Original subtitles

(morse code beeping)

NARRATOR: In the Second World War,

British spy agency, the SOE,

drop their first women agents

drop their first women agents

into Nazi-occupied France.

They're hand picked by spymaster Vera Atkins.

They're hand picked by spymaster Vera Atkins.

- Are you prepared to take the fight to the Nazis?

(loud bangs)

Behind enemy lines, in occupied France?

Behind enemy lines, in occupied France?

- As a spy? (dramatic music)

NARRATOR: But they quickly become targets for the Gestapo.

(gun clicks)

(gun clicks)

- Odette and Peter Churchill have been captured.

- What?

- Keep those hands up.

(dramatic music continues)

(dramatic music continues)

- Don't worry.

You'll be safe with me.

NARRATOR: Now, Vera's newest recruit, Noor Inayat Khan,

NARRATOR: Now, Vera's newest recruit, Noor Inayat Khan,

is playing a deadly game of cat and mouse

with Hitler's intelligence forces.

(dramatic music continues)

(dramatic music continues)

- Do you want people to make you as an agent?

(metal chains rattle)

- No, of course not. Sorry.

- Sorry won't save you from a Gestapo cell.

- Sorry won't save you from a Gestapo cell.

(gunshot)

NARRATOR: But with D-Day approaching,

more agents need to be trained...

(loud bang) (dramatic music continues)

(loud bang) (dramatic music continues)

(gunfire)

- Good shot.

- Yes sir.

NARRATOR: ..and infiltrated into France.

- Ready? (metal pin clicks)

- The Nazis won't know what hit them.

(loud bang)

NARRATOR: Despite the danger,

these brave women volunteer to be sent behind enemy lines,

to stop the Germans from reaching the Normandy beaches.

to stop the Germans from reaching the Normandy beaches.

(dramatic music continues)

- Send even more agents to strengthen the circuits for D-Day,

- Send even more agents to strengthen the circuits for D-Day,

and expect heavy casualties.

(gunfire) - (panting)

NARRATOR: But as the Nazis crack down,

how long can they remain free?

how long can they remain free?

And how much will they risk

in the fight against Hitler's deadly regime?

(dramatic notes)

(dramatic notes)

(music grows sombre)

(distant typewriter clacking)

NARRATOR: F Section wait anxiously for news from Paris.

(low, tense music)

(low, tense music)

The day before,

they'd received an alarming message from Francis Suttill,

the organiser of the Prosper circuit,

the organiser of the Prosper circuit,

F Section's largest based in the French capital.

(tense note)

- What? What is it?

- What? What is it?

- Noor was almost arrested at a letter box Suttill claims was blown.

He says if Noor had gone there yesterday,

she'd have been met by the Gestapo searching the safehouse.

she'd have been met by the Gestapo searching the safehouse.

- He thinks their security has been compromised.

And this means that the Nazis might know what's going on,

And this means that the Nazis might know what's going on,

and arrests could follow soon.

He's not letting anybody send any information, send other agents.

He's not letting anybody send any information, send other agents.

He's not sure what's going on,

and he stops all these flights going in and out of Europe.

(tense music) (morse code beeping)

(tense music) (morse code beeping)

- (clears throat) Sir?

You should see this.

- That'll be all.

(tense music continues)

- Sir?

- Sir?

What is it?

- A flash message, intel from an agent in Paris.

Suttill and his wireless op butcher, Gilbert Norman, have disappeared.

Suttill and his wireless op butcher, Gilbert Norman, have disappeared.

- Disappeared?

- They think they've been arrested.

- Arrested?

- Arrested?

"Message to be confirmed."

Sir, this intel has been marked flimsy.

Sir, this intel has been marked flimsy.

- What if it isn't?

- Vera and Buckmaster do not know what's happening in Paris.

- Vera and Buckmaster do not know what's happening in Paris.

If Suttil and Norman have been arrested

and are being interrogated by the Gestapo,

if they reveal the secrets,

if they reveal the secrets,

then every single agent that they have in Paris is in danger.

(tense music continues)

(tense music continues)

NARRATOR: In Paris, Noor is unsure

NARRATOR: In Paris, Noor is unsure

what's happening to the Prosper circuit.

All she knows are rumours of arrests.

All she knows are rumours of arrests.

Agents have gone to ground,

and Noor can't risk making contact

with any other elements of the circuit,

with any other elements of the circuit,

in case they betray her.

(tense music)

- (sternly) Do not do that again.

- (sternly) Do not do that again.

- What?

- That.

In England, you pour milk first, then tea.

In England, you pour milk first, then tea.

In France, we pour tea first, then milk.

A real French woman would never do that.

- (indistinct chatter)

- (whispers) Oh no.

- Oh no indeed.

