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List of SOE agents

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The following is an incomplete list of agents who served in the field for the Special Operations Executive during World War II.

A

[edit]
Name SOE Section Nationality Born–Died Awards Notes
Alf Aakre [no] Norway Norwegian 1917-1988 Member of the "Aakre Gang." Participated in Operation Carhampton
Elizabeth Lorraine Adie
(Lorraine Copeland)
Middle East
British
1916–2013 Married American OSS agent Miles Copeland, Jr.
Francine Agazarian
British
1913–1998 FGS, MiD, WM, ST Courier. Landed in France by aircraft in March 1943. Wife of Jack Agazarian, a Wireless Operator with Prosper circuit.
Jack Agazarian
France
British
1916–1945 Killed in concentration camp March 1945. Armenian father and French mother, brother of the RAF fighter ace Noel Agazarian
Juliane Aisner
F, Farrier
French
1919–1947
Roland Alexandre
France
1921–1944
Elisee Allard 1916–1944
Rehavam Amir 1916–2013
Phillip Amphlett 1921–1945
James Amps 1908–1945 Previously a jockey. Had a French wife, after easing out of circuit was implicated in documents found in 1943 when other agents arrested.
France Antelme
France
Mauritian
1900–1945 Captured when landed in France and killed at Gross-Rosen concentration camp
Claude Arnault
Benjamin Aptaker
France
English
21.8.1923–2.9.2012 FGS, MiD, WM, ST CdeG, DM Section Captain flown into France night parachute in 6.3.1944, posted to Dachau 1945, Judge Advocate General's Branch 1945-46 (Germany) (A/Major), Codename Aleric, Gardener Circuit (w/t operator) Name changed to Roger Forster after his first marriage. Family Originally from Ukraine Immigrants in the early 1900's to UK

B

[edit]
Name SOE Section Nationality Born-Died Awards Notes
Dorothy Baden-Powell
Scandinavian
British
1920–unk WRNS[1]
Claude de Baissac
France
Mautritian
1907–1974 Brother of Lisé de Baissac and husband of Mary Katherine Herbert[2]
Lisé de Baissac
France
Mauritian
1905–2004 LdH, CdeG Sister of SOE Agent Claude de Baissac, Portrayed as Louise Desfontaines in the movie Female Agents (Les Femmes de l'ombre).
Giliana Balmaceda The first female SOE agent to be sent to occupied France (sent in May 1941). Instrumental in gathering intelligence and important documents such as rations cards for implementing safe houses, routes, and sustenance for field agents. Married Victor Gerson after the war.
Madeleine Barclay
(Madeleine Victorine Bayard)
France
French
1911–1943 WRNS, Killed when HMS Fidelity was sunk by U-boat
John Barrett [fr] 1916–1944 arrested in 1944, shot at Buchenwald 5 October 1944
Eric Barrett Force 136 GHi(k)
British
1910–1975
Yvonne Jeanne de Vibraye Baseden
F, Scholar
British
1922–2017

CdeG, FGS, LdH, MBE, MR, ST, WM

At age 18, joined WAAF. Wireless Operator. Codename : Odette. Parachuted into SW France near the village of Gabarret in March 1944. Later known as Yvonne Burney. Taken to Ravensbrück concentration camp, survived, taken in by the Swedish Red Cross, then released home by Vera Atkins.
Alcide Beauregard
France
Canadian
1917–1944 MiD Captured by Germans. Killed in Saint-Genis-Laval massacre 20 August 1944
Francis Eugène Bec [fr] Section F, Headmaster British 1905–1944 Killed in action when Germans carried out attack on maquis of Charnie 16 June 1944
Stanley Beckinsale
Crete
British
1920–2004 MC
Yolande Beekman
Swiss
1911–1944 CdeG, MiD Wireless Operator, member of Women's Auxiliary Air Force, flown into France in September 1943, Codename : Mariette, Kilt. Killed at Dachau concentration camp with Madeleine Damerment, Noor Inayat Khan, and Eliane Plewman[3]
Georges Bégué
France
French
1911–1993 Wireless operator; first SOE agent infiltrated into France.
Herbert John Bell
Albania/Italy
British
1919–2001 MM
Robert Benoist
French
1895–1944 arrested June 1944. Executed at Buchenwald concentration camp on 14 September 1944
Kem Bennett 1919–1986
Louis Bertheau
France
French
1919–1945 MiD KIA[4]
Gustave "Guy" Biéler
France
Canadian
1904–1944 DSO MBE
Emanuel Bierer 1884–unk
Helen Bierer 1885–unk Full Name: Helen Anna Agate Thormann-Bierer
Andre Bloch 1914–1942 KIA
Denise Madeleine Bloch 1916–1945 KCBC, LdH, CdeG Killed at Ravensbrück concentration camp[5] with Lilian Rolfe and Violette Szabo
Marcus Bloom
France
British
1907–1944 MiD Killed at Mauthausen concentration camp
Bridget Blundell unk–1999 MBE
Nicholas Bodington
France
British
1904–1974 MBE
Andrée Borrel
French
1919–1944 CdeG, MR, KCBC Courier. Codenames : Monique, Denise Urbain. KIA at Natzweiler-Struthof concentration camp
Jean Bouguennec
France
1912–1944 KIA
Tony Brooks
France
British 1922–2007 DSO, MC, CdeG, LdH
Captain Basil Brown 1918–1970 MBE
Carl Johan Bruhn
Denmark
Danish
1904-1941 Died during the first attempt at drop-off with a parachute in Denmark by SOE agents.
Joséf Bublik
Maurice Buckmaster
France
British
1902–1992 MBE, CdeG F Section Chief
Christopher Burney
France
British
1917–1980 MBE
Norman Burley Real Name: Noel Fernand Rauol Burdeyron
Sonya Butt
British
1924–2014 MBE, MiD Courier. Married fellow SOE agent Guy D'Artois
Muriel Byck
France
British
1918–1944 MiD Died in service of meningitis at Romorantin Hospital
Robert Bennett Byerly 1916–1944

