He tells her that she will be sent to France as a secret agent, and if she's caught, she's going to be shot.

I'm Helen Obalam Carter, and this is history's secret heroes, where I shine a light on extraordinary stories from World War II.

What they wanted was someone to get themselves arrested and sent to Auschwitz.

Tales of deception, an incredible acts of resistance and courage. She was a born soldier.

She's a freedom fighter in its widest sense. The brand new series of history's secret heroes.

Listen first on BBC Sounds. BBC Sounds, music, radio, podcasts.

You're about to listen to brand new history's secret heroes.

New episodes will be released weekly,

but if you're in the UK and can't wait,

you can hear the full series right now before anyone else.

First on BBC Sounds.

March 1945, eight months after D-Day, Allied forces had landed on the Normandy coast.

They had liberated France, driving the Nazis back and back.

Now the Allies had fought their way into German

territory, the Ruhr, but the war was not over quite yet. There's one big hurdle, the Rhine River.

It's a barrier into the German heartland. It's going to be very well defended. This is really

the last chance the Germans have, their last ditch defense.

Two American infantry divisions were preparing to launch their attack.

Field Marshal Bernard Law Montgomery was there.

So was Supreme Commander Dwight D. Eisenhower.

Winston Churchill comes in from London.

They all want to be there for the moment

...