Main content

Axis Sally: World War II traitor who broadcast for the Nazis

In 1949, Mildred Gillars became the first woman in American history to be convicted of treason. She broadcast anti-semitic Nazi propaganda on German radio during World War Two.

In 1949, Mildred Gillars – otherwise known as Axis Sally – became the first woman in American history to be convicted of treason.

The former Broadway showgirl broadcast antisemitic Nazi propaganda on German State Radio during World War Two.

Her weekly shows were heard by thousands of American servicemen who gave her the nickname Axis Sally.

After her capture, she denied being a traitor, but a jury in Washington convicted her of treason, and she served 12 years in prison. Jane Wilkinson has been looking through the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ archives to uncover her story.

(Photo: Mildred Gillars. Credit: Bettmann, Getty Images)

Available now

9 minutes

Last on

Wed 24 Jan 2024 03:50GMT
Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ World Service except East and Southern Africa, East Asia, South Asia & West and Central Africa

More episodes

Previous

Vidkun Quisling: Norway's traitor

Next

Wang Jingwei: China’s traitor or protector?

See all episodes from Witness History

Broadcasts

  • Tue 23 Jan 2024 08:50GMT
    Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ World Service
  • Tue 23 Jan 2024 12:50GMT
    Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ World Service
  • Tue 23 Jan 2024 18:50GMT
    Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ World Service except East and Southern Africa, News Internet & West and Central Africa
  • Tue 23 Jan 2024 23:50GMT
    Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ World Service East and Southern Africa & West and Central Africa only
  • Wed 24 Jan 2024 03:50GMT
    Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ World Service except East and Southern Africa, East Asia, South Asia & West and Central Africa

Featured in...

Podcast