Why was Nancy Wake known as The White Mouse?

During the war in France, Wake served as an ambulance driver. After the fall of France in 1940, she joined the escape network of Captain Ian Garrow, which became the Pat O’Leary Line. In reference to Wake’s ability to elude capture, the Gestapo called her the “White Mouse”.

What medals did Nancy Wake receive?

Wake was decorated by France, Britain and the United States but official recognition in Australia, the country of her youth, was very slow in coming. After the war she was awarded the George Medal, the French Croix de Guerre with two Palms, the US Medal for Freedom with Palm and the French Medaille de la Resistance.

Why is Nancy Wake significant?

Wake worked manning the dangerous escape routes through France helping to save the lives of many Allied troops and Jewish refugees. She was given her code name ‘The White Mouse’ by the Gestapo. Wake became one of the Gestapo’s most wanted resistance leaders and Wake was forced to flee France.

What was the code name for Nancy Wake?

Nancy Wake Codename: The White Mouse (1987) This WW2 undercover agent revisits Europe and tells her story of escaping the Gestapo.

Who was Nancy Wake in the White Mouse?

Nancy Wake, Producer: Nancy Wake Codename: The White Mouse. Nancy Wake was born in New Zealand but her family moved to Australia when she was 2. She spent her childhood in Sydney and after her studies she traveled to Europe where she worked as a journalist. In 1939 Nancy married French industrialist Henri Fiocca who was killed during the War.

Who was the author of the book Nancy Wake?

Author Peter FitzSimons said after writing his book Nancy Wake: A Biography of Our Greatest War Heroine, published in 2001: “We both came to the conclusion that she was 10 times the man I would ever be.”

What did Nancy Wake do in World War 2?

This WW2 undercover agent revisits Europe and tells her story of escaping the Gestapo. It’s difficult to praise the heroism of Nancy Wake enough. Imagine the difficulty of earning the respect of 7,000 hardened, male, French resistance fighters! At one point, Nancy let her men into battle against 40,000 seasoned Nazi troops and kicked their ass!