The Three Women Who Won the George Cross: Courage Beyond the Battlefield

Violette Szabo, Noor Inayat Khan & Odette Sansom

The George Cross is the highest civilian decoration for heroism in the United Kingdom and Commonwealth nations. Established in 1940 by King George VI during the height of the Blitz in

World War II, it honors acts of the greatest bravery in circumstances of extreme danger, not in the face of the enemy. Among its most extraordinary recipients are three women who epitomized courage and selflessness: Violette Szabo, Odette Sansom, and Noor Inayat Khan. These women were agents of the Special Operations Executive (SOE), a secret British organization formed during World War II to conduct espionage, sabotage, and reconnaissance in occupied Europe. Their stories are not only heroic but also poignant reminders of the cost of resistance.

Violette Szabo: The Spirit of Defiance

Violette Szabo was a young Anglo-French woman recruited into the SOE due to her fluency in French and fierce determination. After the death of her husband, a French Foreign Legionnaire, she volunteered for dangerous missions in France. Her first mission in 1944 involved coordinating with the French Resistance in Limoges. Szabo’s second mission, however, ended in tragedy. Captured by the Gestapo after a gunfight, she was interrogated and tortured but never divulged any information. She was eventually deported to Ravensbrück concentration camp and executed in early 1945. Szabo was posthumously awarded the George Cross in 1946 for her bravery under extreme conditions. Her legacy was later immortalized in the 1958 film Carve Her Name with Pride.

Noor Inayat Khan: The Gentle Warrior

Noor Inayat Khan’s background was as unique as her sacrifice. The daughter of an Indian Sufi mystic and an American mother, she was a descendant of Tipu Sultan of Mysore. A committed pacifist and children’s author, she joined the Women's Auxiliary Air Force before being recruited into the SOE due to her fluent French. In June 1943, she became the first female wireless operator sent into occupied France, a role of immense risk. After several weeks of evading capture while maintaining communication with London, she was betrayed. Imprisoned and interrogated in Paris, she refused to cooperate, despite repeated attempts to break her will. After months in captivity, Noor was executed at Dachau concentration camp in 1944. She was posthumously awarded the George Cross in 1949. Her quiet strength and dedication have become symbolic of resistance without violence.Odette Sansom: Survival Through Steadfastness

Odette Sansom, born in France but living in Britain, joined the SOE to help liberate her native country. She was sent to France in 1942 and worked as a courier in the occupied territory. Odette was eventually betrayed, captured by the Gestapo, and subjected to brutal torture at Fresnes prison. Despite immense suffering, including solitary confinement and physical abuse, she refused to reveal any information about her mission or fellow agents. She was transferred to Ravensbrück concentration camp but miraculously survived the war. Odette’s George Cross, awarded in 1946, recognized her incredible endurance and unwavering loyalty. Her story became one of the most celebrated wartime accounts, and she was portrayed in the 1950 film Odette.

The stories of Violette Szabo, Odette Sansom, and Noor Inayat Khan are tales of unparalleled bravery, resilience, and sacrifice. These women defied societal expectations and the mortal danger of Nazi-occupied Europe to serve a higher cause. Their George Cross medals are not just honors but lasting testaments to the courage of individuals who gave everything in the name of freedom. Remembering them ensures that their legacy continues to inspire future generations.

On my tours around London you will hear me talk of Noor, Violette and Odette along with many others... this VE day is the perfect time to mention their huge sacrifice.