Espionage in occupied France during WWII

The practise of espionage is not a new one; in fact it has been dubbed my many at the world’s second oldest profession. Espionage had particular significance for the Allied forces during World War II. Those involved were a special breed of wartime contributors. They were extraordinary men and women who chose to fight, often alone and always in great danger, behind enemy lines. Many of these brave people were barely teenagers, who proved willing to strap on parachutes and jump into the unknown. Clandestine wireless operators in occupied France had an average life expectancy of six weeks, as their capture usually led to torture and execution. This is why these agents were advised to have on hand at all times suicide pills. Being a “spy” during this time was a thankless job, but many were drawn to it because of the excitement, and adrenaline rush that it provided, while others joined to escape other military duties, choosing instead to contribute to the war in a highly personalized way, while being masters of their own destiny.

[...] By March 1944, through Herculean efforts, de Gaulle managed to unite most of the resistance groups under the FFI.[15] France and all occupied governments in exile had their offices in London. More importantly for OSS, London acted as a base for their intelligence operations. To facilitate cooperation with FFI, OSS set up London support desks to handle counterintelligence, research and analysis, communications, Special Operations, and secret intelligence.[16] It was clear that this was a coordinated effort of espionage. However, OSS chose not to enter France through London, but rather through Algiers. [...]

[...] Ibid. Ibid. Ibid. Ibid. Ibid, 95-96. Thomas N. Moon. This Grim and Savage Game: OSS and the [...]

[...] home-front, in Britain and the United States, agents were inventing ingenious tools of the trade, from itching power to invisible ink.[4] This essay will go delve into the topic of Special Operations or espionage during World War II, but more specifically will focus on the use of espionage in occupied France. This will be done by highlighting the actions of one man in particular, Frederick Brown or (his alias). From this will be clear that being involved in special operations or espionage for the Allied (or Axis) forces was indeed a coordinated one, but it lacked cohesion needed to make it a well planned force. [...]