WW2: Our Secret War

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WW2: Our Secret War

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Introduction

Beyond the front lines, a hidden war was being fought. From secret agents behind enemy lines to codebreakers, resistance fighters, and those risking their lives on the Home Front, the Secret War was a battle of intelligence, deception, and courage. Many of these stories remained classified for decades—but now, students can hear directly from those who were part of this hidden struggle.

Legasee’s free-to-download resources use first-hand accounts from veterans to uncover the untold stories of the Second World War. Each resource provides essential background information, discussion points, and engaging activities that challenge students to think critically about the role of secrecy, espionage, and resistance in war.

Using veteran film clips as primary sources, these resources bring real-life experiences of secrecy and survival into the classroom, making history more tangible and engaging.

Download the resources and uncover the hidden stories of war.

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Resource 1 – What was the secret war?

Posters warned ‘Careless Talk Costs Lives’ and ‘Loose Lips Sink Ships’. But for some, secrecy was so important they had to sign the Official Secrets Act.

Meet some of the veterans who were forbidden to talk about their work for decades.

Resource 2 – Women at war

WWII was the first time women were recruited into the armed forces for their intellectual and practical skills. Alongside the vital clerical and domestic roles, they listened to and deciphered code and messages, manned anti-aircraft guns, flew planes and became agents in Nazi occupied countries.

Resource 3 – The home front

Due to the close proximity of Britain to Nazi occupied Europe, it was easy to listen into enemy radio and signals. As a result, much of the clandestine work undertaken in the WWII was conducted on the Home Front.

Resource 4 – Europe and the wider world

The Special Operations Executive (SOE), operated in many of the countries occupied by the Axis forces. Their remit was to assist and support resistance groups.

Watch some of these agents reflect on their SOE operations.

Resource 5 – The role of oral history

One of the main roles of oral history is understanding more about the context of an historical event and how the ordinary men and women experienced some of the major events of the war. This allows historians to build a bigger picture of an event.

There are 20 such interviewees in these resources. Have they helped your students learn about the secret war?

learning outcomes

These resources are designed to help Key Stage 4 students analyse the importance of the Secret War, exploring its impact on the outcome of WWII and its legacy in modern warfare.

By engaging with these resources, students will:

What was the Secret War? – Define the key elements of intelligence, espionage, and deception in wartime.
Women at War – Examine the roles played by women in intelligence, resistance, and special operations.
Home Front – Understand how civilians contributed to covert operations and national security.
In Europe and the Wider World – Investigate the international nature of secret warfare, from occupied Europe to beyond.
The Role of Oral History – Evaluate the significance of first-hand testimony in shaping our understanding of the past.

Designed for students studying the Second World War, these resources provide unique perspectives on conflict, encouraging critical thinking and deeper historical enquiry.

usage information

Our resources are all provided free of charge. Whilst they remain the intellectual property of Legasee Educational Trust, we would be delighted if you would download, print off, photocopy and use in the way that best suits your learning and teaching styles.