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The early struggles -

Born in 1912 in New Zealand, Nancy Wake faced hardship early on when her father sold their home and left the family, returning to New Zealand. Raised in Sydney by her mother, this challenging start to life likely forged the resilience and independence that would later define her extraordinary journey.

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Charting her own path -

Nancy Wake’s independence and ingenuity, coupled with an inheritance she received at the age of twenty, paved the way for her to pursue a new chapter. Traveling via New York, she made her way to England where she embarked on a career as a journalist, a role that would immerse her in the political and social upheaval of the time.

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A fateful encounter -

In 1933, on one of her earliest assignments as a journalist, Wake interviewed Adolf Hitler in Vienna and the meeting brought her face-to-face with the looming threat of the Nazi regime. From that moment onward, Wake was resolute in her commitment to oppose Hitler and his ideology.

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Love and espionage -

While traversing France as a journalist, Wake crossed paths with Henri Fiocca, a wealthy industrialist from Marseilles. The two married and it was during this period that Wake encountered the shadowy world of espionage—a twist of fate that would soon intertwine her life with acts of resistance and defiance against the Nazis.

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Wake's resistance role -

As the wife of a prominent French industrialist, Wake enjoyed freedoms rare in occupied France after its 1940 surrender to Germany. Using this mobility, she took on the perilous role of a courier for the French Resistance, braving treks across the Pyrenees, transporting vital supplies and messages to underground fighters.

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Guiding to freedom -

Nancy Wake bravely escorted escapees between safe houses in Southern France and across the icy peaks of the Pyrenees. These perilous treks, often in freezing conditions, showcased her unmatched resilience and determination to aid the French Resistance during World War II.

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Guiding freedom -

Wake vividly recalls swapping wet socks for dry ones during brief breaks to prevent frostbite. With German sentries restricted to patrolling the foothills, she led nearly 2,000 escapes across the Pyrenees over two and a half years, often just steps away from her enemies.

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The White Mouse and the Gestapo -

Though Nancy Wake was never captured, her daring activities caught the attention of the German Gestapo. Known as a mysterious dark-haired woman aiding escapes in the south, she earned a five million franc bounty and the nickname "The White Mouse" for her uncanny ability to evade capture.

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The White Mouse and the Gestapo -

As the Gestapo intensified their hunt for "The White Mouse," Wake realized that she was their target. Once the Gestapo linked the elusive nickname to Madame Henri Fiocca, she had already vanished, making her daring escape across the Pyrenees and out of their grasp.

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A sacrifice of love -

To hide her escape plans from watchful neighbors, Wake made the heartbreaking choice to deceive her husband. As she stepped out of their apartment, she called out a brief, “Back soon,” knowing it was a lie. Reflecting on this moment, she admitted, “I cried all the way to Gare Saint Charles and up to Toulouse... But it had to be done.”

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A determined return -

After reaching England via Spain, Nancy Wake learned the devastating news that the Gestapo had arrested her husband and were interrogating him for her whereabouts. When weeks passed without word of him, her resolve strengthened and she became determined to return to France and continue the fight.

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Preparing for war -

In 1943, Nancy Wake joined the Special Operations Executive, founded by Major-General Sir Colin McVean Gubbins, and trained as a saboteur in England and Scotland. Her rigorous preparation included mastering weaponry, silent killing techniques, and skills like identifying German aircraft, military ranks, and speaking the language.

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Preparing for war -

Wake also excelled in coding and decoding messages during her training. While many soldiers chose biblical passages as their decryption code, she showcased her cheeky side by selecting something far more mischievous in the form of dirty limericks. 

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Back to war-torn France -

After completing rigorous training, Wake made her way back to France in 1943. She arrived in the war-torn country aboard a Liberator bomber, hidden in its belly, ready to reignite her efforts against the Nazi regime. 

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A spy in disguise -

Wake recalled of her return to France: “I was Hardly Hollywood’s idea of a glamorous spy. Over civilian clothes, silk-stockinged and high-heeled, I wore overalls, carried revolvers in the pockets, and topped the lot with a bulky camel-haired coat, webbing harness, parachute and tin hat. Even more incongruous was the matronly handbag, full of cash and secret instructions for D-day."

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A tumultuous landing -

Wake’s parachute landing in France was far from flawless, landing two paddocks away from her target and leaving her tangled in a tree. Freeing herself, she swiftly stripped off her overalls and hid in a nearby bush. 

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A warm welcome -

When Wake arrived at the landing site, she found a handsome young Frenchman, Henri Tardivat, untangling her parachute from a tree. Ever the gallant Frenchman, Tardivat remarked with a smile, “I hope all trees in France bear such beautiful fruit this year,” leaving a lasting impression.

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Romance during wartime -

Despite being surrounded by countless affection-starved Frenchmen during the war, Nancy Wake remained loyal to her husband. Addressing misconceptions, she reflected humorously: “This country... very mountainous and a lot of pine trees… And pine trees aren’t very conducive to love affairs.”

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The bike ride that changed everything -

In 1944, as 20,000 German troops descended to dismantle the French Maquis' 7,000 fighters, chaos ensued. To protect vital intelligence, Wake’s radio operator buried his equipment. Determined to re-establish communication with England, Nancy embarked on what she later called “that bike ride of mine.”

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Women in combat -

Heading north through enemy-occupied territory, Wake pedaled past multiple German checkpoints with fearless determination. Reflecting on women’s role in warfare, she once remarked, “I don’t see why we women should just wave our men a proud goodbye and knit balaclavas. A woman could get out of a lot of trouble that a man could not.”

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Wake's bold bluff -

During her daring bike ride, Wake faced a formidable German barricade. Channeling her composure and resourcefulness, she approached confidently and, in flawless French, asked the officer, “Do you want to search me?” Convinced of her innocence, he waved her through, saying, “No, mademoiselle, carry on.”

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Mission accomplished -

After an exhausting 310-mile (500-kilometer) journey completed in just 71 and a half hours, Wake reached her destination. She coordinated with England to arrange the next airdrop of vital ammunition, food, and supplies, ensuring a replacement radio and codes were included to sustain the resistance efforts.

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Wake's assault on the Gestapo -

Following her grueling bike ride, Wake reunited with Henri Tardivat, who invited her to join an attack on the Gestapo headquarters in Montucon. Calling it “the most exciting sortie” of her life, she recalled entering via the back door, tossing grenades, and fleeing as chaos erupted.

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Honoring a hero -

Henri Tardivat and Nancy Wake shared a lifelong friendship rooted in mutual respect and admiration. Breaking tradition, Tardivat insisted on naming his daughter Nancy in Wake's honor, even battling with a priest to secure the name. Speaking of his friend, he shared: "She is the most feminine woman I know, until the fighting starts. Then, she is like five men."

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A bittersweet encounter -

After France’s liberation in August 1944, Wake celebrated in Vichy with her troops. Her joy was tempered by a chance encounter with a woman from Marseilles, a former hotel worker who had witnessed her wedding to Henri Fiocca before the war, bringing back poignant memories of her past.

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The tragic news -

Wake shared her hopes of reuniting with her husband. Tragically, a woman from Marseilles informed her that he had been tortured and executed by the Germans for protecting her whereabouts—a revelation that left Nancy devastated.

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Wake's wartime legacy -

After the war, Nancy Wake received numerous accolades for her extraordinary contributions. Among these were prestigious awards from the United States, Britain, and France, including the Legion d'Honneur, France’s highest military honor, recognizing her courage and unwavering dedication.

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Recognition at last -

After decades of international accolades, Wake finally received Australian recognition in 2004, being made a Companion of the Order of Australia. Reflecting on the delay, she once remarked: "They can stick their award and be thankful it's not a pineapple."

Sources: (Grey Dynamics) (Wikipedia) (Anzac Portal) (Her Place Women's Museum Australia)

See also: Lesser-known countries that fought for the Allies in World War II

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