Young, Brave and Beautiful

by Tania Szabô

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  During lunch, Vera broached the idea of the possibility of promotion to a higher rank and increment in pay that went with it.

  ‘I’ve instigated a promotion for you, Violette. I thought you might like to know. You fully deserve it. It’ll take a couple of weeks to come through, I should think. The work you did in France has greatly impressed, not only myself and Buck108 but also other military personnel, including the air-reconnaissance branch of the air force and certain sections of the War Office. The Barentin viaduct blown and additional intelligence on the secret weapons are just two areas where you spectacularly accomplished your mission. Promotion to lieutenant. How does that appeal?’

  With a broad smile, Violette replied, ‘I’m stunned. As you know, I hoped they’d blow it but couldn’t be sure as I had to scarper rather rapidly! Thank you, I will do my utmost to merit it. And, as you know, Vera, an increase in pay would be very welcome. I must also thank you keeping my affairs in order and sorting out my banking arrangements and all the rest.’

  ‘It is an important part of my responsibilities to keep an eye on all my girls’ financial arrangements and other matters.’

  It was now Friday, 16 May 1944. Vera had told Violette at the lunch to report to Buckmaster’s office in SOE HQ by half past four that afternoon. Buckmaster and Philippe were already present. Violette walked in with an air of expectancy and could see that they had been busy. There were papers, plans and maps all over the place.

  ‘Congratulations on your promotion, Violette,’ Philippe said as soon as she came in. His smile was warm, although he seemed a little tense and business-like.

  Vera explained that plans were in progress for a new mission. Buckmaster put in, ‘You don’t have to go, you know. You’ve more than done your share.’

  Violette smiled and then frowned in mock concern, ‘What, don’t you want me to go, then?’ she asked.

  ‘Well, yes. However, it remains up to you,’ replied Buckmaster. ‘Your courage and ability are not in question. Nevertheless, I feel you ought to know that this time it’s going to be much more dangerous.’

  She smiled. ‘Sir, you know that if I can be of any help, I shall be glad to go again. I want to go again. I understand the dangers and that it could be even more dangerous this time, especially as the Krauts must know we’re up to something massive.’

  Buckmaster turned to Philippe, ‘Philippe, do you want to give Violette an idea of our plans and the area to which you’ll be going? It seems as if nothing will stop her, so let’s get on with it.’

  ‘Certainly, sir.’ Philippe laid a map out over the desk. ‘Here you can see the small outlined area we would probably be parachuted into. On the other hand, the area of our planned operations is quite large – from Limoges down to Brive, at least, and as far north-east as Châteauneuf-la-Forêt. It includes the Mont Gargan and surrounding hills that, in the main, are heavily wooded and where the communist Maquis is well holed up.

  ‘This is a zone full of Maquis wanting to fight; they have already created obstacles but equally have caused unnecessary reprisals because of a “do-or-die” mentality among certain members of the groups. This entire zone will be primed to explode in the face of the enemy once D-Day has taken place. That is our job.

  ‘Our team consists of Jean-Claude on wireless to keep us in touch with London, Bob on reception committees, training in sabotage and warfare generally, you as liaison officer and myself as overall controller. We must get the various factions trained and working to an overall plan. In the Midi there are large numbers of Germans, including the SS-Das Reich Panzer Division led by Brigadeführer Lammerding. If they want to reach the Allied forces that will be landed along the coast, they will need to rush north along the two or three main north-south arteries. Once they get to Limoges on the N20, they could – depending on where our invasion takes place – branch out towards Dieppe and further north or towards the west of Normandy and into Brittany. The reason they’re not up there already is that the Germans have to take into consideration that our plans could be to invade along the Mediterranean coast of France. If that did happen, then rest assured that the enemy has one of the truly crack SS military forces waiting down there.

  ‘Late last year, a series of planned Gestapo, Milice and Vichy police raids on SOE and Résistance networks took place. The overall strategy of the German High Command is based on their conviction that the Allies will invade Europe over the Channel from England. They don’t know where or when, but they do know it will happen …’

  ‘I’m sorry to interrupt, but would it not be possible to block the Panzers from leaving their base in the south?’ Violette tentatively put forward.

