Unusual
★ Deep Cut
1943
Pearl Witherington Commanded 3000 Maquis Fighters
📍 Central France
British woman Pearl Witherington was rejected three times by SOE before being sent to France undercover as a lingerie saleswoman. When her commanding officer was arrested, she took command of 3,000 Maquis fighters. Under her leadership they derailed 20+ trains and captured 18,000 German soldiers. She refused her OBE for decades.
Sources
SOE archives