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List of female SOE agents facts for kids

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The Special Operations Executive (SOE) was a secret British organization during World War II. Its main job was to carry out secret missions in countries taken over by the Axis powers (like Germany and Italy). These missions included spying, causing damage to enemy operations (sabotage), and gathering information. The SOE also helped local groups who were fighting against the invaders, known as resistance movements. Many of the brave women who worked for the SOE served in France.

In 1981, a historian named Michael R. D. Foot said that the SOE had about 10,000 men and 3,000 women. He noted that a small number of these women were very skilled agents working in France or Yugoslavia. For many years, not much accurate information was known about them. But since the 1990s, secret SOE documents have been made public. This has helped us learn more true stories about these amazing women and what they achieved.

Special operations executive
A badge of the Special Operations Executive.

Brave Women Agents in France (F Section)

The SOE had different sections. The "F Section" focused on France. About 39 women agents were trained in Britain for this section. The list below includes 41 agents, with two special additions: Madeleine Barclay, who died on an SOE ship, and Sonia Olschanezky, a local helper who was captured.

These women agents served in France for different lengths of time. Some stayed for up to two years, but most were there for only a few months. Sadly, 16 of the 41 women did not survive the war. Twelve were captured and executed by the Germans. One died when her ship sank, and two died from illness while in prison. One died from natural causes. The ages of these female agents ranged from 20 to 53 years old.

Most SOE agents went to France as part of a small team, called a "network" or "circuit." Each team usually had three people:

  • An "organiser" who led the team.
  • A "wireless operator" who sent secret messages using a radio.
  • A "courier" who carried messages and supplies.

Women were often chosen as couriers. It was easier for them to travel without being suspected, especially compared to men who might be forced to work for the enemy. Pearl Witherington was the only woman who officially led an SOE network in France, though other women sometimes took on that role too.

Besides the F Section, another part of the SOE, called the "RF Section," also sent 11 women agents to France in 1944. The RF Section worked with Charles de Gaulle's Free French government, which was based outside France. The SOE helped them with supplies and money. The F Section, however, worked with all different groups in the French Resistance, even though they were careful about helping communists.

F Section Agents in France

According to Foot
Name Birthplace Born Died Awards Date of entry Notes
Francine Agazarian France 1913 1999 MiD 17 March 1943, Lysander aeroplane Code name: Marguerite; She was a courier for the Prosper network.

She was married to another SOE agent, Jack Agazarian.
Juliane Aisner France 1899 1947 KCBC 17 May 1943, Lysander aeroplane Code name: Clair; She worked with the Farrier network.
Lise de Baissac Mauritius 1905 2004 MBE, CdeG, LdH 24 September 1942, parachute; 9 April 1944, Lysander WAAF Code name: Odile, Marguerite; She was a courier for the Scientist network.

Her brother, Claude de Baissac, was also an SOE agent.
Madeleine Barclay France 1911 1943 WRNS Her original name was Madeleine Victorine Bayard.

She died when her ship, HMS Fidelity, was sunk on January 1, 1943.
Yvonne Baseden France 1922 2017 MBE, LdH, CdeG 16 March 1944, parachute WAAF Code name: Odette: She was a courier for the Scholar network.

She was captured on June 26, 1944, but survived the Ravensbrück concentration camp.
Yolande Beekman France 1911 1944 MiD 18 September 1943, Lysander aeroplane WAAF Code name: Yvonne: She was a wireless operator for the Musician network.

She was one of four women executed at Dachau on September 13, 1944.
Denise Bloch France 1916 1945 KCBC, LdH, CdeG 2 March 1944, Lysander aeroplane Code name: Ambroise; She was a wireless operator for the Clergyman network. She was executed at Ravensbrück concentration camp on February 5, 1945.
Andrée Borrel France 1919 1944 CdeG 24 September 1942, parachute Code name: Denise; She was a courier for the Physician and Prosper networks.

She was executed at Natzweiler-Struthof concentration camp on July 6, 1944.
Sonya Butt England 1924 2014 MBE, MiD 28 May 1944, parachute WAAF Code name: Blanche; She was a courier for the Headmaster network.

She married another SOE agent, Guy D'Artois. She was the youngest woman agent in the SOE.
Muriel Byck England 1918 1944 MiD 8 April 1944, parachute WAAF Code name: Violette; She was a wireless operator for the Ventriloquist network.

She died from meningitis in Romorantin Hospital on May 23, 1944.
Blanche Charlet England 1898 1985 MBE 1 September 1942, boat Code name: Christiane; She was a courier for the Ventriloquist network. She was arrested but escaped from a French prison in September 1943.
Marie-Thérèse Le Chêne France 1890 MBE, CdG 31 October 1942, boat Code name: Adele; She was a courier for the Plane network.

