96 year old ex-spy infiltrated Nazi Germany

Almost 72 years later, Marthe Cohns’ memories are as strong as ever. So is her message.

Marthe Cohn, who was born in 1920, lived just across the German border in France when Adolf Hitler rose to power. As a member of the intelligence service of the French First Army, Marthe retrieved inside information about Nazi troop movements by "slipping behind enemy lines" as a spy. This week, Cohn will share her story with the local community.

The event, "Behind Enemy Lines - An Unforgettable Conversation with Marthe Cohn," is at 10:30 a.m. Sunday at the Chabad Center for Jewish Life & Learning, 2904 Old Glenview Rd., in Wilmette.

Cohn will discuss the escape of her family from occupied France, her life in the army and how she was trained as a spy.

"As the generation who bore witness to the atrocities of World War II fades, it is imperative we hear their stories," said Rabbi Dovid Flinkenstein with the Chabad Center in Wilmette, who organized the event. "We need to make every effort to listen to those strong lessons and never forget those troubling times. Only then can we make sure this world is a better place. Tolerance and acceptance is the only way," he said.

Cohn received numerous awards from the French government, and the German government awarded her with the Medal of Merit — "Verdienst Kreuz" — for helping Germany "become a democracy again and for (saving) untold number of lives by shortening the war".

"I (have) had an extremely interesting life — sometimes very harsh, sometimes very pleasant — but always lively," she recently said. Her message is one of hope and of tolerance but she implores her listeners to stay engaged and not accept anything that does not agree with their conscience.

Advanced tickets are available online for $10 or for $18 at the door.

Marthe's book "Behind Enemy Lines" will be available for purchase at the event. A book signing will follow her talk.