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Version 3 | Version 4 |
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Secret agents' memorial unveiled | Secret agents' memorial unveiled |
(10 minutes later) | |
By Paul Moss BBC News Advertisement | By Paul Moss BBC News Advertisement |
The memorial will recognise the work of the Special Operations Executives | The memorial will recognise the work of the Special Operations Executives |
A memorial to honour secret agents who worked for the Allies in World War II is unveiled in London, featuring a carving of captured and executed Violette Szabo. | A memorial to honour secret agents who worked for the Allies in World War II is unveiled in London, featuring a carving of captured and executed Violette Szabo. |
They came from all generations of the military - veterans of World War II, serving men and women, and young military cadets - all gathered on London's South Bank to see the new memorial officially unveiled. | They came from all generations of the military - veterans of World War II, serving men and women, and young military cadets - all gathered on London's South Bank to see the new memorial officially unveiled. |
The bust gazing out across the Thames depicts Violette Szabo, one of Britain's more extraordinary under-cover agents. | The bust gazing out across the Thames depicts Violette Szabo, one of Britain's more extraordinary under-cover agents. |
Daughter of a French mother and English father, Violette grew up in Brixton, South London. | Daughter of a French mother and English father, Violette grew up in Brixton, South London. |
But when her husband was killed fighting in North Africa, she volunteered for under-cover operations in France. | But when her husband was killed fighting in North Africa, she volunteered for under-cover operations in France. |
'Absolutely fearless' | 'Absolutely fearless' |
The first mission was a complete success, organising resistance and sending back intelligence from behind enemy lines. | The first mission was a complete success, organising resistance and sending back intelligence from behind enemy lines. |
But when she returned again, shortly after D-day, Szabo was captured by the Germans, tortured and killed. | But when she returned again, shortly after D-day, Szabo was captured by the Germans, tortured and killed. |
"She was young and absolutely fearless," Lord Selborne said at today's ceremony. | "She was young and absolutely fearless," Lord Selborne said at today's ceremony. |
He had been invited because his grandfather was in overall charge of her mission. | He had been invited because his grandfather was in overall charge of her mission. |
We had lots of friends who never knew that we won the war, because they were killed along the way Joachim RonnebergTelemark raid leader | We had lots of friends who never knew that we won the war, because they were killed along the way Joachim RonnebergTelemark raid leader |
"When it came to a shoot-out, there she was, leading from the front. And once she was captured, she gave absolutely nothing away in the concentration camp where she was tortured - a remarkable story." | "When it came to a shoot-out, there she was, leading from the front. And once she was captured, she gave absolutely nothing away in the concentration camp where she was tortured - a remarkable story." |
But it was not only Szabo's story that was remembered today. | But it was not only Szabo's story that was remembered today. |
The memorial commemorates all members of the Special Operations Executive (SOE), the wartime unit of which she was a member. | The memorial commemorates all members of the Special Operations Executive (SOE), the wartime unit of which she was a member. |
It was wartime Prime Minister Winston Churchill who dreamed up the SOE, a collection of agents from various countries which would, he promised "set Europe ablaze". | It was wartime Prime Minister Winston Churchill who dreamed up the SOE, a collection of agents from various countries which would, he promised "set Europe ablaze". |
With this mission statement, it carried out reconnaissance, intelligence gathering and outright sabotage across the continent. | With this mission statement, it carried out reconnaissance, intelligence gathering and outright sabotage across the continent. |
Sombre mood | Sombre mood |
It was the SOE that carried out one of WWII's most famous commando operations, the raid on Telemark. | It was the SOE that carried out one of WWII's most famous commando operations, the raid on Telemark. |
This destroyed a factory in Norway where the Germans were trying to produce heavy water, an essential ingredient in atomic bombs. | This destroyed a factory in Norway where the Germans were trying to produce heavy water, an essential ingredient in atomic bombs. |
Guest of honour at today's ceremony was the man who led that raid, Joachim Ronneberg. He was in a sombre mood. | Guest of honour at today's ceremony was the man who led that raid, Joachim Ronneberg. He was in a sombre mood. |
"I am privileged to be here," he said. "We had lots of friends who never knew that we won the war, because they were killed along the way. | "I am privileged to be here," he said. "We had lots of friends who never knew that we won the war, because they were killed along the way. |
"It's with great respect that you stand at a memorial like this." | "It's with great respect that you stand at a memorial like this." |
Violette Szabo gave nothing away under torture | Violette Szabo gave nothing away under torture |
But if members of the SOE faced fierce opposition in the countries where they operated, they also came under attack back in Britain. | But if members of the SOE faced fierce opposition in the countries where they operated, they also came under attack back in Britain. |
Many in the military establishment resented what they regarded as an upstart unit, not under the control either of the generals or of the regular intelligence agencies. | Many in the military establishment resented what they regarded as an upstart unit, not under the control either of the generals or of the regular intelligence agencies. |
Their methods too were controversial, described euphemistically as "unorthodox," but condemned by some as downright brutal. | Their methods too were controversial, described euphemistically as "unorthodox," but condemned by some as downright brutal. |
And in some places where the SOE had acted, there were appalling reprisals on the local population. | And in some places where the SOE had acted, there were appalling reprisals on the local population. |
Some came to doubt whether this civilian death-toll could be justified. | Some came to doubt whether this civilian death-toll could be justified. |
Sensitive papers | Sensitive papers |
When the war ended, the SOE was wound up, its operations subsumed into other departments. | When the war ended, the SOE was wound up, its operations subsumed into other departments. |
And it was not until the new bust of Szabo was made that the SOE had a dedicated public memorial. | And it was not until the new bust of Szabo was made that the SOE had a dedicated public memorial. |
There was some mention of this controversial history at today's ceremony. | There was some mention of this controversial history at today's ceremony. |
One speaker complained that official papers on the SOE are still being withheld on grounds of sensitivity. | One speaker complained that official papers on the SOE are still being withheld on grounds of sensitivity. |
But there was also gratitude from many people who attended, glad that the memorial had finally been built. | But there was also gratitude from many people who attended, glad that the memorial had finally been built. |
It was a sign, one said, that the Special Operations Executive was finally being given the recognition it deserves. | It was a sign, one said, that the Special Operations Executive was finally being given the recognition it deserves. |