- These are basic things that the SOE have taught Noor from the start.

And yet, the lessons haven't sunk in.

- It was incredibly important

that any agent going into France blended in,

and it was just the little tiny things that ended up

and it was just the little tiny things that ended up

being the huge catastrophe that could see them arrested.

- Do you want people to make you as an agent?

- Do you want people to make you as an agent?

- No, of course not. Sorry.

- Sorry won't save you from a Gestapo cell.

(tense note)

NARRATOR: But this isn't the only sign that she's a foreign agent.

NARRATOR: But this isn't the only sign that she's a foreign agent.

- I'm buying you new clothes.

- What's wrong with my clothes?

- Your jacket!

Your English-looking mackintosh jacket.

Your English-looking mackintosh jacket.

A Parisian woman wouldn't be caught dead in it.

(tense music)

We'll buy you new, French-looking clothes.

NARRATOR: Noor hadn't even finished her SOE training.

NARRATOR: Noor hadn't even finished her SOE training.

With her Resistance cell in chaos,

now she's been dropped in the deep end,

and is trying to tread water.

and is trying to tread water.

(tense music continues)

(engines rumble)

(sombre music)

NARRATOR: In London, Vera and Buckmaster

wait for news on the Prosper circuit.

wait for news on the Prosper circuit.

But, worryingly, no further messages come through.

But, worryingly, no further messages come through.

Meanwhile, Vera's search for more women spies continues.

Meanwhile, Vera's search for more women spies continues.

(sombre music continues)

VERA: Sir. - Miss Atkins.

- It was very important that the recruiting of agents continued.

- It was very important that the recruiting of agents continued.

D-Day was approaching, and so the SOE wanted to make sure

that when that signal for D-Day came,

they could literally almost flick a switch

and they were ready to fight back.

(sombre music continues)

NARRATOR: It means finding more agents.

NARRATOR: It means finding more agents.

Vera pores over personnel files for potential new recruits.

One is 22-year-old Violette Szabo.

- She was born in a British hospital, in Paris,

- She was born in a British hospital, in Paris,

of a French mother and an English father.

And then she was schooled in France.

And then she was schooled in France.

VIGURS: One of the most important things that they needed

was somebody who could speak French fluently,

blend in, knew about France,

blend in, knew about France,

and she had all of those skills already.

But she had some real personal motives

for wanting to go back into occupied territory.

for wanting to go back into occupied territory.

- Part of the reason is clearly because Etienne, her husband,

had been killed, uh, at El Alamein with the free French.

had been killed, uh, at El Alamein with the free French.

- So, Etienne never met his daughter.

She was born, and unfortunately he died

She was born, and unfortunately he died

before he had the opportunity to meet her.

And it would've made Violette so fervently passionate

And it would've made Violette so fervently passionate

about wanting to go out to France and to fight against the Nazis.

- So Violette, really, uh, would very much like to get her own back,

- So Violette, really, uh, would very much like to get her own back,

and do whatever she could.

NARRATOR: Vera now turns to another recruit put forward by SOE...

NARRATOR: Vera now turns to another recruit put forward by SOE...

Yvonne Baseden.

- Yvonne Baseden was the daughter of a British father

- Yvonne Baseden was the daughter of a British father

who married a French woman shortly after the first World War.

She spent most of her early childhood in France,

She spent most of her early childhood in France,

which meant she spoke French perfectly.

She felt very much at home in France.

She'd lived there for years before coming to Britain as a teenager.

She'd lived there for years before coming to Britain as a teenager.

So in many ways, she was the ideal recruit for F Section.

NARRATOR: Both Violette Szabo and Yvonne Baseden

NARRATOR: Both Violette Szabo and Yvonne Baseden

have strong motivations.

They're assigned to SOE training.

They're assigned to SOE training.

(tense music)

F Section are desperate for news from the Prosper circuit.

F Section are desperate for news from the Prosper circuit.

(morse code beeping) - Buck!

- What is it?

- Call sign Butcher. He's trying to transmit from Paris.

NARRATOR: After 12 days of radio silence,

they get the message they've been waiting for.

they get the message they've been waiting for.

(tense music)

- What's it say, Buck?

- Confirmation.

Francis Suttill has been captured.

Francis Suttill has been captured.

NARRATOR: The head of the Prosper circuit,

F Section's largest and most important,

is in German hands.

is in German hands.

(music builds)

- Sir...

This message, it's unusual.

This message, it's unusual.

Has it come through clipped?

Butcher's security check is missing.

- All SOE agents are trained very carefully

that when they send an encoded message,

they have to also at the end send a security check.

they have to also at the end send a security check.

These are check words that only they will know.

- It could just be atmospheric conditions

- It could just be atmospheric conditions

playing havoc with the signal.

