When real life stories have been kept secret for over 60 years, it’s difficult to coax them into existence.
This episode introduces eight such stories and the challenges involved in uncovering them — from the male gatekeepers I had to traverse to inviting the women to share their stories, most of whom had not previously done so.
We begin with Edie’s story, a young woman who worked for Service Zero, a large resistance cell in Belgium.
Episodes include war-related content that some listeners may find disturbing and/or traumatizing.
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Episode Details
Service Zero
Podcast Episode # 01
Runs: 48:50
Credits
Host and Writer: Diane Greig
Edie: Patti Allan
Casting Director: Eileen Barrett
Producer: Robert Ouimet
Sound engineer: Scott Whittaker
Show Notes
- Invisible Women is a podcast about eight women who worked in espionage during World War 2
- They were six different countries
- What they had in common was the opportunity to step outside societal norms while at the same time working in the shadows
- The podcast is about cultural shadow. Its also about projections, and societal expectations
- Didn’t plan to search out women in espionage
- Intrigued by image of agents being flown in behind enemy lines by the light of the full moon
- The challenge in finding these women and the men gate keepers
- All were living ordinary lives until war struck and then they were thrust into this unusual work
Introduction to Edie
Edie’s story - In 1939 was 16 and living at home in Ghent, Belgium
- May 1940 was on a family vacation in Ardennes when Belgium was invaded
- Harrowing trip back to Ghent, now occupied by German soldiers
- Introduced to resistance work by her brother – a cell called Service Zero
- Reported on rail , troop movement, airfields and construction to British Intelligence
- Typed up and couriered reports to wireless operators
- The every day risks and dangers of inspections at train stations and on the road
- Avoiding going to a forced labour camp
- Family has been through this kind of things before, mother was a role model
- Resistance work ended in 1943 when her brother is arrested
- Her final assignment – to warn the head of Service Zero that someone has exposed the group
- Father is arrested
- After liberation, reunited with her father and later her brother
Links and Resources
Canadians in Belgium WW 2
German Occupation of Belgium WW 2
Overview of Belgium Resistance WW 2 including Service Zero
Untold Stories of Belgium’s Female Resistance WW 1
Belgium Resistance with photos WW 2
Hidden Children of the Holocaust: Belgian Nuns and Their Daring Rescue of Young Jews from the Nazis (review)
Resistance movie (2003)
Belgian resistance during World War (library talk)
Psychology-related Links
Owning Your Own Shadow
Meeting the Shadow
Map of the Soul and BTS Lyrics
Romancing the Shadow
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Amazing how wonderful these women are, what they have been through, what they witnessed. Thank you for your hard work on this and for sharing your podcast with us.
Thank you, Barbara. I appreciate your comment! It was a lot of work and so very rewarding. Diane
Super
Glad you enjoyed it! Thank you for listening. Diane
Captivated by this telling, that has taken me deep into the world of the Edie and the ways of that time and place. Patti Allan’s incredible talent shines in her spellbinding embodiment of Edie’s work and words. Grateful to Dr Diane Greig for the dedicated efforts to bring these hidden stories to light and with it an opportunity to glean new insights. Greatly anticipating the next episode.
Thank you, Teresa, for listening and your comments! Diane
A privilege to hear Edie’s story! Edie’s words come powerfully to life through your research and perseverance, Diane, and Patti Allan’s voice – the podcast as a whole.
Wonderful that everyone working on this podcast has brought the women in this series out from the shadows.
Looking forward to hearing all their stories.
Thank you, Melinda, for your sentiments! Yes, it’s been a wonderfully supportive team to work with as we spotlight each story. Diane
Spellbinding and very interesting, especially because I have a letter from one such woman who wrote to me in 1945. She was visiting UK to see one of the airmen she had rescued in Belgium. I and some school friends had read her story in a newspaper and wrote in appreciation. I still have the letter if you want to read it.
Thank you, Sue. Your comments are much appreciated. I would love to read the letter. I will email you my address. Diane
Really enjoyed the writing and Patti’s voice! Is there only one podcast available?
Thx
Thank you, Tim, for reaching out! Yes, she was awesome as Edie! There will be at least 10 podcasts and Ep. 2 & 3 will be released Dec. 11th and Jan. 11th; after that we’ll be releasing more frequently. Diane
Diane,
I have just listened to the first podcast and I’m overwhelmed….by the
stories shared by Edie, by the capabilities of the actress performing the
role, and by the research you have done to bring the information of these
women to light. The podcast was mesmerizing, the artwork stunning and the production of high quality. Congratulations!
Thank you for your incredible gift of opening the door to learning more about the strength of these women.
Thank you, Jan, for your comments. IW has had an inspirational all-Canadian team!
Much appreciated, Diane
HI Diane
Wowee, that is really well done representing so many hours of research, Patti Allan’s reading is first class, the snippets of music are just the right amount to build the suspense and the story carried me right there to the dangerous streets that Edie had to traverse.
It was great meeting with you the author yesterday at the writer’s group and I look forward to listening to the other episodes.
Two months ago I read Undercover by Amarylis Fox which told of similar contemporary gripping espionage sagas.
Thank you
John
Thanks, John, for your comments. Certainly it’s been a team effort to complete the episodes.
Lovely to meet you and hear some of your poetry — very fun!
Best regards, Diane