Videos tagged with Special Operations Executive

This Royal Armouries lecture explores the vital role of women in the Special Operations Executive (SOE) during World War II, specifically focusing on their missions in Nazi-occupied France. Dr. Kate Vigurs details the rigorous training these agents received, including silent killing, instinctive shooting, and sabotage techniques. The talk highlights their perilous work as couriers and wireless operators, the immense risks they took operating undercover, and their often short life expectancies. It emphasizes why women were so instrumental to SOE's success and sheds light on their bravery and the human stories behind historical archives.

This video delves into the history of the Colt Model 1903 Pocket Hammerless pistol, also known as the Model M, and its service with the US military and the Office of Strategic Services (OSS) during World War II. While a successful commercial design, the US government acquired significant numbers of these pistols in both .32 ACP and .380 ACP calibers. These were not issued as combat sidearms but rather for military police, intelligence services, and even the British Special Operations Executive. The video highlights specific changes made to the pistol around October 1944, including larger sights, increased slide serrations, a phosphated finish, and a slightly larger "US Property" stamp font.

This video explores the history and modern interpretations of the Welrod pistol, a WWII-era firearm designed for "non-traditional" forces and espionage. It highlights its incredibly quiet operation and mentions B&T's modern versions, the VP-9 and Station Six. The description also promotes various affiliate links for firearms accessories, ammunition, and real estate services, offering discount codes for viewers.

This video details the British Ballester Molina pistol, a variant contracted by the British government during World War II from HAFDASA in Argentina. Approximately 8,000 units were produced between 1942 and 1944, identifiable by a secondary 'B' prefix serial number. The contract likely involved steel bartering and US Lend-Lease supplies. Some pistols were issued to SOE agents or resistance groups, while others remained surplus. These unissued pistols were later acquired by InterArms in the 1950s and exported to the US. The video also notes the application of British proof marks in 1955 due to a new law, visible on the featured example. The information is primarily sourced from Alex Gherovici's monograph.

This educational video from the Royal Armouries' Home Learning Hub focuses on the Special Operations Executive (SOE) during the Second World War. Designed for KS2 English and History, it details the challenges and trials faced by SOE agents operating behind enemy lines. The video highlights the resourcefulness and bravery required during the war effort, and mentions that further information about SOE agent weaponry can be found on the Royal Armouries website through a downloadable pack. The content aims to support teachers and parents with home schooling resources.

This video provides a detailed overview of the Ballester-Molina pistol, an Argentine firearm developed as a more economical alternative to the Colt 1911A1. It discusses the pistol's design, its production history from 1938 to 1955 by HAFDASA, and the name change from Ballester-Rigaud to Ballester-Molina. The video also highlights its adoption by various Argentine military and police forces, and notably, the 8,000 units purchased by the UK for Special Operations Executive during World War II, including details on the British contract serial numbers.

This video provides a book review of Damien Lewis' "The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare." The reviewer focuses on the exploits of Danish commando Anders Lassen and the Special Operations Executive (SOE) during WWII, detailing daring missions like stealing supply ships and raids across the English Channel. While not a general overview of SOE, the book is described as a riveting, first-person account of independent Special Forces operations, highlighting individual skill and motivation, though it also touches on the psychological toll of combat. The reviewer found the book highly engaging and motivating, offering a different perspective than typical academic histories.

This video explores lesser-known, experimental firearms developed by the Special Operations Executive (SOE) during World War II. Featured are a fully automatic .22 LR Colt Woodsman with an unusually high rate of fire, a unique hip-mounted pistol designed for hands-up scenarios, and a heavily modified, integrally suppressed M1 Carbine. The content also touches upon the covert operations and ingenious cover stories used by the gunmaker John Wilkes Brothers to support SOE's efforts. These experimental weapons highlight the desperate measures taken by the Allies to achieve victory.

This video delves into the history of two seldom-seen World War II submachine gun designs by Eric Norman: the Norm Gun and the Welgun. Developed for the Special Operations Executive Station IX, these weapons, while never mass-produced, are notable for their straightforward mechanics, including a slam-fire system. The Welgun is presented as a refinement of the Norm Gun, featuring a folding stock, safety mechanism, and improved protection against the elements. Both designs ultimately ceased development before reaching serial production, leaving them as interesting footnotes in firearms history.

This video provides an in-depth look at the De Lisle Commando Carbine, a legendary suppressed firearm from WWII. The presenter details its unique construction, featuring a converted Lee Enfield Mk.III* action paired with a large baffle tube and chambered in .45 ACP. The carbine utilized modified 1911 magazines and an 8-inch barrel to fire subsonic rounds, making it exceptionally quiet and ideal for clandestine operations. The description highlights its rarity, with only 129 known production examples, primarily issued to elite units like the SOE and Royal Marine Commandos. The video also touches upon the challenges faced by YouTube gun channels regarding demonetization and encourages viewer support through Patreon.

This film, 'Remembrance (2010)', produced by the Northern Film School in collaboration with the Royal Armouries, explores the crucial role of Women Special Operations Executives (SOEs) in occupied France during World War II. It aims to highlight themes central to the Royal Armouries' museum collections. The film is a short, two-minute production from 2009-2010.