American History Hit American Traitors: Axis Sally
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Aug 21, 2025 Join Professor Michael Flamm, a scholar of modern American political history, as he unpacks the controversial life of Mildred Gillars, infamously known as Axis Sally. Flamm reveals her transformation from aspiring actress to a key Nazi propagandist amidst World War II. Explore the ethical complexities of her role in wartime propaganda, her legal battle for treason, and the impact of her broadcasts on U.S. soldiers. Flamm also discusses her tumultuous past and the enduring questions surrounding loyalty, citizenship, and the legacy of her actions.
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Radio Changed Propaganda Warfare
- Radio transformed propaganda by reaching troops and civilians simultaneously.
- Electronic media created a new strategic tool far beyond posters and leaflets.
Mildred's Move To Berlin
- Mildred Gillars arrived in Germany in 1934 after a failed relationship with a British diplomat.
- She worked teaching English then as a translator at UFA before entering Berlin's entertainment world.
From DJ To Top Reichs Radio Star
- By 1940 Mildred hosted a musical variety show on Reichs Radio introducing American songs.
- Her radio skill and German fluency made her very popular and highly paid by 1943.