LISTS

Female War Heroes You Should Know

Women have always played an important role during wars and it is time we learn about some of the most important female war heroes. From Hannie Schaft who worked with resistance groups to Annie Fox who was responsible for treating the wounded, this list contains prominent female war heroes you should know.

1. Dahomey Amazons

Dahomey Amazons
    
Born In: Benin
Century: 18th Century, 19th Century

Dahomey Amazons were an all-female military regiment that came into existence due to the high casualty rate of the male population in the Kingdom of Dahomey. The frequent warfare with neighboring states and the kingdom's obligation to give men as slaves to the Oyo Empire forced the kings of Dahomey to enlist women into the army. The Dahomey women soldiers often fought in the wars against Abeokuta.

Noor Inayat Khan
    
Also Known As: Noor-un-Nisa Inayat Khan, Nora Baker
Birthday: 01 January 1914
Born In: Moscow, Russia
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Died On: 13 September 1944
Century: 20th Century
Famous As: British Resistance Agent in France in World War II

Noor Inayat Khan was a British Special Operations Executive (SOE) agent who worked as a wireless operator. In June 1943, Khan was sent to occupied France from where she transmitted important information back to Britain. She was the first British female wireless operator to be sent to aid the French Resistance during the Second World War. Noor Inayat Khan was killed at the Dachau concentration camp after being caught by the Nazis.

3. Violette Szabo

Violette Szabo
    
Also Known As: Violette Reine Elizabeth Szabo
Birthday: 26 June 1921
Born In: Paris, France
Sun Sign: Cancer
Died On: 05 February 1945
Century: 20th Century
Famous As: British-French Special Operations Executive Agent During the Second World War
Violette Szabo served the British Army during World War II where she was a Special Operations Executive (SOE) agent. Szabo was sent to Ravensbrück concentration camp after she was arrested by the German army during her second mission in occupied France. Szabo was tortured, interrogated, and finally executed by an SS officer. On 17 December 1946, Violette Szabo became the second woman in the history to be honored with the George Cross, which was bestowed posthumously.

4. Aleda E. Lutz

Aleda E. Lutz
    
Also Known As: Aleda Ester Lutz
Birthday: 09 November 1915
Born In: Freeland, Michigan, United States
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Died On: 01 November 1944
Century: 20th Century
Famous As: American Flight Nurse Who Became the First American Woman to Die in Combat During the Second World War
Aleda E. Lutz was an American flight nurse in the United States Army. Lutz became the first American woman to lose her life in combat during the Second World War. One of the most decorated women in U.S. military history, Lutz was honored with the Air Medal, the Purple Heart, and the Red Cross Medal. She also became the first army nurse to be honored with the prestigious Distinguished Flying Cross, which was awarded posthumously by President F

5. Susan Travers

Susan Travers
    
Also Known As: Susan Mary Gillian Travers
Birthday: 23 September 1909
Born In: Kensington, London, England
Sun Sign: Libra
Died On: 18 December 2003
Century: 20th Century
Famous As: British Nurse Best Remembered for Her Service in the French Red Cross During World War II
Susan Travers was an English socialite who served as a nurse in the French Red Cross during World War II. She later became an ambulance driver and escaped to London when France was occupied by the Nazis. Travers served with the French Foreign legion and went on to become Colonel Marie-Pierre Koenig's driver. She was promoted to general after driving Koenig safely through enemy lines. On other occasion, she drove over a land mine and sustained injuries. Susan Travers was the only woman to serve w