1 00:00:02,043 --> 00:00:07,963 This programme contains scenes which some viewers may find upsetting 2 00:00:07,963 --> 00:00:10,403 In July 1940, Europe was at war. 3 00:00:10,403 --> 00:00:12,523 EXPLOSIONS 4 00:00:14,083 --> 00:00:17,563 Nazi forces stood ready at Calais, 5 00:00:17,563 --> 00:00:20,803 just 20 miles from British shores. 6 00:00:21,803 --> 00:00:24,563 With invasion seeming inevitable, 7 00:00:24,563 --> 00:00:28,683 Winston Churchill created a new secret army. 8 00:00:29,683 --> 00:00:34,683 They were called the Special Operations Executive, or SOE. 9 00:00:37,083 --> 00:00:41,803 Now, a group of 21st-century people are taking on a training programme 10 00:00:41,803 --> 00:00:44,803 which has spent 60 years under lock and key. 11 00:00:44,803 --> 00:00:46,523 Would you be able to kill? 12 00:00:46,523 --> 00:00:49,803 I'm going to sound like a terrible person, but I think yes. 13 00:00:49,803 --> 00:00:51,563 GUNFIRE 14 00:00:51,563 --> 00:00:55,803 By undergoing the same assessments as the 1940s trainees, 15 00:00:55,803 --> 00:00:58,803 they'll find out how ordinary men and women 16 00:00:58,803 --> 00:01:01,243 became deadly weapons of war... 17 00:01:02,243 --> 00:01:04,083 GUNSHOTS 18 00:01:04,083 --> 00:01:08,123 ..revealing the secrets of one of the most remarkable organisations 19 00:01:08,123 --> 00:01:10,083 in British history. 20 00:01:10,083 --> 00:01:14,563 This is an extraordinary project about extraordinary times, 21 00:01:14,563 --> 00:01:18,003 extraordinary training and extraordinary people. 22 00:01:18,003 --> 00:01:21,563 Ladies, gents, if you can, please, let's get ourselves off the bus. 23 00:01:21,563 --> 00:01:24,723 Having made it through a rigorous selection process... 24 00:01:24,723 --> 00:01:27,083 GUNSHOTS Get down! 25 00:01:28,563 --> 00:01:31,043 ..and been trained in guerrilla warfare... 26 00:01:32,043 --> 00:01:33,723 Lots of aggression. 27 00:01:33,723 --> 00:01:35,323 ..survival skills... 28 00:01:35,323 --> 00:01:38,403 This is the biggest challenge for me. 29 00:01:38,403 --> 00:01:40,283 ..and spy craft... 30 00:01:40,283 --> 00:01:43,403 Just one slip of the tongue and your cover's blown. 31 00:01:43,403 --> 00:01:47,763 ..now the six remaining students face their final test. 32 00:01:47,763 --> 00:01:49,803 Your mission begins now. 33 00:01:51,083 --> 00:01:52,803 So the clock is ticking. 34 00:01:52,803 --> 00:01:54,883 EXPLOSION 35 00:01:54,883 --> 00:01:57,843 And they'll find out more about the real agents... 36 00:01:57,843 --> 00:01:59,563 Bonjour. Alastair. 37 00:01:59,563 --> 00:02:01,563 ..who waged a secret war. 38 00:02:01,563 --> 00:02:04,123 How are you, Rob? Hello, Fred. 39 00:02:04,123 --> 00:02:07,083 To be able to meet a real SOE is awesome 40 00:02:07,083 --> 00:02:09,523 and I don't use that word very often. 41 00:02:20,283 --> 00:02:24,963 As the students enjoy one last breakfast in uniform, 42 00:02:24,963 --> 00:02:29,083 the instructors are preparing to put them through the final stage 43 00:02:29,083 --> 00:02:31,043 of their training. 44 00:02:32,043 --> 00:02:36,803 By early 1944, the war was well into its fourth year. 45 00:02:37,883 --> 00:02:41,563 Millions had already lost their lives in what would become 46 00:02:41,563 --> 00:02:44,563 the deadliest conflict in human history. 47 00:02:45,563 --> 00:02:49,803 But the tide had turned against the Nazi empire. 48 00:02:49,803 --> 00:02:53,043 They'd suffered heavy losses in the east 49 00:02:53,043 --> 00:02:57,083 and the Allies were making plans to break back into Europe. 50 00:02:58,083 --> 00:03:01,323 By now, SOE had trained thousands of agents, 51 00:03:01,323 --> 00:03:04,563 many of whom were attacking the enemy regime 52 00:03:04,563 --> 00:03:07,083 in over 20 countries. 53 00:03:07,083 --> 00:03:09,443 With D-Day on the horizon, 54 00:03:09,443 --> 00:03:14,083 SOE was preparing to support the invasion in any way they could. 55 00:03:17,083 --> 00:03:21,083 Of the 14 civilians who started selection and training, 56 00:03:21,083 --> 00:03:24,403 three men and three women have stayed the course. 57 00:03:26,083 --> 00:03:28,163 Well, good morning. 58 00:03:28,163 --> 00:03:33,003 The six of you have now successfully completed the core SOE syllabus, 59 00:03:33,003 --> 00:03:35,563 but your training is not over yet. 60 00:03:35,563 --> 00:03:40,323 At this stage, SOE agents would have been tested on all of the training 61 00:03:40,323 --> 00:03:43,883 that they'd received in one comprehensive package. 62 00:03:43,883 --> 00:03:46,363 They called it the final scheme. 63 00:03:47,363 --> 00:03:51,803 For many students, SOE's final scheme was the last big test 64 00:03:51,803 --> 00:03:55,803 they faced before being deployed on real missions. 65 00:03:55,803 --> 00:03:58,563 Sent undercover into towns, 66 00:03:58,563 --> 00:04:01,083 they were given a dummy mission, 67 00:04:01,083 --> 00:04:03,563 such as stealing plans from a factory 68 00:04:03,563 --> 00:04:07,683 or planting fake explosives at busy railway junctions, 69 00:04:07,683 --> 00:04:11,083 all in a bid to see if they could put what they'd learned 70 00:04:11,083 --> 00:04:13,083 in training into practice. 71 00:04:14,083 --> 00:04:16,083 The situation, 72 00:04:16,083 --> 00:04:20,563 the Allied invasion of France, D-Day, is rapidly approaching. 73 00:04:21,563 --> 00:04:23,563 For their final scheme, 74 00:04:23,563 --> 00:04:27,563 the grounds of the finishing school will double as occupied France. 75 00:04:29,563 --> 00:04:31,963 And I wish you the best of luck. 76 00:04:35,483 --> 00:04:38,563 They'll be using the French identities given to them 77 00:04:38,563 --> 00:04:42,323 during training and, just like their 1940s counterparts, 78 00:04:42,323 --> 00:04:45,803 they'll be expected to maintain their cover at all times. 79 00:04:46,803 --> 00:04:50,323 I imagine the final scheme is going to be a really difficult mission. 80 00:04:50,323 --> 00:04:52,563 We're going to have to think tactically 81 00:04:52,563 --> 00:04:54,723 and on our feet and very quickly. 82 00:04:54,723 --> 00:04:57,563 So the only way that we're going to succeed 83 00:04:57,563 --> 00:05:00,083 is if we are all completely and utterly focused 84 00:05:00,083 --> 00:05:01,803 right from the start. 85 00:05:01,803 --> 00:05:03,803 They'll be split into two groups. 86 00:05:03,803 --> 00:05:06,083 Both have different objectives 87 00:05:06,083 --> 00:05:08,563 but will rely on each other to succeed. 88 00:05:09,843 --> 00:05:14,083 Will Beresford Davies, Lizzie Jeffreys and Magda Thomas 89 00:05:14,083 --> 00:05:16,083 will make up the Sabotage Team. 90 00:05:17,083 --> 00:05:21,323 Their primary objective is to blow up a telephone exchange, 91 00:05:21,323 --> 00:05:25,803 testing their intelligence gathering skills and explosives knowledge. 92 00:05:26,803 --> 00:05:30,083 I'm not sure what to expect, because we've learned so much, 93 00:05:30,083 --> 00:05:35,283 so probably we'll have to use all the skills we...we acquired. 94 00:05:35,283 --> 00:05:37,563 I'm not sure if there will be weapons. 95 00:05:37,563 --> 00:05:39,323 We just have to... 96 00:05:39,323 --> 00:05:42,803 ..rely on what you've learned but also rely on our intuition. 97 00:05:44,323 --> 00:05:49,803 The rest - Debbey Clitheroe, Rob Copsey and Alastair Stanley 98 00:05:49,803 --> 00:05:51,803 form the Wireless Team. 99 00:05:52,803 --> 00:05:56,323 They have to communicate with HQ to arrange the explosives 100 00:05:56,323 --> 00:05:58,563 for the telephone exchange attack, 101 00:05:58,563 --> 00:06:02,083 testing their skills in Morse code and fieldcraft. 102 00:06:03,083 --> 00:06:06,563 They'll use any remaining explosives to blow up a tree 103 00:06:06,563 --> 00:06:08,563 that will block a key road. 104 00:06:09,803 --> 00:06:13,803 Overall, the mission will test the coordination, sabotage 105 00:06:13,803 --> 00:06:17,563 and communication skills required of agents on the ground. 106 00:06:20,563 --> 00:06:23,803 There's a lot of scope for things to go wrong, 107 00:06:23,803 --> 00:06:27,643 and this final stage seems like it's all or nothing, really. 108 00:06:29,323 --> 00:06:32,563 Agents arriving in France would often be dropped 109 00:06:32,563 --> 00:06:34,323 in the middle of nowhere 110 00:06:34,323 --> 00:06:38,243 and expected to find their way to a prearranged location. 111 00:06:39,243 --> 00:06:41,083 To mirror these conditions, 112 00:06:41,083 --> 00:06:44,163 the teams are being dropped deep in the grounds of the school 113 00:06:44,163 --> 00:06:46,563 to test their navigation skills. 114 00:06:48,083 --> 00:06:51,323 They'll be observed throughout by instructors Nicky Moffat 115 00:06:51,323 --> 00:06:53,083 and Mike Rennie. 