  ‘No, Violette,’ broke in Buckmaster. ‘It would require a huge force that is not at our disposal. They are being concentrated elsewhere at the present time and we cannot spread ourselves too thin, nor stretch our lines of communication too far.’

  ‘Alors, revenons à nos moutons,’109 cracked Philippe. ‘We need to unite and supply the three main areas of Résistance before D-Day, as there will be a huge parachute invasion of Jedburghs just a few days after we’re dropped. The Jedburghs are the first real teaming up of the American Office of Strategic Services and British SOE to parachute in joint effort into Nazi occupied territories all over Europe to assist in guerrilla and sabotage activities. Before they arrive, we are sending in teams of three or four, each team to include a French national. You and I and Bob Maloubier, who are French, and Jean Guiet, French-American, will make up one of these teams and parachute into the Limousin. It appears that I have no choice in the matter! I must jump!

  ‘Our job is to unite, supply and train the Résistance in Haute-Vienne, Corrèze, Lot and the Dordogne. If you look at the rectangle of these four départements you’ll understand just how strategically important they are.’

  ‘What about the Auvergne?’ broke in Violette.

  ‘That area does not come within your remit, Violette,’ interrupted Vera Atkins. ‘That is covered by another circuit.’

  ‘Yes, I see.’

  Vera then went into their code names and other administrative details, saying, ‘Violette, yours will be Louise Leroy, still the same surname, a seamstress this time, and Philippe will still be known as Hamlet and Major Charles Staunton, while the circuit will be Salesman II. And as Philippe said, Jean-Claude Guiet will take Brave and Virgile as required. You will all have three sets of identity and be clothed suitably for hot weather with a few extras for cold nights.

  ‘This time you will be going over with a full moon on 6 June. Half-moon is not until 13 June, and 20 June is moonless. The 6th is a Tuesday so you have around three weeks to sort yourselves out. You should meet here every day or so to be brought up-to-date and to fine-tune your operation. You will each be carrying large sums of money and personal weapons. Violette, this is not like the solitary mission you were on in Rouen and Le Havre. You will be working as a part of a team under Philippe’s overall command.’

  ‘Yes,’ said a very thoughtful Violette.

  ‘You will all have to be very much on your toes,’ stepped in Buckmaster. ‘We know that the Germans down south are getting very nasty. They know they’re losing the war. They’re instigating brutal reprisals on the civil population right across southern France. Your safe-house will be in the tiny village of Sussac. Madame Ribiéras has a small grocery shop there; her husband is a POW in Germany. She’s experienced and she’ll do everything she can for you.’

  A knock on the door heralded the entrance of a young French-American, Jean-Claude Guiet. Introductions were made and a quick drink to wish them all luck – or ‘merde’ as Vera would say.

  It was late by the time they took their leave. Philippe offered to drive Violette home to Pembridge Villas. They had all pored over the maps. Bourne-Patterson had come in to talk finances and they had all once again discussed ideas and the people on the spot in each of the areas.

  Once in the flat, they continued going over details unt
il two o’clock in the morning, both yawning and deciding to call it a day. Violette offered him her divan, threw a pillow, a clean sheet and a blanket over to him from the airing cupboard and said goodnight. They were both exhausted.

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  In the morning Philippe invited her to a little Italian coffee house in Notting Hill Gate to have a decent breakfast. Violette accepted with alacrity. As they arrived there, a young man approached Philippe. ‘Ah, Jean-Claude, glad you could make it. You remember Violette. She’ll be our courier, in fact, our liaison officer.’

  The three of them breakfasted on strong coffee and continental breads while Philippe told them both that they should make any remaining personal arrangements over the next few days. They would also need to go over their cover stories carefully, double check their clothes and all the small items they would be taking to France again. Lastly, he reminded them not to forget to go and get new codes for use in the field.

  ‘I’ll have my driver take you, Violette, to the code officer, Lieutenant Leo Marks, you remember him from last time, I should think. The driver can take you wherever you want after that.’

