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A Cool and Lonely Courage: The Untold Story of Sister Spies in Occupied France
The incredible true story of British special agents Eileen and Jacqueline Nearne, sisters who risked everything to fight for freedom during the Second World War.
When elderly recluse Eileen Nearne died, few suspected that the quiet little old lady was a decorated WWII war hero. Volunteering to serve for British intelligence at age 21, Eileen was posted to Nazi-occupied France to send encoded messages of crucial importance for the Allies, until her capture by the Gestapo.
Eileen was not the only agent in her family---her sister Jacqueline was a courier for the French resistance. While Jacqueline narrowly avoided arrest, Eileen was tortured by the Nazis, then sent to the infamous Ravensbrück women's concentration camp. Astonishingly, this resourceful young woman eventually escaped her captors and found her way to the advancing American army.
In this amazing true story of triumph and tragedy, Susan Ottaway unveils the secret lives of two sisters who sacrificed themselves to defend their country.
When elderly recluse Eileen Nearne died, few suspected that the quiet little old lady was a decorated WWII war hero. Volunteering to serve for British intelligence at age 21, Eileen was posted to Nazi-occupied France to send encoded messages of crucial importance for the Allies, until her capture by the Gestapo.
Eileen was not the only agent in her family---her sister Jacqueline was a courier for the French resistance. While Jacqueline narrowly avoided arrest, Eileen was tortured by the Nazis, then sent to the infamous Ravensbrück women's concentration camp. Astonishingly, this resourceful young woman eventually escaped her captors and found her way to the advancing American army.
In this amazing true story of triumph and tragedy, Susan Ottaway unveils the secret lives of two sisters who sacrificed themselves to defend their country.
336 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2013
75 people are currently reading
1871 people want to read
About the author
Susan Ottaway
15 books15 followersSusan Ottaway was born in Windsor, brought up in Egham and educated at Sir William Perkins's Girls School in nearby Chertsey. The daughter of an aircraft engineer, she has had a lifelong enthusiasm for aeroplanes and books. She worked for four different airlines over a period of 20 years, mainly in the UK but also in Germany and Australia, and wrote her first book, a biography of Wing Commander Guy Gibson VC, before leaving the world of aviation. She then worked as a freelance editor and has since written six more books.
Her books include Violette Szabo: The Life That I Have, a biography of SOE agent Violette Szabo for which she personally interviewed Eileen Nearne. She has appeared on BBC national television to be interviewed about her work, and she took part in the four-part television series for the Discovery History Channel entitled George Cross Heroes.
Susan is a guest speaker on battlefield tours and in 2008 she delivered the Annual Dambuster Lecture at the Petwood Hotel, Woodhall Spa, home of the wartime 617 'Dambuster' Squadron.
- compiled from Andrew Lownie Literary Agency and Harper Collins
Her books include Violette Szabo: The Life That I Have, a biography of SOE agent Violette Szabo for which she personally interviewed Eileen Nearne. She has appeared on BBC national television to be interviewed about her work, and she took part in the four-part television series for the Discovery History Channel entitled George Cross Heroes.
Susan is a guest speaker on battlefield tours and in 2008 she delivered the Annual Dambuster Lecture at the Petwood Hotel, Woodhall Spa, home of the wartime 617 'Dambuster' Squadron.
- compiled from Andrew Lownie Literary Agency and Harper Collins
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 154 reviews
December 13, 2014
This was a straight fact progression in chronological order of the lives of siblings (2 sisters, 2 brothers)who all served in WWII, in great majority for 3 of them it is in covert actions within occupied France.
Most people will shun the straight telling and want more of a fictional characterization. This is not the book for that, but it was well done in relating exactly what, where, how this story of utmost bravery occurred. Unlike so many of their compatriots, these sisters lived through the entire, despite the younger getting caught and spending a full year in various concentration camps. She was also tortured.
It doesn't surprise me that some essential elements of contact were so overlooked and others of temperament so considered. Not showing tense attention or fear, being one aspect that these woman absolutely nailed.
These siblings were born in England and then moved to France with their French Mother, English father when the oldest was 6/7 so that they spoke both languages fluently and could distinguish Paris accents and other context features of location.
It seems that only 3 wireless operators that were women survived from the Allies side. Didi (younger sister) was one of them.
Having read several of Ben McIntyre's recently, my blood pressure went up 20 points when I read Jacqueline met Kim Philby just before her original drop. UGH!! No wonder so many left, and so few returned. They were English, but they loved France. This book follows them until their deaths, many years later.