116 00:06:53,083 --> 00:06:54,803 Thank you. 117 00:06:54,803 --> 00:06:57,083 Your mission begins now. 118 00:07:00,523 --> 00:07:03,803 You've done this in training and you can do this now here 119 00:07:03,803 --> 00:07:07,083 on the final scheme. Good luck. Thank you, ma'am. Thank you, ma'am. 120 00:07:07,083 --> 00:07:10,323 OK, right, so, first thing, figure out where we are. Yeah. 121 00:07:10,323 --> 00:07:13,443 Rob Copsey will lead the Wireless Team. 122 00:07:13,443 --> 00:07:16,323 There's a crossroads here in the grounds of the house. 123 00:07:16,323 --> 00:07:19,803 It would be unusual for someone to be looking at a map to see where they're at. 124 00:07:19,803 --> 00:07:23,563 Their first objective is to navigate to a safe house two miles away 125 00:07:23,563 --> 00:07:25,803 to stash their radio equipment. 126 00:07:25,803 --> 00:07:29,083 You're going to go on ahead, signals as we discussed, 127 00:07:29,083 --> 00:07:32,483 and Magda and I will form a sort of group behind. 128 00:07:32,483 --> 00:07:35,683 We're going to look like civilians rather than people creeping about. 129 00:07:35,683 --> 00:07:39,083 All right? Everyone OK? Let's do this. Let's crack on. After you. 130 00:07:39,083 --> 00:07:43,123 Will Beresford Davies has been made leader of the Sabotage Team. 131 00:07:44,323 --> 00:07:47,443 They need to find their way back to the main house 132 00:07:47,443 --> 00:07:51,083 and find plans of the telephone exchange they're targeting. 133 00:07:52,083 --> 00:07:55,803 But before they can begin, the priority for both groups 134 00:07:55,803 --> 00:07:59,323 is to establish their location and agree a cover story... 135 00:08:00,323 --> 00:08:02,083 Hiding in plain sight, remember? 136 00:08:02,083 --> 00:08:06,563 ..which could be tested at any time by instructors posing as the enemy. 137 00:08:10,323 --> 00:08:14,083 The fact that they've decided to stroll as if civilians down a track 138 00:08:14,083 --> 00:08:16,803 is maybe a good idea. 139 00:08:16,803 --> 00:08:20,563 The garb they're in, trying to hide in the woods and through fields 140 00:08:20,563 --> 00:08:24,083 and things might have actually been a bit more conspicuous. 141 00:08:24,083 --> 00:08:26,563 To move around the French countryside 142 00:08:26,563 --> 00:08:28,323 without arousing suspicion, 143 00:08:28,323 --> 00:08:33,083 SOE agent Pearl Witherington claimed to be a travelling cosmetics rep. 144 00:08:35,083 --> 00:08:38,323 Agent Brian Stonehouse used his peacetime career 145 00:08:38,323 --> 00:08:42,083 as a professional artist as his own cover story in France. 146 00:08:43,083 --> 00:08:46,803 He hid his wireless set inside a box of paints. 147 00:08:48,323 --> 00:08:52,563 Rob Copsey has opted for the cover of amateur naturalist... 148 00:08:53,963 --> 00:08:57,403 ..although they've yet to move away from their drop point. 149 00:08:57,403 --> 00:09:01,083 Do you think we're possibly on this bridle path? We passed the timber yard. 150 00:09:01,083 --> 00:09:04,563 I thought they were a little bit slow initially, discussing issues, 151 00:09:04,563 --> 00:09:07,803 standing very much in plain sight in the middle of a road. 152 00:09:07,803 --> 00:09:09,803 We came this way and we went this way. 153 00:09:09,803 --> 00:09:12,083 I think we know from the river where we are. 154 00:09:12,083 --> 00:09:15,403 They've got a good cover story, which is that they're bird-watchers. 155 00:09:15,403 --> 00:09:17,763 Alphonse, can you hear the birds? 156 00:09:18,763 --> 00:09:21,083 It's useful to have something like that, 157 00:09:21,083 --> 00:09:23,723 but I think they look a bit odd, frankly. 158 00:09:23,723 --> 00:09:25,723 Let's get the compass out. 159 00:09:25,723 --> 00:09:27,563 Can I use this? 160 00:09:27,563 --> 00:09:30,323 Not very conspicuous. We need to hurry up. 161 00:09:30,323 --> 00:09:33,323 Maybe I should step out and you maybe having just a little... 162 00:09:33,323 --> 00:09:35,083 ..relieving yourself. 163 00:09:35,083 --> 00:09:38,803 Both teams have a button compass and a silk map of the grounds. 164 00:09:38,803 --> 00:09:41,563 We go down here and we're going to come over a stream... 165 00:09:41,563 --> 00:09:44,563 SOE agents used these because they could be easily hidden 166 00:09:44,563 --> 00:09:46,563 in the lining of their clothes. 167 00:09:46,563 --> 00:09:49,563 We need to get to that safe house as quickly as we can. 168 00:09:51,563 --> 00:09:54,563 I might follow on a little behind you guys. 169 00:09:54,563 --> 00:09:57,803 They've got the choice of moving down the roads and tracks 170 00:09:57,803 --> 00:10:01,803 or moving slightly more covertly, away from the roads and tracks. 171 00:10:01,803 --> 00:10:06,563 What they've chosen to do is to move in a slightly furtive way, 172 00:10:06,563 --> 00:10:08,323 in plain sight... 173 00:10:09,323 --> 00:10:11,083 ..down a road. 174 00:10:11,083 --> 00:10:13,323 If they're going to walk down this track, 175 00:10:13,323 --> 00:10:17,323 they might as well walk down, the three of them together, chatting, 176 00:10:17,323 --> 00:10:19,323 looking around along the way 177 00:10:19,323 --> 00:10:22,083 and actually move a lot quicker than they're doing now. 178 00:10:22,083 --> 00:10:23,683 They look suspicious. 179 00:10:26,083 --> 00:10:28,083 On the other side of the estate, 180 00:10:28,083 --> 00:10:31,563 Will's team are already back in view of the main house. 181 00:10:31,563 --> 00:10:33,883 Now they need to get past the guards. 182 00:10:38,083 --> 00:10:40,323 Someone there? Someone in uniform. 183 00:10:42,083 --> 00:10:46,923 The nature of SOE's missions meant that agents couldn't always avoid 184 00:10:46,923 --> 00:10:48,803 contact with the enemy. 185 00:10:50,563 --> 00:10:53,803 Do you see anyone moving or not? Where that car is. 186 00:10:53,803 --> 00:10:57,563 Often, they had to work right under the Nazis' noses. 187 00:11:03,563 --> 00:11:07,083 Agent Michael Trotobas was tasked with sabotaging 188 00:11:07,083 --> 00:11:09,803 a locomotive works in northern France. 189 00:11:11,083 --> 00:11:13,803 By impersonating a Gestapo officer, 190 00:11:13,803 --> 00:11:17,323 he convinced the guards that he needed to search the area 191 00:11:17,323 --> 00:11:19,603 and secretly planted explosives, 192 00:11:19,603 --> 00:11:21,603 causing significant damage. 193 00:11:25,003 --> 00:11:29,323 Leaving Magda to keep watch, Will and Lizzie make their approach. 194 00:11:33,323 --> 00:11:36,323 Their instructions are to sneak into an office 195 00:11:36,323 --> 00:11:40,083 and steal plans that detail the location of their target - 196 00:11:40,083 --> 00:11:42,003 a telephone exchange. 197 00:11:44,083 --> 00:11:46,123 But there's an unexpected hitch. 198 00:11:46,123 --> 00:11:48,323 The office is occupied. 199 00:11:50,323 --> 00:11:53,083 This team was told that there'd be nobody in the office. 200 00:11:53,083 --> 00:11:55,083 This is a typical SOE tactic. 201 00:11:57,283 --> 00:11:59,443 Just to keep them on their toes. 202 00:12:01,083 --> 00:12:03,323 Will's team face a choice... 203 00:12:04,323 --> 00:12:07,563 ..neutralise the clerk and risk raising the alarm... 204 00:12:08,803 --> 00:12:10,803 ..or wait it out. 205 00:12:16,323 --> 00:12:20,083 Rob's Wireless Team are finally approaching the safe house. 206 00:12:20,083 --> 00:12:22,403 It's clear. Let's go. 207 00:12:22,403 --> 00:12:25,803 A signal such as an upturned plant pot would be used 208 00:12:25,803 --> 00:12:29,083 to let agents know if a property was safe to enter. 209 00:12:30,083 --> 00:12:34,563 Safe houses could be any unused building, but flats, farms 210 00:12:34,563 --> 00:12:37,283 and even doctors' surgeries were offered up 211 00:12:37,283 --> 00:12:39,563 by brave and willing locals... 212 00:12:42,803 --> 00:12:46,323 ..where stranded Allied airmen, Resistance fighters 213 00:12:46,323 --> 00:12:50,083 and secret agents were afforded sanctuary and help. 214 00:12:51,083 --> 00:12:55,563 Those who sheltered people did so at enormous personal risk. 215 00:12:55,563 --> 00:12:58,563 If discovered, properties could be destroyed 216 00:12:58,563 --> 00:13:02,083 and those involved arrested or executed. 217 00:13:06,163 --> 00:13:11,083 Rob's Wireless Team now have to focus on their next objective... 218 00:13:11,083 --> 00:13:12,803 It's twenty to five. 219 00:13:12,803 --> 00:13:16,323 Right, we've got to crack on because you've got to send your message at seven. 220 00:13:16,323 --> 00:13:20,323 ..sending a coded message to HQ at 1900 hours 221 00:13:20,323 --> 00:13:23,363 requesting explosives, but first, 222 00:13:23,363 --> 00:13:27,283 they need confirmation that the other team are ready to proceed. 223 00:13:28,283 --> 00:13:30,803 We need to get to the stables now, don't we? We do. 224 00:13:30,803 --> 00:13:32,563 To get the drop point. 225 00:13:32,563 --> 00:13:35,563 A message confirming that Will's team have the plans 226 00:13:35,563 --> 00:13:40,323 to the telephone exchange is due to be left in a prearranged location, 227 00:13:40,323 --> 00:13:44,323 known as a dead drop. I thought we were going to set up the radio. 228 00:13:44,323 --> 00:13:47,563 I think you guys can do that. I can go and do that. An encryption. 