LINDELL'S LIST: Saving British & American Women at Ravensbrück

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Already a decorated heroine of the First World War, British-born Mary Lindell, Comtesse de Milleville, was one of the most colourful and courageous agents of the Second World War, yet her story has almost been forgotten.

Evoking the spirit of Edith Cavell, and taking the German occupation of Paris in 1940 as a personal affront, she led an escape line for patriotic Frenchmen wanting to join the Free French and for British soldiers left behind after Dunkirk. She would later set up an escape line for Blondie Hasler, leader of the ‘Cockleshell Heroes’ and for downed Allied aircrew, and in April 1945, when a score of British and American women emerged from Ravensbrück concentration camp, known as the Women’s Hell, they had been kept alive by the willpower and the strength of character of one fellow prisoner, Mary Lindell.

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Poignantly supported by first-hand testimony, Lindell’s List tells the moving story Mary Lindell’s heroic leadership and of the endurance of a group of women who defied the Nazis in the Second World War.

Peter Hore is the author of several biographies and for the last dozen years a freelance obituarist at the Daily Telegraph. He served a full career in the Royal Navy, spent nine years in the film and TV industry, and is now a full-time writer, editor and journalist.

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TO BOOK FOR THE ENTIRE AFTERNOON 2-6pm - see information below

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15.30 - MARK SEAMAN

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A TIME TO PUT THINGS STRAIGHT:

Examining some of the myths and legends surrounding SOE’s history

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Mark Seaman is an historian specialising in intelligence and special operations. He joined the Imperial War Museum in 1980 and was responsible for projects including the exhibition ‘European Resistance to Nazi Germany, 1939-1945’, the ‘Secret War’ permanent gallery and an international conference on the Special Operations Executive.

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His published work includes ‘Bravest of the Brave’ (a biography of the SOE agent ‘Tommy Yeo-Thomas), ‘Operation Foxley; the British plan to kill Hitler’ and ‘Special Operations Executive; A new instrument of war’.  He has featured frequently in the written and broadcast media including acting as adviser to television and film projects. In 2015 he was awarded an MBE for services to the history of espionage.

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16.30: Refreshment break

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16.45: Panel - SECRET WW2: Myths, facts & fiction -

• Mark Seaman

• Peter Hore

• Clare Mulley - biographer of the SOE agent Krystyna Skarbek

• Elizabeth Buchan - author of two SOE-based novels

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With at least three published biographers and one fiction writer in the room this promises to be a lively and informative session especially when discussiing how well (or poorly) the publishing industry handles SOE and intelligence projects; but this should also be well worth attending for anyone with a more general interest in writing, including 'how to get published'.

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Books by the speakers will be on sale (Event ends at 18.00)

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14.30-18.00   The Old Courtroom, 118 Church Sreet  Brighton BN1 1UD
Places for this afternoon session are still available. Entry is by way of making a charity donation of at least £7 per person and you can reserve places in advance
 by emailing our events team to confirm your reservation at: events@secret-ww2.net and using the Donate button at the bottom of this page
 

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