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HistoryExtra podcast

The WAAF: the many behind the few

HistoryExtra podcast

HistoryExtra

History

4.34.7K Ratings

🗓️ 17 July 2023

⏱️ 43 minutes

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

In his famous speech of summer 1940, Winston Churchill hailed the RAF as the “few” who protected the skies during the Battle of Britain. But the success of Britain’s air force was also dependent on the lesser-known work of the Women’s Auxiliary Air Force. Speaking with Emily Briffett, Dr Sarah Louise-Miller shares their highs and lows, and explores the vital work they did under immense pressure to facilitate some of the war’s most pressing missions, including the Battle of Britain and the Dambusters raid. (Ad) Sarah-Louise Miller is the author of The Women Behind the Few: The Women's Auxiliary Air Force and British Intelligence during the Second World War (Biteback, 2023). Buy it now from Waterstones: https://go.skimresources.com?id=71026X1535947&xcust=historyextra-social-histboty&xs=1&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.waterstones.com%2Fbook%2Fthe-women-behind-the-few%2Fsarah-louise-miller%2F9781785907852 The HistoryExtra podcast is produced by the team behind BBC History Magazine and BBC History Revealed. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcript

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0:00.0

Welcome to Just Between Us, the podcast with all of the answers, some of the time.

0:05.0

A bit of a different thing going on this week.

0:07.3

You've been immature and you've lied.

0:10.3

And now you're trying to turn it on me and manipulate me and gaslight me.

0:13.9

I was trying to manipulate you.

0:15.7

Diana, you would be chucking their clothes out of the window.

0:18.1

I know, I'd be like, are you joking?

0:20.6

I don't know. I guess you'd have to ask. Someone that has sex. Someone that has sex. And remember, it's just between us. Ah, Benny's parents, thanks for coming. I, uh. So, Benny has really blossomed this term. You're telling me, he outgrew his bike. We sold it, on eBay. Oh, that's not quite what I meant. It's free to sell on there. Free to sell? Easy too. Sold Benny's bike, your guitar, my jacket. You sold my guitar? Shall we talk about Benny? When it's this easy to sell for free, you can't help but say you on it's eBay.

0:56.8

Things people love. T's and Cs apply, exclusive vehicles.

1:02.4

Welcome to the History Extra podcast.

1:05.8

Fascinating historical conversations from BBC History Magazine and BBC History revealed.

1:18.3

Winston Churchill's famous speech of summer 1940 hailed the REF as the famous few who protected

1:26.5

the skies during the Battle of Britain.

1:29.4

But less is known about the work of the Women's Auxiliary Air Force,

1:33.7

who worked tirelessly behind the scenes under high pressure

1:36.8

in order to ensure the success of Britain's Air Force.

1:40.3

Speaking to Emily Griffith, Dr Sarah Louise Miller,

1:43.8

historian and author of The Women Behind

1:46.4

Behind the Few, delves into impactful roles played by the WAF during World War II,

1:51.5

from courageous secret agents to the unflappable women behind the Dan Busters raid.

1:57.0

Hi Sarah, thank you so, so much for joining me today. Thanks for having me. So we're going to be

2:03.3

talking all about your new book, The Women Behind the Few. But who were the WAF? And when we talk about

...

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