Marthe Cohn, a Jewish spy during World War II, passed away on May 20 at the age of 105 in Rancho Palos Verdes, California. Born on April 13, 1920, in Metz, France, she was able to pass as an Aryan due to her blonde hair and blue eyes, which allowed her to infiltrate Nazi Germany.
At 25, Cohn worked with the French resistance and undertook dangerous missions, including one where she crossed into Germany and obtained vital military intelligence. She posed as a woman searching for her missing fiancé, successfully deceiving German soldiers and gathering information that contributed to the war effort.
Cohn's experiences during the war led to her receiving honors from both France and postwar Germany for her contributions to saving lives. Her life story was chronicled in the 2002 book "Behind Enemy Lines: The True Story of a Jewish Spy in Nazi Germany" and the 2019 documentary "Chichinette: The Accidental Spy."
Raised in a Jewish family in Alsace, Cohn faced antisemitism from a young age, which motivated her to join the resistance and help Jewish refugees escape Nazi persecution. Her sister Stephanie was arrested by the Gestapo and later killed in Auschwitz, while Cohn's fiancé was executed for his resistance activities.
After the war, Cohn moved to the United States, where she married Major L. Cohn, a medical student. Her wartime activities remained largely unknown to her family until she published her memoir. Cohn was recognized for her bravery with awards such as the French Legion of Honor and the Order of Merit of Germany.
Her legacy as a spy and humanitarian continues to inspire, as she emphasized the importance of engaging with one's conscience and standing against injustice.