“Brave and desperate men could cause the most acute embarrassment to the enemy, and it was right that we should do all in our power to foster and stimulate so valuable an aid to Allied strategy.”
-Winston Churchill, 1940 (Rose 49)
Supply drops to French Resistance in Vercors, July 14, 1944. Imperial War Museums
By September, 1941, Hall formed Heckler, a network of colleagues that established an SOE presence in France and harnessed citizens’ unrest to sabotage Nazi efforts.
The French Resistance in the Hautes-Alpes, France, July, 1944. Imperial War Museums
Hall became an SOE pillar in the South and uniquely communicated with all types of people to send information to London and essentially ran SOE’s operations in the area.
Clandestine broadcast to London by a wireless operator of the French Resistance. c. 1942, Imperial War Museums
"She was in a good position to help for, as an American, people talked to her openly about their feelings."
-Ben Cowburn, SOE officer, 1960 (Purnell 129)
"grim undertaking not to be embarked upon lightly. It is devastating for the weak and exhausting even for the strong."
-Virginia Hall, December 4, 1941 (Purnell 132)
"executive out there . . . known as le champion américain in Lyon and gets all the best done for her . . . a walking encyclopedia, knows everyone, is in with everyone, liked by everyone."
-Peter Churchill, c. 1942 (Purnell 144)
"Virginia with members of her parachute reception committee." c. 1944. Judith L. Pearson
America entered WWII on December 7, 1941. In the ensuing months, Virginia’s actions became more high profile. Her position in France, and even her life, was at risk.
Member of the FFI in Dreux, August, 1944. Imperial War Museums
"She was paying the price of having a strong, reliable personality: everybody brought their troubles to her"
-Ben Cowburn, SOE personal file (Purnell 175)
The perils of miscommunication were evident when, in spring, 1942, a German priest infiltrated her circuit and exposed SOE codes which caused agents’ arrests, and false coded messages to London.
SOE Note Mentioning a Meeting Between Phillippe de Vomécourt and "Gloria". 1942. Musée de la Résistance
"I think my time has come. My address has been given to Vichy, although not my name, but it wouldn't be hard to guess."
-Virginia Hall, September 21, 1942 (Purnell 270)
With escape necessary, Virginia fled France on foot in a dangerous trek over the Pyrénées mountains on November 11, 1942.
"Since August, 1941, when this lady went into the field on our behalf, she has devoted herself whole-heartedly to our work without regard to the dangerous position in which her activities would place her in if realized by the Vichy authorities. She has been indefatigable in her constant support and assistance for our agents, combining a high degree of organizing ability with a clear-sighted appreciation of our needs. She has become a vital link between ourselves and various operational groups in the field, and her services for us cannot be too highly praised."
-SOE testimony, October 19, 1942 (Purnell 225)