Heroines of SOE: F section : Britain's secret women in France

The history of SOE’s war in the shadows has been told many times and much is known about the men who fought in secret. However, less is known about the women who also risked their lives for Britainand the liberation of France.

 By 1942, SOE (Britain’s Special Operations Executive) was in desperate need of new recruits for their dangerous missions in Franceand they turned to a previously unexplored group – women. These female recruits came from all levels of society and were often motivated by an idealistic love of Franceand a desire to play a part in its liberation. They formed SOE’s ‘F’ force.

   Many displayed unexpected qualities. Some proved good leaders, like Pearl Witherington, others like Nancy Wake laughed their way through the war, many others like Noor Inayat Khan showed astonishing courage through terrible privations, and many of them died bravely and painfully.

 Without doubt their contributions to Britain’s secret missions of intelligence-gathering and sabotage helped the resistance to drive out their occupiers and free France.

   Here, for the first time is the extraordinary account of all forty SOE ‘F’ women agents. It is a story that deserves to be read by everyone.