322Z Spring 2026 GMU Retired Faculty Association: Allied Spies in Europe in World War II

322Z  GMU Retired Faculty Association: Allied Spies in Europe in World War II: “Dirty Tricks” and Amazing Women Operatives
Two sessions
Instructor: Susan Schultz
Coordinator: Julianne Mahler
Thursdays, 9:40—11:05, May 7—May 14
Session 1: Dirty Tricks and Some Amazing Women Operatives. This session examines some very creative, unusual, and often even hilarious gadgets and operations undertaken by the Allies in their effort to defeat Hitler’s Third Reich. The intelligence services hired a wealth of creative scientists and engineers who invented numerous “dirty tricks”—some highly successful (e.g., “Aunt Jemina”) and some miserable failures (e.g., “exploding rats.”). Part of these efforts included authoring numerous operations, with varying degrees of success. Moreover, some amazing women were a critical part of these efforts. 
Session 2: Allied Intelligence Operations and More Amazing Women. This session is a hodgepodge of Allied intelligence services inventing and employing various gadgets, as well as creatively authoring various operations to subvert the enemy. Some operations were unsuccessful (e.g., “Operation Foxley”), while others (e.g., “Operation Gunnerside”) were critical to the Allies winning the war. Again, some amazing women were a crucial part of these efforts. 
Susan Schultz holds a PhD in Modern European History from the University of Chicago. She has taught at the University of Maryland (in Europe), American University, and as an adjunct in History at GMU. After working in investment banking, she held many assignments in the CIA and the U.S. Department of State.