The SOE (Special Operations Executive)

The SOE (Special Operations Executive) was a secret British World War II organization formed in July 1940. Tasked by Winston Churchill to "set Europe ablaze".

The agency conducted espionage, sabotage, and reconnaissance behind enemy lines all over Europe. IT supported and armed local resistance groups to undermine Axis powers globally, using whatever means was available to reach the ultimate goal of victory 

Often referred to as Churchill's "Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare," the organization operated globally in Axis-occupied territories and neutral countries. Its key operations and legacy included: 

Sabotage & Subversion: 

Agents disrupted the enemy war effort by blowing up railways, bridges, and factories, troop trains, airfields and destroying power supplies. 

Supporting Resistance:

 They organized, trained, and supplied underground resistance movements (such as the French Resistance and the Yugoslav Partisans) to tie up enemy troops. Fake money and using women of the night was amongst the tools which was used to get the upper hand in warfare 

Covert Tactics:

 The organization pioneered the use of plastic explosives, silent weapons, and clandestine wireless communications and blackmail.

Agents: 

The SOE recruited over 13,000 personnel—including thousands of women—who were often parachuted or smuggled by boat into enemy territory. This dangerous work carried a high risk of capture, torture, and execution by the Gestapo. Unfortunately many captured agents were sent to death camps and never seen again