Wonder Woman of the Week: Johanna Sophia Kettner

The Wonder Woman this week comes from 18th Century Austria when the young nation was finding its identity separate from the rapidly dividing Holy Roman Empire. Johanna Sophia Kettner was born in 1724 at a time when Austria was experiencing chaos following centuries of war in Central Europe.When a succession crisis over the Austrian throne broke out in 1740, a massive war erupted over who would rule the kingdom. In 1743, Kettner disguised herself as a man and enlisted in the Austrian army as Johann Kettner.

It's hard to know to what extent Johanna Kettner served as a soldier during the various campaigns of the War of Austrian Succession, but she did gain the rank of corporal rather quickly- meaning she likely proved herself in battle on at least one occasion- likely during the 2nd Silesian War where the German warfront was relatively close to her Austrian home. Regardless of combat experience, most historians believe Kettner was the first woman in Austrian history to gain the rank of corporal. After the end of the war, Kettner fell ill in 1748, and her physicians finally discovered her true identity. However, rather than receiving a dishonorable discharge of execution, the Austrian Empress Maria Theresa herself endorsed Kettner's honorable discharge and a life-long pension for her service to Austria. Kettner died in 1802 as one of the most famous women warriors in Austrian history.