HistoryExtra podcast Women reporters of WW2
Jun 11, 2021
Judith Mackrell, author and historian known for her work on women in wartime journalism, delves into the extraordinary stories of six female war correspondents from WWII. She discusses their groundbreaking scoops, including Claire Hollingworth's exclusive on Poland and Martha Gellhorn's D-Day coverage. Judith sheds light on the military barriers these women faced, their clever tactics to circumvent restrictions, and the emotional toll of witnessing atrocities. Additionally, she highlights their motivations and the lasting impact of their poignant, personal narratives.
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Lunch With Hemingway Then Into Gunfire
- Helen Kirkpatrick left a Ritz lunch with Ernest Hemingway to report at Notre Dame after Paris was liberated.
- She witnessed German snipers open fire among celebrants and reported the near-miss on General de Gaulle.
First Scoop: Tanks Then Invasion
- Claire Hollingworth scooped the outbreak of WWII by spotting German panzer divisions in Poland days before invasion.
- She then reported the actual invasion on 1 September after hearing tank fire and planes overhead.
Stowed Away To Omaha Beach
- Martha Gellhorn stowed away on a hospital ship to reach Normandy and landed on Omaha Beach aiding medical teams.
- Her eyewitness account of the first hours of D-Day remains uniquely powerful.
