Marthe Cohn

Marthe Cohn, born in 1920 in Metz, France, is a World War II veteran who served as a spy for French intelligence and later became an author. She gained recognition for her work gathering intelligence on Nazi movements while posing as a German nurse, utilizing her fluent German language skills and Aryan appearance to move freely in enemy territory. During World War II, Cohn's family suffered greatly under Nazi occupation, with her sister being sent to Auschwitz while the rest of the family fled to southern France. After the war, she worked as a nurse and eventually documented her wartime experiences in her memoir "Behind Enemy Lines: The True Story of a French Jewish Spy in Nazi Germany." In recognition of her service, Cohn was awarded the Médaille Militaire and the Croix de Guerre, and in 2002 she received France's highest military honor, the Legion of Honor. Her story remained largely unknown until the publication of her memoir in 2002, as she rarely spoke about her wartime experiences in the decades following the war. Her experiences as a Jewish spy in Nazi Germany represent a unique perspective on World War II resistance efforts and Holocaust survival. At over 100 years old, Cohn continues to share her story through speaking engagements and documentary appearances.

Readers consistently praise Cohn's memoir "Behind Enemy Lines" for its straightforward, personal account of her espionage work. The book maintains a 4.7/5 rating on Amazon (500+ reviews) and 4.4/5 on Goodreads (2,000+ ratings). Readers highlight: - Clear, direct writing style without sensationalism - First-hand details of intelligence gathering operations - Balance of personal family story with historical events - Documentation of Jewish resistance during WWII Common criticisms: - Desire for more details about specific missions - Some sections move too quickly through important events - Limited information about her post-war life Multiple reviewers note the book reads "like sitting down with a grandmother telling her life story" (Goodreads review). Amazon readers frequently comment on Cohn's matter-of-fact tone about dangerous missions, with one noting: "She describes extraordinary acts of courage as if she were describing a trip to the grocery store." Several book clubs report successful discussions using the memoir, citing its accessibility and historical value.

Behind Enemy Lines: The True Story of a French Jewish Spy in Nazi Germany (2002) A memoir detailing Cohn's experiences as a French intelligence operative who infiltrated Nazi Germany by posing as a German nurse, documenting her intelligence gathering missions and her family's struggle during the Holocaust.

Nancy Wake A female SOE agent during WWII who wrote about her experiences fighting with the French Resistance in her autobiography "The White Mouse." Her first-hand accounts of espionage and resistance parallel Cohn's experiences behind enemy lines.

Virginia Hall Worked as an Allied spy in Nazi-occupied France and wrote about her experiences as a female operative. Her story of using cover identities to gather intelligence mirrors Cohn's methods of intelligence collection.

Noor Inayat Khan Her chronicles detail her work as a wireless operator and spy in occupied France during WWII. Her writings provide insight into the risks faced by female operatives working in enemy territory.

Freddie Oversteegen A Dutch resistance fighter who documented her experiences fighting Nazis as a teenager during WWII. Her accounts focus on the resistance movement from a female Jewish perspective similar to Cohn's.

Pearl Witherington Led a network of 3,500 French Resistance fighters and wrote about her wartime experiences. Her writings document the intersection of espionage and resistance work during WWII from a woman's perspective.