We Are History

The Story of Nancy Wake: The Mouse that ran rings around the Nazis


Listen Later

Angela Barnes and John O’Farrell romp through history, unravelling fascinating and down-right bizarre events.
This time we meet the New Zealand born journalist turned French society housewife Nancy Wake, who became one of Churchill’s most decorated agents and one of the Gestapo’s most wanted.  
Whether she was flirting with Nazis to get out of trouble or parachuting into the heart of the French Resistance, Nancy Wake was right in the thick of the action and the woman the Germans called “White Mouse”. She took no shit from anyone. Contemporaries say she ”put the men to shame by her cheerful spirit and strength of character." 
Find out exactly how this kick-ass woman kicked some ass.
Get all episodes a week early – when you support We Are History on Patreon: https://patreon.com/WeAreHistory
“In training Nancy had to be bribed with whiskey before jumping out of a plane. I love her.” – Angela Barnes
“Tardivat said about her; ‘She is the most feminine woman I know—until the fighting starts! Then,’ and he kissed his fingers as only a Frenchman can, ‘she is like five men’.” – John O’Farrell
“She went out dancing in occupied France and was doing parachute rolls on the floor. It's a bit of a giveaway.” – Angela Barnes 
Reading list:
Nancy Wake by Russell Braddon
White Mouse : The Autobiography of Australia's Wartime Legend
We Are History is written and presented by Angela Barnes and John O’Farrell. Audio production by Simon Williams and artwork by James Parrett. Lead Producer is Anne-Marie Luff. Group Editor is Andrew Harrison. We Are History is a Podmasters Production.
https://twitter.com/wearehistorypod
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
...more
View all episodesView all episodes
Download on the App Store

We Are HistoryBy Angela Barnes and John O'Farrell

  • 4.9
  • 4.9
  • 4.9
  • 4.9
  • 4.9

4.9

59 ratings


More shows like We Are History

View all
History Extra podcast by Immediate Media

History Extra podcast

3,183 Listeners

Friday Night Comedy from BBC Radio 4 by BBC Radio 4

Friday Night Comedy from BBC Radio 4

2,108 Listeners

The Infinite Monkey Cage by BBC Radio 4

The Infinite Monkey Cage

1,961 Listeners

Comedy of the Week by BBC Radio 4

Comedy of the Week

486 Listeners

No Such Thing As A Fish by No Such Thing As A Fish

No Such Thing As A Fish

4,845 Listeners

Dan Snow's History Hit by History Hit

Dan Snow's History Hit

4,615 Listeners

Curious Cases by BBC Radio 4

Curious Cases

805 Listeners

Evil Genius with Russell Kane by BBC Sounds

Evil Genius with Russell Kane

326 Listeners

You're Dead to Me by BBC Radio 4

You're Dead to Me

3,020 Listeners

Gone Medieval by History Hit

Gone Medieval

1,701 Listeners

Not Just the Tudors by History Hit

Not Just the Tudors

1,922 Listeners

What The F*** Is Going On? with Mark Steel by WTF Productions

What The F*** Is Going On? with Mark Steel

73 Listeners

Betwixt The Sheets: The History of Sex, Scandal & Society by History Hit

Betwixt The Sheets: The History of Sex, Scandal & Society

1,122 Listeners

The Rabbit Hole Detectives by Folding Pocket

The Rabbit Hole Detectives

333 Listeners

After Dark: Myths, Misdeeds & the Paranormal by History Hit

After Dark: Myths, Misdeeds & the Paranormal

810 Listeners