She was the oldest woman agent in the SOE.
Yvonne Cormeau China 1909 1997 MBE, LdH, CdeG 22 August 1943, parachute WAAF Code name: Annette; She was a wireless operator for the Wheelright network.
Madeleine Damerment France 1917 1944 LdH, CdeG 29 February 1944, parachute Code name: Solange; She was a courier for the Bricklayer network. She was arrested right after landing. She was one of four women executed at Dachau on September 13, 1944.
Elizabeth Devereux-Rochester United States 1917 c. 1983 LdH, CdeG 18 October 1943, Hudson aeroplane FANY Code name: Elizabeth; She was a courier for the Marksman network. Also known as Elizabeth Reynolds. She was arrested on March 20, 1944, and sent to a prisoner of war camp, but she survived.
Yvonne Fontaine France 1913 1996 MdlR 25 March 1944, boat WAAF Code name: Mimi; She was a courier for the Minister network. Before becoming an SOE agent, she worked with the Tinker network as Nenette.
Giliana Gerson Chile 1910 May 1941 She was the first SOE agent sent to France. She stayed for one month, collecting information and documents like ration cards that SOE could copy.
Virginia Hall United States 1906 1982 MBE, DSC (USA) (1) August 1941; (2) 21 March 1944, boat Code names: Marie, Diane; She was a courier for the Heckler and Saint networks. She was known as the "Limping Lady" because she had a prosthetic lower leg. After the war, she worked for the CIA.
Mary Katherine Herbert Ireland 1903 1983 CdeG 31 October 1942, boat WAAF Code name: Claudine; She was a courier for the Scientist network. She was the first WAAF Officer to join the SOE. She married SOE agent Claude de Baissac. Her daughter was born in December 1943. She was arrested and released in 1944.
Ginette Jullian France 1917 1962 7 June 1944, parachute Code name: Adele; She was a wireless operator for the Permit network.
Noor Inayat Khan Russia 1914 1944 GC, MBE, CdeG, MiD 16 June 1943, Lysander aeroplane WAAF Code name: Madeleine; She was a wireless operator for the Cinema and Phono networks. She was of Indian Muslim background. She was one of four women executed at Dachau concentration camp on September 13, 1944.
Marguerite Knight France 1920 2004 MBE, CdeG 6 May 1944, parachute Code name: Nicole; She was a courier for the Donkeyman network. She was also known as Peggy.
Phyllis Latour South Africa 1921 2023 MBE, CdeG 1 May 1944, parachute Code name: Genevieve; She was a wireless operator for the Scientist network.
Madeleine Lavigne France 1912 1945 23 May 1944, parachute Code name: Isabelle; She was a wireless operator and courier for the Silversmith network. She died in Paris from a blood clot on February 24, 1945.
Cecily Lefort England 1900 1945 CdeG, MiD 16 June 1943, Lysander aeroplane WAAF Code name: Alice; She was a courier for the Jockey network. She was executed at Ravensbrück concentration camp around February 5, 1945.
Vera Leigh England 1903 1944 KCBC 23 May 1943, Lysander aeroplane Code name: Simone; She was a courier for the Inventor Network. She was executed at Natzweiler-Struthof concentration camp on July 6, 1944.
Eileen Nearne England 1921 2010 CdeG, MBE 2 March 1944, Lysander aeroplane Code name: Rose; She was a wireless operator for the Wizard network. She was known as "Didi." Her siblings, Jacqueline and Francis Nearne, were also SOE agents. She was arrested in July 1944 but escaped from Ravensbrück concentration camp on April 13, 1945.
Jacqueline Nearne England 1916 1982 MBE 25 January 1943, parachute FANY Code name: Jacqueline; She was a courier for the Stationer network. She was pulled out of France in April 1944. Her siblings, Eileen and Francis Nearne, were also SOE agents.
Sonia Olschanezky Germany 1923 1944 Recruited in France Code name: Tania; She was a courier for the Juggler network. She was captured in January 1944 and executed at Natzweiler-Struthof concentration camp on July 6, 1944.
Patricia O'Sullivan Ireland 1918 1994 CdeG, MBE 22 March 1944, parachute WAAF Code name: Simonet; She was a wireless operator for the Fireman network. She returned to England on October 5, 1944.
Eliane Plewman France 1917 1944 KCBC, CdeG 13 August 1943, parachute Code name; Gaby; She was a courier for the Monk network. She was executed at Dachau concentration camp on September 13, 1944.
Lilian Rolfe France 1914 1945 MBE, CdeG, MiD 5 April 1944 by Lysander aeroplane Code name: Nadine; She was a courier for the Historian network. She was executed on February 5, 1945, at Ravensbrück concentration camp.
Diana Rowden England 1915 1944 MBE, CdeG, MiD 16 June 1943, Lysander aeroplane WAAF Code name: Paulette; She was a courier for the Acrobat network. She was executed on July 6, 1944, at Natzweiler-Struthof concentration camp.
Yvonne Rudelatt France 1897 1945 MBE 30 July 1942, boat WAAF Code name: Jacqueline; She was a courier for the Physician network.

