While women were primarily involved in supporting roles on the home front, many countries established military organizations that allowed women to serve in non-combat positions, and some even allowed women to take on active combat roles. These women proved crucial to the functioning of their respective nations' military forces.

1. The Auxiliary Services:
Countries like Britain, the United States, and the Soviet Union formed auxiliary services where women could serve in various capacities, including clerks, telephone operators, and medics. In Britain, the Women’s Auxiliary Air Force (WAAF) was established in 1939, allowing women to serve as radar operators, mechanics, and communications officers in support of the Royal Air Force (RAF). Similarly, the Women's Royal Naval Service (WRNS), known as the "Wrens," enabled women to serve in the Royal Navy.

In the United States, the establishment of the Women's Army Auxiliary Corps (WAAC) in 1942 allowed women to serve in a variety of non-combat positions in the Army, including clerks, typists, and drivers. The WAAC eventually became the Women's Army Corps (WAC) in 1943, allowing women to serve on active duty in a variety of essential support roles. By the end of the war, over 150,000 women had served in the WAC, with many taking on critical roles in military intelligence, logistics, and administration.

2. Soviet Women in Combat:
The Soviet Union was the only major power during World War II that employed women in active combat roles. Soviet women served in the military in a variety of capacities, from nurses to snipers to fighter pilots. The most famous among them were the Night Witches—a group of female Soviet pilots who flew night bombing missions against German forces. The Night Witches became legendary for their bravery, stealth, and tactical skills.

Another prominent Soviet female soldier was Lyudmila Pavlichenko, one of the deadliest snipers in history, with 309 confirmed kills. She was hailed as a national hero and became a symbol of Soviet women's contribution to the war effort. Additionally, Soviet women served as tank drivers, machine gunners, and partisans, contributing significantly to the defeat of Nazi Germany on the Eastern Front. shutdown123