New Zealand born Nancy Wake was a secret agent in France in World War 2...a most extraordinary woman

I was first introduced to Nancy Wake in a 1987 Australian mini series. Well known and award winning Australian actress, Noni Hazlehurst played the role of Nancy. I was mesmerised at the brave exploits of this woman and even more amazed that she is practically unknown today. It has been riveting reading.

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Here is some background information:
Nancy Wake lived a very long life, coming into the word on 30 August 1912 in New Zealand and passing away on 7 August 2011 in England at the age of nearly 99 years old. Nancy's family moved to Sydney Australia in 1914. She was raised by her mother after her father left and stayed at home until she was 16 years. It would seem that Nancy was always a fearless adventurous because after working as a nurse for a short period of time, she used the money to journey to New York.

The 1987 mini series tells only of Nancy's life from 1937 onwards. I have become event more amazed as I have gathered information. I have to say that it is most remarkable she got through the war alive considering her action packed war time adventures with the French resistance fighting the Germans. Nancy Wake was on the Gestapo's wanted list, they tried very hard to catch her but never succeeded. The price on her head was 5 million francs. It was for this reason that she was dubbed the White Mouse by the Gestapo.


[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nancy_Wake]

As Nancy's story goes, she just happened to be living in Marseille France with her husband Henri Fiocca when the Second World War broke out.


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Both Nancy and her husband worked for the French Resistance, with Henri being captured and killed by them in 1943. From 1939 Nancy slowly became a part of the French Resistance managing to escape to England in 1943 only to return to continue working with the British in the French Sections of Special Operations Executive. Nancy was parachuted back into France in 1944 to work with the French as a liaison with the British. For her bravery Nancy Wake has received awards from France, England and Australia. This remarkable brave woman has a most impressive collection of medals that are very well deserved.


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Nancy Wake lived in Australia after the war, marrying her second husband, John Forward. They were married for 40 years from 1957 to 1997. When John passed away Nancy went to live in London.

Nancy Wake has written her own autobiography, which would have to be a book worth buying.


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Australian author Russell Braddon has written a couple of books on Nancy Wake, here is a photo of one of these books.


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I tried to find one of these books on my kindle but could not unfortunately. The next time I am in a bookstore or a Nancy Wake book comes my way I shall buy it.

Information sourced through wikipedia

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Cheers

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