| Nancy
Wake and Pearl Witherington (below) were just two of the many brave
S.O.E. agents sent into occupied France. They epitomised the bravery,
heroism and resolve shown by all the S.O.E. operatives, Resistance
fighters and civilians who fought against the tyranny of Nazism. |
 Nancy
Wake, code name "Helene" was also known to the Gestapo as
"The White Mouse". She parachuted into the Auvergne region
of France with a million francs in her handbag, and instructions to
train and organise these brave bands of thousands in to Heroic Resistance
Fighters.
She would later become the commander to over 7,000 newly trained,
exceptionally brave Maquis fighting men and women. |
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Pearl
Witherington code name "Marie" was another agent of the
S.O.E. who would eventually train and become leader to over 2,500
Maquis, from Toulouse to Orleans, covering over 300 square miles.
Like Nancy Wake, Pearl was also one of the most sought after agents
in France, wanted by the Gestapo, with rewards of 1,000,000 Francs
on their heads!!!
But their loyalty to their beloved Maquis and the cause of freedom
never faded, they constantly fought pitched battles with the most
ferocious soldiers of the Waffen S.S. and caused the some of the most
devastating acts of destruction to the German forces. |
At
the end of the war these two women alone would receive many decorations,
and awards for Valour, for their acts of unbelievable Courage and
Bravery.
George Medal, Légion d'honneur,
Croix de Guerre,
French Resistance Medal, US Medal of Freedom, M.B.E |
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Like all the other agents of the S.O.E. they sacrificed in their
own special way,
the fight for freedom for their fellowman!!!
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The
time was ready for the many Heroes of France,
to use the skills acquired to cause mayhem to the German forces
that had "taken" their beloved land. The retribution metered
out by the Resistance to the Germans, were reprisals for the most
brutal acts of murder committed against the innocent people of France.
So it was forever justified, and their vengeance was swift and sure!!!
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