229 00:13:47,563 --> 00:13:49,563 Yeah. Just going to... 230 00:13:49,563 --> 00:13:52,323 The plan is for me to leave the safe house. 231 00:13:52,323 --> 00:13:54,323 So I'm now going to be at risk. 232 00:13:54,323 --> 00:13:57,083 I'm looking for a message from the other team, 233 00:13:57,083 --> 00:13:59,803 and hopefully that will confirm that they are ready. 234 00:13:59,803 --> 00:14:03,563 1900 we need to send the message, so you've got to be back. 235 00:14:03,563 --> 00:14:06,323 As well as being a highly trained athlete, 236 00:14:06,323 --> 00:14:10,803 maths graduate Alastair was the standout student in Morse training. 237 00:14:11,803 --> 00:14:16,083 He's already preparing the message they expect to send at 1900 hours. 238 00:14:17,083 --> 00:14:20,083 Message begins. "Both teams in position, 239 00:14:20,083 --> 00:14:23,803 "request explosives drop for both missions." Message ends. 240 00:14:23,803 --> 00:14:26,563 We're a bit time constrained to send the message. 241 00:14:26,563 --> 00:14:28,563 Yeah. Got about two hours. Yeah. 242 00:14:28,563 --> 00:14:31,083 You need to come back as fast as possible. Yeah. 243 00:14:31,083 --> 00:14:34,643 See you soon, Marianne. Bonjour. Alphonse. Stay safe. 244 00:14:41,083 --> 00:14:44,723 They've lost some time, but for Will's Sabotage Team, 245 00:14:44,723 --> 00:14:46,803 patience has paid off. 246 00:14:52,363 --> 00:14:55,563 The office is now unoccupied and they can try to steal 247 00:14:55,563 --> 00:14:57,803 the plans to the telephone exchange. 248 00:15:00,083 --> 00:15:02,083 But they need to work fast, 249 00:15:02,083 --> 00:15:05,083 securing the plans and getting their message to the others 250 00:15:05,083 --> 00:15:07,563 in time for the 1900 transmission. 251 00:15:10,563 --> 00:15:15,083 During training, Lizzie has excelled in almost every discipline, 252 00:15:15,083 --> 00:15:17,083 including lock picking. 253 00:15:19,803 --> 00:15:21,963 Be aware of your time. 254 00:15:27,283 --> 00:15:31,843 She spent an inordinate amount of time trying to get the lock picked, 255 00:15:31,843 --> 00:15:35,083 and when things aren't going the way that you expect them to, 256 00:15:35,083 --> 00:15:37,083 you need to step back and re-plan 257 00:15:37,083 --> 00:15:40,083 and come up with an alternative course of action. 258 00:15:41,083 --> 00:15:42,803 Which one are you doing? 259 00:15:45,323 --> 00:15:49,083 After almost half an hour, Will takes over. 260 00:16:01,083 --> 00:16:02,323 Very nice. 261 00:16:02,323 --> 00:16:05,403 Whilst Rob makes his way to the dead drop... 262 00:16:07,163 --> 00:16:10,083 I think we have to go in those woods there. Yeah. 263 00:16:10,083 --> 00:16:13,083 ..Debbey and Alastair are looking for a safe place 264 00:16:13,083 --> 00:16:15,803 to transmit their message from. 265 00:16:15,803 --> 00:16:18,803 The enemy could trace wireless broadcasts, 266 00:16:18,803 --> 00:16:21,563 so they've opted for the nearby countryside 267 00:16:21,563 --> 00:16:24,083 rather than compromise the safe house. 268 00:16:25,083 --> 00:16:29,083 This area looks very good. I can barely see through the trees that way, so it's very unlikely... 269 00:16:29,083 --> 00:16:33,323 SOE networks relied heavily on their wireless operators. 270 00:16:33,323 --> 00:16:37,083 As D-Day approached, they would provide a crucial link, 271 00:16:37,083 --> 00:16:39,283 enabling coordinated action. 272 00:16:39,283 --> 00:16:42,323 What's the risk inherent in what you're doing now? 273 00:16:42,323 --> 00:16:45,083 Getting caught... Yeah. ..with the equipment. 274 00:16:45,083 --> 00:16:48,563 Sending the message without being spotted is crucial. 275 00:16:48,563 --> 00:16:51,563 If we're spotted, they'll take the antenna and the equipment 276 00:16:51,563 --> 00:16:53,563 and that's it, mission's failed. 277 00:16:55,563 --> 00:16:57,323 5:30pm. 278 00:16:57,323 --> 00:17:01,083 Former paratrooper Rob has reached the location where the message 279 00:17:01,083 --> 00:17:03,563 from the Sabotage Team should be hidden. 280 00:17:04,563 --> 00:17:08,323 I'm looking for something that's different. A log, hopefully, with a message within it. 281 00:17:08,323 --> 00:17:11,803 A dead drop was a prearranged place to leave a message, 282 00:17:11,803 --> 00:17:16,803 made more covert by SOE's ingenious gadgets, like modified corks, 283 00:17:16,803 --> 00:17:19,803 fake keys and hollow logs. 284 00:17:19,803 --> 00:17:22,843 But these were more than just spy toys. 285 00:17:22,843 --> 00:17:27,323 Dead drops kept SOE operatives apart, which kept them safe. 286 00:17:28,323 --> 00:17:30,323 By limiting face-to-face meetings, 287 00:17:30,323 --> 00:17:33,563 SOE agents were less likely to compromise each other 288 00:17:33,563 --> 00:17:35,803 if captured and tortured. 289 00:17:40,323 --> 00:17:41,963 Nothing inside it. 290 00:17:41,963 --> 00:17:44,683 So, I'm going to have to wait. 291 00:17:46,083 --> 00:17:50,083 Without confirmation from the others, there's little Rob can do. 292 00:17:52,443 --> 00:17:55,803 This is the thing, this is the thing the agents would be up against - 293 00:17:55,803 --> 00:17:57,563 their own mind. 294 00:17:59,323 --> 00:18:03,083 Their own mind, because they're going to be thinking, time, 295 00:18:03,083 --> 00:18:05,323 the message has got to be sent at 1900. 296 00:18:05,323 --> 00:18:08,083 I don't have a watch now. I had to leave it with them 297 00:18:08,083 --> 00:18:10,323 because they need to know when to send it. 298 00:18:10,323 --> 00:18:14,563 So I had two hours, if that, to get down here, find it, 299 00:18:14,563 --> 00:18:17,083 understand the message and get back. 300 00:18:17,083 --> 00:18:18,883 So the clock is ticking. 301 00:18:19,883 --> 00:18:22,803 Back at the safe house, concerns are growing. 302 00:18:24,283 --> 00:18:28,083 Any sign from Joseph? No sign from Joseph yet. 303 00:18:28,083 --> 00:18:29,403 Erm... 304 00:18:30,403 --> 00:18:34,563 Debbey and Alastair have found a safe location to broadcast from. 305 00:18:34,563 --> 00:18:36,563 And 17 groups of five. 306 00:18:36,563 --> 00:18:39,243 And have their message ready to send. 307 00:18:39,243 --> 00:18:41,243 The question is, second-in-command... 308 00:18:41,243 --> 00:18:44,083 How do we leave it? Do we wait for him, because I was hoping, 309 00:18:44,083 --> 00:18:46,803 40 minutes is about the right amount of time 310 00:18:46,803 --> 00:18:50,483 to get out there and get set up. Ideally, we want to leave about now. 311 00:18:51,483 --> 00:18:55,083 All too aware that the other team are waiting for them... 312 00:18:56,083 --> 00:18:59,803 ..Will Beresford Davies has resorted to Plan B. 313 00:19:01,963 --> 00:19:05,563 OK, a bit of urgency, Miss Jeffreys, come on. You haven't got time. 314 00:19:05,563 --> 00:19:08,203 It's a gamble, but having abandoned stealth, 315 00:19:08,203 --> 00:19:11,563 they quickly find the telephone exchange plans. 316 00:19:20,043 --> 00:19:24,563 Now they need to let Rob's team know they have their target. 317 00:19:25,563 --> 00:19:27,803 But time is running out. 318 00:19:32,083 --> 00:19:35,563 I think we have to assume that something's gone wrong. OK. 319 00:19:35,563 --> 00:19:39,083 He's either gone down hiding or he's been captured. 320 00:19:40,083 --> 00:19:44,523 What if he's not back by 1900 hours? If he's not back by 1900 hours, 321 00:19:44,523 --> 00:19:48,363 we're going to have to send the message and get the drop zone for the explosives. 322 00:19:48,363 --> 00:19:50,323 What message are you going to send? 323 00:19:50,323 --> 00:19:53,323 The same message or shall I quickly write one? 324 00:19:53,323 --> 00:19:55,403 I'm just trying to think. 325 00:19:56,563 --> 00:20:01,083 Plans going awry on a final scheme provided instructors with useful 326 00:20:01,083 --> 00:20:05,323 insight into how students might react to problems in the field. 327 00:20:13,563 --> 00:20:17,323 Will, Lizzie and Magda finally arrive at the dead drop. 328 00:20:20,563 --> 00:20:22,243 SHORT WHISTLE 329 00:20:22,243 --> 00:20:27,043 To avoid compromising the other team, Rob stays out of sight. 330 00:20:41,083 --> 00:20:44,323 Rob has the message confirming that the other team 331 00:20:44,323 --> 00:20:48,563 have the plans but, still over a mile away, he has to hope 332 00:20:48,563 --> 00:20:52,563 that Debbey and Alastair have decided to press ahead. 333 00:20:52,563 --> 00:20:56,083 They're now the only ones who can keep the mission alive. 334 00:21:03,563 --> 00:21:06,563 So, do you want to set up the radio and I'll get the aerial? 335 00:21:06,563 --> 00:21:08,403 Yeah, definitely. 336 00:21:11,563 --> 00:21:16,083 Tune the frequency. 5.2 to 5.9. 5.3 to 5.5. 337 00:21:16,083 --> 00:21:18,803 OK. OK, let's have a listen. 338 00:21:21,083 --> 00:21:24,523 A month ago, Alastair didn't know any Morse. 339 00:21:26,523 --> 00:21:29,083 Yeah, perfect. Yeah? Right, OK. Sending. 