Special Operations Executive

Special Operations Executive (SOE) was a secret British Second World War organisation created in July 1940.

Following the fall of France, Prime Minister Winston Churchill tasked Hugh Dalton with forming SOE with the instruction to 'set Europe ablaze', by helping local resistance movements and conducting espionage and sabotage in enemy-held territories.

A Type A Mk III Suitcase Radio used by Special Operations Executive

Suicide phial (cyanide) container

Noor Inayat Khan (code name Madeleine) was the first female wireless operator sent
by Special Operations Executive (SOE) into France, arriving in Paris in June 1943.

The  Imperial War Museums site shows the equipment the operatives used and photographs of the team.



Thanks to frequent contributor Bruce for this story.