  ‘I’ve already been,’ Jean-Claude stepped in before Philippe could turn to him on the matter. ‘Strange fellow, but a good code man, I reckon.’

  Earlier in the year, when choosing her other codes, finding her WOK110 and LOP no problem, Violette discovered this codemaster was a decidedly strange man: young, terribly intense with a sharp and funny wit. She had been warned he fell for each female agent he met, weaving odd little tales and webs, trying to ensnare them. She had found him somewhat comical and could not believe people would fall for his yarns. Nevertheless, they did.

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  During this period of rest and refreshment, training and promotion, Violette did not forget her mother’s birthday on 22 May. She bought Reine more French perfume and a pretty scarf and insisted they go to a fine restaurant. It was a lovely afternoon spent talking in French and then an evening at home in Stockwell with her father and mother. Charlie had written yet another love poem for the Frenchwoman he had married in 1918.

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  It was time. Violette began preparing for her departure and saying farewell to friends. She realised her fellow agents must be on similar missions to hers and saw few people apart from Sonia d’Artois and Nancy Wake. And of course, those people she was working with – Vera, Buckmaster, Philippe, Bob Maloubier, Jean-Claude Guiet and a few others. A girlfriend of Harry Peulevé told Violette he had gone overseas but did not know where. Violette was fairly certain he was somewhere down south in France. She wondered if she would be instructed to rendezvous with him as part of the co-ordination process. The area was large and there were thousands of Frenchmen and a good few hundred Frenchwomen involved in this crucial project through which Harry directed a great many Résistants.

  She had some studio photos taken of herself, which she asked her mother to keep for her return to start her portfolio. Reine looked at Violette for a long, hard moment, apprehension in her eyes. ‘Look Maman,’ said Violette, reading her mother, ‘I needed some. I’d like to try my hand at becoming an actor in films. Although I could always take up the career of cat burglar after all my training, acting would be sheer delight after the war.’

  ‘Yes, darling, I know. But, I’m afraid for you.’

  ‘No need. I’ll be back soon, giving Dad a few more grey hairs!’ She smiled at her mother and moved forward and hugged her. ‘Look, I also have to put my affairs in order. But I really don’t want you to worry. Most of the bods I know come back safe and sound. Just a little crazier, that’s all.’

  ‘All right, Vi, what would you like me to do? What about Tania? Is she all right with your friend? I’m just a bit doubtful, I don’t know her very well.’

  ‘She should be all right with Vera. I’ve given her enough money to look after Tania, and I took Tania to buy a few extra clothes, which she enjoyed. But, should anything happen to me – which is highly unlikely – I want you to bring her up along with Vera Maidment. That is, if you don’t mind. I have given Vera a letter stating that she take care of Tania but that’s just a protection.’

  ‘Well, I’ve been looking forward to the freedom of having only grown children, except for Dickie – and he’s growing up fast.’ She laughed, trying to play down her daughter’s request. ‘You know, Violette, I would look after that little child of yours. I just don’t want to have to. I want you back here, safe with us.’ The idea that Violette, her only daughter, might not come back, was close to breaking her heart. She had watched bemused while her exuberant, intelligent and fun-loving girl grew into a beautiful, brave woman.

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  At home, the following day, Violette again broached the subject of her affairs. ‘Mum, I’ve made my will. I’m leaving everything I have to Tania. Not much, I’m afraid, but everything that’s mine, including a couple of hundred in the bank – from Étienne – and my meagre wages. These’ll be paid quarterly into my bank account. Vera Atkins takes care of all that. I want you to look after my wedding ring for Tania too and the gold compact (I know the mirror is cracked but it’s special), vanity case, gold bracelet and Étienne’s ribbons, military blanket, old leather suitcase and the other jewellery he gave me. That should all go to her, of course. There’s a knife and a small pistol that I won’t be taking either. What I think I’ll take again is my engagement ring. It just might bring in some cash in a tight corner or I can use it as a bribe. It’s worth quite a lot.’

  ‘Violette, you’re frightening me!’