C

[edit]
Name SOE Section Nationality Born-Died Awards Notes
Eric Cauchi F, Stockbroker
Greek
1917–1944 MiD, CdeG, M.R.F. [citation needed]
Francis Cammaerts F, Donkeyman, Jockey
British
1916–2006 DSO, LdH, CdeG
Maddalena Cerasuolo[6] 1920–1999 Bronze Medal of Military Valor (Italy)[7] Code name: Maria Esposito, C22; sabotage missions, resistant[7][8]
William John Chalk 1899–unk
Robert Arthur Chapman 1901–unk
Valentine Blanche Charlet
British
1898–1985 MBE Courier. Served with Women's Transport Service.
Pierre Chassé
Canadian
1923–1988 Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) Distinguished Service Order (DSO) Croix de Guerre avec palmes 1939-45 (France)
Marie-Thérèse Le Chêne
France
French
1890-unk MBE, CdeG
Arthur Christie
British
1921–2003
Kjeld Toft-Christensen
Denmark
Danish
1910–1945 MC, Committed suicide on 27 November 1945.
Oliver Churchill
Italy
British
1914–1997 DSO, MC, Italian Partisan Medal Brother of Group Captain Walter Churchill and Captain Peter Churchill
Peter Churchill
France
British
1909–1972 DSO, CdeG Brother of Group Captain Walter Churchill and Major Oliver Churchill
Marcel Clech 1905–1944 wireless operator. arrested and executed at Mauthausen concentration camp.
George Clement 1917–1944
Jean Coleman
F, Acolyte
British
1908–1982
Adolphus Richard Cooper 1899–unk
Ted Coppin 1915–1943
Yvonne Cormeau
British
1909–1997 CdeG, DM, GS, MBE, LdH, War Medal 1939-1945, ST Joined Women's Auxiliary Air Force. Courier and Wireless Operator. The 2nd female Wireless Operator to be sent to France. Parachuted into St Antoine du Queyret in SW France in August 1943. Evaded arrest by convincing the enemy that her radio was an X-Ray Machine. Codenames : Annette, Fairy, Sarafari.
Henri Cornioley
France
British
1914–2008 Husband of Pearl Witherington
Noël Coward
British
1899–1972
Benjamin Cowburn
France
British
1909–1994 MC and Bar, LdH, CdeG Four successful missions into France
Jørgen Robert Christensen
Denmark
Danish
1921–2004 Frogman, co-founder of the Danish Frogman Corps and second in command from 1957 to 1970
Andrew Croft
Norway
British
1906–1998 DSO, MBE
Mike Cumberlege Force 133
British
1905–1945 DSO and Bar, RD after capture and torture by the Germans

D

[edit]
Name SOE Section Nationality Born-Died Awards Notes
Madeleine Damerment
French
1917–1944 at Dachau concentration camp with Yolande Beekman, Noor Inayat Khan, and Eliane Plewman
Guy D'Artois
France
Canadian
1917–1999 DSO, GM, CdeG Married fellow SOE agent Sonya Butt
Jimmy Davies
British
1913–1940 DFC, MiD KIA
Marcel Defence 1920–1944 [9]
Ange Defendini [fr] 1909–1944
George Demand
British
1921–1944 George_Demand [fr]
Delmeire Alphonse
France
Belgian
1919–1944 KIA 7 June 1944 in Germany
Francois Adolphe Deniset 1917–1944
Henri Dericourt
France
French
1909–1962 Possibly a double agent
Freddi Desmet
France
Dutch
1912–1946 Real Name: Christiaan Lindemans
Julien Detal unk–1944
Elizabeth Devereux-Rochester
British
1917 – 1983? LdH, CdeG Courier. Born to American parents. Codename : Typist, FANY
Henri Diacono F, Spiritualist Wireless Operator.
Douglas Dodds-Parker
British
1909–2006 LdH, CdeG, MiD
Derek Dodson
Leo Donati
Italy
Italian
1919–1972
Hugh Dormer
France
British
1919–1944 DSO Left SOE in January 1944 (KIA serving with Irish Guards in August 1944).[10]
Roland Dowlen 1907–1945
Joan Lois Dowson
France
British
1924 - 2010 G.M., CdeG , C.B.E. late of Girton College, Cambridge
André Dubois 1906–1944
Emile Duboudin 1907–1945
Gustave Duclos
France
French
1916–2002 MC, CdeG, LdH, EM, MR, Corps Expéditionnaire Français d’Extrême Orient, Croix du Combattant, Croix de Guerre Théâtres d’Opération Extérieurs
Phillip Duclos 1923–1944
Alix D'Unienville
France
Mauritian
1919–unk
Archie Dunlop-Mackenzie
Baltic
British
[11]
Gavan Bernard Duffy
British
1916–1990 MC
Lucien Dumais
France
Canadian
MC, CdeG, LdH In charge of Shelburn Line (Shelbourne Line) Operation Bonaparte[12]
Pieter Dourlein [nl]
Dutch
Escaped back to England and survived war.