340 00:21:30,083 --> 00:21:35,083 Now, the whole scheme will fail if he can't send the message accurately 341 00:21:35,083 --> 00:21:36,563 and on time. 342 00:21:46,443 --> 00:21:48,723 BEEPING 343 00:21:49,723 --> 00:21:54,083 At HQ, Lieutenant Colonel Weale is waiting for the message. 344 00:21:56,803 --> 00:21:58,323 Last letter. 345 00:22:00,323 --> 00:22:02,763 Transmission complete. OK. 346 00:22:03,763 --> 00:22:05,083 Thank you. 347 00:22:06,083 --> 00:22:09,003 Well, the message we got was, message begins. 348 00:22:09,003 --> 00:22:13,563 "Only team J in position. Request explosives drop for both missions." 349 00:22:13,563 --> 00:22:15,243 Message ends. 350 00:22:15,243 --> 00:22:17,083 A few wrong letters there. 351 00:22:17,083 --> 00:22:19,083 We've got a V for a U, 352 00:22:19,083 --> 00:22:23,083 we've had to move things around a little bit to make it make sense, 353 00:22:23,083 --> 00:22:25,123 but, nevertheless, it's all there. 354 00:22:26,123 --> 00:22:28,043 Quick, quick, quick! 355 00:22:28,043 --> 00:22:31,563 They've sent their message and are now expecting a reply 356 00:22:31,563 --> 00:22:34,523 at the scheduled time of 1930. 357 00:22:36,563 --> 00:22:38,323 Ten past. 1910. 358 00:22:39,323 --> 00:22:43,803 Incoming wireless transmissions couldn't be traced by the enemy 359 00:22:43,803 --> 00:22:47,803 so they return to the relative security of the safe house. 360 00:22:47,803 --> 00:22:50,323 Please let him be there, please let him be there. 361 00:22:50,323 --> 00:22:52,323 Start setting up. I'll have a look. 362 00:22:56,083 --> 00:22:58,163 Nothing? No. 363 00:22:58,163 --> 00:23:00,083 Gutted. 364 00:23:00,083 --> 00:23:03,323 Really gutted. I was expecting him to be sat there going... 365 00:23:03,323 --> 00:23:06,323 You're taking over? Yeah, I'm taking over now. 366 00:23:06,323 --> 00:23:08,083 He could have been taken. 367 00:23:08,083 --> 00:23:10,803 We've just got to forget about him, just for now. 368 00:23:10,803 --> 00:23:12,883 We've got to get on with this. 369 00:23:16,083 --> 00:23:19,083 Would it be better if I stood on the box and held it higher? 370 00:23:19,083 --> 00:23:20,923 Surrounded by buildings, 371 00:23:20,923 --> 00:23:23,803 they need to get the aerial up high for it to work. 372 00:23:30,323 --> 00:23:32,323 OK, transmission received. 373 00:23:34,563 --> 00:23:36,643 Erm, yeah, didn't get all of it. 374 00:23:37,643 --> 00:23:40,563 They have the time that the explosives will be dropped 375 00:23:40,563 --> 00:23:42,803 but only half the coordinates. 376 00:23:42,803 --> 00:23:45,083 70, four, five... 377 00:23:46,083 --> 00:23:47,563 Location... 378 00:23:47,563 --> 00:23:49,603 This could have been location. 379 00:23:50,603 --> 00:23:52,083 As darkness falls, 380 00:23:52,083 --> 00:23:55,803 Will's team need to find somewhere to shelter for the night. 381 00:23:55,803 --> 00:23:57,803 You all right? Yes, cosy. 382 00:23:57,803 --> 00:24:00,083 That's one word for it! 383 00:24:01,323 --> 00:24:04,323 The mission hasn't exactly gone to plan so far. 384 00:24:04,323 --> 00:24:08,883 We got stuck with an unpickable lock and I just...I kicked the door in. 385 00:24:08,883 --> 00:24:10,803 Not a very subtle SOE tactic! 386 00:24:10,803 --> 00:24:13,083 I think we need to be a lot more careful. 387 00:24:13,083 --> 00:24:15,083 That was...that was not great. 388 00:24:15,083 --> 00:24:19,083 Not being able to pick the lock is a failure on my part, which I'm kicking myself about, 389 00:24:19,083 --> 00:24:22,123 because my one job was to pick the lock and I couldn't. 390 00:24:23,323 --> 00:24:27,083 So I'm definitely getting a sense of how hard these missions really 391 00:24:27,083 --> 00:24:29,443 must have been for the SOE agents. 392 00:24:36,083 --> 00:24:37,563 Oh, my God. 393 00:24:43,083 --> 00:24:47,083 Get in here. How are you? What happened? Oh, my God, what happened? 394 00:24:47,083 --> 00:24:50,643 I've been waiting for ages. Did you get the message? I got the message. 395 00:24:50,643 --> 00:24:54,083 We got the message back, about the parachute drop site. 396 00:24:54,083 --> 00:24:59,003 Yeah. 45 east, but latitude was unintelligible. 397 00:24:59,003 --> 00:25:01,563 70 lies here. Yeah. 45 in. 398 00:25:01,563 --> 00:25:05,083 It could really be anywhere in a corridor along here, couldn't it? 399 00:25:05,083 --> 00:25:06,563 In reality. 400 00:25:06,563 --> 00:25:08,323 Let's hope we get lucky. 401 00:25:10,563 --> 00:25:11,803 Awesome. 402 00:25:11,803 --> 00:25:14,083 The final scheme gave students a taste 403 00:25:14,083 --> 00:25:16,723 of what it was like to operate in the field... 404 00:25:17,723 --> 00:25:20,323 ..away from the support of a training school. 405 00:25:20,323 --> 00:25:24,363 Can I just bite it? Yeah, just, like, bite it like a sandwich, why not? 406 00:25:25,363 --> 00:25:27,803 Are you a vegetarian? I'm a vegan. 407 00:25:27,803 --> 00:25:31,083 I decided when I started this that I wouldn't be fussy, 408 00:25:31,083 --> 00:25:35,923 I wouldn't stick to my vegan diet because you couldn't in wartime. 409 00:25:35,923 --> 00:25:38,123 This is not meat. It's not meat? 410 00:25:38,123 --> 00:25:41,803 No, I don't believe that any part of this ever walked around and mooed. 411 00:25:41,803 --> 00:25:45,803 This is the food they would eat and they would often 412 00:25:45,803 --> 00:25:49,323 probably be not in such a comfortable position as we are, 413 00:25:49,323 --> 00:25:51,563 because we have a lot of blankets. 414 00:25:51,563 --> 00:25:55,323 Magda Thomas had relatives in the Polish Resistance. 415 00:25:55,323 --> 00:25:59,083 Probably they would just have their coats to cover themselves. 416 00:25:59,083 --> 00:26:01,083 It must have been tough. 417 00:26:01,083 --> 00:26:04,083 It's probably not an unrealistic situation an SOE agent 418 00:26:04,083 --> 00:26:07,323 would have been in, where they were right next to the enemy 419 00:26:07,323 --> 00:26:11,523 and, at any moment, you know that the enemy could find you. 420 00:26:11,523 --> 00:26:14,083 And no-one's coming to help you. 421 00:26:14,083 --> 00:26:16,803 You haven't got your buddies to look out for you. 422 00:26:18,083 --> 00:26:20,763 An impressive kind of courage to do that. 423 00:26:20,763 --> 00:26:26,083 Tomorrow, they'll be expected to put all of their training into practice, 424 00:26:26,083 --> 00:26:29,803 executing their most complex mission to date. 425 00:26:35,283 --> 00:26:37,323 It's 6:30am. 426 00:26:38,323 --> 00:26:42,083 Explosives were often parachuted in to agents, 427 00:26:42,083 --> 00:26:45,563 so Rob's team set off to find their drop zone. 428 00:26:46,803 --> 00:26:50,803 But with only half the coordinates, it's a wide search area. 429 00:26:53,323 --> 00:26:56,803 Will's team also depend on their success. 430 00:26:56,803 --> 00:26:58,803 They need some of the explosives 431 00:26:58,803 --> 00:27:01,323 in order to take out the telephone exchange. 432 00:27:02,323 --> 00:27:05,043 Because we've got no breakfast this morning. You sure? 433 00:27:06,043 --> 00:27:07,923 Let's go. Watch out for the... 434 00:27:12,723 --> 00:27:14,803 AEROPLANE FLIES OVERHEAD 435 00:27:14,803 --> 00:27:17,563 They're going to drop it, they're going to drop it. 436 00:27:17,563 --> 00:27:20,083 Keep an eye out. Can we see? 437 00:27:20,083 --> 00:27:23,083 Rob's team are searching the grounds, 438 00:27:23,083 --> 00:27:26,803 but even with the right coordinates, the accuracy of a supply drop 439 00:27:26,803 --> 00:27:30,803 was never guaranteed and containers frequently went off course. 440 00:27:30,803 --> 00:27:33,803 If the plane comes around, we're coming into the area now. 441 00:27:33,803 --> 00:27:35,403 In Poland alone, 442 00:27:35,403 --> 00:27:38,563 around a third of all material parachuted in 443 00:27:38,563 --> 00:27:40,923 failed to reach the Resistance. 444 00:27:41,923 --> 00:27:45,083 As the anticipated Allied invasion drew nearer, 445 00:27:45,083 --> 00:27:48,803 SOE stepped up its efforts to supply and coordinate 446 00:27:48,803 --> 00:27:50,563 Resistance activities. 447 00:27:52,083 --> 00:27:54,083 You know what, I think we see it. 448 00:27:54,083 --> 00:27:55,803 Let's be quick. 449 00:27:57,803 --> 00:27:59,843 Before and after D-Day, 450 00:27:59,843 --> 00:28:02,563 they dropped arms and explosives into France 451 00:28:02,563 --> 00:28:04,803 on an unprecedented scale. 452 00:28:06,603 --> 00:28:10,323 In total, around 10,000 tonnes of supplies 453 00:28:10,323 --> 00:28:13,083 were dropped into France by SOE. 454 00:28:17,083 --> 00:28:19,003 OK, OK, explosives. 455 00:28:23,083 --> 00:28:24,963 We need to go, we need to go. 456 00:28:24,963 --> 00:28:29,323 SOE protocol was to bury or conceal the parachute 457 00:28:29,323 --> 00:28:32,803 and move away from the drop zone as quickly as possible. 458 00:28:35,803 --> 00:28:38,563 Before meeting up with Will's Sabotage Team 459 00:28:38,563 --> 00:28:40,803 in order to give them explosives, 460 00:28:40,803 --> 00:28:43,563 Debbey turns to their next objective. 