New Film Celebrates Female WWII Spies and Their Heroism

A new film titled The Partisan, premiering in London on September 30, brings to light the remarkable story of Krystyna Skarbek, often hailed as Britain’s first female spy during World War II. Starring Morgane Polanski, the film portrays Skarbek’s daring exploits and highlights the courage of female operatives who played crucial roles in the fight against Nazi Germany.

Born into a wealthy Polish family in 1908, Skarbek had an adventurous spirit from a young age. She enjoyed horseback riding and skiing in the Tatra mountains. When World War II erupted in 1939, she fled to London with her second husband, Jerzy Giżycki, and soon joined the Secret Intelligence Service (SIS). Skarbek’s early missions took her to Hungary, where she spent months smuggling money, arms, and intelligence into occupied Poland.

During her time in Hungary, she encountered childhood friend Andrzej Kowerski, a Polish army officer, and they became romantically involved. Both were captured by the Gestapo in 1941. In a daring escape, Skarbek faked tuberculosis, biting her tongue until it bled to convince her captors.

One of her most notable achievements came in 1944, when she orchestrated the rescue of British agents Francis Cammaerts and Xan Fielding from a German prison, mere hours before their scheduled execution. For her bravery, she was awarded the George Medal and later received an OBE in 1947. Tragically, Skarbek, later known as Christine Granville, was murdered in 1952 by a stalker named Dennis Muldowney, who was executed for his crime three months later.

The film also shines a light on other extraordinary female spies of the era. Virginia Hall, known as “The Limping Lady,” became a feared figure among the Gestapo. Born in Baltimore, Maryland, Hall was rejected by the US diplomatic corps due to her wooden leg, which she affectionately named Cuthbert. She joined the British Special Operations Executive (SOE), where her daring acts earned her the title of “the most dangerous of all Allied spies.” Hall was the only female civilian to receive the Distinguished Service Cross for her exceptional bravery during the war. After the conflict, she served with the CIA for 15 years before retiring.

Another remarkable figure is Violette Bushell, who began her journey as a perfume seller in south London. She married Étienne Szabo, an officer in the French Foreign Legion, in August 1940. After Szabo’s death in action, Bushell joined the SOE to avenge him. Her first mission in April 1944 was a success, but she was captured by the Nazis shortly after the D-Day landings. Despite brutal torture, she refused to divulge information about her comrades and was executed in February 1945, at the age of 23. She was posthumously awarded the George Cross for her valour.

The film also commemorates Noor Inayat Khan, who, despite her royal lineage, dedicated herself to fighting the Nazis. Born into Indian royalty in Moscow and raised in Paris, she joined the Women’s Auxiliary Air Force (WAAF) before being recruited by the SOE in 1943. Khan became Britain’s first female wireless operator in France, transmitting vital intelligence for four months before being captured. Despite enduring torture and solitary confinement, she maintained her silence until her execution in September 1944, at the age of 30. A statue in her honour now stands in Gordon Square Gardens in London.

The release of The Partisan serves not only to entertain but also to educate audiences about the significant contributions of female spies during one of history’s most tumultuous periods. Their bravery and resilience continue to inspire generations, reminding us of the often-overlooked heroes who fought against tyranny.