Francis Suttill

Francis Suttill (1910-1945) is a British secret agent during the Second world war. Acting for the section F (Frenchwoman) of the Special Operations Executive under the name of war “ Prosper ”, it forms and directs the network PHYSICIAN (more known under the name of network Prosper ) which takes actions of resistance in France, northern zone, of September 1942 in June 1943. Stopped by the Germans, deportee, it is finally carried out on March 21st, 1945

Genealogy

His/her father: William Francis Suttill, British, born with Manchester, director of a textile factory in Lille.

His/her mother: Blanche Marie-Louise Clears gravel, French.

Its wife: Margaret.

Biography

1910 . - Birth of Francis Alfred Suttill to Mons-in-Barœul (close to Lille, France).

Education in England (Stonehurst College) up to 16 years.

It returns to France, where it passes its vat, then is registered at the University of Lille, where it obtains the license of right.

1931 . - With a British certificate of registry, it does not have to make its military service in France. It continues its studies of right to the University of London.

1935 . - Marriage.

Suttill is lawyer in Lincoln' S In.

1939 . - In September, with the declaration of war, it engages in the British army, where he is officer of information.

Later, it is recruited by the SOE. It is voluntary for a mission in France.

1942 . -

*Été. - It receives the drive.

*Le SOE chooses Suttill to establish a new network in France, zone northern, around Paris. Its name of war is “ Prosper ” and his cover François Desprées, representative.

* September 24th. Andree Borrel, her mail “ Denise ”, is parachuted in France and prepares the way for Suttill.

* October 1st. Suttill is parachuted close to Vendôme.

*Avec Andree Borrel which it makes pass for his sister, Francis Suttill carries out a tour to assemble the network PHYSICIAN-Prosper (Chartres, Melun, Blois, Beauvais, Compiegne, Saint-Quentin).

*Novembre. Arrival of a first radio operator operator, Gilbert Norman, “ Archambaud ”.

*Décembre. Arrival of a second operator, Jack Agazarian, “ Marcel ”.

1943 . For six months, the network develops considerably, covering most of the Northern zone, implying a growing number of agents, with creation of many sub-networks and action groups.

* January 22nd. Henri Déricourt, an old driver turns over to France. Its principal task is to find landing strips which are appropriate and to organize the reception of the agents sent by plane, mainly of the agents of the Prosper network. During the few months which follow, it organizes the air transport of more than 67 agents.

*Suttill and Jack Agazarian worry more and more about the honesty of Henri Déricourt.

* May 13rd. Suttill, recalled to London, receives new instructions there. It announces its fear with Nicholas Bodington and Maurice Buckmaster. Those are not convinced and refuse to point out Déricourt in England.

* May 20th. - Suttill is parachuted in Romorantin.

* June 23rd. - Suttill is stopped in Paris, with its hotel, close to the Saint-Denis Door. Andree Borrel and Gilbert Norman is stopped the same day. Hundreds of agents are stopped in the days which follow, at the end of June and at the beginning of July. It is the general collapse of the Prosper network.

*Quand Noor Inayat Khan, which arrived on June 16th as radio operator operator of network CINEMA-PHONO, discovers that Suttill was stopped, it submits his report/ratio with the SOE in London on the collapse of the network.

*Suttill is brought to the general headquarter of Gestapo, 84 Avenue Foch. He is tortured during several days. According to Ernst Vogt, Suttill is appropriate with the Germans to provide information on stocks of weapons against their promise not to kill the resistant concerned ones. However, according to another German agent, Joseph Kieffer, it would be Gilbert Norman who would have taken the initiative of this agreement.

1945 . - The 21 or on March 23rd, Francis Suttill is carried out with the camp of Sachsenhausen, located at the North-West of Berlin.

Assessment of the action of Francis Suttill

At the time of its dismantling, the PHYSICIAN-Prosper network includes/understands more than 400 agents (SOE and resistant French which agrees to work for him) distributed in a dozen departments, forming several sub-networks and groups. Networks: JUGGLER, TINKER. Buckmaster groups: Muno (Ardenne), Origny-in-Thiérache (Aisne). About thirty grounds of parachuting were approved, on which it received more than 250 containers. It concluded several operations: troop attacks of trains (troops and supply), sabotages of electric lines, electric transformers, factories, fuel depots.

Recognition

As an agent of the section F of the SOE died for France, Francis Suttill is honoured with the Memorial with Valençay

Sources

Henri Noguères, History of Resistance in France of 1940 to 1945 , Robert Laffont, 1976; ED. supplemented review and, Crémille & Famot, 1982.
Hugh Verity, We landed of night… Secret landings of the RAF in France 1940-44 , 1978; 5th ED. increased review and, Vario, 2004.
Anthony Cave Brown, the secret War, the rampart of the lies , Pygmalion/Gerard Watelet, 1981.
M.R.D. Foot, SOE in France, An Account off the Work off the British Special Operations Executive in France 1940-1944 , London, Her Majesty' S stationery office, 1966. This book presents the official version British events.
Richard Seiler, the Tragedy of the Network Prosper , Pygmalion, 2003.
John Vader, We did not play, the collapse of the network Prosper 1943 , the Capuchin, 2002. This book is the French translation of the book Prosper double-cross-country race , Sunrise Press, 1977, translation, notes and appendices of Charles Le Brun.
Jacques Office, a lying soldier , Robert Laffont, 1992. Direct testimony of a member of the network.
Jean Lartéguy and Bob Maloubier, Triple play, spy Déricourt , Robert Laffont, 1992.

Random links: