Absprung über Feindesland: Agentinnen im Zweiten Weltkrieg

TitleAbsprung über Feindesland: Agentinnen im Zweiten Weltkrieg
Publication TypeBook
Year of Publication2006
AuthorsSiedentopf, Monika
Number of Pages198
PublisherDeutscher Taschenbuch Verlag
CityMunich
Abstract

In the summer of 1940, Churchill gave the go-ahead to establish his own intelligence organization, the Special Operation Executive (SOE). By then, much of Central Europe was occupied by the Germans. Unlike traditional intelligence, the agents did not have to be British citizens. Much more important - apart from other suitability for such a dangerous task - was a perfect command of the language of the country in which they were to be deployed.

From 1942, women were also recruited. For this to be legally possible, all had to be given officer ranks. A three-stage training consisting of basic training, combat techniques and special training was established. Parachuting was part of it, from low altitudes because the planes flew below the radar, as well as training for maintaining a false identity and not revealing anything during interrogation even when tortured. The SOE parachuted 39 female agents of various backgrounds over mainland France to engage in subversive warfare. Sixteen of them fell into the hands of the Gestapo and were killed.

Translated TitleJumping over Enemy Territory: Female Agents in the Second World War
Entry by GWC Assistants / Work by GWC Assistants : 
BH

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Call Number: 
180920039

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