It was 3.5 star, almost a 4. But I know that straight fact read out is quite dry for most readers who do not read non-fiction often. They want more of a "story". But maps helped here, as did scanned original copy of reports and cheat sheets for memory. Everyone had at least two code names.
Most people will shun the straight telling and want more of a fictional characterization. This is not the book for that, but it was well done in relating exactly what, where, how this story of utmost bravery occurred. Unlike so many of their compatriots, these sisters lived through the entire, despite the younger getting caught and spending a full year in various concentration camps. She was also tortured.
It doesn't surprise me that some essential elements of contact were so overlooked and others of temperament so considered. Not showing tense attention or fear, being one aspect that these woman absolutely nailed.
These siblings were born in England and then moved to France with their French Mother, English father when the oldest was 6/7 so that they spoke both languages fluently and could distinguish Paris accents and other context features of location.
It seems that only 3 wireless operators that were women survived from the Allies side. Didi (younger sister) was one of them.
Having read several of Ben McIntyre's recently, my blood pressure went up 20 points when I read Jacqueline met Kim Philby just before her original drop. UGH!! No wonder so many left, and so few returned. They were English, but they loved France. This book follows them until their deaths, many years later.
It was 3.5 star, almost a 4. But I know that straight fact read out is quite dry for most readers who do not read non-fiction often. They want more of a "story". But maps helped here, as did scanned original copy of reports and cheat sheets for memory. Everyone had at least two code names.
September 6, 2014
[Audiobook version]
I was disappointed that there was so little about Jacqueline and Eileen's lives and work as SOE agents in France. There was so much filler at the beginning and the end -- heaps about their childhood, their parents, their brother, and what everyone's lives were like both before and after the war. I wanted to hear more about the Resistance, and what the sisters actually did. There was a little bit about Eileen being a wireless operator, but the story went quite quickly into how she got caught, and then left it at that.
One thing that stuck with me, after listening to this, was the sheer incompetence of the British Secret Service. They gave all their agents code names to use in France, but Jacqueline's code name was... Jacqueline. As the author pointed out, this didn't give her any kind of protection whatsoever! Another part that had me groaning in frustration was the tale of a young man who, when captured by the Gestapo, deliberately left the security codes off the beginning and end of his Gestapo-dictated message back to England. This was standard procedure if you'd been captured, so that the SOE knew not to trust the information in the message -- but this poor young man received a message back saying, "You forgot to put the security codes in, silly boy!" The Gestapo realised he had lied to them and tortured him. And this happened TWICE. How sickening is that?
I was disappointed that there was so little about Jacqueline and Eileen's lives and work as SOE agents in France. There was so much filler at the beginning and the end -- heaps about their childhood, their parents, their brother, and what everyone's lives were like both before and after the war. I wanted to hear more about the Resistance, and what the sisters actually did. There was a little bit about Eileen being a wireless operator, but the story went quite quickly into how she got caught, and then left it at that.
One thing that stuck with me, after listening to this, was the sheer incompetence of the British Secret Service. They gave all their agents code names to use in France, but Jacqueline's code name was... Jacqueline. As the author pointed out, this didn't give her any kind of protection whatsoever! Another part that had me groaning in frustration was the tale of a young man who, when captured by the Gestapo, deliberately left the security codes off the beginning and end of his Gestapo-dictated message back to England. This was standard procedure if you'd been captured, so that the SOE knew not to trust the information in the message -- but this poor young man received a message back saying, "You forgot to put the security codes in, silly boy!" The Gestapo realised he had lied to them and tortured him. And this happened TWICE. How sickening is that?
April 6, 2017
I read this in two sittings. The courage of these two sisters is unbelievable. I was trying to imagine how fast my heart would be racing if I had to carry a wireless set through a Gestapo spot check.
This begins with the account of the death of a solitary 89 year old woman in Torquay. Neighbours knew little about the woman except that she spoke English with a foreign accent and spoke almost exclusively of her cat. They called her the cat lady. The police could find no trace of next of kin and were about to give up their investigations when a box of possessions was discovered. Inside were discovered a number of medals, including an MBE and the French Croix de Guerre. Suddenly the eccentric old woman’s death became an international news story. She was Eileen Nearne, an SOE wireless operator who was eventually arrested when only 23 years old and, unlike most of the other female British agents, survived Ravensbruk concentration camp. Her sister Jacqueline was also an SOE agent in France. This is a riveting account of the wartime experiences of these two sisters.
