Normandy holds a special place in my heart—I’ve always had a special fuzzy glow when I’m there. It’s a region brimming with history and beauty, not to mention a great place to jump out of a perfectly good airplane. It seems fitting, to me, to share the story of someone whose bravery in Normandy truly left a mark on history.

In May 1944, 23-year-old Phyllis Latour embarked on a mission that would make her an unsung heroine of World War II. She parachuted into occupied Normandy, France, just ahead of D-Day, with one crucial objective: to gather intelligence on Nazi positions and help secure victory for the Allies.

Her mission began with a dramatic drop from a U.S. Air Force bomber, and once she touched down on French soil, Phyllis buried her parachute and clothes. She quickly took on the identity of a poor French teenager, remaining hidden for four months while carrying out one of the most daring and covert operations of the war.

Phyllis had been meticulously trained by the British Special Operations Executive (SOE).

Her training involved Morse code, radio maintenance, and the art of espionage. She also endured rigorous physical preparation in the Scottish highlands. One of her trainers was a former cat burglar, who taught her how to sneak around and climb walls without leaving a trace. Phyllis was driven by a deep desire for revenge on the Nazis who had killed her godfather.

Her work was as dangerous as it was vital. As she moved through Normandy, she posed as a naive country girl selling soap, all while secretly passing on information about German troop movements to the British. She played her role perfectly, engaging in seemingly innocent conversations with German soldiers to avoid raising suspicion. Phyllis often slept in forests, scavenging for food, as she traveled from town to town, staying one step ahead of the Nazis.

Phyllis’s ingenuity was unparalleled.

She created a clever system for hiding her secret messages: she wrote them on a piece of silk and pricked it with a pin each time she used a code. She hid the messages inside her hair tie. On one occasion, when the Germans detained and searched her, she managed to avoid detection by letting her hair fall loose, revealing nothing of the hidden code. Over the summer of 1944, Phyllis sent 135 coded messages, helping to guide Allied bombers to their German targets.

After the war, Phyllis lived a quiet life in New Zealand, where she raised four children. Her family didn’t learn of her extraordinary wartime service until 2000, when her son discovered her story online. In 2014, on the 70th anniversary of D-Day, the French government honored Phyllis with the Chevalier of the Legion of Honour for her bravery and invaluable contributions to the Allied victory.

FAQ

Q: What motivated Phyllis Latour to join the SOE?
A: Phyllis was driven by a deep sense of personal loss—her godfather was killed by the Nazis, and she was determined to fight back and contribute to the Allied effort in any way she could.

Q: How did Phyllis manage to stay undetected while working behind enemy lines?
A: Phyllis cleverly played the role of a naive country girl, engaging in casual conversations with German soldiers and staying mobile, often sleeping in forests and staying with locals to avoid suspicion.

Q: How did Phyllis communicate secret messages?
A: Phyllis wrote her secret codes on a piece of silk, pricking it with a pin each time she used a code. She kept the codes hidden inside her hair tie, using her hair as a distraction when searched by German forces.

About the Author

Miles Spencer is a multi-exit founder, investor, and storyteller. His work at the intersection of memory and technology is rooted in personal experience and a deep belief in legacy.