Born: 1911 (Paris, France)
Died: 1944 (Dachau concentration camp)
Biography:
Yolande Elsa Maria Beekman, born on January 7, 1911, in Paris, was a remarkable British spy in World War II. With her unwavering dedication and impressive skills, she made significant contributions to the war effort as a member of the Women’s Auxiliary Air Force (WAAF) and the Special Operations Executive (SOE).
Born to a Swiss father and an English mother, Yolande moved to London at a young age, where she grew up fluent in English, German, and French. Her gentle disposition and artistic talent led her family to believe she would pursue a career in design or illustration. After completing her education in England, she was sent to a Swiss finishing school.
When World War II broke out, Yolande joined the WAAF and trained as a wireless telegraphy (W/T) operator. Thanks to her exceptional language skills and expertise in wireless communication, she was recruited by the SOE for undercover operations in occupied France. On February 15, 1943, she officially joined the SOE, training alongside notable agents such as Noor Inayat Khan and Yvonne Cormeau.
In 1943, Yolande married Sergeant Jaap Beekman of the Netherlands Army, whom she had met during her W/T operator’s course. However, shortly after their marriage, Yolande bid farewell to her husband as she embarked on a perilous mission behind enemy lines in France. She was flown into France on the night of September 17/18, 1943, in a Double Lysander aircraft as part of Operation Millner.
In France, Yolande operated as a wireless operator for Gustave Biéler, the Canadian in charge of the Musician circuit in Saint-Quentin, Aisne. Using the codenames Mariette and Kilt for wireless communications, she also adopted the alias Yvonne to maintain her cover. Alongside transmitting crucial messages to London, Yolande played a pivotal role in distributing materials dropped by Allied planes.
Initially, Yolande found temporary lodging with Mlle Lefevre, a long-serving résistant and schoolmistress. However, she later moved to the house of Camille Boury, an employee of Pharmacie Corteel, residing on the corner of Rue Baudelaire. Eventually, Odette Gobeaux, another worker at the pharmacy, offered Yolande the attic of her house on Rue de la Fère to transmit her messages.
Yolande proved to be an efficient and valued agent, owing to her exceptional skills and determination. Her contributions as a wireless operator and her responsibilities in distributing materials made her an indispensable asset to the resistance. However, her brave efforts came to an abrupt end when she was arrested by the Gestapo.
Following her arrest, Yolande was sent to the Dachau concentration camp, where she met a tragic fate. On September 13, 1944, Yolande was executed, leaving behind a legacy of courage and sacrifice.
Yolande Beekman’s unwavering commitment to the war effort, her exceptional linguistic skills, and her pivotal role in the resistance against Nazi occupation make her an inspirational figure in women’s history. Her contributions as a spy and her ultimate sacrifice serve as a testament to the bravery and resilience of women during World War II, highlighting their vital role in shaping the course of history.