Jacqueline appears in a film/documentary about SOE made just after the war. Here's a link to the film on YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YsDTZ...
This begins with the account of the death of a solitary 89 year old woman in Torquay. Neighbours knew little about the woman except that she spoke English with a foreign accent and spoke almost exclusively of her cat. They called her the cat lady. The police could find no trace of next of kin and were about to give up their investigations when a box of possessions was discovered. Inside were discovered a number of medals, including an MBE and the French Croix de Guerre. Suddenly the eccentric old woman’s death became an international news story. She was Eileen Nearne, an SOE wireless operator who was eventually arrested when only 23 years old and, unlike most of the other female British agents, survived Ravensbruk concentration camp. Her sister Jacqueline was also an SOE agent in France. This is a riveting account of the wartime experiences of these two sisters.
Jacqueline appears in a film/documentary about SOE made just after the war. Here's a link to the film on YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YsDTZ...
November 23, 2014
I was fortunate enough to be sent a copy of this book via a GoodReads give away.
This was an interesting story, and certainly the lives and wartime contributions of these sisters should be remembered and honored.
That being said, I definitely had a few problems with how the story was presented. Ms. Ottaway clearly did a great deal of exhaustive research - but that doesn't mean it all has to be included. Not that the book is too long; it's not. But why on earth does the reader need to know the type of plane used to fly in every single agent, or the name of every single pilot? None of the pilots are mentioned again, and while their service should be admired, they're irrelevant to the story at hand. The plane details are even less meaningful except possibly to WW2 aeronautic historians - very few of whom would probably bother to read this book. That kind of pointless details wasted at least a dozen pages and provided only confusion. The same is true of the naming of agents. If they were part of Jacqueline or Eileen's stories, fine, but otherwise the details are just confusing and unnecessary.
On the other hand, there were times when Ms. Ottaway could have done more research. She's quite willing to bash the US Army for its treatment of Eileen upon the liberation, but does not seem to have tried to find out the reasons behind that treatment (not that the knowledge would make it ok, but wouldn't one want to at least explain it?).
Ms. Ottaway clearly became deeply impressed by these two women, and developed a great deal of respect for them - which is understandable. Those feelings, however, do not necessarily have a place in an objective biographical account - but they are definitely very visible throughout this book.
This was an interesting story, and certainly the lives and wartime contributions of these sisters should be remembered and honored.
That being said, I definitely had a few problems with how the story was presented. Ms. Ottaway clearly did a great deal of exhaustive research - but that doesn't mean it all has to be included. Not that the book is too long; it's not. But why on earth does the reader need to know the type of plane used to fly in every single agent, or the name of every single pilot? None of the pilots are mentioned again, and while their service should be admired, they're irrelevant to the story at hand. The plane details are even less meaningful except possibly to WW2 aeronautic historians - very few of whom would probably bother to read this book. That kind of pointless details wasted at least a dozen pages and provided only confusion. The same is true of the naming of agents. If they were part of Jacqueline or Eileen's stories, fine, but otherwise the details are just confusing and unnecessary.
On the other hand, there were times when Ms. Ottaway could have done more research. She's quite willing to bash the US Army for its treatment of Eileen upon the liberation, but does not seem to have tried to find out the reasons behind that treatment (not that the knowledge would make it ok, but wouldn't one want to at least explain it?).
Ms. Ottaway clearly became deeply impressed by these two women, and developed a great deal of respect for them - which is understandable. Those feelings, however, do not necessarily have a place in an objective biographical account - but they are definitely very visible throughout this book.
October 17, 2014
My ratings for this book have dropped. Originally, I was going to give it 5 stars. The more I read, though, the more it began to annoy me. The subject matter is quite fascinating since it involves two sisters who were agents of the British Special Operations Executive during World War II. What they did is to be commended. The writing, though, is not stellar. As another reviewer wrote, "it's nothing like Ben MacIntyre's fabulous spy books." Author Susan Ottaway tends to repeat herself with some of the same details over and over. There seems to be a discrepancy between what one of the sisters, Eileen Nearne (Didi)actually did during the war and who she was. In the Prologue, page 6, after she died, many of the local and national newspapers were writing articles about her. Some of them said that she was a spy. Not true according to what Ottaway writes. She had been a wireless operator, sending and receiving messages for the leader of a Resistance circuit in Paris. Clearly not a spy. But, the subtitle of the book is: The Untold Story of Sister Spies in Occupied France.
