy Wake’s life reads like a Hollywood thriller. Only it’s all true.
In this video, we’ll follow her journey from Paris nightlife to deadly sabotage missions, uncover the moment she killed an SS officer with her bare hands, and reveal how a woman who once slapped men into obeying her led hundreds into battle — and victory.
Up Next in Women's History
-
Amelia Earhart: A Woman Who Touched t...
The Henry Ford celebrates trailblazers like Amelia Earhart, who defied gender barriers in pursuit of her dreams. In this video, Curator of Transportation Matt Anderson discusses Earhart’s life and legacy, including her skills, accomplishments and fearlessness that continue to inspire us today.
-
Women in Defense
Narrated by Katherine Hepburn from text written by Eleanor Roosevelt, this 1941 film was made to show what women were already doing as the war effort kicked off - and helped many imagine what more they could do!
