Forgotten Soldiers

Wars are mostly fought by men. But without the support of women, it would be impossible to carry them out. And indeed, women have been serving in Europe’s militaries for centuries. But they are rarely commemorated in an appropriate fashion. At most, isolated heroines – depicted as Amazonas in uniform – find a place in our collective memory, while the history of the many women who were actively involved in wars as nurses, military auxiliaries, and soldiers has largely been forgotten. Even the mass involvement of women in both world wars has largely been repressed in our culture of remembrance. With this groundbreaking work, historian Karen Hagemann closes this site of collective amnesia

In a sweeping and comparative study, Hagemann examines the military deployment of women in Europe’s wars since 1600. By way of numerous first- and second-hand accounts, she brings to life women’s experiences of war, describing how these women were perceived in their respective eras, and poses the question of why, across a range of countries and political systems, none of these women have received the commemoration they deserve. The book ends with a chapter on the contemporary situation. With wars, militarisation, and the introduction of compulsory military service once more rearing their heads in Europe and around the globe, this book will be required reading for anyone looking to contribute to debates on the topic.