Pauline Trahan: SOE Agent.

I have recently been informed that on 4 February 2024 one of the last surviving members of the Special Operations Executive (SOE) French Section died at the age of 97. If her age is correct and was 17 when she parachuted into France, Nicola Pauline Marie Trahan was one of the youngest agents serving with F (French ) Section. RIP

Author: Alan Malcher

Military historian and defence commentator

4 thoughts on “Pauline Trahan: SOE Agent.”

  1. Hi Alan.
    I have read numerous books regarding F section and the French resistance, I know I am getting old, but I do not recall this woman’s name! I know there was a young agent whose name i am certain was Angela as I have seen her on the SOE Memorial at Tempsford. she too was just seventeen. I would have to study my books again to find her. Which circuit did this lady work for? and which circuit leader?
    I enjoy reading your blogs and am quite interested in SOE, and I have been from the age of ten. the amount of information that is now being released is super, unlike the french archives.only recently have files been opened in 2000, I believe, certainly in 2020, the next is 2040, then 2060, and the last will be in 2090. the war will have been over for one hundred and forty five years.
    they have a lot to hide.
    Regards.
    Allan Hatch.

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    1. The is a problem for SOE historians because many records are not in the archivers. Also, many did not talk about their war service after the war and sometimes are not mentioned by other agents agents. There are huge gaps in the history of SOE especially F Section and my forthcoming book based on new research including testimonies from agents challenges many accounts by MRD Foot and other historians. Regards, Alan

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    1. I’m currently working on the final draft. The research has taken just over six years and includes testimonies from agents who served in France and staff officers who challenged most of what has been published since 1963 and many documents found in the archives. I have been reading about SOE for over 50 years and after reading and hearing their testimonies I was forced to relearn the history of SOE in France. I’ll let you know when its published and thank you for your interest. Regards Alan

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