There are no photos in the book even though Ottaway refers to them thanking different people in the Acknowledgements for the use of them.
This could have been a great story in better hands.
There are no photos in the book even though Ottaway refers to them thanking different people in the Acknowledgements for the use of them.
This could have been a great story in better hands.
February 12, 2015
Out of the various SOE biographies I picked out this one because the mystery of Eileen Nearne, after her death in Torquay, had been on our local Devon news and I was intrigued to read her story. But although the book was well researched with a lot of information, I found it disappointing. The writing was very clunky and flat, with no flair at all - more like a school assignment than a published work. There were long tedious passages and some of the wording/turns of phrase seemed very 'first draft'. Where was her editor? Sadly, not a great read.
January 22, 2019
3.5 Stars
While I did not care for the writing style of Susan Ottaway, I did truly enjoy reading about Jacqueline and Didi. It's always interesting to me to read about the outcome of those that were in the war. So often, the stories end with their release and you are left wondering what became of them.
While I did not care for the writing style of Susan Ottaway, I did truly enjoy reading about Jacqueline and Didi. It's always interesting to me to read about the outcome of those that were in the war. So often, the stories end with their release and you are left wondering what became of them.
August 4, 2019
A non fiction book that chronicles the experience of two sisters. The sisters lived very different experiences and it was fascinating to hear about the contribution of women in World War II.
September 20, 2018
A very informative book. The bravery of the SOE was mind blowing.
September 7, 2022
This book read more like a series of essays … was a very slow read. I had actually set it aside for a couple of months, just finished it up today.
December 12, 2023
An historical account of sisters, who were SOE agents during the second world war and were heroines in the French resistance. This is not historical fiction and does not read as such although there’s so much detail you can sometimes vividly imagine what happened.
March 7, 2022
I didn't like it at all.
October 10, 2014
It is quite possible that this story of two sisters who risked their lives repeatedly during WWII would have never been told. They were both British citizens but their family moved to France when they were children. Their mother had been French and they would not have succeeded if they had not been bilingual.
An old woman who used to be seen walking her dog named Bobby, kept to herself very much. She died in August 2010 in Devon, England. An ordinary funeral was planned for her. But in order to find out who to notify of her death, the police searched her home and found war medals from several different countries. The old woman, Eileen Nearne had worked undercover as a wireless operator sending and receiving messages for the French Resistance. Her older Jaqueline Nearne was the first sent to France as an undercover courier. Both of them were inspired by their older brother signing up.
I was really amazed by Jaqueline Nearne’s courage and intelligence. Eileen, aka Didi, was thought to be not smart enough and too naïve for uncover work. That proved to be completely false. She lost her naivety as the seriousness of the danger became real to her and but her intelligence was greatly underestimated. She was extremely brave and determined to survive. I don’t want to disclose any of the details because that would tell too much of the story.
The book flashes back to the girls’ childhood and also tells of the other family members but the exciting part is definitely when they both were serving in France, risking their lives and using every bit of intelligent to outwit the Nazis. This book made a big impression on me and has encouraged me to read more about the bravery and intelligence of women during wartime.
I received this book from the Publishers as a win from FirstReads but that in no way influenced my thoughts or feelings in my review.
An old woman who used to be seen walking her dog named Bobby, kept to herself very much. She died in August 2010 in Devon, England. An ordinary funeral was planned for her. But in order to find out who to notify of her death, the police searched her home and found war medals from several different countries. The old woman, Eileen Nearne had worked undercover as a wireless operator sending and receiving messages for the French Resistance. Her older Jaqueline Nearne was the first sent to France as an undercover courier. Both of them were inspired by their older brother signing up.
I was really amazed by Jaqueline Nearne’s courage and intelligence. Eileen, aka Didi, was thought to be not smart enough and too naïve for uncover work. That proved to be completely false. She lost her naivety as the seriousness of the danger became real to her and but her intelligence was greatly underestimated. She was extremely brave and determined to survive. I don’t want to disclose any of the details because that would tell too much of the story.
The book flashes back to the girls’ childhood and also tells of the other family members but the exciting part is definitely when they both were serving in France, risking their lives and using every bit of intelligent to outwit the Nazis. This book made a big impression on me and has encouraged me to read more about the bravery and intelligence of women during wartime.
