June 12, 1940. Baltimore Sun
Mouzon, France, 1940. Imperial War Museums
Virginia was recruited to the SOE in January, 1941.
“It strikes me that this lady, a native of Baltimore, might well be used for a mission and that we might facilitate her voyage there and back, and stand her expenses on her trip in exchange for what service she could render us.”
-Nicolas Bodington, January 15, 1941 (Purnell 73)
Hall’s neutral American passport and her knowledge of France were advantages that allowed her less restricted travel. Virginia was to cultivate relationships with local resistance fighters (maquis) and communicate intelligence.
"a Class A liaison officer in France - Unoccupied territory - with journalistic cover"
-SOE report, February 14, 1941 (Mitchell 83)
Virginia hiking, c. 1922. Lorna Catling Collection
Hall became the first female SOE officer in France on August 23, 1941. Virginia’s cover as a journalist allowed her to build connections within the Vichy government and share their relationship with the Nazis. Through her articles for the New York Post, she both shared details of everyday French life to the SOE that briefed officers and helped Americans notice the Nazi’s atrocities.
Virginia Hall's Driver Liscense. c. 1931. Time Magazine
"The Jews in Paris, meantime, are wearing a badge of their race - a five pointed yellow star"
-Virginia Hall in the New York Post, June, 1942 (Mitchell 101)
"You almost imagine that neon lights are blinking from your forehead and proclaiming, on and off, Made in England."
-Peter Churchill, SOE officer, c. 1952 (Purnell 141)
"I haven't yet seen any butter and there is little milk . . . [and] women are no longer entitled to buy cigarettes."
-Virginia Hall in the New York Post, September 4, 1941 (Purnell 87)
French Refugees, c. 1941. Imperial War Museums