E

[edit]
Name SOE Section Nationality Born-Died Awards Notes
Alf Espedal Norwegian Independent Company 1 Norwegian 1914–1969 Trained in STS 26 at Glen More and other Special Training Schools. In charge of "Operation Osprey" that parachuted in Rogaland county on Dec. 10 1943.
Reginald Harold Everson 1923–1990
Francois Michelle William Reeve [citation needed]

F

[edit]
Name SOE Section Nationality Born-Died Awards Notes
Albert George Falla
France
Guernsey 1918–1997 Worked for MI6 until retirement
Eugene Felangue 1912–1945
Patrick Leigh Fermor
Crete
British
1915–2011 DSO, MBE
David Finlayson 1923–1944
Yvonne Fontaine
French
1913–1996 MdlRF
Marcel Fox [fr]
French
1910–1945 CdeG, LdH, MiD, MR Reg # : 257605. Codename : Georges, Ernest. Deported to and KIA in Flossenbürg
Henri Frager
France
French
1897–1944 MiD, MdlRF KIA
Louis Francou
Belgian
also known as Bullfrog

G

[edit]
Name SOE Section Nationality Born-Died Awards Notes
Henri Gaillot
France
Belgian
1896–1944 KIA (also known as "Ignace" or "Guillaume")
Albrecht Gaiswinkler France Austrian 1905–1979
Harry Gamwell
Yugoslavia & Italy
British
1912–1998 Syracuse, Bari, Alexandria, Yugoslavia.
Emile Garry 1909–1944 KIA
P A H Geelen 1916–1944 KIA
Ole Geisler
Denmark
Danish
1913–1948 DSO From 1943 head of SOE's work in Jutland.
Victor Gerson
France
British
1896–? DSO, LdH Organised the Vic escape line in France into neutral Spain. Married Giliana Balmaceda after the war
Alfredo Mechoulam Gerassi Portugal/Spain/France France 1902-1995 King's Medal for Courage in the Cause of Freedom
Paul Goffin
Belgian
1915–1967 also known as Gofer
John G. Goldsmith
France
British
1909–1972 DSO, MC, CdeG, LdH See "Accidental Agent" memoir published 1971.
Malby E. G. Goodman
British
Cairo, Yugoslavia, Italy
1917–2015
Harry Graham 1910–1945 KIA
André Grandclément
France
French
1908–1944 Executed as a double agent
Christine Granville (Krystyna Skarbek)
F, Jockey
Polish
1908 - 1952 OBE, GM, Croix de Guerre Courier. Operated under the name "Madame Pauline" in France. One of the longest serving of Britain's wartime women agents. Parachuted into SE France in July 1944. One of the few SOE female field agents promoted to captain. Killed in 1952 by man who had become obsessed with her.
Sverre Granlund
Norway
Norwegian
1918–1943 DCM, WCS
William Grover-Williams
France
British
1903–1945 Captured and executed at Sachsenhausen
Jacques Vaillant de Guélis
France
British
1997-1945 MBE, Military Cross, Croix de Guerre[13] Died from an automobile accident on 7 August 1945
Armel Guerne 1911–1980
René Dumont-Guillemet F, Spiritualist Organizer of Spiritualist circuit.

H

[edit]
Name SOE Section Nationality Born-Died Awards Notes
Virginia Hall
F, Heckler
American
1906–1982 MBE, DSC Post war worked for the CIA
Odette Hallowes
F, Spindle
British
1912–1995 GC, MBE, LdH Most highly decorated woman in WWII. Also known by the surnames "Sansom"[14] and "Churchill" (By marriage). Codename 'Lise'. Married Peter Churchill after the war.
John Hamilton 1907–1944
Mogens Hammer
Denmark
Danish
1911-1946 Sent together with Carl Johan Bruhn over Denmark
Gordon Harris
Italy / Greece
British
1917-1965 P.A. to Gen. Stawell. Attached to Col Papas Tamitiades, Greek commander in Peloponnese for direct liaison with 3 corps.[15]
John Beresford "Jack" Hayes
British
1904–unk Organised Mission Helmsman in July–August 44
Victor Hayes 1908–1944
Mary Hemmings 1914–unk
Mary Katherine Herbert
France
Irish
1903–1983 First WAAF Officer to join the SOE
Richard Henry Heslop
France
British
1907–1973 DSO, LdH, CdeG Organiser (leader) of Marksman network.
Richard Hewitt
British
1917–1994 MBE commanded the Allied No 1 Special Forces in the Italian Campaign
Harry Hill
British
George Hiller [fr]
France
British
1916–1972 [16]
Wilhelm Holst
France
Norwegian
1895–1949 Croix de Guerre avec palme, Legion d'honneur, 1st Knight of The Royal Norwegian Order of St. Olav,
Medaille de la Resistance
Head of Billet circuit, Head of Eduard escape line to Spain
Marcel Homet 1897–unk
Desmond Ellis Hubble
British
1910–1944 Le Croix de Chevalier de l'Ordre Royal du Lion, avec Palme,
Croix de Guerre, avec Palme. Medal of French Gratitude. Mentioned in despatches.
Executed at Buchenwald, Germany
Bill Hudson
British
1910-1995 DSO OBE According to The Sunday Times, Ian Fleming used Hudson as a model for his character, James Bond. Prior to the SOE, he was in Section D of the British Secret Intelligence Service (SIS).
Harry Hudson
British
1924-2012
André Hue
France
Anglo-French
1923–2005 DSO
Max Hymans
France
France
1900–1961

