Women in warfare and the military (1900–1945)

The period between 1900 and 1945 witnessed a significant, albeit uneven, increase in the participation of women in warfare and the military. While formal combat roles remained largely restricted for most of this period, women's contributions expanded dramatically, particularly during the two World Wars. This expansion was driven by wartime labor shortages, changing social attitudes, and the increasing mechanization of warfare, which opened up new roles suitable for women.

Prior to World War I, women's roles in the military were largely confined to nursing and auxiliary support. Nursing corps, often organized by religious or philanthropic organizations, provided critical medical care to soldiers on the front lines and in military hospitals. Some women also served as cooks, laundresses, and in other support capacities, often unofficially.

World War I marked a turning point. Faced with unprecedented manpower demands, many nations began to employ women in non-combat roles within the armed forces. They served as clerks, typists, telephone operators, drivers, mechanics, and in munitions factories. Women in Britain, for example served in the Women's Army Auxiliary Corps (WAAC), Women's Royal Naval Service (WRNS), and Women's Royal Air Force (WRAF). In the United States, women joined the Navy and Marine Corps as clerical workers. These roles freed up men for combat duties, contributing significantly to the war effort. While not directly involved in combat, women in these roles often faced danger, particularly those working near the front lines.

The interwar period saw a partial rollback of women's participation in the military in some countries, but the foundation had been laid for further expansion. The rise of fascism and militarism in the 1930s prompted some nations to begin preparations for future conflict, including exploring the potential of women in national defense.

World War II witnessed an even greater mobilization of women than World War I. Across the Allied and Axis powers, women served in a vast array of roles. In the Soviet Union, women served in combat roles, including as snipers, tank drivers, pilots, and infantry soldiers. They comprised a significant portion of the Soviet military, particularly in the face of devastating manpower losses.

In the United States, the Women's Army Corps (WAC), Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service (WAVES) in the Navy, and women's branches of the Marine Corps and Coast Guard were established. These organizations allowed women to serve in non-combat roles such as mechanics, radio operators, drivers, nurses, and intelligence analysts. Similarly, in Britain, the Auxiliary Territorial Service (ATS) saw women serving in anti-aircraft batteries, though they were not permitted to fire the guns themselves. The Women's Land Army in Britain and other countries also played a crucial role in maintaining food production during the war.

In Nazi Germany, while official ideology discouraged women from serving in combat, they played a vital role in supporting the war effort as auxiliaries in the Wehrmacht (German armed forces), Luftwaffe (German air force), and Kriegsmarine (German navy). They worked as communications personnel, anti-aircraft gun operators (Flakhelferinnen), and in administrative roles.

In Japan, women were mobilized through organizations like the Patriotic Women's Association and the National Defense Women's Association. They primarily worked in support roles, such as nursing and factory work.

The increased participation of women in the military during this period had a profound impact on both warfare and society. It demonstrated women's capabilities and challenged traditional gender roles. While the immediate post-war period saw some contraction in women's military roles, the precedent had been set for greater integration of women into the armed forces in the decades that followed. The experiences of women in warfare between 1900 and 1945 highlighted their resilience, resourcefulness, and vital contribution to the war effort, paving the way for future generations of women in the military.