In 1940 Winston Churchill, the British Prime Minister, approved the creation of the Special Operations Executive (SOE). Its job was to coordinate the infiltration of secret agents to assist local clandestine activity against the Axis powers in territories across Europe and beyond. Different sections looked after different areas. F section handled the 480 agents sent into France; 39 were women. Twenty-five survived the war.
Mission France tells the stories of the 39 women: their recruitment; their training; their work in the field; and what happened to the 12 who went missing, presumed dead. Part of the potential agents’ training was done in requisitioned manor houses with extensive grounds. It became a standing joke among the trainees that SOE actually stood for Stately ’Omes of England.
All the women dropped behind enemy lines were extraordinary. At least two were pregnant when they left England and gave birth in France. Agents captured were considered spies by the enemy … imprisoned, interrogated, tortured and invariably executed. They showed enormous courage. Three women received the George Cross, two the George Medal.
After 8 May 1945 (Victory in Europe Day), SOE personnel still in the field or liberated from imprisonment began to make their way home. Just as the transition to becoming skilled SOE agents had taken time and patience, so did the reverse process. Many just wanted to disappear to lead a quieter life. Others agreed that a film could be made of their exploits and some allowed books to be published. One died of cancer two years after the war ended; another was murdered; and a third was killed in a scuba diving accident.
The research undertaken by the author is commendable. She deals compassionately with each of the 39 women and many of those working behind the scenes. Kate Vigurs has written a book that’s compelling, enlightening and readable.
Reviewed by Clive Hodges
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Dr Kate Vigurs is a professional freelance historian whose PhD at the University of Leeds was entitled ‘The women agents of the Special Operations Executive F section – wartime realities and post war representations’.
Post-doctoral research included a study of UK Holocaust memorials during which she consulted the Prime Ministers commission at a conference at The National Holocaust centre and museum, and lectured at the Weiner library. Kate was also an associate research assistant at the University of Leeds whilst working as academic advisor for the Yorkshire region on the BBC/AHRC project World War One at Home.
Kate regularly appears on TV and radio, from the National news covering topics such as the First Aid Nursing Yeomanry, SOE, women in WWI, the land girls and Angela Merkel to local stories including VE day, D-day, the battle of Britain and many more. She was a weapons expert on ‘Time Commanders’ and contributor on ‘World War Weird,’ ‘True Evil – the making of a Nazi,’ ‘Vera Atkins – spymistress,’ ‘Secrets of her Majesty’s secret service,’ The One show’ and ‘The Road to Victory’.
Kate is a tour guide for Anglia Tours covering the Western Front battlefields, Berlin and Krakow/Auschwitz. Kate has recently done consultancy work for the Army Museums Ogilby Trust and South Yorkshire Aircraft Museum.
Kate has run a series of successful ‘lockdown lectures’ during the Covid-19 pandemic, but also speaks in person at a wide variety of venues including the National Memorial Arboretum, National Army Museum, IWM North, Royal Armouries, National Archives and Special Forces Club.
Kate also has her own live historical interpretation company ‘History’s Maid’ and regularly produces scripts, films and live performances for organisations such as English Heritage, Royal Armouries, National Army Museum, RAF Museum, and Imperial War Museums. History’s Maid cover a wide variety of historical periods and Kate’s interests encompass everything from the Romans to the Cold War but especially Medieval and the world wars.
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