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The Women Behind the Few: The Women’s Auxiliary Air Force and British Intelligence during the Second World War
'Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few.' The courageous pilots of the Royal Air Force who faced the Luftwaffe in the Battle of Britain, affectionately known as 'the Few', are rightly hailed as heroes. Recently, efforts have been made to recognise the thousands who supported RAF operations behind the scenes. And yet one group remains missing from the narrative: the Women's Auxiliary Air Force. The Women Behind the Few explores the Second World War from the perspective of the WAAFs working behind the scenes to collect and disseminate vital intelligence - intelligence that resulted in Allied victory. WAAFs worked within the Dowding System, the world's most sophisticated air defence network, as well as in the Y Service, intercepting German communications. Throughout the Blitz, they used radar to aid Fighter and Bomber Commands in protecting Britain's civilians. WAAFs also assisted with the Allied offensive bombing campaign and were behind the discovery of the terrifying German V-weapons. Their work was critical ahead of the Normandy landings and they were present in their hundreds at Bletchley Park. In this thrilling book, Sarah-Louise Miller brings the women of the force back to life, celebrating their wartime contribution to British military intelligence. Hidden behind the Few but vital to their success, WAAFs supplied the RAF with life-saving information. Here, for the first time, is their story.
304 pages, Hardcover
Published October 24, 2023
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
December 30, 2024
The information in this book is interesting. However, the way it's written is awful.
The author states that it originally started out as a thesis for her masters degree. I can't help but wonder if this is why she constantly repeats herself. Is it to make up the word count required for the masters? In practically every other page she reiterates how women were seen to be too emotional, too gossipy to do the work required of them. To say it a couple of times is understandable but to keep repeating it, it becomes boring. Also, the author doesn't explain what for example 'Operation Sealion' was until nearing the end of the book.
A lot of sentences are way too long, one even being over 9 lines long!!
It spoiled what could have been a good book. I won't be reading anything else by this author.
The author states that it originally started out as a thesis for her masters degree. I can't help but wonder if this is why she constantly repeats herself. Is it to make up the word count required for the masters? In practically every other page she reiterates how women were seen to be too emotional, too gossipy to do the work required of them. To say it a couple of times is understandable but to keep repeating it, it becomes boring. Also, the author doesn't explain what for example 'Operation Sealion' was until nearing the end of the book.
A lot of sentences are way too long, one even being over 9 lines long!!
It spoiled what could have been a good book. I won't be reading anything else by this author.
August 14, 2025
Amazing and still relatively unknown history of the WAAF's role in WWII. Some incredible, awe-inspiring, humbling and stark stories of the bravery, skill and ability of Britain's women who were at last presented with an opportunity to prove themselves more than capable in a multitude of pivotal roles to aid the war effort. They grabbed that opportunity with both hands and through their efforts they started to deconstruct societal and in particular male views about gender. Particularly enjoyed the SOE stories, aka the work of the ministry of ungentlemanly warfare, towards the end.
August 10, 2024
This is a comprehensive and detailed account of women in the Women's Auxiliary Air Force (WAAF) who contributed to British Intelligence in WWII. The book covers the wide range of intelligence activities in which WAAF were employed. It provides good, first-hand accounts as well as analysis and statistics. Unfortunately, it often reads somewhat like a dissertation, and some points are belaboured, detracting somewhat from its readability. Nevertheless, I recommend it as a reference and to anyone interested in women's studies or the intelligence activities in WWII.
June 20, 2023
Fascinating look at the women of the WAAF and their contribution- overlooked for so many years.
September 17, 2023
Well researched and interesting. Covered a fair bit already in other books.
March 28, 2026
Some really interesting bits and I did learn a lot, but soo much repetition, particularly in the first half.
December 15, 2024
Dr Sarah-Louise Miller is a Second World War historian whose work tackles gender imbalances found in popular and official wartime narratives. In her new book, The Women Behind the Few, Miller focuses on the immense contribution of the Women’s Auxiliary Air Force (WAAF) to British Intelligence, using personal testimonies and official histories to bring women’s voices to the forefront of British military Intelligence history.
