Code Name: Lise

by Larry Loftis

“Be regular and orderly in your life,” Flaubert had said, “that you may be violent and original in your work.” Such is the prescription for spies.

she signed up for the war knowing that arrest (and execution) was a very real possibility—almost one in two for F Section couriers. But what her grandfather had told her as a child was set in stone: she was to do her duty when the time came. And so she did.

“In twenty or twenty-five years’ time, there is going to be another war,” Grandfather would say, “and it will be your duty, both of you, to do as well as your father did.”

Odette heeded the instruction and, as Hemingway put it, became strong in the broken places.

Churchill gave the organization two directives: (1) to create and foster a spirit of resistance in Nazi-occupied countries, and (2) to establish an underground body of operatives who would perform acts of sabotage and assist in liberation when British forces landed.

“Direct-minded and courageous. God help the Nazis if we can get her near them.”

As one agent put it, what Buckmaster offered was quite simple: death. But a useful, heroic death.

to join them and end the war with a gun

coming. She bundled up and went to collect Arnaud.

Peter realized, Father Paul was teaching and the first lesson was that the battle of faith required many scars before it was won.

It was a matter of discipline and integrity—she wasn’t going to have any compromise with the Germans.

Again. The official record is that he escaped

medical

and suffering, however, Odette harbored no bitterness