![]() She recorded with alarm how Nazi gangs were brutalizing Jewish men and women in the streets. Throughout the 30s, Wake worked in Paris as a correspondent for Hearst and reported as an eyewitness to the rise of Hitler’s power. In London she trained herself and became a first-rate journalist. She left home, became a nurse and worked her way across the globe, bouncing from Sydney to New York City to London. At age 16, it was already clear that Nancy was going to be in charge of her own destiny. Not long after, her father left her and her siblings in the sole care of their mother. By 1914, her family had moved to Australia. It is one of many wild-but-true incidents from the life of Nancy Wake, one of the most invaluable intelligence officers of the Allied war effort. It sounds like something from a movie, but this is genuine history. “Don’t give me that French shit,” Nancy growled back. With a sardonic twitch in his smile, he looked at the ensnared Wake and said, “I hope all the trees in France bear such beautiful fruit this year.” Her liaison, local Maquis Captain Henri Tardivat, appeared in the drop zone. She knew, well before jumping from her plane, that discovery meant certain death.Īs she descended into the trees, her chute got tangled in a branch. It carried one British Special Operations Executive officer: Captain Nancy Wake. Her inspiring leadership, bravery, and exemplary devotion to duty contributed materially to the success of the war effort and merit the praise and recognition of the United States.In Nazi-occupied France, March 1, 1944, a single parachute drifted through the night into the Forest of Tronçais in the Auvergne province. ![]() Her daring conduct in the course of the enemy engagement safeguarded the lives of two American officers under her command. Despite numerous difficulties and personal danger she, through her remarkable courage, initiative and coolness succeeded in accomplishing her objective. After having been parachuted into the Allier Department of France for the purpose of co-ordinating Resistance activities she immediately assumed her duties as second-in-command to the organiser of the circuit. "Ensign Nancy Wake, British National, FANY, for exceptionally meritorious achievement which aided the United States in the prosecution of war against the enemy in Continental Europe, from March 1944. Period: Second World War (1939-1945) Unit: F Section, Special Operations Executive (SOE), British Government Awarded on: 1949Citation: The Maquis troops, most of them rough and difficult to handle, accepted orders from her, and treated her as one of their own male officers." Lieutenant Wake's organising ability, endurance, courage and complete disregard for her own safety earned her the respect and admiration of all. ![]() It was largely due to these efforts that the circuit was able to start work again. She covered some 200 kilometres on foot and by remarkable steadfastness and perseverance succeeded in getting a message through to London. When the Maquis group with which she was working was broken up by large-scale German attacks and wireless contact was lost, Lieutenant Wake went along to find a wireless operator through whom she could contact London. She showed exceptional courage and coolness in the face of enemy fire. She led them to within point-blank range of the enemy, directed their fire, rescued the two American officers and withdrew in good order. During a German attack due to the arrival by parachute of two American officers to help in the Maquis, she personally took command of a section of 10 men whose leader was demoralised. Lieutenant Wake took part in several engagements with the enemy, and showed the utmost bravery under fire. She worked for several months helping to train and instruct Maquis groups. The day after their arrival she and her chief found themselves stranded and without directions through the arrest of their contact, but ultimately reached their rendezvous by their own initiative. "This officer was parachuted into France on 29th November 1944, as assistant to an organiser who was taking over the direction of an important circuit in Central France. Period: Second World War (1939-1945) Unit: F Section, Special Operations Executive (SOE), British Government Awarded on: July 17th, 1945Citation:
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