I received this book from the Publishers as a win from FirstReads but that in no way influenced my thoughts or feelings in my review.
January 8, 2016
This was an enjoyable read about Jacqueline and Eileen Nearne who served in SOE in France during the War. There was a lot of detail about their lives - in fact probably too much information. It felt like every bit of research had been added.
I would have liked not just to know about the selection an training process but what Jacqueline actually did in France. I read she traveled around a lot endangering herself with the constant threat of being stopped and questioned but I am very unsure why she travelled around.
However there was much more about Eileen's life and the terrible effect of being captured and tortured by the Nazis and the awful treatment she received from the Americans when finally 'released'.
Whilst Jacqueline went on to have a long successful career at the UN in New York, Eileen's life was permanently damaged by her experiences.
Of great interest was some of the not so good things that happened in SOE and some poor judgement shown by the legendary Buckmaster.
All in all an interesting read about the work of SOE though the experience of these sisters
I felt the book could also have used a good editor to iron out some of the long winded sentences and superfluous information.
I would have liked not just to know about the selection an training process but what Jacqueline actually did in France. I read she traveled around a lot endangering herself with the constant threat of being stopped and questioned but I am very unsure why she travelled around.
However there was much more about Eileen's life and the terrible effect of being captured and tortured by the Nazis and the awful treatment she received from the Americans when finally 'released'.
Whilst Jacqueline went on to have a long successful career at the UN in New York, Eileen's life was permanently damaged by her experiences.
Of great interest was some of the not so good things that happened in SOE and some poor judgement shown by the legendary Buckmaster.
All in all an interesting read about the work of SOE though the experience of these sisters
I felt the book could also have used a good editor to iron out some of the long winded sentences and superfluous information.
January 16, 2023
This book has been released under many different titles and I gather I first read it in 2013. The version that I just finished reading was titled Sisters and Spies and has a different cover than what is shown. It was certainly worth a re-read. It is incredibly well researched including an interview with Eileen Nearne before her death and interviews with her surviving family and friends. It was a sad book in so many ways. Those who served overseas undercover had their lives forever changed and for those who were captured and tortured by the Germans, the consequences were often severe. It certainly seems that mistakes were made on the side of the S.O.E. handlers that lead to the death of some of the men and women who took such great risks do their part in the war.
March 8, 2014
A well researched and nicely written biography of two sisters who joined the British Special Operations Executive (SOE) in World War 2. It begins with the death of the younger one, who dies alone and undiscovered for some time in the coastal town of Torquay in Devon. Eventually her story is unravelled, her neighbours not knowing about her background, but there are people who do. A good piece of work, giving some interesting insights into the work of the SOE and recommended to anyone interested in military and intelligence agency history, and the selfless contribution to the war effort by seemingly ordinary people.
April 27, 2018
99.5% of the books I read are non-fiction, so it was quite refreshing to have a book that gets down to the nitty-gritty & doesn't fill its pages with fluff--like telling me her room was filled with flowers with the sun shining through her red curtains--and actually having footnotes. THANK YOU!!
This book reads quickly, and the story is compelling. These sisters are some of the most courageous, persevering, steadfast, and humble women you'll ever be introduced to. Thanks to their niece Odile for helping to bring their story to the rest of the world. All I can say is..... Underestimate women at your own peril.
This book reads quickly, and the story is compelling. These sisters are some of the most courageous, persevering, steadfast, and humble women you'll ever be introduced to. Thanks to their niece Odile for helping to bring their story to the rest of the world. All I can say is..... Underestimate women at your own peril.
March 4, 2019
I enjoyed reading this book about 2 sisters who were British nationals living in France with their parents and brothers. They decided to go back to England during the war via Spain, then Portugal, then Scotland, and finally on to London, England, where they eventually signed up to be part of the war effort. They ended up back in France at different times in different parts of France fighting with the Resistance as spies against the Germans. One went back to England very sick from working too hard the other captured and put in German prison camps and tortured. But throughout you see a special bond between the two sisters. The book is a true story about the lives of the sisters.
November 13, 2014
Amazing true story of two women, British citizens raised in France. When WWII was beginning, they wanted to do something to stop Hitler. So they returned to Britain, and became operatives on Britain's behalf aiding the French Resistance. One as a courier, the other as a wireless operator. A tale of courage and unbelievable danger.
January 11, 2015
Didn't love the writing style---it was so straightforward it almost felt like a textbook---but hearing the story of lesser-known WWII heroes and the interesting things they went through was super cool.