- True.

Butcher might also be on the run.

Butcher might also be on the run.

With the Gestapo looking for him,

he might not have had time to include it.

- Could it have been sent by Noor, using Butcher's set?

- Could it have been sent by Noor, using Butcher's set?

I mean, she wouldn't have his specific codes.

- Or Butcher's been captured,

and has given his transmission codes to the Gestapo.

and has given his transmission codes to the Gestapo.

- Impossible.

He'd have shot himself before he did that.

Send a reply.

Send a reply.

"Butcher, you've forgotten your security checks.

Show more care in the future."

NARRATOR: The vital wireless link from London to Paris

is still in place, for now.

But the Prosper circuit is fragile.

(clicking)

(bell dings)

(bell dings)

NARRATOR: For those SOE agents on the ground in Paris,

their fate is becoming increasingly uncertain.

their fate is becoming increasingly uncertain.

Contact has been lost with the leaders of the circuit,

and it's assumed they're in Gestapo custody.

RICHIE: People are being arrested,

Safe houses are being compromised.

They don't know what to do.

Who can they report to? Who can they trust?

Who can they report to? Who can they trust?

Where should they go? What should they do?

However, Noor is still in Paris and she's still transmitting to London.

However, Noor is still in Paris and she's still transmitting to London.

(morse code beeping)

NARRATOR: F Section tries to untangle the chaos.

NARRATOR: F Section tries to untangle the chaos.

- Another report.

There's been more arrests.

There's been more arrests.

- How many agents is that now?

- Lost track, Bodington.

- The Gestapo have raided another weapons dump.

- Who is betraying them to the Germans?

- If you read these reports,

- If you read these reports,

the list of possible traitors is endless.

- Sir, that can't be true. - Nothing can be verified!

These reports aren't worth the paper they're written on.

The only thing we know is there's something wrong in Prosper.

(tense music)

- Buck...

We can never make sense of what's happening

We can never make sense of what's happening

sat on our backsides in London.

If I can take my own wireless operator, I can fly out to Paris,

make contact somehow with the circuit,

make contact somehow with the circuit,

and work out what the hell is happening once and for all.

- Nick, no. What if you're caught?

RICHIE: It was enormously risky to send Boddington into Paris

RICHIE: It was enormously risky to send Boddington into Paris

because he was number two in SOE's F Section.

So if he was captured and interrogated,

So if he was captured and interrogated,

and he talked,

the whole of F Section could've been blown out of the water.

the whole of F Section could've been blown out of the water.

(tense music continues)

NARRATOR: Despite the danger,

Buckmaster gives him the green light.

Buckmaster gives him the green light.

- Fine.

Fly to France.

Make your way to Paris and report back what you find.

Make your way to Paris and report back what you find.

Good.

Send a message to Butcher. Arrange a meeting.

(tense music continues)

(switches flicking, engine rumbles)

(switches flicking, engine rumbles)

NARRATOR: Bodington, with his wireless operator Jack Agazarian,

NARRATOR: Bodington, with his wireless operator Jack Agazarian,

are infiltrated into France.

They land just outside Soucelles, in the west of the country.

They land just outside Soucelles, in the west of the country.

(tense music continues)

Greeting them is SOE Air Movement Officer Henri Dericourt.

Greeting them is SOE Air Movement Officer Henri Dericourt.

- Nicholas.

- Henri. (chuckles) How long has it been?

- Henri. (chuckles) How long has it been?

- Too long.

- Jack Agazarian. Henri Dericourt.

It's good to have someone out here we can trust.

It's good to have someone out here we can trust.

- I'm your man.

I've arranged a meeting in Paris, with a contact close to Suttill.

Excellent work.

Excellent work.

Hopefully they can clear this whole mess up.

LAWRENCE: Bodington's really relieved because this means

he can get down to what's been going on in the Prosper circuit.

he can get down to what's been going on in the Prosper circuit.

Is it salvageable? What's been going on?

And maybe, you know, this Dericourt contact is going to know a lot more.

And maybe, you know, this Dericourt contact is going to know a lot more.

(tense music)

NARRATOR: Back in Britain...

New recruits Yvonne and Violette begin their SOE training,

designed to identify their strengths and weaknesses

designed to identify their strengths and weaknesses

for action in the field.

- The women had the same training

- The women had the same training

as the men of SOE.

It was incredibly gruelling.

It was incredibly gruelling.

VIGURS: It was physically, mentally exhausting.

Very, very hard work.

Things like obstacle courses and map reading.

Things like obstacle courses and map reading.

The women would've been learning skills that they had never thought

The women would've been learning skills that they had never thought

in a million years they were going to need.

(dramatic music)

(metal pin clicks)

(metal pin clicks)

(loud bang)

- Clear!