I

[edit]
Name SOE Section Nationality Born-Died Awards Notes
Captain Basil Irwin Yugoslavia and Italy MC Liaison Officer
Jerzy Iwanow-Szajnowicz
Greece
Polish-Greek
1911-1943 Virtuti Militari, Cross of Valour also known as Nikolaos Tsenoglou. Code name, O33B. Independent. Saboteur in occupied Greece in cooperation with the Greek Resistance

J

[edit]
Name SOE Section Nationality Born-Died Awards Notes
Ingolf Johannesen [no]
Norwegian
1915–1998 Member of the Shetland gang. Crew on board the KNM ''Hitra'' [no]
Peter Johnsen
Sydney Jones 1902–1944
Ginette Jullian
France
French
1917–1962
Clement Jumeau 1914–1944
Douglas Jung
Force 136
Canadian
1924–2002 Later become the first Chinese-Canadian MP

K

[edit]
Name SOE Section Nationality Born-Died Awards Notes
Noor Inyat Khan
France
Indian/American
1914–1944 GC, CdeG, MiD Killed at Dachau concentration camp alongside Yolande Beekman, Madeleine Damerment and Eliane Plewman[17]
Andrzej Kowerski
Polish
1912–1988 also known as Andrew Kennedy
Mary Knowles 1917–2003 also known as Christine
Marguerite Knight
France
British
1920–2004 MBE Codename 'Nicole'
Peter Kemp
Cairo (Balkans), Force 136
British
1913–1993 Author of books Mine Were of Trouble (1957), No Colours or Crest (1958), Alms for Oblivion (1962), The Thorns of Memory (1990)

L

[edit]
Name SOE Section Nationality Born-Died Awards Notes
Paul Emile Labelle
France
Canadian
1916–unk MC Codename Nartex
Raymond LaBrosse
France
Canadian
1920–1986 MC, CdeG, LdH Radio Operator - Shelburn Line (Shelbourne Line) Operation Bonaparte[18]
Max Lafaye
France
French
1912–1986 French Resistance Medal Deported to KL Buchenwald (Jan 1944–Jan 45)- Dora (Jan 45–Apr 1945) - Bergen-Belsen (15 Apr. 1945)
Peter Lake
France
A R Landsdell
Maurice Larcher [fr]
Mauritian
1922-1944 CdeG, LdH, MiD Registration # : 306766. Codename : Vladimir, Linesman, Sari. Parachuted into France in February 1944. His brother, George Larcher, was also an SOE agent. KIA in July 1944 in Pierrefitte-en-Cinglais, France. Body recovered October 1944.
James Larose
Leif Larsen Shetland Bus
Norwegian
1906–1990 DSO, DSC, CGM, DSM and Bar, 2 x Norwegian War Cross with one sword, St. Olav's Medal With Oak Branch,
War Medal with three stars, Defence Medal 1940–1945, Medal of Freedom etc.
The most highly decorated naval officer of World War II
Phyllis Latour
France
British (South African-born)
1921–2023 MBE, CdeG
Huub Lauwers [nl]
Dutch
1915–2004 Was captured by the Germans and held at numerous Nazi concentration camps but he survived the war.
Madeleine Lavigne
French
1912–1945 FANY, SPRUCE. Courier. Wireless Operator. Codename : Isabelle. Alias : Madeleine Latour .
Marcel Leccia [fr] F, Labourer 1911-1944 MR Registration # : 309883. Codename : Baudouin. Alias : Georges Louis.
Jacques Paul Henri Ledoux
Lionel Lee 1944 MC, Cr de Guerre British Jewish agent. Betrayed, murdered at Gross Rosen.
Mike Lees Yugoslavia, Italy British 1922-1993 Successfully planned and executed Operation Tombola
Cecily Lefort
F, Jockey
British
1900–1945 CdeG, MiD courier, Served in WAAF Aircraft Woman #452845, parachuted into the Loire Valley with SOE agents Diana Rowden and Noor Inayat Khan, Killed at Ravensbrück concentration camp
Vera Leigh
France
British
1903–1944 King's Commendation for Brave Conduct Killed at Natzweiler-Struthof concentration camp
M A Lepage
E Lesout
Joël Letac
France
French
1918–2005 Ordre national de la Légion d'honneur, Compagnon de la Libération, CdG, Médaille de la Résistance Detained in Dora and Bergen-Belsen
Philippe Liewer [fr]
France
French
1911–1950 MC, CdeG
Ole Lippmann
Denmark
Danish
1916–2002 Replaced Flemming Muus as SOE parachute commander
Christopher Lord
T
British
unk–1943 Killed on duty in June 1943 to Tanus (Tarn) in France.
Desmond Longe
Britain
French
Codenamed, Refraction. Rank, Major.

