Women in war zones: a history of female front line heroes

[bemildred]

The concept of women in combat is not a new one. Brave female warriors have fought and died for their country since time began. In 61 AD, Boudicca, queen of the Iceni people of Eastern England, successfully led a major uprising against the occupying Roman Ninth Legion, destroying the capital of Roman Britain. Then there were the Trung sisters, the fearless daughters of a warlord who led Vietnam's first national uprising against the Chinese in the year 40 AD. Many others followed in their footsteps in the years to come.

And yet, women serving on the front line is still a contentious issue. The UK has only just started to move towards revising its ban on women in front line close combat roles (we cannot currently serve in Household Cavalry, Royal Armoured Corps or Infantry), following the lead of the US, which lifted similar restrictions last year. Canada, Denmark, Finland, Germany, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Romania, Spain and Sweden all permit women in combat units, while many other countries, including Britain, send women to the front line in non-combat roles, or allow female pilots.

The women we profile here clearly illustrate that gender is no barrier to valour. Whether they're mothers or daughters, sisters or wives, they've all taken up arms and responded with bravery and composure in a time of need. And while you may not agree with all of their causes or actions, there is no denying their inherent courage and strength in the face of chaotic, bloody scenes of conflict.

Come salute just a few of history's greatest female front line heroes:

http://www.stylist.co.uk/people/women-in-war-zones-a-history-of-female-front-line-heroes

[CompanyFirstSergeant]

1. Thank you...

...for your support.

My daughter is in the Army, while not currently deployed, it is a known fact that in today's 'battlefield' there are no longer any front lines. Anything can happen at any time.

[bemildred]

2. I have nieces and nephews. And it is the day for it. nt

[malthaussen]

3. As for the Household Cavalry...

... Guards members are selected for appearance: uniform height, weight, etc. As to combat roles, the problem emerges that male soldiers tend to react differently around female soldiers: whether it be lack of confidence or over-protectiveness. (The IDF, which has the most experience with female combat soldiers of any military, has observed this, which is why they use women only in limited roles, and neither in combat, nor integrated combat units. Technicians, however, are okay, and of course they have some female fighter pilots)

The rationale that women are physically or psychologically unsuited to combat is probably groundless (except possibly for some physical limitations; but whereas it does take some strength to hump a 60-pound ruck over rough terrain all day, 130 pound male 18 year olds are expected to do it, so why not 130-pound female 18 year olds?). But that they cause a lack in efficiency of male troops is unfortunately true. It would require a rather severe alteration of traditions and expectations to make this not so, and from the military standpoint, the extra cannon fodder is not worth the headache.

-- Mal

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4. In a fair fight, my money's on the women.

But it is rarely a fair fight, as we all know.

But those Kurdish units in Syria give one something to think about.

That sounds right though, I'd be less inclined to worry about a partner of the same gender, and it's largely subconscious.

[malthaussen]

5. I was reading somewhere...

... probably a novel, though that doesn't invalidate the point, that when a unit is going up against mixed groups of "terrorists," they should target the females first, because they don't act predictably. My own instinct is that a woman in a fight will do whatever is expedient to win, whereas males may worry about looking good doing it, or following some code of macho conduct. I've always favored the idea of women in combat (hey, I was subject to the draft, why not them?), but I have learned that it is not so clear-cut, precisely because the males react poorly to it.

On a sort of related note, George MacDonald Fraser wrote a story about the first black bagpiper in a Scots regiment. Naturally, this was opposed, but the Colonel finally ruled that, as the man was good enough to die for them, he was bloody good enough to pipe for them. So ordered.

-- Mal

[bemildred]

6. Yes, that's it. Women have to think outside the box to deal with us.

We don't always respond to reason. So they learn to think in more catholic terms when selecting countermeasures. The appearance of cowardice, real of feigned, is not a problem, for example, and generally will be accepted by a male opponent as real.

I am reminded of the scene in Butch Cassiday and the Sundance Kid where Newman assumes leadership of the gang by picking a fight with the current boss. So the boss comes at him and Newman says (to paraphrase): wait wait, what about the rules? And the boss says: rules, what rules, we don't need no rules! And then Newman walks up and kicks him in the nuts.

[malthaussen]

7. A favorite scene.

On YT, of course:

-- Mal

[bemildred]

8. Yep.