(dramatic music continues)

NARRATOR: Next comes weapons handling and shooting practice.

- Violette's report says that she was a crack shot,

that she was excellent with firearms.

(gunfire)

(gunfire)

NARRATOR: The agents then move onto parachute training.

(tense music)

(tense music)

All agents have to conduct four jumps.

And for Yvonne, it's a terrifying experience.

And for Yvonne, it's a terrifying experience.

- There are accounts saying the men were frightened too.

It wasn't just the women.

It wasn't just the women.

And it's not surprising because accidents were pretty common.

In the case of Violette Szabo,

she landed awkwardly and damaged her ankle.

she landed awkwardly and damaged her ankle.

It seems a pretty intense injury.

It took several weeks to recuperate.

(tense music continues)

(tense music continues)

NARRATOR: In London, Vera keeps tabs on her agents' progress.

NARRATOR: In London, Vera keeps tabs on her agents' progress.

- Violette's training report is on the whole very positive.

She's confident, she's plucky, she's physically very tough.

She's confident, she's plucky, she's physically very tough.

Pretty much everything that they want in an agent.

But the instructors also noted other things

But the instructors also noted other things

that concerned them about Violette.

They say that she's fatalistic in her outlook,

that she lacks a sense of responsibility.

that she lacks a sense of responsibility.

So really, some quite negative things they're saying about her.

- But Vera Atkins saw

the steel that was in Violette.

the steel that was in Violette.

She would always stand up and fight where necessary.

She had this other quality which did shine through,

She had this other quality which did shine through,

a personality, a real personality.

Yes, Vera would've wanted all of that.

Yes, Vera would've wanted all of that.

NARRATOR: Violette is assigned the role of courier.

- Yvonne's training report is relatively positive as well.

And in particular with reference to her wireless skills.

So it was obvious, really,

So it was obvious, really,

that the role assigned to her was wireless operator.

NARRATOR: It's promising news.

More and more women agents are coming through,

More and more women agents are coming through,

soon to be deployed to circuits in France.

But since Noor's wireless message

But since Noor's wireless message

that contact has been lost with leaders of Prosper,

F Section are on tenterhooks.

(unsettling music)

(unsettling music)

Who has escaped Gestapo arrest?

And how long can they remain free?

(dog barking in distance)

(knock on door)

(eerie music)

(music builds)

- You're here? In France?

- Who else is with you?

- Who else is with you?

- No one, sir.

- The meeting with Suttill's contact was a trap.

Butcher is definitely in German hands.

- What? Are you sure?

- 100%.

Agazarian and I flipped a coin, to see who should go.

It fell to him, so he went.

It fell to him, so he went.

I waited in the safehouse, but he didn't return.

If I had gone, I'd now be sat in a Gestapo torture chamber.

If I had gone, I'd now be sat in a Gestapo torture chamber.

- Poor Agazarian.

- Send a message to F Section.

Arrange a Lysander pickup, immediately.

Arrange a Lysander pickup, immediately.

I need to get back to London.

(dog barking)

- Sir...

Were you followed?

(tense music) (dog barking)

- Send the message.

- Send the message.

We'll find you a new safehouse.

NARRATOR: They can't trust anyone.

Noor has to move.

Noor has to move.

Meanwhile, Bodington returns to London.

(tense music)

(tense music)

- Buck, here's my report.

Prosper is destroyed.

- Destroyed?

- Destroyed?

Entirely?

- It's impossible to know which agents are active,

which agents are in Gestapo custody,

which agents are in Gestapo custody,

and who can be trusted.

The Gestapo are raiding weapons depots, making arrests.

Prosper, as a circuit, is a corpse.

Prosper, as a circuit, is a corpse.

NARRATOR: It's worse than they could have imagined.

- The most important SOE circuit operating in France

- The most important SOE circuit operating in France

has been absolutely destroyed.

The most important members of it are in the hands of the SS, Gestapo.

The most important members of it are in the hands of the SS, Gestapo.

It means safe houses are not safe. People are being arrested.

It means that the people who were in any way connected with the circuit

It means that the people who were in any way connected with the circuit

are in grave, grave danger.

- There is something else.

One of our agents has been contacted by German Military Intelligence.

About Dericourt.

- Dericourt?

- This Abwehr officer

claims that Dericourt is letting the Gestapo copy

all our agents' unencoded letters,

before sending them back to London.

- Preposterous.

- I know.

But this agent of ours will be sending this report in.

Officially.

- German Military Intelligence hate the Gestapo

- German Military Intelligence hate the Gestapo

and are trying to get us to close down the network.

Then the Gestapo won't have anybody to arrest.

Then the Gestapo won't have anybody to arrest.

