SOE F Section networks


These are the networks, also known as circuits, established in France by F Section of the British Special Operations Executive during World War II. The clandestine networks were "dedicated to encourage and aid resistance" to the German occupation of the country. Activities might include gathering intelligence, organizing and supplying indigenous resistance groups, and sabotaging transportation, communications, and industrial facilities. A typical SOE network had three personnel: Wireless Radio Operator: send and receive wireless messages to and from SOE headquarters in London, encode and decode messages, maintain wireless sets. Courier or messenger: travel between organiser, wireless operator, and resistance groups to deliver and receive messages, and, on occasion, deliver explosives and other equipment. Large networks sometimes had more than one courier and wireless operator.
Each network was given a name and each individual belonging to the network had one or more code names and aliases which he always used in France. For example, SOE organiser George Reginald Starr was the organiser of the Wheelwright network and known as "Hilaire" to French contacts in the resistance and to other SOE personnel.
Nearly fifty SOE networks were operating in France when the country was liberated from German control in 1944. Forty-three circuits were no longer existent at that time of which 31 had been destroyed by the Germans. Many agents served in more than one network and had more the one code name.
Approximately 470 SOE agents served in France during World War II. The Valençay SOE Memorial in Valençay, France lists the names of 91 men and 13 women who were killed or died in prison while serving as SOE agents.

Networks and members

Acolyte

June 1943 - September 1944
August 1942 - May 1944
May 1944 - September 1944
A network in the region of Tours, Orléans and Vierzon, attached to [|Physician/Prosper] in late 1942.
A network which was meant to be established by Frank Pickersgill and John Kenneth Macalister, who were both captured in June 1943 immediately upon arrival in France. The network became an operation run by the Germans.
Joseph Placke, an assistant in the wireless section at 84 Avenue Foch, impersonated Pickersgill, and MacAlister's captured radio and codes were used to transmit false messages to London, arranging parachute drops of supplies, which of course fell into German hands. The fake operation continued until May 1944 and resulted in the capture of a sabotage instructor and six other agents sent to join the network.

Asymptote

The first SOE network, organised in the Paris area by Pierre de Vomécourt, but which was destroyed in spring 1942 after being betrayed by Mathilde Carre.
A small network specialised in the economical and financial matters in view of the allied landing on D-Day. The French members were mainly businessmen, lawyers, bankers and engineers.
A network organised following the collapse of Autogiro and built on the remnants of Carte. It had small groups over the whole of France.
A network which was organised in the Lille area by Michael Trotobas.
An operation to organise aircraft landings and the reception of agents sent by such means.
Heckler: August 1941 to November 1942, Saint: April 1944 to August 1944
A sub-circuit of the [|Physician] network.
A network in the south-east.
A sub-circuit of Physician, operating from Châlons-sur-Marne, east of Paris. It also had headquarters in the rue Cambon, near the Place de la Concorde. Also known as [|Robin].
Also known as 'Monkeypuzzle' Circuit.
A network in eastern Picardy.
Also known as [|Prosper]. See Francis Suttill - organiser
An unofficial name for Physician, named for its organiser's codename. See Francis Suttill
Agents continued to be sent to the Prosper network for some time after it had been controlled by Germans.

Prunus

A network in the area of Toulouse. Penetrated and dismantled in April 1943.
An unofficial name for Juggler.

Salesman

July 1942 - August 1944. A network in the area of Bordeaux.
Previously known as [|Urchin], a network based in Cannes, then moved to Saint-Jorioz.
Also known as 'Plane' circuit.
A network with activities in the south and center of France, from Châteauroux to the foothills of the Pyrenees.
Later known as Spindle, based in Cannes
A network in the area of Toulouse. Operated from November 1942 to September 1944.
A network in the Valençay-Issoudun-Châteauroux triangle.
The map below shows the major SOE F Section networks which existed in France in June 1943, based on the map published in Rita Kramer's book "Flames in the Field".
Note: The map does not show the correct location of the original Autogiro network, which operated in the Paris area and did not exist after the spring of 1942. However the network was later revived by Francis Suttill, organiser of Prosper.