M

[edit]
Name SOE Section Nationality Born-Died Awards Notes
Elaine Madden
T
British
1923–2012
Amédée Maingard
France
Mauritian 1918–1981 DSO, CdeG
Stanislaw Makowski
France
Max Manus Norwegian Independent Company 1 Norwegian 1914–1996 DSO, MC & Bar, War Cross with two swords, Defence Medal 1940–1945 (with rosette),
Medal of Freedom with silver palm etc.
Claude Raymond Malraux [fr] F, Salesman French 1920-1944 Registration # : 316119. Codename : Cicero. KIA at Gross-Rosen concentration camp
Andre Adrian Jules Maugenet
Comte Jacques-Arthus Marc de Montalembert
Ernest Miller
Gavin Maxwell Instructor British 1914–1969
James Andrew Mayer Mauritian
James Francis George Mennesson
Francois Gerard Michel
George Millar F British 1910–2005 DSO MC
G B McBain
John Kenneth Macalister F Canadian 1914–1944 KIA
S Makowski
R M A Mathieu
W. Stanley Moss F133, F136 British 1921–1965 MC
Pierre Louis Mulsant
Flemming Muus Denmark Danish 1907–1982 DSO SOE parachute commander from 1943 to 1945
Buntie Aurelle Neredah Macklin-Sprake UK British 1919–2010 Married Arie Van Duyn. Dutch SOE Radio Operator

N

[edit]
Name SOE Section Nationality Born-Died Awards Notes
Eileen Mary "Didi" Nearne
F, Wizard
British 1921–2010 CdeG, MBE Sister of SOE agents Jacqueline & Francis Nearne. Codename : Rose. Wireless Operator.
Francis Nearne
France
British Brother of SOE agents Eileen & Jacqueline Nearne
Jacqueline Nearne
France
British 1916–1982 MBE Sister of SOE agents Eileen & Francis Nearne. Codename : Josette.
Isidore Newman British c.1916–1944 MBE[19] Captured, and shot at Mauthausen on 6 September 1944 with 45 other agents.[20]
Alfred Newton [21]
Henry Newton [21]
Gilbert Norman
France
British 1914–1944 KIA

O

[edit]
Name SOE Section Nationality Born-Died Awards Notes
Sonia Olschanezky
F, Juggler/Robin
French
1923-1944
Member of SOE's Juggler/Robin Circuit, Juggler sub-circuit of Physician/Prosper circuit. Captured in 1944, Interrogated by the Gestapo. Executed at Natzweiler-Struthof Concentration Camp.
Maureen Patricia "Paddy" O'Sullivan
F, Fireman
Irish
1918 - 1994
Member of WAAF. SOE wireless operator. Parachuted into France near Limoges in April 1944.

P

[edit]
Name SOE Section Nationality Born-died Awards Notes
Paul Pardi [fr] France French 1920-1944 Resistance Medal His mother was captured and tortured, but never revealed what she knew. She received the Croix de Guerre.
George Wyndham Parker Norwegian Independent Company 1 British 1913–1992 MM, MiD, Norwegian War Cross with two swords Mission planner
Alv Kristian Pedersen Norwegian Independent Company 1 Norwegian 1908–1982 MBE + various Norwegian.
Maurice Pertschuk France French 1921–1945 MBE, Croix de Guerre, Legion of Honor Killed at Buchenwald on 29 March 1945.
Peter Pertschuk France French 1923–1995 Brother of Maurice Pertschuk.

He was not used operationally.[citation needed]

Harry Peulevé France British 1916–1963 DSO, MC [22]
Frank Pickersgill France Canadian 1915–1944 KIA
Richard Francis Pinder [fr] France British 1913–1981 Croix de Guerre FOOTMAN Circuit - survived deportation.
Eliane Plewman F, Monk, Monkeypuzzle British 1917–1944 KCBC, CdeG courier, Codename : 'Gaby', 'Dean', 'Madame Dupont'/ Agent Monk, parachuted into France on the night of 13/14 August 1943, arrested and tortured by Gestapo in March 1944, transferred to Dachau with Yolande Beekman and Madeleine Damerment, killed at Dachau concentration camp.