461 00:28:43,563 --> 00:28:45,563 I'm looking for a tree 462 00:28:45,563 --> 00:28:48,083 that we can blow up. 463 00:28:48,083 --> 00:28:52,323 Using trees to block roads was a popular SOE tactic, 464 00:28:52,323 --> 00:28:55,083 intended to harass and delay the enemy. 465 00:28:56,083 --> 00:28:57,563 For the students, 466 00:28:57,563 --> 00:29:01,083 it will be the greatest test of their sabotage skills to date. 467 00:29:01,083 --> 00:29:05,163 It's got to be around quite a tight bend, so they can't see it. 468 00:29:05,163 --> 00:29:08,803 One downed tree might lead to a few minutes' frustration 469 00:29:08,803 --> 00:29:10,803 for a German tank division. 470 00:29:10,803 --> 00:29:14,323 Dozens every mile could mean major delays. 471 00:29:14,323 --> 00:29:18,083 It's a dead tree, so it would look natural that it's fallen, 472 00:29:18,083 --> 00:29:21,323 because it's died, but the height of it is my worry. 473 00:29:22,323 --> 00:29:26,323 It's so tall, it's going to land in those trees 474 00:29:26,323 --> 00:29:30,083 and we may not be able to get it all the way down to the ground. 475 00:29:30,083 --> 00:29:32,563 It's not easy to blow up a tree. 476 00:29:35,083 --> 00:29:39,083 The plan for D-Day was that SOE and the Resistance 477 00:29:39,083 --> 00:29:42,563 would create obstructions like this on a massive scale. 478 00:29:44,083 --> 00:29:48,803 SOE HQ in London knew which German divisions were likely to be called 479 00:29:48,803 --> 00:29:52,323 as reinforcements when the Allies reached Normandy. 480 00:29:52,323 --> 00:29:56,083 Holding them back was key to establishing a foothold 481 00:29:56,083 --> 00:29:57,803 in northern France, 482 00:29:57,803 --> 00:30:01,083 from which the fight to reclaim Europe could begin. 483 00:30:03,003 --> 00:30:05,803 We are two civilians having a walk in the country, 484 00:30:05,803 --> 00:30:09,563 so let's just act normal, OK? OK. Let's go for it. 485 00:30:09,563 --> 00:30:11,323 Do you want to lead the way? 486 00:30:11,323 --> 00:30:14,563 Having found the explosives, Rob and Alastair must leave a message 487 00:30:14,563 --> 00:30:18,323 at the dead drop to arrange a rendezvous with the other team. 488 00:30:18,323 --> 00:30:21,083 Let's see if we can find that pheasant, Alphonse, shall we? 489 00:30:21,083 --> 00:30:23,803 They're really fighting the clock now. It's 9:20. 490 00:30:23,803 --> 00:30:26,803 They need to get these demolitions in place really quickly 491 00:30:26,803 --> 00:30:30,443 and they haven't even got to the dead drop yet to inform team two. 492 00:30:30,443 --> 00:30:32,083 Where are you, pheasant? 493 00:30:32,083 --> 00:30:34,803 I think the issue with Copsey is he's talking too much. 494 00:30:34,803 --> 00:30:36,323 He's gone that way. 495 00:30:36,323 --> 00:30:38,563 He keeps talking about his cover story. 496 00:30:38,563 --> 00:30:41,683 Actually, he only needs to deploy his cover story when he's met someone. 497 00:30:41,683 --> 00:30:45,083 They could be moving with a much greater sense of purpose. 498 00:30:45,083 --> 00:30:48,563 Right, guys, you're wasting too much time now on movement. 499 00:30:48,563 --> 00:30:50,803 You need to get there quickly. 500 00:30:50,803 --> 00:30:53,563 Team two are likely to be sitting around waiting for you. 501 00:30:53,563 --> 00:30:55,803 They can do nothing... Under the jacket. 502 00:30:55,803 --> 00:30:59,083 ..until you connect with them and they connect with their explosives. 503 00:31:04,323 --> 00:31:08,323 Waiting for news at the dead drop are Will's Sabotage Team. 504 00:31:12,083 --> 00:31:15,003 "Got goods. Meet at safe house." 505 00:31:15,003 --> 00:31:17,443 At the moment we don't have a safe house, 506 00:31:17,443 --> 00:31:19,163 so I don't know where that is. 507 00:31:19,163 --> 00:31:21,323 It says T? T1, yeah. 508 00:31:21,323 --> 00:31:24,083 T1. Or TY? It's TY. 509 00:31:25,083 --> 00:31:27,083 TY...? Timber yard. 510 00:31:27,083 --> 00:31:29,083 It's got to be timber yard. Timber yard. 511 00:31:29,083 --> 00:31:31,803 That's the only TY on the map, isn't it? Yeah, yeah, yeah. 512 00:31:31,803 --> 00:31:34,803 Well, we better get moving, because we're running out of time. 513 00:31:36,803 --> 00:31:40,323 Will, Lizzie and Magda are on their way to the rendezvous 514 00:31:40,323 --> 00:31:42,083 to collect their explosives. 515 00:31:43,083 --> 00:31:45,083 But during the final scheme, 516 00:31:45,083 --> 00:31:48,083 instructors were keen to remind students of the importance 517 00:31:48,083 --> 00:31:49,923 of a solid cover story. 518 00:31:54,083 --> 00:31:55,803 Stop there. 519 00:31:57,323 --> 00:31:59,083 I'm a French policeman. 520 00:32:00,083 --> 00:32:01,563 Papers. 521 00:32:15,483 --> 00:32:17,443 What's your name? Elodie Julien. 522 00:32:17,443 --> 00:32:20,563 Date of birth? 22nd of November, 1918. 523 00:32:21,563 --> 00:32:23,443 Where were you born? Chateauroux. 524 00:32:23,443 --> 00:32:27,083 Your name? Jacqueline Armand. Where were you born? In Rotterdam. 525 00:32:27,083 --> 00:32:28,923 And your name? Stephan Doux. 526 00:32:29,923 --> 00:32:31,803 Where are you going to? 527 00:32:31,803 --> 00:32:33,563 Erm...we're actually... 528 00:32:33,563 --> 00:32:35,523 Well, I've lost my dog. 529 00:32:35,523 --> 00:32:39,203 You've lost your dog? Yes, I'm visiting my uncle here. 530 00:32:39,203 --> 00:32:41,323 So this gentleman kindly... 531 00:32:42,323 --> 00:32:45,083 ..agreed to help me. Where have you come from? 532 00:32:45,083 --> 00:32:48,803 I've come from Orleans. I was on holiday from my course in Paris, 533 00:32:48,803 --> 00:32:50,283 my law course, and... 534 00:32:50,283 --> 00:32:53,803 Where are you staying in Orleans? At the hotel by the gare. 535 00:32:53,803 --> 00:32:55,323 OK. 536 00:32:56,883 --> 00:32:58,563 What's in your bag? 537 00:33:01,563 --> 00:33:02,883 My hat. 538 00:33:06,803 --> 00:33:10,083 So, where are you heading to now? Erm... 539 00:33:10,083 --> 00:33:13,563 We thought we'd head round towards... I think there's a large house there, 540 00:33:13,563 --> 00:33:16,563 there's a chance the dog might have gone there. OK. 541 00:33:17,563 --> 00:33:19,083 Right. 542 00:33:24,563 --> 00:33:28,083 Generally speaking, they were OK. They remembered their cover stories. 543 00:33:28,083 --> 00:33:30,563 We did well there. We just need to keep calm. 544 00:33:30,563 --> 00:33:32,563 Jeffreys, she's a little taciturn, 545 00:33:32,563 --> 00:33:36,563 and that's the kind of thing that causes suspicion amongst security 546 00:33:36,563 --> 00:33:40,083 officials, if they stop somebody and they don't seem to want to talk. 547 00:33:40,083 --> 00:33:42,363 But we know that's Jeffreys' character. 548 00:33:42,363 --> 00:33:45,563 I think we keep searching for the dog until we're certain he's gone 549 00:33:45,563 --> 00:33:48,563 and, hopefully, in the course of that, we'll find the others. 550 00:33:48,563 --> 00:33:53,403 Thomas was pretty good. She managed to convey a certain amount of emotion about losing her dog. 551 00:33:53,403 --> 00:33:55,563 Coco! Coco! 552 00:33:55,563 --> 00:33:58,323 There was a little bit of backstory there. 553 00:33:58,323 --> 00:34:01,083 She looked convincing, she sounded about right, 554 00:34:01,083 --> 00:34:03,323 so I was happy with that. 555 00:34:03,323 --> 00:34:06,323 Beresford Davies spoke reasonably well. 556 00:34:07,323 --> 00:34:10,083 Do you have family in the Resistance? 557 00:34:11,083 --> 00:34:14,083 When we were giving that cover story to the policeman, 558 00:34:14,083 --> 00:34:16,563 I had... I think my great-grandfather, 559 00:34:16,563 --> 00:34:20,563 he had to try and switch suitcases because he was carrying two of them 560 00:34:20,563 --> 00:34:24,043 on a train and one was full of guns and the other one wasn't. 561 00:34:24,043 --> 00:34:27,563 Will's great-grandfather operated near St-Etienne, 562 00:34:27,563 --> 00:34:31,083 tracking German troop movements and plotting ambushes. 563 00:34:31,083 --> 00:34:35,363 I do have a greater understanding, just because of all the tiny details he'd have to remember - 564 00:34:35,363 --> 00:34:37,883 those things that would give you away. 565 00:34:39,163 --> 00:34:41,323 By the spring of 1944, 566 00:34:41,323 --> 00:34:44,083 the Allies were growing in confidence 567 00:34:44,083 --> 00:34:47,163 and the German army was on the back foot. 568 00:34:48,323 --> 00:34:51,323 Everyone in France knew D-Day was coming. 569 00:34:51,323 --> 00:34:53,523 The question was - when? 570 00:34:54,523 --> 00:34:57,323 Agents in the field had to hold their nerve 571 00:34:57,323 --> 00:34:59,803 and wait for word from Britain. 572 00:34:59,803 --> 00:35:03,323 They, alongside thousands of Resistance fighters, 573 00:35:03,323 --> 00:35:05,723 were poised for action. 574 00:35:09,083 --> 00:35:12,323 Will's team finally make it to the safe house. 