Odette Sanson Biography
Brief Biography of Odette Sanson 1912 - 1995
Odette Sanson was born in France but later moved to England. In 1941 she responded to requests by the War Office for people to send photographs to France. These photographs encouraged the War office to recruit Odette into the Special Operations Executive SOE; the SOE was responsible for training agents to be dropped into France.
After receiving basic training in England she was taken to France by boat in October 1942. For over a year, Odette using the codename Lise, worked as radio operator, for group leader Peter Churchill. Radio Operators was one of the most dangerous task, as the Geastapo were always on the lookout for radio signals. The fact she survived undetected for over a year is testimony to her care and professionalism.
Betrayal of Odette Sanson
She was betrayed by a double agent, 'Colonel Henri' in April 1943. Colonel Henri was a German officer who claimed he wished to work for the allies. Despite, Odette's suspicions, his involvement led to her arrest.
She was taken to Fresnes Prison in Paris, where she was interogated and tortured on many separate occasions. The torture involved beatings, having her toe nails torn out and her spine branded by a hot iron. Yet, despite the torture and pressure she remained firm to her story. She maintained she, not Peter Churchill, was the leader; she also refused to give any information about other members. Eventually, she was sentenced to death and sent to Ravensbruck concentration camp for her execution.
However, her execution was never carried out. The Gestapo believe that her 'husband' Peter Churchill was related to Winston Churchill. The SS wanted to keep her as a bargaining tool. During her internment she suffered brutal treatment including long periods of solitary confinement in the dark. But, eventually the camp was overun and she won her freedom as the Camp commandent tried to use her as a hostage.
After the War
Despite her appalling treatment, she was not over consumed with bitterness. Instead after the war, she worked for various charities seeking to lessen the pain of war. For her service she was awarded the George Cross. Her humility meant she was not keen on accepting the award, but, she did accept it on behalf of all agents who suffered during the war. She briefly married Peter Churchill before marrying her third husband Geoffrey Hallowes. She died in 1995 aged 83.
Female SOE Agents in the Second World War
As well as Odette Sanson there were numerous other female 'spies' who served in the SOE as secret agents in occupied France they include:
- Noor Inayat Khan at Write Spirit
- Violette Szabo
- Andrée Borrel,
- Sonia Olschanezky,
- Vera Leigh
- Diana Rowden.
- Nancy Wake
Carve Her Name With Pride - Film based on life of Odette