List of female SOE agents facts for kids
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.
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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
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. |
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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
- List of SOE Agents
- SOE F Section networks
- Timeline of SOE's Prosper Network