This rumour is just that. A rumour.

We can't and shouldn't act on it.

- Agreed.

NARRATOR: But it's clear to Buckmaster and Vera

that the Prosper circuit is blown.

that the Prosper circuit is blown.

- 167 agents are rounded up,

arrested, many of them tortured,

arrested, many of them tortured,

and some of them killed, by the Gestapo.

The Prosper circuit was the most important in France,

The Prosper circuit was the most important in France,

and it's a disaster for F Section that it's been blown.

It was crucial to the planning for D-Day

It was crucial to the planning for D-Day

because it was a centre of the Resistance.

- Try and get as many agents back to London as possible.

- Try and get as many agents back to London as possible.

(sombre music)

NARRATOR: But one agent who doesn't return is Noor.

NARRATOR: But one agent who doesn't return is Noor.

- Buckmaster writes to Noor and says, "Come back.

It's very dangerous. We'll organise a flight for you and get you out."

It's very dangerous. We'll organise a flight for you and get you out."

But Noor says she's the last link left.

She's the last radio operator standing

She's the last radio operator standing

between Paris and England.

"I have to be here.

If I've gone, there's no radio operator left."

If I've gone, there's no radio operator left."

She feels she can rebuild the circuit.

And Buckmaster receives this message,

and he asked her to lie low and be very careful.

and he asked her to lie low and be very careful.

(tense music)

NARRATOR: Despite the danger,

NARRATOR: Despite the danger,

Buckmaster realises just how vital she is,

and keeps her in her post.

She becomes one of F Section's most important agents,

She becomes one of F Section's most important agents,

as she is their one remaining radio operator in Paris.

(tense note)

(tense note)

And a letter she sends to Vera gives hope

that all might not be lost after all.

(sombre music)

(sombre music)

NOOR: Dear Miss Atkins, (excuse pencil)

Your bird has brought me luck.

I remember you so often.

You cheered me up so sweetly before I left.

You cheered me up so sweetly before I left.

Lots of things have happened

and I haven't been able to settle down properly.

Still, my contacts are regular

Still, my contacts are regular

and I'm awfully happy.

Lots of love.

Yours, Noor.

Yours, Noor.

(sombre music continues)

(sombre music continues)

"Your bird has brought me luck."

NARRATOR: But despite the upbeat letter,

NARRATOR: But despite the upbeat letter,

Vera is worried about Noor.

- Noor is clearly operating under great stress.

She's meant to be sending in messages regularly,

She's meant to be sending in messages regularly,

but most of the wireless messages she's sending

are outside the scheduled times.

And this shows that she's having to move around,

And this shows that she's having to move around,

and having to adapt a lot.

NARRATOR: And Vera has reason to worry.

The Gestapo in Paris are now aware

The Gestapo in Paris are now aware

of a lone British wireless operator,

and are on the hunt.

- Sir, both Violette Szabo and Yvonne Baseden are progressing well.

- Sir, both Violette Szabo and Yvonne Baseden are progressing well.

- Very good.

- Both their training reports show an increasing aptitude for-

- Sir. Miss Atkins. An urgent message from the signals room.

- Sir. Miss Atkins. An urgent message from the signals room.

- Thank you. Dismissed.

(tense music)

"Madeleine has been injured and is now in hospital."

"Madeleine has been injured and is now in hospital."

- Madeleine is Noor's alias.

This message is coded.

Noor has been compromised.

- Or captured? Is that possible?

- Or captured? Is that possible?

The intel comes from a woman called Sonia, claiming to be an informant.

The intel comes from a woman called Sonia, claiming to be an informant.

Buck, we don't have any informants on our books called Sonia.

(tense music continues)

(tense music continues)

- So, who is Sonia?

- They didn't know who she was. Was this a joke?

- They didn't know who she was. Was this a joke?

Was it something to confuse them?

Was this even a Gestapo ruse? What was going on?

- If we can't verify who Sonia is...

- ..the message can't be trusted.

- ..the message can't be trusted.

(tense music continues)

- I think for now, Vera, we have to ignore it.

- I think for now, Vera, we have to ignore it.

More rumours.

NARRATOR: They push forward with their plan

NARRATOR: They push forward with their plan

for Noor to salvage the Prosper circuit.

(phone rings in distance)

(phone rings in distance)

- Sir? A message just received from call sign Nurse.

- Sir? A message just received from call sign Nurse.

- Nurse?

That's Noor's wireless call sign.

(eerie piano music)

Previous safehouse was unsafe.

She's moved to another.

She's moved to another.

But she is up and running again.

- Clever girl, your Noor.

- Clever girl, your Noor.

NARRATOR: It seems that, despite Sonia's warning,

Noor outwitted the Gestapo, and is safe.

