Appendix

Nancy wake became one of the most highly decorated heroes of World War Two. For her service, she received the George Medal, 1939-45, France and Germany Star, Defence Medal, British War Medal 1939-45, French Officer of the Legion of Honor, French Croix de Guerre with Star and two Palms, US Medal for Freedom with Palm, French Médaille de la Résistance, and the New Zealand Badge in Gold.

George Medal Citation

Presented by Sir Oliver Harvey, British Ambassador in Paris on 21 April 1948.

“This officer was parachuted into France on 1st March 1944, as assistant to an organiser who was taking over the direction of an important circuit in Central France. The day after their arrival she and her chief found themselves stranded and without directions through the arrest of their contact, but ultimately reached their rendezvous by their own initiative. She worked for several months helping to train and instruct Maquis groups.

Ensign Wake took part in several engagements with the enemy and showed the utmost bravery under fire. During a German attack due to the arrival by parachute of two American officers to help in the Maquis, she personally took command of a section of ten men whose leader was demoralised. She led them to within point-blank range of the enemy, directed their fire, rescued the two American officers and withdrew in good order. She showed exceptional courage and coolness in the face of enemy fire. When the Maquis group with which she was working was broken up by large-scale German attacks and wireless contact was lost, Ensign Wake went along to find a wireless operator through whom she could contact London. She covered some 200 kilometres on foot and, by remarkable steadfastness and perseverance, succeeded in getting a message through to London. It was largely due to these efforts that the circuit was able to start work again. Ensign Wake’s organising ability, endurance, courage and complete disregard for her own safety earned her the respect and admiration of all. The Maquis troops, most of them rough and difficult to handle, accepted orders from her, and treated her as one of their own male officers. Ensign Wake contributed in a large degree to the success of the groups with which she worked, and it is strongly recommended that she be awarded the George Medal.”