575 00:35:18,083 --> 00:35:21,803 One, two, three, four, five, six. Bickford fuse, just to get it done quickly. Yeah. 576 00:35:21,803 --> 00:35:23,803 Make sure I've got matches on me. 577 00:35:25,083 --> 00:35:26,563 OK. 578 00:35:26,563 --> 00:35:28,803 Oh, Stephan. Welcome. 579 00:35:29,803 --> 00:35:32,323 Coco. HE WHISTLES 580 00:35:34,083 --> 00:35:35,683 Bonjour, Stephan. 581 00:35:41,083 --> 00:35:42,803 Jacqueline. 582 00:35:49,323 --> 00:35:52,083 The teams need to divide the explosives. 583 00:35:52,083 --> 00:35:55,083 They have just two hours left to complete their mission. 584 00:35:55,083 --> 00:35:57,643 OK, let me tell you what we've got at the moment. 585 00:35:57,643 --> 00:36:00,323 We've prepped, we've prepped, we've got... 586 00:36:00,323 --> 00:36:02,563 This is all the cortex at the moment. 587 00:36:02,563 --> 00:36:05,083 Half must blow up the telephone exchange, 588 00:36:05,083 --> 00:36:08,083 the rest will fell a tree to block a key road. 589 00:36:08,083 --> 00:36:10,563 We've got one large charge ready for you 590 00:36:10,563 --> 00:36:13,323 and there's still another stick ready to go. 591 00:36:13,323 --> 00:36:15,803 But working with explosives is so dangerous 592 00:36:15,803 --> 00:36:19,123 that the ones the students will handle are dummy charges. 593 00:36:19,123 --> 00:36:22,963 So now we listen for the proceed signal. Proceed signal. 594 00:36:23,963 --> 00:36:26,243 Before they can carry out their orders, 595 00:36:26,243 --> 00:36:29,563 they need to listen to the radio for a hidden signal, 596 00:36:29,563 --> 00:36:31,803 known as an action message. 597 00:36:33,083 --> 00:36:35,083 We don't want to miss this. 598 00:36:35,083 --> 00:36:37,803 What's the message you're waiting for? 599 00:36:37,803 --> 00:36:41,803 "Les poireaux sont longs et frises." Hm? 600 00:36:41,803 --> 00:36:44,283 The leeks are long and curly. 601 00:36:45,323 --> 00:36:49,083 Radio Londres was a BBC French-language service 602 00:36:49,083 --> 00:36:51,803 broadcast to occupied Europe during the war. 603 00:36:53,563 --> 00:36:58,083 SOE's first wireless operator in France, Georges Begue, 604 00:36:58,083 --> 00:37:01,123 had the idea of using it to send coded messages 605 00:37:01,123 --> 00:37:03,083 to agents on the ground. 606 00:37:06,403 --> 00:37:09,803 The station identified itself using a short excerpt 607 00:37:09,803 --> 00:37:11,803 from Beethoven's 5th, 608 00:37:11,803 --> 00:37:17,083 the first four notes of which were Morse for the letter V for victory. 609 00:37:17,083 --> 00:37:19,523 Ici Londres. 610 00:37:19,523 --> 00:37:23,083 La mouche bourdonne et fait la navette. 611 00:37:23,083 --> 00:37:25,323 Le disons deux fois. 612 00:37:25,323 --> 00:37:28,083 Les poireaux sont longs et frises. 613 00:37:28,083 --> 00:37:29,923 That's it. That's it. 614 00:37:30,923 --> 00:37:34,563 On the night of 5th June, hours before D-Day, 615 00:37:34,563 --> 00:37:39,563 Radio Londres broadcast more than 100 unique action messages 616 00:37:39,563 --> 00:37:42,363 to waiting SOE networks. 617 00:37:43,363 --> 00:37:47,083 This would be the zenith of SOE's work in France. 618 00:37:47,083 --> 00:37:51,083 The organisation had started from scratch in 1940 619 00:37:51,083 --> 00:37:53,083 in a makeshift office. 620 00:37:53,083 --> 00:37:56,563 Now, four years later, all across France, 621 00:37:56,563 --> 00:38:00,363 networks were poised for unified action. 622 00:38:01,563 --> 00:38:06,563 Rob's team's orders are typical of those issued to agents at the time: 623 00:38:06,563 --> 00:38:10,963 "Use explosives to bring down a tree and block a key road." 624 00:38:13,563 --> 00:38:16,083 This is really nerve-racking. 625 00:38:16,083 --> 00:38:18,123 Extremely nerve-racking. 626 00:38:18,123 --> 00:38:21,323 This is the most important part of the mission now. 627 00:38:22,563 --> 00:38:26,323 Debbey is a drama teacher with no military training, 628 00:38:26,323 --> 00:38:29,803 but throughout the process she's defied expectations 629 00:38:29,803 --> 00:38:31,563 and performed well. 630 00:38:31,563 --> 00:38:35,083 I'm feeling how the SOE agents must have felt. 631 00:38:35,083 --> 00:38:38,563 How scary... Every tree branch that clicks, you're like... 632 00:38:43,083 --> 00:38:44,803 You are on your own 633 00:38:44,803 --> 00:38:50,323 and you realised how lonely and important it was 634 00:38:50,323 --> 00:38:54,083 for you to be able to do all the skills we've learned. 635 00:38:54,083 --> 00:38:56,523 It's... Everything's coming together. 636 00:38:56,523 --> 00:38:59,803 Yeah, start chopping. There's a groove here. Yeah, yeah. 637 00:39:02,403 --> 00:39:04,083 We need to be quick. 638 00:39:07,043 --> 00:39:09,803 While Rob's team prep the tree, 639 00:39:09,803 --> 00:39:12,803 the others take on their main objective - 640 00:39:12,803 --> 00:39:15,323 destroying the telephone exchange. 641 00:39:16,803 --> 00:39:18,803 Right, let's be really careful. 642 00:39:18,803 --> 00:39:21,523 Stay in cover. When you're not moving, stay low. 643 00:39:22,523 --> 00:39:24,563 But first they need to make a plan 644 00:39:24,563 --> 00:39:27,763 and decide what to do about the guard. 645 00:39:34,083 --> 00:39:35,563 There's a sentry. 646 00:39:35,563 --> 00:39:38,643 Can we get past to that next building without him seeing us? 647 00:39:38,643 --> 00:39:40,243 Yeah. 648 00:39:46,083 --> 00:39:50,243 We know the position of one sentry but we haven't seen past him. 649 00:39:50,243 --> 00:39:52,083 Go round the back? 650 00:39:52,083 --> 00:39:55,323 It's one thing to read about attacks and so on that they did, 651 00:39:55,323 --> 00:39:59,283 and hiding out, but you don't really understand it until you actually go and have a go. 652 00:40:00,803 --> 00:40:03,083 You need to get really low here, OK? 653 00:40:03,083 --> 00:40:05,803 Then you realise that they would have been stressed out 654 00:40:05,803 --> 00:40:07,363 and tired and hungry, 655 00:40:07,363 --> 00:40:10,723 but you can feel that you've got the weight of a gun in your pocket. 656 00:40:10,723 --> 00:40:15,443 You know you're going to have to also start potentially blowing up and killing people. 657 00:40:17,563 --> 00:40:19,563 Lizzie, I want you to run at him 658 00:40:19,563 --> 00:40:22,083 when he's facing the other way and stopped. 659 00:40:22,083 --> 00:40:25,083 You're going to run at him, try and take him out quietly. 660 00:40:25,083 --> 00:40:29,323 If he turns round even a little bit and it looks like he's going to see us, you shoot him straight away. 661 00:40:29,323 --> 00:40:32,083 And, Lizzie, you get the hell out of the way. Yeah. 662 00:40:33,083 --> 00:40:37,283 Safety tab off? Safety tab off. Give it a smack. Let's go. 663 00:40:37,283 --> 00:40:41,083 It's taken Rob's team eight minutes to rig the tree. 664 00:40:41,083 --> 00:40:45,963 For safety, experts replace the dummy explosives with live charges. 665 00:40:46,963 --> 00:40:50,083 On the 6th of June 1944, 666 00:40:50,083 --> 00:40:53,323 the Allied invasion of France finally began. 667 00:40:54,323 --> 00:40:57,803 It was the largest amphibious assault in military history. 668 00:40:57,803 --> 00:41:03,083 Around 7,000 ships, supported by over 11,000 aircraft, 669 00:41:03,083 --> 00:41:09,083 landed over 150,000 British, American and Canadian troops 670 00:41:09,083 --> 00:41:11,963 along a 50-mile stretch of coast. 671 00:41:14,803 --> 00:41:18,763 This signalled the start of intensive and coordinated sabotage 672 00:41:18,763 --> 00:41:21,563 by SOE on a grand scale. 673 00:41:33,083 --> 00:41:35,323 While Lizzie makes her approach... 674 00:41:37,803 --> 00:41:39,803 EXPLOSION 675 00:41:39,803 --> 00:41:42,803 ..Rob's team's blast blocks the road. 676 00:41:47,563 --> 00:41:49,443 Well done. Come on. 677 00:41:59,083 --> 00:42:02,563 With Lizzie having successfully snuck up on the guard... 678 00:42:07,083 --> 00:42:09,083 ..they complete their mission. 679 00:42:16,523 --> 00:42:18,083 And make their escape. 680 00:42:18,083 --> 00:42:19,443 Let's go. 681 00:42:37,803 --> 00:42:39,803 In the days after D-Day, 682 00:42:39,803 --> 00:42:44,803 SOE led disruption of German reinforcements by attacking roads, 683 00:42:44,803 --> 00:42:47,563 railways and communication lines. 684 00:42:47,563 --> 00:42:49,563 On the night of D-Day, 685 00:42:49,563 --> 00:42:53,083 the French Resistance carried out 950 disruptions 686 00:42:53,083 --> 00:42:55,123 to the railway alone. 687 00:42:55,123 --> 00:42:59,323 Travelling north by road was equally arduous for the Germans, 688 00:42:59,323 --> 00:43:02,563 as Resistance fighters carried out coordinated ambushes 689 00:43:02,563 --> 00:43:04,243 on their convoys. 690 00:43:05,323 --> 00:43:08,803 The 2nd SS Panzer Division, based in Toulouse, 691 00:43:08,803 --> 00:43:11,563 should have reached Normandy in three days. 692 00:43:11,563 --> 00:43:14,043 Instead, it took 16. 