Noor outwitted the Gestapo, and is safe.

- Sir. There's something you should know.

Noor's fist...

It seems off.

- Each wireless operator had what was known as a fist.

It was their way of using the morse key to type morse code.

It was their way of using the morse key to type morse code.

It could be as simple as how fast they tapped,

or the gaps they left in between the dots and the dashes,

or the gaps they left in between the dots and the dashes,

or just something that was very unique about it.

And the person working as their opposite back in headquarters

And the person working as their opposite back in headquarters

would be able to recognise the fist,

and it's a very reliable way

of recognising which agent is using the machine.

of recognising which agent is using the machine.

NARRATOR: And Noor's fist had become unusual.

- What are you saying?

- What are you saying?

- Someone else might've sent the message.

- So how can we be certain Nurse is really Noor?

- So how can we be certain Nurse is really Noor?

- Send a reply.

Ask questions only Noor would know the answers to.

Ask questions only Noor would know the answers to.

- These would be to do with her family or childhood,

or something very personal that only the two of them would've known.

or something very personal that only the two of them would've known.

If these came unanswered or they were vague,

she would know that Noor had been captured.

- Excellent thinking.

- Excellent thinking.

Draft a list of questions, Miss Atkins.

Then send the message. - Sir.

NARRATOR: The questions are sent.

NARRATOR: The questions are sent.

It's an anxious wait.

(unsettling music)

NARRATOR: With questions over Noor's identity still hanging in the air,

NARRATOR: With questions over Noor's identity still hanging in the air,

work at F Section ploughs ahead.

Buckmaster begins making plans for D-Day.

- D-Day is approaching.

But nobody knows exactly when it's going to happen.

- It's a closely guarded secret.

But Buckmaster has plans for Vera.

But Buckmaster has plans for Vera.

He wants her to set up a station,

a kind of forward unit, within France after the landings.

a kind of forward unit, within France after the landings.

But he has a problem.

Vera Atkins isn't British.

Vera Atkins isn't British.

She's actually Romanian.

- Only he and Vera know this within F Section.

- Romania was fighting on the side of Nazi Germany during the war.

- Romania was fighting on the side of Nazi Germany during the war.

Technically, she was an enemy alien.

NARRATOR: But with D-Day looming, this has to change.

Vera applies for British nationality...

and is interviewed by the Home Office.

- You'll find a letter of recommendation

from my commanding officer.

(tense music)

(tense music)

- Ah. Yes, I see.

Buckmaster writes a letter to the home office.

Buckmaster writes a letter to the home office.

He very much backs her application,

and says that without the British citizenship,

it's gonna be very difficult for Vera

it's gonna be very difficult for Vera

to be able to go to the continent

and operate as a representative of Britain

if she in fact still has a Romanian passport.

if she in fact still has a Romanian passport.

NARRATOR: Without British papers,

it would be impossible for Vera to work freely in liberated France.

it would be impossible for Vera to work freely in liberated France.

- There is something else.

My Romanian nationality...

We were hoping there was some way to complete my application,

without it being mentioned.

I'm sure you understand,

what with the work I do for the war effort,

how sensitive it might be.

It is essential that the people I meet, the people that I work with,

never learn that I am Romanian.

never learn that I am Romanian.

- This is about national security itself.

NARRATOR: It's a persuasive argument.

Vera is given British Nationality

without her Romanian roots coming to light.

(phone rings) - Send a message to Scholar...

(phone rings) - Send a message to Scholar...

NARRATOR: With Vera now a British citizen,

her secret work at F Section can continue.

- Sir? Miss Atkins? A reply from Nurse.

- Sir? Miss Atkins? A reply from Nurse.

(tense music) - Noor.

NARRATOR: Vera's personal questions to Noor

NARRATOR: Vera's personal questions to Noor

have been answered correctly.

- Hearing back from Noor was a huge relief for Vera,

- Hearing back from Noor was a huge relief for Vera,

and indeed for Buckmaster, because it meant,

first of all, that she was safe.

Secondly, it meant that there was still

radio communication between London and Paris.

radio communication between London and Paris.

And finally this means

that they're going to be able to build up the Prosper circuit again.

NARRATOR: Soon, requests from Nurse flood into F Section.

(dramatic music)

(dramatic music)

New SOE agents are infiltrated

to bolster the fledgling circuit.

to bolster the fledgling circuit.

- Buck. Another request from Nurse. - Mmm?

Thank you. Authorise the drop.

Thank you. Authorise the drop.

NARRATOR: Arms...

..explosives and cash...

..are sent over in airdrops.

- (faint chatter)

(typewriters clacking faintly)

(typewriters clacking faintly)

- What's this?

- What's this?

- A draft, of Noor's citation.

- Citation?