June 30, 2019
I found this book so very disappointing. What should have been an extraordinary true story of two sisters and their exceptional dedication to fight Hitler reads like a laundry list of events with the occasional document thrown in. I will certainly avoid this author in future.
June 6, 2013
What a very moving book indeed
July 9, 2013
An amazing true story , where would we be if the bravery and courage of these girls hadn't gone above and beyond ! An easy 5 stars .
July 6, 2021
Just incredible to read through these stories and try to imagine what their lives were like, and how the secrets were kept their whole lives.
July 20, 2022
In September 2010, an elderly woman named Eileen Nearne was found dead in her apartment. She was a very private person and her neighbors knew little about her except that she loved her ginger cat. When the police searched her apartment looking for information about family to inform them of her death, they found a number of medals including the French Croix de Guerre, awarded by the French government to those who had helped the Allies in World War II. The police investigation was expanded and revealed that Eileen and her sister Jacqueline had worked for the Special Operations Executive, a group founded on the orders of Winston Churchill to intensify the war effort by supporting local resistance movements in occupied Europe. Jacqueline worked as a courier and Eileen as a wireless operator, but they also helped to blow up generators, destroy electrical substations, wreck transformers and damage loading cranes and railways during a sabotage spree in 1943.
The sisters were born in England but grew up in France where they enjoyed a comfortable middle-class upbringing. They were good candidates for the work they were to do, with excellent knowledge of both countries and their languages. Jacqueline was the first to leave for London to join the war effort and was trained as a courier with the French Resistance. Eileen (referred to by her nickname Didi throughout the book) followed close behind despite Jacqueline’s concerns that she was too young and naïve to be involved in such dangerous work. Didi however was determined to prove herself and left for London as soon as they accepted her. It is interesting to note that following their training, neither of the sisters received good evaluations, yet their success in the field was undeniable.
They did dangerous work, living in fear twenty-four hours a day seven days a week. They not only had to evade the Gestapo who often dressed in in plain clothes, but also the Millice, the Vichy French volunteer para-military organization that supported the Nazis. They could not even trust their neighbors as the Germans had ways of turning the most patriotic French citizens into collaborators and the most devoted friends into enemies by threatening their friends or families with torture or death. Another threat to their security were those who joined the Resistance but had no interest in their work; they simply wanted to avoid being rounded up as forced labor.
After her training as a wireless operator, Eileen headed off to France and was attached to a circuit in the south of Paris. Agents not only had to send messages, but had to change their locations frequently, moving the heavy equipment to avoid the German vans patrolling the streets, listening for indications a wireless was being used. Not all their efforts to communicate with London were successful and some messages were missed by the SOE resulting in dire consequences. When Resistance workers signaled they had been captured and were in trouble and the message was not picked up, they were captured, tortured and executed or sent to a concentration camp.
The work Eileen did made possible the delivery of large quantities of arms and equipment and although it was not an easy life, on the whole Eileen enjoyed her work, proud of what she was doing. She had strong religious beliefs which helped her to adapt to what others would consider a very lonely life.
Jacqueline proved to be very successful in her role as a courier, but after working for more than a year, returned to London suffering from exhaustion. Meanwhile her sister continued to work but was captured by the Nazis in 1944, caught transmitting from Paris just weeks before the Allies arrived to liberate the city. She was transported to Germany, imprisoned and interrogated. The Germans submerged her in icy water and almost drowned her, yet she remained in control of the situation and never broke or betrayed her colleagues, refusing to tell her tormentors who she was, what she was doing and who she worked for. Following that horrific experience, she was moved to a number of different concentration camps and ended up in Ravensbruck where she witnessed terrible things. Unlike others who felt God had abandoned them, Didi’s faith remained strong and allowed her to keep going through eight months of incarceration, hanging on to her sanity despite what she saw and endured. She miraculously escaped while part of a work party and met up with the advancing allies in the spring of 1945.
Although Eileen ultimately survived, she remained troubled by her experience. It is no wonder she chose to spend the rest of her life quietly. It took her several years to recover, until her troubles no longer defeated her and she was able to shake off her depression.
Readers may wonder about what motivated the sisters’ sacrifice. Ottaway gives us little insight into the sisters’ early lives. For the most part, the first part of the narrative is a chronology of facts which may be because Ottaway had little research to guide her. The later part of the book better showcases Ottaway’s ability as a teller of the sisters’ story.
