Read of Baissac

Lise of Baissac was, during the Second world war an agent Mauritian of the British secret service Special Operations Executive. Read of Baissac is one of the 14 agents Free-Mauritians engaged by the SOE, because in particular of their knowledge of the two languages, English and French.

Genealogy

His/her younger brother: Claude de Baissac was also agent of the SOE.

Biography

1905 . Birth of Dye stick Marie Sleeve-board of Baissac on May 11th with Maurice.

During the Second world war, it joined the FANY, then - as his/her Claude brother - the SOE.

First mission in France

1942 .

*Dans the night from September 24th to 25th, Dye stick of Baissac “ Odile ” and Andrée Borrel “ Denise ” is the first two women parachuted in France by the SOE. They land in the village of Boisrenard, close to the town of Mer (Loir-et-Cher). During the months which follow, Lise is a liaison officer of network SCIENTIST with the network Prosper - PHYSICIAN of Francis Suttill and network BRICKLAYER of France Antelme. Based in Poitiers, Lise takes the identity of a archeologist amateur seeking of the stone specimens, whereas actually it locates zones of landing for Squadrons 138 and 161. As it does not have a radio, it must travel to Paris to send and receive messages, or to Bordeaux where his/her brother Claude de Baissac develops SCIENTIST, organizing sabotages and collecting information on the movements of submarines and ships.

1943 .

June. Collapse of the network Prosper - PHYSICIAN.

August. In the night of the 16/17, it succeeds in returning to England by Lysander, with her brother Claude de Baissac and major Nicolas Bodington.

Second mission in France

1944 .

*Avril. It turns over to France. In the night of the 9/10, Lysander demounting close to Villers-the-Elms. Under the new name of war “ Marguerite ”, it comes to work for the network PIMENTO, whose chief is Anthony Brooks.

*Cependant, it enters in conflict with the group, thinking that they are militant Socialists who have political aimings. It joined her brother Claude de Baissac, who was parachuted in February and went to Normandy to recognize large landing strips which could be held during 48 hours while airborne troops would be established there.

After the war

It marries Henri Villameur, artist decorator of interior living in Marseilles.

2004 . She dies on March 28th in Marseilles, at the 98 years age.

Recognition

Distinctions: LH , CG with Palm, MBE (September 1945).
Declarations:

*Un British officer declared: “The role which she played by helping the maquis and resistance in France will never be rented too much and made much to facilitate the preparations of the maquis and resistance before the American opening in Mayenne. ”

*Dans its file SOE, one reads: “It was the inspirer of groups in the Flowering ash, and by its initiatives, it caused heavy losses with the Germans with devices which exploded the tires on the roads close to Saint-Aubin-of-Desert, Saint-March-of-Desert (Mayenne), and as far as Laval, Mans and Rennes. It also took part in armed attacks on enemy columns. ”

Sources

M.R.D. Foot, SOE in France , HMSO, 1966.
Spartacus Article on Dye stick of Baissac.

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