- Noor's work is exemplary.

Buckmaster is so impressed by her and her courage and bravery,

having stood alone in Paris,

having stood alone in Paris,

that in February 1944, he actually recommends her for the George Medal.

- "Because of Noor, the Prosper circuit has been

reinforced and reconstructed, and is in perfect order...

It is unique in the annals of this organisation

for a circuit to be so completely disintegrated,

for a circuit to be so completely disintegrated,

and yet to be rebuilt..."

(uplifting music)

"..because, regardless of personal danger,

"..because, regardless of personal danger,

this young woman remained on her post,

at times alone,

and always under threat of arrest."

and always under threat of arrest."

Sir...

- She's earned it.

NARRATOR: For Buckmaster, the faith placed in Noor

meant that F Section had a circuit in Paris again...

..crucial for their plans for D-Day.

(unsettling music)

NARRATOR: D-Day preparations kick into overdrive.

NARRATOR: D-Day preparations kick into overdrive.

The date is still a closely guarded secret,

but all signs point to the invasion going ahead

but all signs point to the invasion going ahead

in the first half of 1944.

- Prime Minister Winston Churchill gives the SOE a direct order,

- Prime Minister Winston Churchill gives the SOE a direct order,

and that is to prioritise arming the French Resistance.

NARRATOR: F Section's central role will be to equip and coordinate

NARRATOR: F Section's central role will be to equip and coordinate

the French Resistance fighters on the ground.

Their mission is to attack and slow down

German reinforcements heading to the Allied landing zones.

(music fades out)

(phone rings in distance)

- Vera, shut the door.

- Buck?

- A new directive.

NARRATOR: The head of SOE, Major-General Colin Gubbins,

NARRATOR: The head of SOE, Major-General Colin Gubbins,

makes it painfully clear

just how important F Section is to the D-Day plans.

just how important F Section is to the D-Day plans.

- "Strategically, France is overwhelmingly

the most important zone in the western theatre of war.

the most important zone in the western theatre of war.

F Section should therefore regard this theatre

as one where heavy casualties are inevitable...

..but will yield the highest possible dividends."

- He means heavy casualties... for our agents.

- He means heavy casualties... for our agents.

"Therefore, increase SOE aid to the field,

"Therefore, increase SOE aid to the field,

to the maximum possible peak, and maintain until D-Day."

Increase SOE aid?

Increase SOE aid?

Supply drops? Er, cash? Weapons? Explosives?

- And increase the supply of agents.

- And increase the supply of agents.

(sombre music)

- Send even more agents, to strengthen the circuits for D-Day...

- Send even more agents, to strengthen the circuits for D-Day...

..and expect heavy casualties.

..and expect heavy casualties.

- Yes.

- F Section's most important role

is going to be in the weeks and days before D-Day.

is going to be in the weeks and days before D-Day.

In spite of the human toll,

the huge casualties which Gubbins has warned them about,

the huge casualties which Gubbins has warned them about,

Vera and Buckmaster are still recruiting agents

because they need to send them into France.

because they need to send them into France.

It's absolutely vital. They have to succeed.

(sombre music continues)

NARRATOR: Key to this is infiltrating the agents,

NARRATOR: Key to this is infiltrating the agents,

undetected, behind enemy lines.

The man responsible for this is F Section's air movement officer,

The man responsible for this is F Section's air movement officer,

Henri Dericourt.

(propeller whirring)

Since Bodington's mission to France,

Since Bodington's mission to France,

the allegations of treachery against Dericourt hadn't subsided.

- (inaudible)

- (inaudible)

NARRATOR: In fact, they'd intensified.

In February 1944,

Buckmaster is forced to recall Dericourt from France to London

Buckmaster is forced to recall Dericourt from France to London

to clear up the matter once and for all.

- (quietly) Sir.

- That'll be all. Thank you.

Henri Dericourt!

(both chuckle) - Buck.

(both chuckle) - Buck.

How lovely to see you. - Likewise.

I see Bodington's already given you the tour.

- Well, he's an excellent guide.

You said something about drinks tonight, Bodington, at the Savoy?

- It's a nice establishment. You'd better behave yourself.

(men chuckle)

(men chuckle)

- Dericourt was quite well known to the SOE

by the time he actually joined them.

He came from France, fleeing Nazis.

He's Bodington's old friend.

And in those days, uh, places like the SOE

were run very much along the lines of, you know, old boys network.

And despite the fact that Dericourt is actually being investigated

And despite the fact that Dericourt is actually being investigated

for possibly being a double agent,

he's put up in the Savoy Hotel.

He's treated well by Buckmaster and Bodington.

He's treated well by Buckmaster and Bodington.

- Buck...

What if the allegations, against Dericourt are true?

