Women were barred from combat during WWII. But they helped ensure the Allies' D-Day success
The history of the D-Day invasion that changed the course of World War II is often told through the stories of the men who fought and died when the Allies stormed the beaches of Normandy, France, on June 6, 1944
By Danica Kirka
Published - May 31, 2024, 01:10 AM ET
Last Updated - May 31, 2024, 01:10 AM EDT
LONDON (AP) — What did you do in the war, Granny?
For British women who came of age during World War II, the answer to that question is often: quite a lot.
The history of D-Day is often told through the stories of the men who fought and died when the Allies stormed the beaches of northern France on June 6, 1944.
But behind the scenes were hundreds of thousands of military women who worked in crucial non-combat roles such as codebreakers, cartographers, ship plotters and radar operators. Often overlooked, their contributions have come into sharper focus as the number of living D-Day veterans dwindles and the world prepares for the 80th anniversary of the landings.
