Heroes of France
Fri Feb 10 2012 
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Heroes of France
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.
Portrait of Nancy WakeNancy 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.
Nancy Wakes forged papers
Pearl Witherington
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
Croix de Guerre,  Légion d'honneur

Like all the other agents of the S.O.E. they sacrificed in their own special way,
the fight for freedom for their fellowman!!!
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!!!

The sadness of
Oradour-Sur-Glane

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