What if the allegations, against Dericourt are true?

What would that mean for F Section, all of our planning?

- Vera, the reports lack evidence.

There's no way they'll be proven.

There's no way they'll be proven.

I know a chap I can trust when I see one.

(tense music)

NARRATOR: But Buckmaster has plenty to worry about.

NARRATOR: But Buckmaster has plenty to worry about.

- The danger with Dericourt possibly being a double agent,

was that he was bringing the agents both to France and from France.

was that he was bringing the agents both to France and from France.

And the fear was that all of the people he'd come in contact with

would also have been compromised.

would also have been compromised.

Every single agent would've been blown.

NARRATOR: This would derail all of F Section's D-Day planning.

NARRATOR: This would derail all of F Section's D-Day planning.

- Don't worry, Dericourt.

We'll clear this whole sorry business up.

Take it as an SOE objective to clear your name.

- Thanks.

NARRATOR: And they did.

By September 1944,

By September 1944,

MI5's investigation of Dericourt winds up

and he's told he's free to go.

(dramatic music)

(dramatic music)

(tense music)

NARRATOR: With D-Day on the near horizon,

NARRATOR: With D-Day on the near horizon,

Vera is busier than ever,

overseeing the deployment of women spies.

She needs the SOE's circuits as strong as possible

She needs the SOE's circuits as strong as possible

for F Section's ultimate aim...

stopping the Nazis from reaching the Allied landing zones.

stopping the Nazis from reaching the Allied landing zones.

- In March, she sends six female agents into enemy territory.

- In March, she sends six female agents into enemy territory.

That's more than any point in the war so far.

NARRATOR: First to fly is Yvonne Baseden.

- The parachute drop is scheduled for this evening.

The drop zone is the south of France, near Toulouse.

From here, you want to make your way across country to Dole,

From here, you want to make your way across country to Dole,

where you're to make contact with the Scholar circuit.

This will be your circuit.

This will be your circuit.

You've been assigned to them as a wireless operator.

(music intensifies)

(music intensifies)

Ready?

Ready?

- Ready, Miss Atkins.

NARRATOR: With any incriminating items gone...

she's cleared for takeoff. (engine roars)

she's cleared for takeoff. (engine roars)

And the infiltration of agents doesn't stop.

(music softens)

- Reports are that the weather has cleared over central France.

- Reports are that the weather has cleared over central France.

Tonight, you are to be infiltrated by parachute

near the Limousin region.

near the Limousin region.

(tense music)

From the drop zone, you are to meet up with the Salesman circuit,

From the drop zone, you are to meet up with the Salesman circuit,

and begin making contacts with the Resistance.

NARRATOR: But Violette's mission has an added danger.

NARRATOR: But Violette's mission has an added danger.

- An SS Panzer division is located there,

and it's up to Violette as courier,

and it's up to Violette as courier,

to try and help the Resistance stop those Panzer tanks

from reaching the Allied landing sites.

from reaching the Allied landing sites.

(tense music)

- How am I looking?

- Good.

- Good.

You're clean.

Are you ready?

- The Nazis won't know what hit them.

- The Nazis won't know what hit them.

- (chuckles softly) Very good.

(tense music continues)

NARRATOR: With D-Day imminent, the circuits are ready for action.

NARRATOR: With D-Day imminent, the circuits are ready for action.

- In France, the SOE, their agents

and the French Resistance go into overdrive.

and the French Resistance go into overdrive.

They're frantic, trying to work as fast as they possibly can

because they just have to slow the Nazi defences down.

because they just have to slow the Nazi defences down.

NARRATOR: D-Day messages

activating sabotage attacks led by the Circuits,

activating sabotage attacks led by the Circuits,

could start at any time.

(tense music continues)

- In Dole, the Scholar circuit is a hive of activity

- In Dole, the Scholar circuit is a hive of activity

and Yvonne is right at the centre of it.

She's coordinating with French Resistance fighters.

She is actually physically making detonators herself.

She is actually physically making detonators herself.

She's choosing the targets that they are going to attack together.

She must have been so stressed out, but also excited

She must have been so stressed out, but also excited

because this is the moment that she's been working towards.

This is why everybody's been risking their lives.

They've got to make D-Day work.

(tense music continues)

NARRATOR: On 5th June 1944,

SOE broadcast hundreds of action messages,

in code, over radio stations.

(grand music)

That day, messages from the circuits come flooding back into F Section.

That day, messages from the circuits come flooding back into F Section.

Sabotage operations have started.

Sabotage operations have started.

(loud bangs)

(grand music continues)

(grand music continues)

(loud bangs)

(loud bangs)

NARRATOR: D-Day has come.

(music ends) (gunfire)

(music ends) (gunfire)

(dramatic music)

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