  ‘Yes, I’m sorry, Mum. I should have done all this before I went last time. I just didn’t want to worry you. Miss Atkins gave me a real dressing-down for leaving everything in a mess. So, if I don’t want her coming down on me like a ton of bricks, I’ve got to do it. Don’t you doubt it, I’ll be back!’

  ‘I understand. So what else?’ said Reine with evident relief.

  At that moment, Charlie walked in, ‘What’s going on here then? Coffee on the go again. You two up to something? How about a nice cup of tea for an old man, then, and one of those biscuits you’ve been hiding, eh Reine?’ He was relaxed and in a happy mood. It seemed the right moment to get him to agree to a couple of things.

  ‘Look, Dad, I’m going to be away for a while and I don’t see the point of keeping on the flat in Pembridge Villas. Costs too much. Vera Atkins is sending you ten quid to cover the rent, but then it should be let go. I need the money to cover Tania being looked after by Vera Maidment. When I get back in a few weeks, I can look for something else. So, would you get rid of it for me and sell the furniture? There’s still something to be paid on the fridge and furniture but after that’s all settled, there should be some over to put in my account. The address is on my statements along with my account number.’

  ‘What the bloody hell, Vi? What’s going on?’

  ‘Don’t start now! I’ve been told that I was most remiss in not attending to these things by Miss Atkins, my commanding officer. She’s just an old fusspot so it’s her who’s scaring the living daylights out of Mum. Now, will you help me or do I go to someone outside the family?’

  ‘Now, now, all right. Just a damn shock, that’s all. I’ve hardly sat down and you want me to sort out your tangle, is that it? Right, yes, I’ll do all that. Anything more?’

  ‘Thanks, Dad, you’re a brick! That’s about it. Mum will be executrix for Tania, and everything I possess is going to Tania, too. It’s in the will Miss Atkins had me write. So, I think that’s it. And thanks, Dad, I do appreciate that. Somehow, though, I think you’ll enjoy disposing of the flat.’

  Violette smiled fondly at her father and mother; they had concern written all over their faces.

  ‘Now, if I don’t appear for a while, don’t go trying to find out where I am, will you? Vera Atkins has asked me to be sure to impress this upon you both. Even once the war’s ended. I just might be helping out somewhere under some other name or something. Nothing dangerous but it might be undercov
er in some way. Okay?’

  ‘Well, if you say so,’ grumbled Charlie Bushell, most unhappy at what was unspoken. Bloody wars. All they did was damage everybody, he thought to himself. He was going to have to be careful with Reine; she’d worry no end. He’d try and cheer her up with a few car trips, she liked those.

  For the last few days of her tenure in Pembridge Villas, Violette decided to invite her friends around for drinks and to listen to records, perhaps dance a little. Bob Maloubier was a regular visitor. The flat had been for her, Étienne and Tania, and she knew she would get over emotional if she stayed there alone.

  So, her friends came to party. The flat was full to bursting, blackout curtains were pulled across securely, soft lighting cast a soft glow all around and music filled the room, cigarette smoke curled in spirals towards the ceiling. Bob came into the kitchen, where Violette was preparing more bowls of Smith’s crisps, nuts and raisins to accompany the drinks. She had made a huge saucepan of mashed potatoes with cheese and onion to feed everyone a little later in the evening.

  ‘Listen, Vi, put on “I’ll be Around”. It’s a great song,’ said Bob.

  Violette started to hum as she went back into the living room. She found the record and put it on the turntable.

  ‘Your favourite, isn’t it, Bob?’

  ‘Keep me in your mind, maybe,’ Bob said a little wistfully.

  ‘Yes, Bob, how many girls’ minds do you want to be in?’

  ‘Just yours!’

  Violette laughed merrily, knowing Bob was charming company but fickle. ‘Well, I wonder if you’ll be around in June, should I need you, in those fields of wheat and cognac grapes?’ whispered Violette into his ear.

  That sobered up Bob very quickly, thinking of the dangerous task just days hence. Someone else said, ‘How about “La Vie en Rose”? Sonia just told us that you’ve got it.’