Q

[edit]
Name SOE Section Nationality Born-Died Awards Notes
Anthony Quayle Albania British 1913–1989 liaison officer with the partisans in Albania

R

[edit]
Name SOE Section Nationality Born-Died Awards Notes
Adolphe Rabinovitch 1918–1944 Captured and executed at Gross-Rosen concentration camp in 1944 according to Maurice Buckmaster speaking in person in the opening scene of 1950 film Odette.
Herbert Maurice Roe Force 136 1945 SSRF 1942 2 Commando British 1917–2014 MM & MiD
Josette Renee Paule Ronserail SOE - courier and wireless operator French 1919-1990 Croix de Guerre, the Médaille de la Résistance, and the Legion of Honour She was arrested by the Gestapo in 1944 and tortured, but she did not reveal any information. She was deported to Ravensbrück concentration camp, where she survived until the liberation in 1945
Alex Rabinovich
Brian Dominic Rafferty
Denis Rake [fr] France British 1901–1976 MC [23]
Charles Rechenmann
Harry Alfred Rée F, Stockbroker
British
1914–1991 DSO, MBE Organizer for Stockbroker circuit. Codename : César.
Haviva Reik Slovakia Slovakian 1914–1944 KIA
Jean Renaut Belgian
Jean Renaud-Dandicolle
Anne Robertson 1920–unk
Lilian Rolfe F, Historian British 1914–1945 MBE, CdeG, MiD Wireless Operator, KIA at Ravensbrück concentration camp with Violette Szabo and Denise Bloch
Jasper Rootham Yugoslavia British 1910–1990
Diana Rowden F, Acrobat British 1915–1944 MBE, CdeG, MiD KIA at Natzweiler-Struthof concentration camp
Yvonne Rudelatt F, Adolph French 1897–1945 CdeG courier, Died in service of typhus at Bergen-Belsen concentration camp
Christian Michael Rottbøll Denmark Danish 1917-1942 KIA

S

[edit]
Name SOE Section Nationality Born-Died Awards Notes
Roméo Sabourin France Canadian 1923–1944 Captured and killed 1944
Anthony P B St.John Burma British 1925–1990
Paul F M Sarrette
Alexandre Schwatschko
Enzo Sereni Italy Italian 1905–1944 captured and executed in Dachau concentration camp.
Henri P. Sevenet
John B. Selby Yugoslavia British 1915–1991 DSO, DFC, Partisan Star
Jack Andrew Eugene Marcel Sinclair
Jean Alexandre Robert Simon
Octave Anne Guillaume Simon
Krystyna Skarbek France Polish 1915–1952 GM, MBE, CdeG Better known by her pseudonym Christine Granville[24]
Brian Skelly 1920–2001
Charles Skepper France British 1905–c.1944
Einar Skinnarland Norway Norwegian 1918–2002 DCM
Giovanni Slaviero Italy Italian 1914-1999 Bronze Medal of Military Valor CLNAI partisan from 1943, recruited into SOE and SIM February 1945 as head of the Modena area. Participated in Operation SILENTIA and GRATIOT. Captured and tortured in April 1945, by the SS, but gave up nothing. Known associate of Adrian Gallegos and Major Jim Davies.[25]
Gunnar Sønsteby Norwegian Independent Company 1 Norwegian 1918–2012 DSO, 1939–45 Star, War Cross with three Swords, Commander of the Royal Norwegian Order of St. Olav, Norwegian Police Cross of Honour, Norwegian Defence Cross of Honour, Defence Medal 1940–1945 with rosette, Haakon VII 70th Anniversary Medal, Medal of Freedom with silver palm etc. Member of Norwegian resistance movement from 1940. Member of Milorg. Organised sabotage by Oslo Gang in 1944–45. Most highly decorated Norwegian of WWII.
V. A. Soskice
Maurice Southgate France British 1913–1990 DSO Codename 'Hector'[26]
James William Spencer British 1915–1997 code name "Marks"
Geoffrey Spencer Germany British 1920–2015
M J G de St Genies
Arthur Staggs
George Reginald Starr France British 1904–1980 MD, DSO Brother of John Renshaw Starr
John Renshaw Starr France British unk–1996 Brother of George Reginald Starr
Arthur Steele captured and killed 1944
Brian Stonehouse France British 1918–1998 MBE
Francis Suttill France British 1910–1945 DSO Captured 1943, killed 1945[27]
Violette Szabo F, Salesman British 1921–1945 GC, MBE, CdeG FANY, Codename : Louise, parachuted into France in April 1944, Killed at Ravensbrück concentration camp[28] with Lilian Rolfe and Denise Bloch
Hannah Szenes Yugoslavia Hungarian 1921–1944 executed by a firing squad on November 7, 1944, in Budapest

T

[edit]
Name SOE Section Nationality Born-Died Awards Notes
Germaine Tambour F, Prosper, Physician French 1903-1945 Killed at Ravensbrück concentration camp with her sister, Madeleine by gas chamber.
Madeleine Tambour F, Prosper, Physician French 1908-1945 Killed at Ravensbrück concentration camp with her sister, Germaine by gas chamber.
Jacques Taschereau
Paul Raymond Tessier France British 1916–1944 MiD
Paul-Émile Thibeault
Michael Trotobas France, Farmer British 1914-1943 Medal of Resistance Killed in action at Lille, France

U

[edit]
Name SOE Section Nationality Born-Died Awards Notes
Paul L Ullman F, Stockbroker Wireless Operator.

