The Last Hope: Nancy Wake’s Struggle to Save Lives in War-Torn Europe
Celebrating #InternationalWomensDay featuring the most Iconic female figures of World War 2.
Nancy Wake was a prominent figure in the French Resistance during World War II. She was born on August 30, 1912, in Wellington, New Zealand, but later moved to Australia with her family.
In 1943, her husband Henri Fiocca was captured and executed by the Germans, which strengthened her resolve to continue her work with the Resistance. Nancy helped to establish escape routes and safe houses for Allied soldiers and downed pilots, and even smuggled refugees across the border into Spain. She was awarded numerous honors for her bravery, including the George Medal from the British government and the Medal of Freedom from the United States.
In 1932, Nancy left Australia to work as a journalist in London, where she met and married French businessman Henri Fiocca. They moved to Marseille, France, where Nancy quickly became involved in the Resistance movement after the German occupation of France in 1940.
Nancy’s fluency in French, her knowledge of the local area, and her courage made her a valuable asset to the Resistance. She worked as a courier, carrying messages and supplies between Resistance groups and helping to organize and finance operations. Her bravery and determination earned her the nickname “The White Mouse” from the Gestapo, as they found it difficult to capture her.
Nancy’s work in the Resistance was dangerous and she narrowly escaped capture several times. She once cycled 500 kilometers through German checkpoints to deliver radio codes to another Resistance group. On another occasion, she was stopped by German soldiers while carrying a suitcase filled with money for the Resistance, but she managed to bluff her way out of the situation.
In 1943, Nancy’s husband Henri was captured and executed by the Germans. This tragedy only strengthened Nancy’s resolve to continue her work with the Resistance. She became even more active, leading a group of 7,000 Resistance fighters in the Auvergne region of France.
After the war, Nancy was awarded numerous honors for her bravery, including the George Medal from the British government and the Medal of Freedom from the United States. She later moved to Australia and worked as a journalist and public speaker.
Nancy Wake passed away on August 7, 2011, at the age of 98. She is remembered as a hero of the Resistance and an inspiration to generations of women. Her courage, determination, and bravery in the face of danger continue to inspire people around the world.
Nancy Wake’s contribution to the war effort was also recognized by the French government, which awarded her the Croix de Guerre and the Médaille de la Résistance. She was one of only a handful of women to receive these honors.
In addition to her work with the Resistance, Nancy also helped to evacuate Allied soldiers and downed pilots from France. She helped to establish escape routes and safe houses, and even smuggled refugees across the border into Spain.
After the war, Nancy worked briefly for the British Intelligence Service, but later moved to Australia, where she married John Forward, a Royal Air Force officer. She worked as a freelance journalist and public speaker, often speaking about her experiences during the war.
In 1957, Nancy and John moved to England, where she worked for the intelligence agency MI6. She continued to work for MI6 until 1962, when she and John retired to Port Macquarie, Australia.
Despite her numerous honors and accolades, Nancy remained modest about her accomplishments. She once said, “I was just one of the many, many thousands of women who did what I did. We were all doing our bit.”
Nancy Wake’s legacy continues to inspire people around the world. She is remembered as a brave and fearless fighter who risked her life to help others. Her story is a testament to the strength and resilience of the human spirit, and a reminder of the importance of standing up for what is right, even in the face of great danger.