British Intelligence history of the Second World War is relatively new, emerging in the 1970s, and predominantly focusing on the ground-breaking work conducted at Bletchley Park. As most official records have been sealed, lost or damaged, Miller faced a great challenge in finding the true role of the WAAF in British Intelligence and aerial warfare. However, her meticulous research and analysis of the official records available, as well as personal testimonies from members of the WAAF themselves, has meant Miller has succeeded in bringing women’s voices and experiences to light.
By 1943, the WAAF made up over 15% of the total strength of the RAF. Yet, the histories of the RAF during the Second World War, particularly the ‘Dambusters’ and the Battle of Britain, focus solely on the men. Whilst these men’s achievements are unquestioned, the women working tirelessly behind the scenes have been forgotten. The Women Behind the Few explores why women have been denied a place in British Intelligence and aerial warfare narratives. It also shows that women were present at numerous levels throughout the British Intelligence and Air Force Services, working hard operating radars, code-breaking, interpreting photographic intelligence, plotting maps, working behind enemy lines, and much more.
The Women Behind the Few focuses on a select few key military and Intelligence developments, manoeuvres and events that occurred during the Second World War, to provide an insight into just how vital women’s contributions were. Examples include the WAAF’s role in the Dowding System, Y Service, SOE, Normandy Landings, the Blitz, and intelligence gathering on German V-1 bombs. Each chapter is dedicated to a different way the WAAF contributed to aerial and intelligence warfare, with Miller carefully and cleverly balancing contextual knowledge, official narratives, anecdotes and recollections. Such an approach allows the reader to learn whilst also being immersed in the words and experiences of these women.
Dr Sarah-Louise Miller quotes Winston Churchill’s description of the Dowding system, which he describes as the ‘most elaborate instrument of war’, as it denied the enemy the element of surprise and facilitated the continuation of the RAF as a superior fighting force. I argue that Miller proves that the WAAF was just as vital as an ‘instrument of war’, enabling the same victories. The Women Behind the Few shows us how this is the case, and places the women of the WAAF back at the heart of their own stories. This book is a celebration of the bravery, intelligence, and determination of women, and encourages us to continue searching to uncover historic female silences.
- Review for Aspects of History magazine
British Intelligence history of the Second World War is relatively new, emerging in the 1970s, and predominantly focusing on the ground-breaking work conducted at Bletchley Park. As most official records have been sealed, lost or damaged, Miller faced a great challenge in finding the true role of the WAAF in British Intelligence and aerial warfare. However, her meticulous research and analysis of the official records available, as well as personal testimonies from members of the WAAF themselves, has meant Miller has succeeded in bringing women’s voices and experiences to light.
By 1943, the WAAF made up over 15% of the total strength of the RAF. Yet, the histories of the RAF during the Second World War, particularly the ‘Dambusters’ and the Battle of Britain, focus solely on the men. Whilst these men’s achievements are unquestioned, the women working tirelessly behind the scenes have been forgotten. The Women Behind the Few explores why women have been denied a place in British Intelligence and aerial warfare narratives. It also shows that women were present at numerous levels throughout the British Intelligence and Air Force Services, working hard operating radars, code-breaking, interpreting photographic intelligence, plotting maps, working behind enemy lines, and much more.
The Women Behind the Few focuses on a select few key military and Intelligence developments, manoeuvres and events that occurred during the Second World War, to provide an insight into just how vital women’s contributions were. Examples include the WAAF’s role in the Dowding System, Y Service, SOE, Normandy Landings, the Blitz, and intelligence gathering on German V-1 bombs. Each chapter is dedicated to a different way the WAAF contributed to aerial and intelligence warfare, with Miller carefully and cleverly balancing contextual knowledge, official narratives, anecdotes and recollections. Such an approach allows the reader to learn whilst also being immersed in the words and experiences of these women.
Dr Sarah-Louise Miller quotes Winston Churchill’s description of the Dowding system, which he describes as the ‘most elaborate instrument of war’, as it denied the enemy the element of surprise and facilitated the continuation of the RAF as a superior fighting force. I argue that Miller proves that the WAAF was just as vital as an ‘instrument of war’, enabling the same victories. The Women Behind the Few shows us how this is the case, and places the women of the WAAF back at the heart of their own stories. This book is a celebration of the bravery, intelligence, and determination of women, and encourages us to continue searching to uncover historic female silences.
- Review for Aspects of History magazine
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews