The *Special Operations Executive (SOE) was a secret British World War II organization formed in July 1940 under the directive of Prime Minister Winston Churchill. Its purpose was famously described as to "set Europe ablaze" by conducting espionage, sabotage, and reconnaissance in occupied Europe and later in parts of Asia.
### Key Facts about the SOE:
#### 1. Origins and Mission:
Formed from the merger of existing departments involved in irregular warfare.
Reported to the Minister of Economic Warfare.
Its mission was to aid local resistance movements, disrupt enemy infrastructure, and gather intelligence.
#### *2. Operations and Activities:
Worked behind enemy lines, often in collaboration with local resistance groups.
Parachuted agents into occupied countries like France, Belgium, Yugoslavia, and Greece.
Blew up railways, bridges, and factories to hinder the Nazi war effort.
Trained and armed local resistance fighters.
#### 3. Recruitment and Training:
Recruited both men and women from varied backgrounds — linguists, adventurers, and those with military experience.
Known for intense and rigorous training in sabotage techniques, wireless telegraphy, unarmed combat, and survival skills.
#### 4. Female Agents:
Pioneered the use of *female agents in combat zones.
Notable figures include:
Violette Szabo
*Noor Inayat Khan
*Odette Sansom
Many were captured and executed, and later honored for their bravery.
#### *5. Notable Operations:
*Operation Jedburgh: Teams of SOE and Allied operatives parachuted into France before D-Day to work with the French Resistance.
*Operation Anthropoid: Planned the assassination of Reinhard Heydrich, a top Nazi official, in Prague (carried out by Czech agents trained by SOE).
#### 6. Legacy:
Disbanded in 1946 after the war.
Precursor to modern special forces and intelligence operations (e.g., Britain's MI6 and the SAS).
Its headquarters at *64 Baker Street, London*, led to SOE being nicknamed “The Baker Street Irregulars.”