693 00:43:16,083 --> 00:43:20,083 One estimate is that a total of eight German divisions 694 00:43:20,083 --> 00:43:24,323 were kept from ever reaching the Allied invasion fronts after D-Day. 695 00:43:31,363 --> 00:43:34,083 Well done. Well done. Well done, guys. Well done. 696 00:43:36,803 --> 00:43:38,923 Training is over. 697 00:43:38,923 --> 00:43:41,203 That was a really great experience. 698 00:43:42,203 --> 00:43:44,323 It's a relief to finish. 699 00:43:44,323 --> 00:43:46,563 Well, we think we've finished. 700 00:43:52,563 --> 00:43:55,043 Mission accomplished. Yes, sir! 701 00:43:55,043 --> 00:43:56,923 In we go. Thank you, sir. 702 00:44:04,803 --> 00:44:08,963 The purpose of this project really was to resurrect the SOE syllabus, 703 00:44:08,963 --> 00:44:13,323 but I think the last few weeks will have changed all of these students 704 00:44:13,323 --> 00:44:16,083 quite considerably, particularly Jeffreys, 705 00:44:16,083 --> 00:44:19,643 who was almost mouse-like when she arrived. 706 00:44:20,643 --> 00:44:24,803 What has changed above all is probably my self-confidence. 707 00:44:24,803 --> 00:44:29,083 Apparently, there was something in me that would have been passable 708 00:44:29,083 --> 00:44:31,083 for the SOE training, 709 00:44:31,083 --> 00:44:35,563 and given how astonishing the SOE agents were, 710 00:44:35,563 --> 00:44:38,083 if I have even the slightest bit of me 711 00:44:38,083 --> 00:44:41,083 is similar to what they were like, then yeah, OK, 712 00:44:41,083 --> 00:44:42,963 maybe I can do something. 713 00:44:42,963 --> 00:44:45,563 When they walked in on day one, 714 00:44:45,563 --> 00:44:50,083 I think that many people, and perhaps us included, 715 00:44:50,083 --> 00:44:52,323 would not have thought at that point 716 00:44:52,323 --> 00:44:55,683 that they were going to be likely SOE agents. 717 00:44:55,683 --> 00:44:58,563 People that have seen it through to the end here 718 00:44:58,563 --> 00:45:01,843 are those who've got real strength of character. 719 00:45:01,843 --> 00:45:04,123 It's going to be really sad going home. 720 00:45:04,123 --> 00:45:07,163 I don't feel like I'm the same person any more. 721 00:45:07,163 --> 00:45:11,683 On paper, I am the most unlikely candidate. 722 00:45:11,683 --> 00:45:13,563 I'm a grandmother. 723 00:45:13,563 --> 00:45:16,803 I think there's lots of women out there that have gone through 724 00:45:16,803 --> 00:45:20,323 so much in their lives and, like me, probably would never, 725 00:45:20,323 --> 00:45:23,083 ever imagine that they could do something like this, 726 00:45:23,083 --> 00:45:25,243 and they probably can. 727 00:45:25,243 --> 00:45:28,323 We've had our training. Are we 100% prepared? 728 00:45:28,323 --> 00:45:33,323 No, we make mistakes, as they did then, and they were just... 729 00:45:33,323 --> 00:45:37,563 ..not polished diamonds, they were just rough diamonds, as you say. 730 00:45:37,563 --> 00:45:42,083 After completing this training, I don't feel prepared to be SOE agent, 731 00:45:42,083 --> 00:45:44,243 but I think I could be. 732 00:45:44,243 --> 00:45:47,083 They were just people who learned some skills 733 00:45:47,083 --> 00:45:51,803 and wanted to do something for their country, 734 00:45:51,803 --> 00:45:54,083 for their countries, for Europe. 735 00:45:55,083 --> 00:45:59,403 What this process reaffirms for me, 736 00:45:59,403 --> 00:46:01,843 inside every single individual 737 00:46:01,843 --> 00:46:04,363 is probably more than they ever imagined... 738 00:46:05,803 --> 00:46:08,363 ..and that through training and guidance, 739 00:46:08,363 --> 00:46:13,443 seemingly ordinary people can do extraordinary things. 740 00:46:15,083 --> 00:46:18,323 To try and replicate what Resistance fighters like my ancestors 741 00:46:18,323 --> 00:46:21,323 might have been going through, it makes the words on the pages 742 00:46:21,323 --> 00:46:23,803 of the history book... it brings them alive. 743 00:46:23,803 --> 00:46:28,523 It's a very special kind of bravery to stand completely alone. 744 00:46:29,523 --> 00:46:32,803 Magda's great-aunt worked for the Polish Resistance 745 00:46:32,803 --> 00:46:35,763 until her arrest in May 1941. 746 00:46:35,763 --> 00:46:40,083 The day of her execution, she wrote a letter to her family. 747 00:46:41,083 --> 00:46:45,083 "My beloved parents and siblings, my hour has come. 748 00:46:45,083 --> 00:46:49,083 "Today, on the 3rd of May 1943, 749 00:46:49,083 --> 00:46:51,603 "I have to part with the world. 750 00:46:51,603 --> 00:46:54,323 "I ask you all just one thing. 751 00:46:54,323 --> 00:46:57,323 "Be now as strong as I am. 752 00:46:57,323 --> 00:46:59,563 "It will bring me relief. 753 00:47:00,803 --> 00:47:03,803 "Thank you for everything you did for me. 754 00:47:03,803 --> 00:47:09,603 "Do not be sad, but pray for me and I will go away calmly. 755 00:47:10,603 --> 00:47:13,563 "Forgive me if I was a cause of concerns, 756 00:47:13,563 --> 00:47:16,323 "God will repay you for that. 757 00:47:16,323 --> 00:47:21,323 "When I will stand in front of him, I will pray for you as well. 758 00:47:21,323 --> 00:47:24,083 "Live happily, Irena Piwarska." 759 00:47:26,403 --> 00:47:29,603 So, I'm really proud of my auntie. 760 00:47:30,803 --> 00:47:33,323 That she had such dignity. 761 00:47:35,563 --> 00:47:38,563 Because, you know, we women are strong 762 00:47:38,563 --> 00:47:40,803 and we can go through many things. 763 00:48:04,803 --> 00:48:08,083 Congratulations on reaching the end of your final scheme 764 00:48:08,083 --> 00:48:10,803 and, indeed, of the training course as a whole. 765 00:48:10,803 --> 00:48:12,803 Well done, you've all passed. 766 00:48:12,803 --> 00:48:16,323 It's worth remembering that SOE candidates at this stage 767 00:48:16,323 --> 00:48:20,083 still had a choice as to whether they went into the field or not. 768 00:48:20,083 --> 00:48:24,323 They were all volunteers and they could withdraw at any time, 769 00:48:24,323 --> 00:48:26,323 so they did have a choice, 770 00:48:26,323 --> 00:48:30,243 and I wonder how many of you think you would have chosen to go on. 771 00:48:34,563 --> 00:48:37,283 What we've seen in all of you is the spark 772 00:48:37,283 --> 00:48:40,763 that you probably would have succeeded, so very well done. 773 00:48:42,803 --> 00:48:46,083 Congratulations. Congratulations. Very, very impressive performance. 774 00:48:46,083 --> 00:48:47,803 Thank you. Well done. 775 00:48:47,803 --> 00:48:51,083 By the end of the war, SOE had recruited, 776 00:48:51,083 --> 00:48:55,043 trained and equipped over 9,000 agents. 777 00:49:10,083 --> 00:49:13,323 We've managed it, we've made it, we've got to the finish line, 778 00:49:13,323 --> 00:49:16,763 but for the agents training, that was the beginning 779 00:49:16,763 --> 00:49:21,803 of what could be months and years of never being able to relax, really, 780 00:49:21,803 --> 00:49:24,043 and always having one eye behind you. 781 00:49:25,323 --> 00:49:29,083 When I go home, I'm going to spend pretty much every day 782 00:49:29,083 --> 00:49:31,083 thinking about this place. 783 00:49:31,083 --> 00:49:34,803 But I know that I've had the honour of experiencing the SOE training 784 00:49:34,803 --> 00:49:37,563 and I'm fortunate that I'm going home afterwards. 785 00:49:39,323 --> 00:49:43,883 Within a year of the war ending, SOE was wound down, 786 00:49:43,883 --> 00:49:47,803 its surviving agents bound by the Official Secrets Act 787 00:49:47,803 --> 00:49:50,763 not to divulge their wartime activities. 788 00:49:52,083 --> 00:49:55,563 On their return, some went back to ordinary life. 789 00:49:55,563 --> 00:49:57,803 Others found they could not. 790 00:49:57,803 --> 00:50:01,563 Virginia Hall, employed by SOE in France, 791 00:50:01,563 --> 00:50:04,003 went on to work for the fledgling CIA. 792 00:50:05,003 --> 00:50:08,803 Colin Gubbins, at one time the head of SOE 793 00:50:08,803 --> 00:50:11,563 and the person behind its training programme, 794 00:50:11,563 --> 00:50:14,323 went on to run a carpet manufacturer. 795 00:50:14,323 --> 00:50:18,323 Odette Sansom survived interrogation and imprisonment 796 00:50:18,323 --> 00:50:22,083 before returning to her life as a housewife. 797 00:50:22,083 --> 00:50:25,563 More than 70 years on from the end of the war, 798 00:50:25,563 --> 00:50:28,563 just a handful of agents are still alive. 799 00:50:28,563 --> 00:50:32,803 Having completed their training and returned to their normal lives, 800 00:50:32,803 --> 00:50:36,323 a few of the students are getting the chance to meet some. 801 00:50:37,323 --> 00:50:42,083 To be able to meet a real SOE is going to be awesome 802 00:50:42,083 --> 00:50:44,723 and I don't use that word very often. 803 00:50:47,083 --> 00:50:49,403 Hi, Rob, come in. Hello, Fred. 804 00:50:49,403 --> 00:50:52,083 Amazing to meet you. Yeah, come in. Thank you. 805 00:50:52,083 --> 00:50:56,083 92-year-old Fred Bailey signed up to the Royal Armoured Corps. 806 00:50:56,083 --> 00:51:01,643 In 1943, he saw a notice inviting volunteers for special duties. 807 00:51:01,643 --> 00:51:05,563 Well, of course, the training was 24/7. 