V

[edit]
Name SOE Section Nationality Born-Died Awards Notes
Jacques Vaillant de Guélis France 1907–1945 MBE MC CdeG Injured in road accident in Germany, May 1945. Died in the UK August 1945.
François Vallée
Philippe de Vomécourt France French 1902-1964 Head of Ventriloquist Network
Pierre de Vomécourt France French 1906-1986 Head of Autogyro Network
Arne Værum [no] Norwegian 1919–1942 KIA in Telavåg, Norway
Arie Van Duyn Holland Dutch OBE Married Buntie Macklin-Sprake (Radio Operator Trainer)

W

[edit]
Name SOE Section Nationality Born-Died Awards Notes
Nancy Wake F, Freelance New Zealand 1912–2011 AC, GM, LdH, CdeG, MR, Medal of Freedom (US) Codenames : Helene (British), Andree (French), Witch (Ops), Gertie (closest colleagues). Nicknamed 'White Mouse' by the Gestapo as she continued to evade capture by them.
Winifred Watkins Intelligence 1939–1946 British 1916–unk Known as 'Betty'[29]
Anne-Marie Walters F, Starr, Wheelwright British 1923–1998 ST, CdeG, DM, FGS, MFG, MBE, WM WAAF Officer. Codename : Colette. January 1944 parachuted into Armagnac area of SW France. Served as a Courier with Yvonne Cormeau (Wireless Operator for Starr circuit.)
Peter Wand-Tetley
David Whytehead Sibrée
Odette Wilen France
Edward M. Wilkinson F, Privet American Captured, executed
John Prentice Wilkinson No.1 Special Forces British 1915–1945 Killed in action
George Alfred "Teddy" Wilkinson
Jean-Pierre Wimille France French 1908–1949
Pearl Witherington British 1914–2008 MBE, CBE, CdeG, LdH [30]
Jean Worms
Dagmar Witherspoon British 1922–2011
Christopher Matthew "Colombo" Woods No. 1 Special Forces British CMG, MC Personal memoir of Captain Wood's work in German-occupied Italy (Po river region, North Italy) is preserved in the archives of London's Imperial War Museum

Y

[edit]
Name SOE Section Nationality Born-Died Awards Notes
F. F. E. Yeo-Thomas France British 1902–1964 GC, MC*, CdeG, CLdH Best known by his code name "White Rabbit"[31]
John Young France British Spoke French with a Newcastle accent according to John Goldsmith. Worked in the Dijon region with Diana Rowden. Captured autumn 1943.
John Cuthbert Young
William Henry Young Albania + British 1923-1996 1939-1945 Star, Africa Star, Defence Medal, Italy Star, War Medal 1939 - 1945, Palestine Police Medal, MiD Shadow Force - under command of Sir Anthony Quayle, Albania Section plus. Later seconded to Palestine Police and MI6 after war ended

Z

[edit]
Name SOE Section Nationality Born-Died Awards Notes
Edward Zeff France British 1903-1973 MBE, CdeG Radio operator. Captured by Germans, survived.[32]
Guido Zembsch-Schreve [fr] France Dutch 1916–2003 MBE, LdH Captured by Germans, survived[33]

Key

[edit]
Note Description Explanation
CBE Commander of The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire Commander of the British order of chivalry.
CdeG Croix de Guerre 1939–1945 French military decoration created on September 26, 1939, to honour people who fought with the Allies against the Axis force at any time during World War II
DM Defence Medal Instituted in May 1945. Awarded to British Commonwealth subjects for non-operational military and civilian war service during WWII.
DSC Distinguished Service Cross British gallantry medal awarded during active operations against the enemy
DSO Distinguished Service Order Instituted September 6, 1886. Awarded for meritorious or distinguished service in war.
EM Médaille des Évadés Instituted in 1926. Awarded to individuals who were POW and escaped internment or died as a result of their escape.
F France SOE (Special Operations Executive) F section operations in France
FANY First Aid Nursing Yeomanry British independent all-female unit active in both nursing and intelligence work during the World Wars.
FGS France and Germany Star Instituted May 1945. Awarded to British Commonwealth forces who served between June 6, 1944, and May 8, 1945, in France, Belgium, Luxembourg, The Netherlands, Germany, and adjacent sea areas.
GC George Cross The highest civil decoration of the United Kingdom. It is highest gallantry award for civilians as well as for military personnel in actions which are not in the face of the enemy or for which purely military honours would not normally be granted.
GM George Medal The second highest civil decoration of the United Kingdom It awards civilian gallantry in the face of enemy action and brave deeds more generally.
KCBC King's Commendation for Brave Conduct British commendation to acknowledged brave acts by civilians and members of the military in non-warlike circumstances during a time of war or in peacetime where the action would not otherwise be recognised by an existing award
KIA Killed in Action A casualty classification generally used by militaries to describe the deaths of their own forces at the hands of hostile forces.
LdH Ordre national de la Légion d'honneur French order that is the highest decoration in France.
MBE Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire Member of the British order of chivalry.
MFG Médaille de la Reconnaissance française "Médaille de la Reconnaissance française". Created July 13, 1917 to honor civilians who had performed acts of heroism in the face of the enemy during WWI without military obligation. Last award : February 14, 1959.
MiD Mentioned in Despatches An official report written by a superior officer and sent to the high command, in which is described the person's gallant or meritorious action in the face of the enemy.
MR Médaille de la Résistance Established February 9, 1943 by General Charles de Gaulle awarded to individuals who participated in actions against the Axis powers on French soil.
MC Military Cross The Military Cross is the third-level military decoration and is awarded in recognition of "an act or acts of exemplary gallantry during active operations against the enemy on land to all members, of any rank in Our Armed Forces…"
ST 1939-1945 Star Instituted July 8, 1943 and awarded for 180 days of operational service or 60 days of operational flying in WWII.
T Belgium SOE (Special Operations Executive) operations in Belgium
WAAF Women's Auxiliary Air Force
WM War Medal 1939-1945 Instituted on August 16, 1945, and issued to subjects of the British Commonwealth who served full-time in the Armed Forces or the Merchant Navy for at least 28 days between September 3, 1939, and September 2, 1945.

