In the summer of 1940, the Special Operations Executive was formed as a secret army to fight behind enemy lines in Europe. The SOE’s brief was espionage, sabotage and reconnaissance, and they also helped establish and arm resistance networks across France in preparation for D-Day.

Sometimes known as “the Baker Street Irregulars” because of the location of their headquarters, recruits tended to be amateurs–lawyers, bankers, secretaries and housewives. They told their families they worked for the Ministry of Agriculture and Fish but in fact, they were sent to risk their lives in secret.

The SOE ran several training facilities on large estates all over Britain and Scotland, so that another nickname for the outfit became “Stately ‘Omes of England”.

Agents trained in outdoor survival skills, firearms, the art of disguise, safe-cracking, parachute-jumping, wireless transmission and a myriad other skills they would need as agents.

I’ve written about the Special Operations Executive in both THE TRAITOR’S GIRL and THE JULIET CODE. There is enough material in the amazing courage and daring of the men and women of SOE to inspire several novels and I’m forever fascinated with the courage and ingenuity of these men and women.