About this episode

The episode explores the life of Mildred Gillars, known as Axis Sally, who broadcast Nazi propaganda during World War II and her trial for treason.

March 10, 1949. Defendant Mildred Gillars arrives at a courthouse to hear her verdict. To trial-watchers, she’s known as Axis Sally—the American woman who broadcast Nazi propaganda from Berlin during World War II. In taunting tones, she spent years pushing anti-Semitic and anti-Allies messages aimed at weakening the morale of American soldiers. But Gillars insists that she’s misunderstood, even innocent. That she’s an artist, she loves her country, and was forced to do what she did… or die. How did a struggling actress from Maine become a potent weapon of the Nazis? And is there a way to understand the choices that she made? Special thanks to our guests, Richard Lucas, author of Axis Sally: The American Voice of Nazi Germany, and Michael Flamm, professor of history at Ohio Wesleyan University. Thanks also to the Veterans History Project at the Library of Congress. ** This episode originally aired March 6, 2023. Get in touch: historythisweek@history.com Follow on Instagram: @historythisweekpodcast Follow on Facebook: ⁠HISTORY This Week Podcast⁠ To stay updated: http://historythisweekpodcast.com To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit…

People in this episode

Guests: Richard Lucas, Michael Flamm

Topics covered

• Nazi propaganda
• World War II
• American history
• Mildred Gillars
• Axis Sally
• morale of soldiers

Keywords

• Axis Sally
• Mildred Gillars
• Nazi propaganda
• World War II
• American soldiers
• trial
• history

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Library of Congress

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