Wrens under the Radar

by Colleen Shipley

War is declared on Germany, and Betty’s fiancé Fred enlists. Desperate to do her bit, Betty signs up with the Wrens, hoping to venture overseas. Instead, she finds herself on a top-secret mission in a farmhouse near Blenheim, along with seven other Wrens.
As the women settle into their roles as telegraphers and classifiers, monitoring transmissions from Japanese submarines in the Pacific, close friendships develop and they support each other through times of loss. The Wrens attend dances and church services, mixing with the locals, but are sworn to secrecy about their work.
When Betty receives terrible news, it hits her hard, shattering her dreams. But she pushes on, working long night shifts, and in the daytime learns to ride horses, drive trucks, and goes pig-hunting with the locals. While her time in the farmhouse is important to the defence of New Zealand, the experience is also a time of change for Betty. Will life return to normal after the war – and what is normal now?
Wrens Under the Radar is a wartime tale inspired by the true story of eight Wrens based in Blenheim, New Zealand from November 1942 to May 1944.
This story of loss, healing and comradeship is a vivid snapshot of life in New Zealand during World War 2.

Genres: War

293 pages, Paperback

Published October 1, 2021

Reviews

[Kieran · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wrens Under the Radar is local New Zealand wartime story that manages to be simultaneously comforting and disquieting to read. We experience the far-reaching impact of World War Two through the eyes of eight Wrens as they secretly decode messages from Japanese submarines while stationed in a farmhouse in rural Marlborough.

Life with the Wrens is comfy and fun. The work they do is fascinating and exciting, and a secret kept for forty long years. But alongside that, we also get to see the girls making the most of their new lives in Blenheim - attending dances, learning to drive, and the occasional fling with local soldiers - all while keeping their true roles secret from the public. You come out the other side feeling like you've lived their lives alongside them, and are now inducted into their top secret club.

On the other hand, war is brutal and its tendrils of misery reach far and wide. Wrens Under the Radar does an incredible job of providing a different, lesser-seen perspective of war. The story makes it quickly apparent how not a single person managed to get by unaffected by the war, even in a small town all the way across the globe from the main fighting. The letters included in the story feel especially authentic, and provide a heart-wrenching glimpse into what it was like to learn of your loved ones' deaths via a piece of paper. The story is told through Betty's perspective, and her character arc is heavily tied into these themes, but it's not all doom and gloom, as the book sticks the landing at the end with a bit of hopefulness for the future - and that's all I'll say!

Wrens Under the Radar is the kind of tale you can curl up with in a comfy chair - but be careful, it'll give you a hard pinch right in your empathy when you're least expecting it.

[Andy Southall · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wrens UnderThe Radar tells the story of nine women who monitor enemy submarine radio signals around New Zealand during WWII. Set in the rural location of the Blenheim countryside it at first appears to be a million miles from the front line, but we soon discover this is a war effort crucial to all NZ shipping, including the Cook Strait ferries.

This is an enjoyable book that convincing takes the reader back to a wartime NZ. The author has done her research and portrays scenes of 1940s NZ with authentic detail - rationing, making do, yet having fun too.

What I particularly liked was how the exploits of Betty and her compatriots run alongside regular updates of real events on the war in Europe and elsewhere. All of them, at times, suffer heartache and sorrow as their loved ones become casualties of war yet by supporting each other as one big family they pull through.

This story too is based upon real events - a fictional account of local Blenheim history. Great to see how a different type of WWII story has very successfully been brought to life.

[Paul Marks · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was aware of the unique section of 8 RNZ Wrens (plus a "matron" senior Wren) based in a remote farmhouse near Blenheim in the south island of NZ. From their personal accounts, once the veil of secrecy was lifted, it was obvious that they had a collective spirit driven by the wartime camaraderie. The author adds layers to the limited facts to create rounded individuals in a credible way. A book that will interest geeks and romantics.
The women were largely degree-educated but with no background in naval intelligence or electrical equipment. Their task was listening to enemy transmissions, primarily Japanese submarines, and from the signal characteristics identifying the exact transmitter and thus the vessel.
The work of the Wrens and the book both deserve a wider audience.
Highly recommended.

[BookChookNZ · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is, just as it says on the blurb, “a vivid snapshot of life in New Zealand during World War 2”. The research the author has done is skilfully woven into the story, so the reader learns so much about what life at home was like, without feeling like they are sitting in a history class! I had no concept of the very real fear in NZ of invasion by the Japanese - like many people my knowledge of the war was very Europe centred.
The author has done a wonderful job fleshing out a real event in New Zealand history, and I loved the characters, and the story.
I highly recommend this book, especially if you live in New Zealand.
(And the cover is just beautiful, the best NZ cover I have seen in a long time. 10/10)

[Barbara Stewart · Rating 5 out of 5]

wrens under the radar

Fun to read a book that is in a place of New Zealand I know well. I found it interesting and intriguing how the Wrens were operating during the war. The author was able to bring in lots of other aspects of how the war affected different parts of our society. Enjoyed this read.

[Jenny · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic read! Loved every page.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved this book. I had no idea that little old Blenheim, Marlborough had this history. A great read!

[Julia Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had no idea of the role of NZ Wrens through the war so this was a delightful surprise, both engaging and informative.

3.5 stars rounded up for being a fellow school librarian.

[Mckenzie Snowden · Rating 5 out of 5]

An amazing book!
'Wrens Under the Radar' is written exceptionally. Although it is about a tragic period in our history, this novel gives a more lighthearted approach to an otherwise devastating subject while challenging female expectations of the time. It is about WWII, but isn't entirely focused on it. You can tell that this book has been researched thoroughly. However, at the same time, it is a relaxing read and does not overwhelm you with pure facts.

It was intriguing to discover the secret lives of the wrens in a place I am so familiar with. Through the lives of Betty and the other wrens, this narrative shines an unseen light over Marlborough.

I would highly recommend this novel to everyone, especially to those who enjoy historical aspects or who just want a relaxing and comforting read!