Women in War – Equality in danger:

In the world of espionage and resistance during World War II, the women of the Special Operations Executive (SOE) played some of the most critical roles, taking the same terrible risks as men. The average life expectancy of an SOE radio operator in occupied Frances was six weeks. The bravery and ingenuity of these women, working in occupied territories or behind enemy lines, is exemplified by the life and death of Madeleine Damerment, captured by the Gestapo and executed at Dachau, whose silhouette stands outside the International Bomber Command Centre in especial recognition of her rescue of so many downed airmen.  She is also recognised

“To set Europe ablaze”

The SOE was formed in July 1940 by Winston Churchill to “set Europe ablaze” by conducting espionage, sabotage and reconnaissance in occupied Europe. The organization recruited a diverse group of individuals, and it was the only Allied organisation in which women were given a combat role.  They worked as couriers, wireless operators and saboteurs, often risking their lives to gather intelligence, support resistance movements and carry out sabotage missions. Their work required nerves of steel, as capture by the enemy often meant torture and execution. Often parachuted into France in isolation, they worked with resistance fighters to build networks capable of carrying out major operations such as the disabling of the 2nd Panzer Division which delayed its ability to respond to the D-Day invasion.

Recruited at their peril

Women were recruited into the SOE from various backgrounds. Many, like Madeleine or another famous SOE agent, Violette Szabo, were at least half French, as fluency in languages other than English was essential for survival. Some were enlisted in the First Aid Nursing Yeomanry (FANY) to disguise their secret work. A gruelling training programme aimed to equip SOE agents with skills in operating radios (which they took with them disguised as ordinary suitcases), cryptography, weapons handling, and survival tactics.

Women of the Special Operations Executive

Brave as lionesses

Besides Madeline and Violette, there were many other women agents who showed immense courage under interrogation and torture, refusing to betray their colleagues.  Noor Inayat Khan was a British-Indian woman who maintained critical communication between the French Resistance and London until her capture. Her courage and resilience in captivity were extraordinary, and she was posthumously awarded the George Cross.  So too was Odette Sansom, another remarkable agent who worked with the French Resistance and was captured and tortured by the Gestapo.

Above and beyond

The men and women of SOE operated beyond occupied France, taking part in such famous operations as the 1942 assassination of the Deputy Chief of the SS in Czechoslovakia, and the destruction of the heavy water plant at Vemork in Norway, which delayed the Nazis’ atomic bomb programme.  In the Far East, the SOE’s Force 136 worked with resistance groups in Japanese-occupied countries.

Leaving their mark

The Special Intelligence Service (SIS, the forerunner of MI6) had always resented the independent actions of SOE.  When Sir Winston Churchill was defeated in the 1945 General Election its patron was lost and SOE disbanded.  But its skills and research continued to inform British intelligence services, and the achievements of its agents continued to stand as testament to the ability of individuals of the greatest ability and courage to make a difference to the course of history. With both sexes operating at the same level of danger, and showing equal courage, SOE also gave testament to the fact that these game-changers could be women as well as men.