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Baden-Powell, Dorothy (2005). They Also Serve: an SOE agent in the WRNS. London: Robert Hale. ISBN 0753193361.
  2. ^ "Claude de Baissac - Special Operations Executive (SOE) Agents in France". nigelperrin.com. Retrieved 30 March 2016.
  3. ^ "Yolande Beekman - Special Operations Executive (SOE) Agents in France". nigelperrin.com. Retrieved 30 March 2016.
  4. ^ "Special Operations Executive (SOE) Agent Harry Peulevé - AUTHOR Mission". nigelperrin.com. Retrieved 30 March 2016.
  5. ^ "Denise Bloch - Special Operations Executive (SOE) Agents in France". nigelperrin.com. Retrieved 30 March 2016.
  6. ^ HS 9/284 - Special Operations Executive personnel files, The National Archives, UK
  7. ^ a b Days of Naples
  8. ^ (IT) Maddalena Cerasuolo, l’eroina delle 4 Giornate lavorò per i servizi inglesi, on repubblica.it
  9. ^ "Marcel Defence - SOE Agents in France". nigelperrin.com. Retrieved 30 March 2016.
  10. ^ "Hugh Dormer - Special Operations Executive (SOE) Agents in France". nigelperrin.com. Retrieved 30 March 2016.
  11. ^ Britain, Mihailovic and the Chetniks, 1941-42 - Page 21
  12. ^ Dumais, Lucien (1974). The Man Who Went Back. Leo Cooper Ltd. ISBN 9780850521696.
  13. ^ "Jacques Theodore Paul Marie Vaillant de Guelis". Commonwealth War Graves Commission. Retrieved 20 December 2023.
  14. ^ "Odette Sansom - Special Operations Executive (SOE) Agents in France". nigelperrin.com. Retrieved 30 March 2016.
  15. ^ National Archives - Records of Special Operations Executive
  16. ^ "George Hiller - Special Operations Executive (SOE) Agents in France". nigelperrin.com. Retrieved 30 March 2016.
  17. ^ "Noor Inayat Khan - Special Operations Executive (SOE) Agents in France". nigelperrin.com. Retrieved 30 March 2016.
  18. ^ David Twiston Davies, Canada from Afar: The Daily Telegraph Book of Canadian Obituaries, Dundurn, 1996
  19. ^ "Casualty Details: Newman, Isidore". Commonwealth War Graves Commission. Retrieved 30 March 2016.
  20. ^ "Newman, I., Capt., MBE., MiD, CR de GU.,1944". North East War Memorials Project. Retrieved 30 March 2016.
  21. ^ a b "Alfred and Henry Newton - SOE Agents in France". nigelperrin.com. Retrieved 30 March 2016.
  22. ^ "Nigel Perrin". nigelperrin.com. Retrieved 30 March 2016.
  23. ^ "Denis Rake - Special Operations Executive (SOE) Agents in France". nigelperrin.com. Retrieved 30 March 2016.
  24. ^ "Christine Granville/Krystyna Skarbek - Special Operations Executive (SOE) Agents in France". nigelperrin.com. Retrieved 30 March 2016.
  25. ^ [Maurizio Parri. Tracce di cingolo: Compendio generale di storia dei Carristi 1917-2009. Associazione Nazionale Carristi d'Italia. 2009. Pg. 151.]
  26. ^ "Maurice Southgate - SOE Agents in France". nigelperrin.com. Retrieved 30 March 2016.
  27. ^ "Francis Suttill - Special Operations Executive (SOE) Agents in France". nigelperrin.com. Retrieved 30 March 2016.
  28. ^ "Violette Szabo - Special Operations Executive (SOE) Agents in France". nigelperrin.com. Retrieved 30 March 2016.
  29. ^ HS 9/1561/1
  30. ^ "Pearl Witherington - Special Operations Executive (SOE) Agents in France". nigelperrin.com. Retrieved 30 March 2016.
  31. ^ "F.F.E. Yeo-Thomas – SOE Agents in France". nigelperrin.com. Archived from the original on 9 January 2014. Retrieved 30 March 2016.
  32. ^ "Honor for Jewish war hero and camp survivor". My Brighton. Retrieved 1 March 2022.
  33. ^ "MBE citation". Traces of War.