Hagemann, Karen Vergessene Soldatinnen

Frauen im Militär und in den Kriegen Europas seit 1600

Wars are usually started by men, but they cannot be fought without the support of women. And indeed, women have been serving in European armed forces for centuries. But they are hardly ever remembered. At best, individual exceptional heroines - Amazons in men's uniforms - have a place in the collective memory, while the history of the many female troopers, auxiliaries, nurses and soldiers actively involved in the war effort is largely forgotten. The mass military service of women in the two world wars has also been largely suppressed from the culture of remembrance. Karen Hagemann has now finally closed this "memory gap".

The renowned historian takes a comprehensive and comparative look at the military service of women in European wars since 1600, using numerous testimonies from herself and others to bring women's experiences of war to life, describing how these women were perceived in their respective times and asking why it has never been possible to adequately remember their active role in the military and war across national and systemic borders. A chapter on the current situation concludes this unique fundamental work, which will also be indispensable for women in the current debates on compulsory military service.