Born: November 18, 1919 (Bécon-les-Bruyères, a suburb of Paris)
Died: 1944 (Natzweiler-Struthof concentration camp)
Biography:
Andrée Raymonde Borrel, also known by her code name Denise, was a French resistance fighter and agent for Britain’s clandestine Special Operations Executive (SOE) during World War II. Born on November 18, 1919, in Bécon-les-Bruyères, a suburb of Paris, Borrel grew up in a working-class family. She was known for her athletic ability and tomboyish nature, enjoying activities like cycling, hiking, and climbing. After her father’s death when she was 11, Borrel left school at 14 to work as a dress designer to support her family.
In 1937, Borrel moved to Paris with her family and took a job as a shop assistant at Bazar d’Amsterdam. This allowed her to pursue her love for cycling and have Sundays off. In October 1939, due to her mother’s health, the family relocated to Toulon on the Mediterranean coast. However, Borrel’s socialist sympathies led her to travel to Spain to support the Republican government in their fight against Nazi-backed fascists. Disheartened by the losing battle, she returned to France shortly before the outbreak of World War II.
When the war broke out, Borrel joined the Red Cross as a volunteer nurse. She completed a crash course in nursing and began serving at the Hôpital Compliméntaire in Nîmes. However, she was sent back after a decree was issued stating that nurses under the age of 21 should not be deployed. Undeterred, Borrel joined the French Resistance and became a courier for the SOE’s Prosper network in occupied France. The SOE’s mission was to conduct espionage, sabotage, and reconnaissance against the Axis powers, particularly Nazi Germany. They collaborated with resistance groups and supplied them with weapons and equipment from England.
In September 1942, Borrel made history as one of the first two female agents of the SOE to be parachuted into France. She was based in Paris and played a vital role in the leadership of the Prosper network, the largest and most significant SOE network in France. Borrel’s courageous work as a courier involved moving messages and coordinating operations between resistance fighters. Her contributions were instrumental in supporting the resistance movement and combating the Nazi occupation.
Tragically, Borrel’s activities were discovered by the Gestapo, and she was arrested in June 1943. She endured harsh interrogations and was eventually transferred to the Natzweiler-Struthof concentration camp. On July 6, 1944, Andrée Borrel was executed.
Through her unwavering determination, bravery, and sacrifice, Andrée Borrel made a significant impact on the fight against Nazi occupation during World War II. Her courage as a resistance fighter and her crucial role as an SOE agent exemplify the strength and resilience of women in history.
Awards:
– Andrée Borrel was posthumously awarded the Croix de Guerre by the French government in recognition of her bravery and sacrifice in the resistance movement.
– She was also awarded the King’s Commendation for Brave Conduct by the British government, honoring her achievements and contributions to the SOE’s mission.