SOE in France

VII

Opening Gambits: 1940–1941

 

During the disasters of the battle of France in May and June 1940 SOE did not even exist. It was only set up in mid-July, and was still puling in its cradle in August and September, while the Germans were fighting the battle of Britain and providing sabotage targets of high priority in the ports and aerodromes where they were getting ready their invasion, which they had to cancel because they could not command the sky. Their preparations in France were disturbed only by such aircraft as bomber and coastal commands could muster, and by a few uncoordinated acts of despairing heroism by Frenchmen who could not bring themselves to accept the fact of defeat. As early as 7 August 1940 German main headquarters in Paris ...