"Special Operations Executive was formed by Winston Churchill in 1940 'to set Europe ablaze'. In SOE women were trained to handle guns and explosives, work undercover, endure interrogation by the Gestapo, and use complex codes. This is the story of ten remarkable women who were dropped in occupied territories to work as secret agents." "Once in enemy territory, theirs was the most dangerous war of all, leading an apparently normal civilian life but in constant danger of arrest. They organised dropping grounds for arms and explosives destined for the Resistance, helped operate escape lines for airmen who had been shot down over Europe, and provided Allied Command with vital intelligence." "The stories of these women agents - some famous, some virtually unknown - are told with the help of extensive new archive material. Their exploits form a new chapter of heroism in the history of warfare matched only by their determination, resourcefulness and ability to stay cool in the face of extreme danger."--BOOK JACKET.Title Summary field provided by Blackwell North America, Inc. All Rights Reserved