Introducing History's Secret Heroes Series 2

Helena Bonham Carter shines a light on extraordinary stories from World War Two.

• 2 mins

11. The Extraordinary Cook Sisters

How did two English opera-loving sisters help dozens of Jews escape Nazi Germany?

• 29 mins

12. Flying High with Johnny Smythe

Johnny Smythe, one of the first West African RAF airmen, navigates a terrifying flight.

• 29 mins

13. Christine Granville: The Spy Who Skied In from the Cold

Thrill-seeker Christine Granville becomes Britain’s first female spy during the war.

• 28 mins

14. The Unbreakable Navajo Code

A group of Native American soldiers devise a secret code for the Allies.

• 29 mins

15. Josefina Guerrero: The Maid of Manila

How did Josefina Guerrero’s leprosy lead her to become a brilliant spy?

• 28 mins

16. Raymond Gurême: Escape Artist

A young circus performer dedicates himself to bringing the Nazis down.

• 29 mins

17. Charles Drew and the Blood Bank

How did an African-American doctor come to lead the blood bank effort during the war?

• 28 mins

18. Andrée De Jongh and the Comet Line

Can a daring young Belgian woman save the lives of hundreds of stranded airmen?

• 29 mins

19. The Enigmatic Emily Anderson

How Britain’s top female codebreaker played a crucial role in Allied victory.

• 28 mins

20. Manfred Gans and X Troop

An elite secret unit of Jewish commandos take on the Nazis.

• 30 mins