Yvonne Fontaine
Encyclopedia
Yvonne Fontaine was a member of the French Resistance
working with the Special Operations Executive
(SOE).
network in 1943 with the organizer Ben Cowburn. She worked initially as a courier, but soon became deeply involved in the network forming part of the nucleaus with Cowburn, his radio operator Barrett and another locally recruited Frenchman, Pierre Mulsant. As the Gestapo closed in on the network in November 1943, Fontaine and Barrett were taken to England on a Henri Déricourt
pick up.
In England Fontaine underwent SOE training. She returned to France by boat on 25 March 1944 to work with the Minister
circuit as a courier.
There is some discussion as to whether Fontaine was an official member of the SOE. Vera Atkins
claimed that she was recruited in the field and never became an official F Section Agent.
French Resistance
The French Resistance is the name used to denote the collection of French resistance movements that fought against the Nazi German occupation of France and against the collaborationist Vichy régime during World War II...
working with the Special Operations Executive
Special Operations Executive
The Special Operations Executive was a World War II organisation of the United Kingdom. It was officially formed by Prime Minister Winston Churchill and Minister of Economic Warfare Hugh Dalton on 22 July 1940, to conduct guerrilla warfare against the Axis powers and to instruct and aid local...
(SOE).
Resistance & Special Operations Executive work
Fontaine, a native Frenchwoman, began working with the TinkerSOE F Section networks
These are the networks, also known as circuits, established in France by F Section of the British Special Operations Executive during the Second World War...
network in 1943 with the organizer Ben Cowburn. She worked initially as a courier, but soon became deeply involved in the network forming part of the nucleaus with Cowburn, his radio operator Barrett and another locally recruited Frenchman, Pierre Mulsant. As the Gestapo closed in on the network in November 1943, Fontaine and Barrett were taken to England on a Henri Déricourt
Henri Dericourt
Henri Dericourt was a French agent for Special Operations Executive. There is ambiguity as to whether he became a double agent for the Sicherheitsdienst , or was working under British instructions.-Life and work:...
pick up.
In England Fontaine underwent SOE training. She returned to France by boat on 25 March 1944 to work with the Minister
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 the Second World War...
circuit as a courier.
There is some discussion as to whether Fontaine was an official member of the SOE. Vera Atkins
Vera Atkins
Vera Atkins, CBE was a British Intelligence Officer during World War II.-Early life:...
claimed that she was recruited in the field and never became an official F Section Agent.