The author is open and honest in her criticism of the British government and their failure to honor the Nearne sisters for their contributions to the war effort. She is also transparent about the bureaucratic problems and missteps in the SOE’s administration and oversight of their agents. However, the book does little to place the story of the Nearne sisters in the context of evolving events during the war and some readers may find they are unable to ground the girls experience to ongoing events.
This is a remarkable and compelling story which history buffs will enjoy and serves as a testament to their sacrifices and honors their accomplishments
The sisters were born in England but grew up in France where they enjoyed a comfortable middle-class upbringing. They were good candidates for the work they were to do, with excellent knowledge of both countries and their languages. Jacqueline was the first to leave for London to join the war effort and was trained as a courier with the French Resistance. Eileen (referred to by her nickname Didi throughout the book) followed close behind despite Jacqueline’s concerns that she was too young and naïve to be involved in such dangerous work. Didi however was determined to prove herself and left for London as soon as they accepted her. It is interesting to note that following their training, neither of the sisters received good evaluations, yet their success in the field was undeniable.
They did dangerous work, living in fear twenty-four hours a day seven days a week. They not only had to evade the Gestapo who often dressed in in plain clothes, but also the Millice, the Vichy French volunteer para-military organization that supported the Nazis. They could not even trust their neighbors as the Germans had ways of turning the most patriotic French citizens into collaborators and the most devoted friends into enemies by threatening their friends or families with torture or death. Another threat to their security were those who joined the Resistance but had no interest in their work; they simply wanted to avoid being rounded up as forced labor.
After her training as a wireless operator, Eileen headed off to France and was attached to a circuit in the south of Paris. Agents not only had to send messages, but had to change their locations frequently, moving the heavy equipment to avoid the German vans patrolling the streets, listening for indications a wireless was being used. Not all their efforts to communicate with London were successful and some messages were missed by the SOE resulting in dire consequences. When Resistance workers signaled they had been captured and were in trouble and the message was not picked up, they were captured, tortured and executed or sent to a concentration camp.
The work Eileen did made possible the delivery of large quantities of arms and equipment and although it was not an easy life, on the whole Eileen enjoyed her work, proud of what she was doing. She had strong religious beliefs which helped her to adapt to what others would consider a very lonely life.
Jacqueline proved to be very successful in her role as a courier, but after working for more than a year, returned to London suffering from exhaustion. Meanwhile her sister continued to work but was captured by the Nazis in 1944, caught transmitting from Paris just weeks before the Allies arrived to liberate the city. She was transported to Germany, imprisoned and interrogated. The Germans submerged her in icy water and almost drowned her, yet she remained in control of the situation and never broke or betrayed her colleagues, refusing to tell her tormentors who she was, what she was doing and who she worked for. Following that horrific experience, she was moved to a number of different concentration camps and ended up in Ravensbruck where she witnessed terrible things. Unlike others who felt God had abandoned them, Didi’s faith remained strong and allowed her to keep going through eight months of incarceration, hanging on to her sanity despite what she saw and endured. She miraculously escaped while part of a work party and met up with the advancing allies in the spring of 1945.
Although Eileen ultimately survived, she remained troubled by her experience. It is no wonder she chose to spend the rest of her life quietly. It took her several years to recover, until her troubles no longer defeated her and she was able to shake off her depression.
Readers may wonder about what motivated the sisters’ sacrifice. Ottaway gives us little insight into the sisters’ early lives. For the most part, the first part of the narrative is a chronology of facts which may be because Ottaway had little research to guide her. The later part of the book better showcases Ottaway’s ability as a teller of the sisters’ story.
The author is open and honest in her criticism of the British government and their failure to honor the Nearne sisters for their contributions to the war effort. She is also transparent about the bureaucratic problems and missteps in the SOE’s administration and oversight of their agents. However, the book does little to place the story of the Nearne sisters in the context of evolving events during the war and some readers may find they are unable to ground the girls experience to ongoing events.
This is a remarkable and compelling story which history buffs will enjoy and serves as a testament to their sacrifices and honors their accomplishments
October 1, 2019
In the Epilogue, Ms. Ottaway writes, "I hope that with this book the true story of these exceptionally brave sisters will not be forgotten." She accomplished this mission with me: I never will forget this story of the Nearne sisters.