She died from typhus at Bergen-Belsen concentration camp around April 24, 1945.
Odette Sansom France 1912 1995 GC, MBE, LdH 31 October 1942, boat FANY Code name: Lise; She was a courier for the Spindle network. She was the first woman to receive the George Cross, a very high award for bravery. She was also known as "Hallowes" and "Churchill." She survived Ravensbrück Concentration Camp.
Krystyna Skarbek Poland 1908 1952 GM, OBE, CdeG 6 July 1944, parachute Code name: Pauline; She was a courier for the Jockey network. She was also known by her secret name Christine Granville. She had been a British agent since 1939, working in Eastern Europe and the Middle East. She was sadly murdered in 1952.
Violette Szabo France 1921 1945 GC, CdeG 5 April 1944, parachute; 7 June 1944, parachute Code name: Louise; She was a courier for the Salesman network. She was executed around February 5, 1945, at Ravensbrück.
Nancy Wake New Zealand 1912 2011 GM, LdH, CdeG 29 April 1944, parachute Code name: Helene; She was a courier for the Stationer network. From 1940-43, she helped people escape through the Pat O'Leary Line. She was known as "The White Mouse."
Anne-Marie Walters Switzerland 1923 1998 MBE, CdeG 4 January 1944, parachute Code name: Colette; She was a courier for the Wheelright network. Her married name was Ann-Marie Comert.
Odette Wilen England 1919 2015 11 April 1944, parachute Code name: Sophie; She was a courier for the Labourer network. She married Santiago Strugo Garay, who led the Spanish escape network.
Pearl Witherington France 1914 2008 MBE, CBE, CdeG 22 September 1943, parachute Code names: Marie, Pauline; She was a courier for the Stationer network and an organiser for the Wrestler network. She was known for being "highly successful."

Female SOE Agents in Other Countries

While many female SOE agents worked in France, some also served in other parts of the world. These brave women helped with secret missions in places like the Middle East, Italy, Yugoslavia, and Madagascar.

Name Nationality Born Died Awards Date of entry Notes
Lorraine Adie British 1916 2013 She married American OSS agent Miles Copeland, Jr.. She was with SOE from 1940-1942 and served in the Middle East.
Maddalena Cerasuolo Italian 1920 1999 MBE 3 missions, October 1943 to February 1944 Code name: Maria Esposito, C22; She carried out sabotage missions and was a resistance fighter.
Alix D'Unienville Mauritian 1919 2015 MBE, LdeH, CdeG 31 March 1944, parachute Code name: Myrtil; She was a courier for the Oronte network. She was arrested on June 6, 1944, but managed to escape while being taken to a prison camp in Germany.
Hannah Szenes Hungarian / British Palestine 1921 1944 Parachuted into Yugoslavia, March 14, 1944 She was captured and executed in Budapest.
Haviva Reik Slovakian / British Palestine 1922 1944 14 September 1944, parachuted into Slovakia She was executed in Kremnička, Slovakia, along with local Jewish people.
Sara Braverman Romanian / British Palestinian 1918 2013 Parachuted into Yugoslavia, July 1944 She mostly stayed with partisan groups in the mountains before being moved to Italy.
Elaine Madden Belgian / British / Australian 1923 2012 Croix de Guerre (Belgium); Mentioned in Despatches (UK) August 1944 Her other names were Elaine Meeus, Imogen, and Alice. She spoke English, French, and Flemish very well.
Berthe Mayer British 1913 1981 MBE Already on Madagascar She served on Madagascar with her husband, Percy Mayer. Her code name was DZ/60.

Key to Awards

Here are some of the awards mentioned and what they mean:

Award What it means More details
ATS Auxiliary Territorial Service Some SOE agents were officers in the ATS, which was a women's branch of the British Army.
GC George Cross This is the highest award for bravery given to civilians in the United Kingdom. It's also given to military personnel for brave actions that are not directly in battle.

See also

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