Norwegian women in war fills in a large, white spot in the history of the occupation. Historian and author Mari Jonassen doesn't just point out the neglect that has characterized previous accounts. She brings out a new and far more complex picture, based on hundreds of interviews that until now have remained unused in the archives of the Norwegian Home Front Museum.
During the Second World War, Norwegian women contributed to all aspects of the resistance struggle. Many risked their lives and health by getting involved in intelligence, refugee traffic or the illegal press, while others took an active part in sabotage and military resistance activities. Yet their efforts have usually been swept under the carpet. What's more, the women themselves have often been reluctant to come forward with their experiences.
The book offers a wealth of unknown stories from all over the country and is provided with an extensive list of names.
«It was an extraordinary time, but life still went on. People got married, started families, had children, went to the movies, read newspapers, both legal and illegal, went on strike, worked, made money, lost money, were annoyed by the Germans and blinded the windows. Some shod themselves in the «new era» and played into the hands of the occupying forces. All lived under the pressure of the world war and were affected by it. Among all these, some women made choices that would have major consequences for themselves, their families and friends by actively joining the resistance. Although they were relatively few in number and much of their work was limited to issues arising from their gender-specific experiences, both professionally and privately, the women resisted on a much larger scale than has previously been known.»
Mari Jonassen (b. 1966) holds a master's degree in history from the University of Oslo. She has written several books about World War II, including Everything the mothers have fought: Women in Resistance 1940-1945 (2010), as well as biographies of female pioneers such as Ragna Nielsen (Life is a breath of fresh air, 2011) and Fernanda Nissen (Love and work, 2013).
