The Free French intelligence services were created in 1940 at the request of General de Gaulle, and placed under the command of André Dewavrin, an officer who took the alias Colonel Passy. The primary purpose of the Service de Renseignements – SR, which operated with few resources and personnel, was to obtain information relating to occupied France where several agents were sent to set up intelligence networks.
The BCRA played a pivotal role between Free France and the French Resistance. As such, it was dependant on the logistic services provided by the British with whom it had to maintain effective relations regardless an intricate relationship. The bureau hired agents and sent them to France, most of them parachuted. Approximately 200 of them performed all sorts of missions, operating underground. Acting as special envoys of Free France, they established networks and communication, liaised with resistance movements, served as radio operator, saboteur, instructor in the maquis and officer in the Resistance.
In all, 108 members of the BCRA, amongst whom 38 did not survive the war, were awarded the title of Companion of the Liberation. Despite the fact the BCRA is not a Companion of the Liberation, this agency provided the largest number of Companions.
Credits: © the Musée de l’Ordre de la Liberation / All rights reserved.
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