808 00:51:05,563 --> 00:51:07,323 I mean, you could... 809 00:51:07,323 --> 00:51:10,563 ..be raked out in the middle of the night to go on an exercise. 810 00:51:10,563 --> 00:51:12,083 Yeah. 811 00:51:12,083 --> 00:51:13,803 Or, erm... 812 00:51:13,803 --> 00:51:16,163 ..a mock interrogation. 813 00:51:16,163 --> 00:51:20,323 You were never free of the training. There was always something going on. 814 00:51:20,323 --> 00:51:22,083 After months of training, 815 00:51:22,083 --> 00:51:25,083 he was parachuted into France after D-Day 816 00:51:25,083 --> 00:51:28,803 as part of a three-man unit known as a Jedburgh team - 817 00:51:28,803 --> 00:51:32,803 uniformed agents sent in to assist the French Resistance. 818 00:51:33,803 --> 00:51:36,563 They were supposed to drop us at 800 feet 819 00:51:36,563 --> 00:51:38,803 and they wouldn't come down that low. 820 00:51:38,803 --> 00:51:41,083 They dropped us at 1,800 feet. Oh, right. 821 00:51:41,083 --> 00:51:43,563 Which seemed to take forever to come down. Yes. 822 00:51:43,563 --> 00:51:46,803 And, of course, you're at risk the whole time you're coming down. 823 00:51:46,803 --> 00:51:50,723 But anyway, I eventually landed in a disused brick yard. 824 00:51:50,723 --> 00:51:53,563 I just sort of got the parachute off 825 00:51:53,563 --> 00:51:56,083 and just tucking my Colt .45 out 826 00:51:56,083 --> 00:51:59,083 and I could see somebody looming up in the darkness. 827 00:51:59,083 --> 00:52:00,803 I didn't know who he was, 828 00:52:00,803 --> 00:52:03,083 but anyway, turned out to be a Frenchman. 829 00:52:03,083 --> 00:52:07,083 I offered a handshake but he insisted on kissing me. 830 00:52:07,083 --> 00:52:08,563 Right. 831 00:52:09,563 --> 00:52:12,083 Having landed in the South of France, 832 00:52:12,083 --> 00:52:15,323 one of Fred's jobs was to hamper German troop movements. 833 00:52:15,323 --> 00:52:20,323 We were in an old bus full of explosives and weapons 834 00:52:20,323 --> 00:52:22,563 and we came round a corner 835 00:52:22,563 --> 00:52:25,323 and there was a German tank in the middle of the road. 836 00:52:26,323 --> 00:52:28,323 He was obviously lost. 837 00:52:28,323 --> 00:52:30,563 A young maquisard jumped on the tank 838 00:52:30,563 --> 00:52:33,323 and pushed a grenade through the driver's visor. 839 00:52:33,323 --> 00:52:37,563 The lieutenant had a map in the sleeve of his jacket... Oh, OK. 840 00:52:37,563 --> 00:52:41,563 ..which disclosed the route of retreat, 841 00:52:41,563 --> 00:52:46,083 and so I was able to arrange an air strike on this road 842 00:52:46,083 --> 00:52:48,323 and, yeah, we did a lot of damage. 843 00:52:53,363 --> 00:52:58,083 Will and Alastair have come to Paris to meet Marcel Jaurant-Singer. 844 00:52:58,083 --> 00:53:00,083 Bonjour, Marcel. Bonjour. 845 00:53:00,083 --> 00:53:03,003 Alastair. How are you? Very good, thank you. 846 00:53:04,003 --> 00:53:07,803 At the age of 22, Marcel crossed the Pyrenees 847 00:53:07,803 --> 00:53:11,563 before travelling to Scotland to be trained by SOE. 848 00:53:11,563 --> 00:53:13,563 He then returned to France, 849 00:53:13,563 --> 00:53:17,203 going on to lead a 300-strong Resistance group. 850 00:53:17,203 --> 00:53:20,323 Did you feel as though the training was enough, 851 00:53:20,323 --> 00:53:22,803 that you were ready when you arrived in France? 852 00:53:22,803 --> 00:53:24,803 I was transformed. 853 00:53:24,803 --> 00:53:28,883 I was much stronger as I came back than when I left. 854 00:53:28,883 --> 00:53:31,563 I used my training, certainly. 855 00:53:32,563 --> 00:53:34,643 No question. It was necessary. 856 00:53:34,643 --> 00:53:38,003 And what sort of work did your group do? 857 00:53:38,003 --> 00:53:42,083 I was for a time active as a saboteur. 858 00:53:42,083 --> 00:53:45,963 There was in the train station 859 00:53:45,963 --> 00:53:48,803 a train of high explosives. 860 00:53:50,083 --> 00:53:52,083 Bombed the train. 861 00:53:52,083 --> 00:53:54,083 Everything exploded 862 00:53:54,083 --> 00:53:57,083 and the explosion was so terrible, 863 00:53:57,083 --> 00:54:00,483 we saw wheels of the train 864 00:54:00,483 --> 00:54:04,803 500 metres on the other side of the Somme. 865 00:54:04,803 --> 00:54:07,083 Unlike Fred and Marcel, 866 00:54:07,083 --> 00:54:10,323 many hundreds of agents did not survive the war. 867 00:54:11,323 --> 00:54:15,563 Debbey Clitheroe is following in the footsteps of Vera Atkins. 868 00:54:15,563 --> 00:54:18,323 As F Section's intelligence officer, 869 00:54:18,323 --> 00:54:22,803 Atkins had seen many agents off on their missions at the airfield 870 00:54:22,803 --> 00:54:26,083 and after the war was determined to discover the fate 871 00:54:26,083 --> 00:54:28,683 of those who hadn't returned from France. 872 00:54:29,683 --> 00:54:31,563 In 1946, 873 00:54:31,563 --> 00:54:34,523 Vera Atkins' quest led her inevitably 874 00:54:34,523 --> 00:54:36,803 to Nazi concentration camps. 875 00:54:36,803 --> 00:54:42,083 No-one knows exactly how many SOE agents died in these places. 876 00:54:42,083 --> 00:54:46,083 What is certain is that hundreds died on operations 877 00:54:46,083 --> 00:54:48,563 or were killed in captivity. 878 00:54:48,563 --> 00:54:52,563 The findings of Atkins' search were often horrific, 879 00:54:52,563 --> 00:54:55,563 but the fate of four women in particular, 880 00:54:55,563 --> 00:54:59,083 Sonia Olschanezky, Vera Leigh, 881 00:54:59,083 --> 00:55:03,403 Andree Borrel and Diana Rowden stood out. 882 00:55:03,403 --> 00:55:08,683 Atkins' mission led her to Natzweiler-Struthof in France. 883 00:55:08,683 --> 00:55:12,323 A fraction of the size of camps like Auschwitz or Dachau, 884 00:55:12,323 --> 00:55:16,323 Natzweiler-Struthof was hidden in the Vosges Mountains, 885 00:55:16,323 --> 00:55:18,803 built on the site of a ski resort. 886 00:55:21,523 --> 00:55:24,563 There were 17 barracks. 887 00:55:24,563 --> 00:55:26,083 Wow, 17. 888 00:55:26,083 --> 00:55:28,563 For 3,000 men. 889 00:55:28,563 --> 00:55:33,563 But at the end of the war, in '44, there were 6,000. 890 00:55:33,563 --> 00:55:34,803 Wow. 891 00:55:34,803 --> 00:55:38,563 It was the camp where all the deportees 892 00:55:38,563 --> 00:55:41,323 from the category "Nacht und Nebel" - 893 00:55:41,323 --> 00:55:44,843 Night and Fog - had to be sent. 894 00:55:44,843 --> 00:55:48,923 Specifically designed to deal with political prisoners, 895 00:55:48,923 --> 00:55:51,803 Resistance fighters and SOE agents, 896 00:55:51,803 --> 00:55:55,083 people imprisoned by the Night and Fog Decree 897 00:55:55,083 --> 00:55:59,083 were identified by an NN marked on their clothing. 898 00:55:59,083 --> 00:56:03,083 This category was created by the Nazis 899 00:56:03,083 --> 00:56:05,803 in December 1941 900 00:56:05,803 --> 00:56:10,563 in order to kill Resistance fighters 901 00:56:10,563 --> 00:56:13,563 in the occupied countries, 902 00:56:13,563 --> 00:56:17,803 but they had to die without traces. 903 00:56:17,803 --> 00:56:21,323 Nobody are to know what happened to them, 904 00:56:21,323 --> 00:56:26,323 and they couldn't become heroes for the population. 905 00:56:31,083 --> 00:56:33,083 From the witness accounts, 906 00:56:33,083 --> 00:56:36,803 Vera Atkins pieced together the women's final hours. 907 00:56:40,443 --> 00:56:44,563 After arriving at Natzweiler, they were kept in jail cells... 908 00:56:48,523 --> 00:56:53,403 ..before the camp's doctor injected the women with poison. 909 00:56:56,083 --> 00:56:59,563 Their bodies were then placed in the crematorium 910 00:56:59,563 --> 00:57:01,803 and reduced to ash. 911 00:57:11,083 --> 00:57:13,803 Obviously, a lot of people died here, 912 00:57:13,803 --> 00:57:16,323 but the four female SOE agents 913 00:57:16,323 --> 00:57:19,563 that they tried so hard to just disappear, 914 00:57:19,563 --> 00:57:22,163 those names will come home with me. 915 00:57:23,163 --> 00:57:25,403 They'll not disappear. 916 00:57:25,403 --> 00:57:29,083 Vera Leigh, Sonia Olschanezky... 917 00:57:30,083 --> 00:57:34,083 ..Diana Rowden and Andree Borrel. 918 00:57:36,803 --> 00:57:40,083 Though its impact is not easy to quantify, 919 00:57:40,083 --> 00:57:43,083 it has been said that SOE's contribution 920 00:57:43,083 --> 00:57:47,083 shortened the war against Germany by as much as six months. 921 00:57:47,083 --> 00:57:50,323 During the darkness of Nazi occupation, 922 00:57:50,323 --> 00:57:54,323 SOE's agents brought hope and inspired resistance 923 00:57:54,323 --> 00:57:57,803 until liberation was finally achieved. 924 00:57:59,883 --> 00:58:02,923 To be able to speak with you and actually hear from you 925 00:58:02,923 --> 00:58:06,323 what it was like, thank you for telling us those things. 926 00:58:06,323 --> 00:58:08,083 I am very old. 927 00:58:08,083 --> 00:58:10,803 I said I have the chance 928 00:58:10,803 --> 00:58:14,803 to live longer than most people, 929 00:58:14,803 --> 00:58:21,803 so I have the duty to help make known what my friends have done.