The book is well-researched and well-written. Apparently the no-nonsense writing style of Ms. Ottaway was a disappointment to some readers, but I found that I was able to acquire a very good sense of the distinctive personalities of Didi and Jacqueline, and the narrative kept me deeply involved. I quickly came to an appreciation of their courage and patriotism in the most dangerous of circumstances as well as an empathy for the terrible sacrifices that they were forced to make. It becomes quite clear quickly that the Nearne sisters were very, very special individuals.
I purchased this book second-hand and was pleasantly surprised to find this hand-written inscription on the first page from a previous owner:
"When you think life is to (sic) tough, and start to feel hopeless, read this book, and know that you can keep going on, it has to be our life's destiny.
'Let Freedom Ring!'
Your friend,
Mary Ellen"
To Mary Ellen, wherever you may be, thank you for sharing that.
The book is well-researched and well-written. Apparently the no-nonsense writing style of Ms. Ottaway was a disappointment to some readers, but I found that I was able to acquire a very good sense of the distinctive personalities of Didi and Jacqueline, and the narrative kept me deeply involved. I quickly came to an appreciation of their courage and patriotism in the most dangerous of circumstances as well as an empathy for the terrible sacrifices that they were forced to make. It becomes quite clear quickly that the Nearne sisters were very, very special individuals.
I purchased this book second-hand and was pleasantly surprised to find this hand-written inscription on the first page from a previous owner:
"When you think life is to (sic) tough, and start to feel hopeless, read this book, and know that you can keep going on, it has to be our life's destiny.
'Let Freedom Ring!'
Your friend,
Mary Ellen"
To Mary Ellen, wherever you may be, thank you for sharing that.
August 26, 2020
I've developed an interest in what was known as the Special Operations Executive, also known as the SOE, and I have read a number of books about it and the people who served in it. I think this book is a worthy addition to those books available about it and its people. This book is about is about a person who though born in England lived most of her life in France prior to the war and when war broke out wanted to serve her country (England). It goes into how she was recruited by the SOE, although not without some difficulty, was captured and the horrors she endured while incarcerated in concentration camps.
I found it a bit tedious that the author notes the names and rank of those pilots who flew the SOE agents and equipment into France during its occupation. Surely this information wasn't necessary and could have been left out without it affecting the story.
Also, let's hope that a different picture of the author is used other than the one that is used here because the one currently used makes it look like she would rather verbally abuse and possibly assault you than give you the time of day.
I found it a bit tedious that the author notes the names and rank of those pilots who flew the SOE agents and equipment into France during its occupation. Surely this information wasn't necessary and could have been left out without it affecting the story.
Also, let's hope that a different picture of the author is used other than the one that is used here because the one currently used makes it look like she would rather verbally abuse and possibly assault you than give you the time of day.
December 17, 2022
3.5. This was a very detailed and well researched history of Eileen Nearne and her older sister Jacqueline who worked in France for the SOE in WW2. The sisters were very different in personality and nature, as were their undercover assignments. I found Jacqueline to be more interesting and outgoing, thinking clearly about the risks she undertook. Eileen was more quiet and naive, but she survived torture by the Gestapo and incarceration in several camps. Eileen was deeply traumatised by her experiences and struggled to adapt to life after the war.
Tho an important book due to its factual basis, I found it somewhat difficult to read and slow because of the detail.
The book was previously published as Sisters, Secrets and Sacrifice.
Tho an important book due to its factual basis, I found it somewhat difficult to read and slow because of the detail.
The book was previously published as Sisters, Secrets and Sacrifice.
July 10, 2017
Interesting history about Didi (Eileen) and her sister Jacqueline who were members of the SOE in England, a resistance group who functioned in France during WW2. Jacqueline was a courier who served for 15 months in France while Didi was a radio operator who was captured by the Gestapo and sent to a concentration camp. Jacqueline later served as a liaison for the newly formed United Nations, while Didi had a troubling time recouperating from her time in the concentration camp. Didi lead a quiet life once she had recovered from her ordeal, and no one in the town knew she was a heroine. InterestIng book if you like history.
August 23, 2022
I wanted to like this book much more than I did, and it took me a long time to read because I just couldn't get into it. The premise of a real account of 2 sisters in occupied France joining the British effort to help defeat Germany was very appealing. They worked undercover as couriers and sending coded messages. One was captured and imprisoned in a German work camp. But the writing took away any of this intrigue and excitement. I really didn't find Ottaway's writing very engaging and it didn't capture me at all. I am impressed and thankful for what these women did and I appreciate that, but the delivery just wasn't for me.
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