Category: History

Secrets of War, Espionage 04 Weapons of The Shadow War (SOE and OSS)

I decided to share this link after being asked what weapons SOE used. Although this film only covers a few of the weapons available to SOE agents it’s a good introduction.

The legendary William Fairbarin (aka the Shanghai basher and dangerous Dan) makes an appearance during his time in Canada but has been wrongly quoted.

During the re-enactment of training in Scotland we see two former members of SOE’s French Section, Harry Ree and Jacqueline Nearne.

Although there are a number of inaccuracies this film is still worth watching.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WvCUpL7b2o8

Operation Biting: 2 Para raid on Bruneval 1942.

In February 1942 men of the newly formed 2nd Battalion the Parachute Regiment (2 Para) were sent to Bruneval in northern France to seize German radar equipment.

My only criticism is one video shows German paratroopers exiting a German aircraft and a number of photographs of non-airborne forces used to illustrate the raid.  Apart from these errors, this video provides a good oral historical presentation of the Bruneval Raid which became one of the Battle Honours of the Parachute Regiment.   

 

WWII veteran Bill Moore RAF Special Duties Squadron describes a mission to supply the French Resistance

This was later re-enacted in the public information film ‘Now the Truth Can be Told: School for Danger’ with a cast of former SOE agents.

New Zealand and Australian soldiers during the Vietnam War.

Filmmakers continue to forget the Australian and New Zealand contribution to the Vietnam War.

New Zealand

My personal view is the bravery of these three Kiwi soldiers must be recognised.

Australia

compilation of photographs and film footage along with the popular music of the period is an excellent reminder.

RAF 161 Special Duty Squadron (Lysanders) Occupied France

Timeline documentary interviewing pilots of 161 Squadron including Hugh Verity, members of the French resistance and agents.

Also an excellent interview of a Lancaster wireless operator shot down over Belgium who was rescued and taken to France by the Possum Escape Line (MI9) and later extracted by Hugh Verity flying a Lysander.

Documentary: Nancy Wake: Gestapo’s most wanted (Timeline productions)

Based on my understanding of Nancy Wake this is the best documentary I have seen on her life with the Pat O’Leary escape line, her escape from France and her service with SOE.

Some of her wartime work in France is not covered and there are the following technical inaccuracies during the re-enactment:

During her parachute infiltration she is seen wearing the wrong type of helmet and parachute

The type of wireless shown is not correct

The Gestapo agent Nancy Wake said she would shoot if the Marquis refused to do so was a woman not a male as shown in the film and it was not as straight forward as depicted here.

View Post