Virginia Hall: The Most Feared Spy of World War II
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- Опубліковано 7 лип 2019
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Visit our companion website for more: biographics.org
Credits:
Host - Simon Whistler
Author - Shannon Quinn
Producer - Jennifer Da Silva
Executive Producer - Shell Harris
Business inquiries to biographics.email@gmail.com
Other Biographics Videos:
Mata Hari - Dancer, Lover, Spy
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Corrie Ten Boom - Saved estimated 800 lives during the Nazi occupation of the Netherlands.
• Corrie Ten Boom - Save...
Source/Further reading:
www.cia.gov/news-information/...
www.todayifoundout.com/index.p...
www.cia.gov/library/center-fo...
amzn.to/2wkDecC
I am surprised I've never heard of her. Very impressive lady, especially wanting her award in private so she could continue. She was exceptional and deserves to be remembered.
I know right. This was indeed a treat. A true hero.
She did her job pretty well if you didn't know about her
Read her biography, amazing lady
the best spies are never heard of. The ones we know end up dead in a smelly torture cellar
I just finished a book about Virginia Hall called "A Woman of No Importance" by Sonia Purcell, great read. It details Virginia's life in France. At times it is hair-raising. GBW.
The most successful spies in history will never get recognition.
unless perhaps later
No respect 😒
She "never experienced fame or glory", however I think her lifestyle, acts, and adventures were her true glory in her eyes.
She wasn’t a blowhard, she was a real hero
”If Cuthbert is giving you difficulties you must eliminate him.”
Proceeds to yeet leg off cliff
Big McDick as she was undercover surely this would be ”La Yeét”
"YEET"?
As a female amputee, I thank you extra for doing this story! Why aren't there well knew books or movies about her?? I've never heard of her!
Also, look for Tomorrow be Brave.
I remember watching an episode of Drunk History on Virginia Hall. That's how I learned about her.
Like Kate Smith. A radio host back in the 40s(?). A patriot noted for her version of "God Bless America". Missing a leg too. My mother worshiped her.
Because shes not real. Liberal equality demands created her.
@@two-bit8502
Hmmm
This has to be one of the most incredible women to have ever lived!!! She definitely deserves to be remembered as the brave hero she truly was. Thank you for educating us all about her.
Imagine falling in love only to be told that you were going through a phase. After losing everything, you take comfort in the idea that you can finally find and pursue your love only to find out they were gone. Killed in a war that took the lives of 70 million. That is heartbreaking. It offers insight into just how often that was probably the case.
Love your channel. This woman needs a movie about her extraordinary, maybe starring Cate Blanchett. She can do a very passable American accent.
I didnt even know she was Australian until I saw one of her interviews a few years ago lol, her american and english accents are really good
I could easily watch a series based on her life.
Wow, how about an extensive biography, that you, gasp, read.
Funnily enough there is a movie called Charlotte Grey starring Cate Blanchett that is a composite character inspired by badasses Nancy Wake, Noor Kahn, and Virginia Hall. Doesn't really emphasize how awesome they were, but still.
@@dojokonojo How could you, you do know the Hensworths, Gibson, Jason Clarke, Erroll Flyn were all Australian
This woman was awesome and fearless. She reminds me that you can choose what to be.
My God, what a remarkable woman. There should be a movie made about her.
There is its called ‘a call to spy’
Just watched her story and other two women (Vera Atkins and Noor Inayat Khan) in the movie, "A Call To Spy" (2020). They're simply inspiring women. I hope a film fully dedicated to her can come out some time in the future.
I read so much about espionage, especially during WW2, but never heard more than her name, being a SOE agent. But she was such an awesome person, pretty, intelligent, dauntless and a real "badass" (in the best way possible off course!) that you can't help being inspired by her tale of bravery. RIP, Virginia Hall: Let us honor her memory!
Thank you for doing something worthwhile on UA-cam. I watch you rather than the news.
Thank you :)
"Virginia's mother was not born into wealth, so she fully embraced this new upper class lifestyle." Love it! The most euphemistic description of 'social climber' I've come across to date. 😄
What a swell woman, with courage of steel💪🏽💙💙💙
What an outstanding woman. Truly inspirational. She deserves so much more recognition.
She surely does deserve it, but she didn't need it. I'll bet she had a small, enigmatic smile she kept tucked away, only letting it out when alone in a dark room.
@@stanlygirl5951 She met so many people during her career as a spy, people that she liked, but could NOT get close or open up as they could get caught and could divulge her whereabouts and plans. If there is such a thing, she was the perfect spy.
Never heard of her until now and wow! What a woman! A true role model! Now that is someone people should look up to. Despite everything she kept trying! Amazing! The humbleness as well and the true love of her work wanting no titles, glory or fame. Inspirational!
YESSSS! Love your channel. Love hearing more about women's lives in history also. Infinite gratitude for your work!
Feminists are the reason you don't hear about these exceptional ladies. They'd rather be portrayed as eternal victims of men, not being allowed to influence history ever. Its a self-defeatist attitude that suits its followers well.
@@YouAintGotNoTegridyBoi accurate
@Glenna Smith how about you shut up you miserable old cow you?
@FuckYouSaur “the best option is to shut them up” wtf! Speaking about oppression! You have no right to shut people up. Nor men nor women. Sounds like you have some issues with the ladies. Sad.
It's incredible to me - women are capable of performing such amazing feats, and some men think we are only good as wives and clerks and the like. We need stories like this, in TV, cinemas, schoolbooks, to teach coming generations that gender says nothing about a person's potential. (Neither does a disability - or race, or sexuality). A Big Thank you to the channel for spreading stories such as this!
You are talaking about a one into million chance. I am not saying women can't be anything other than housewives, but clearly men and women are different and have different upperhands. Honestly, when it comes to spying, old people, children (including teenagers and young adults), disabled people and women have an advatange in getting through because generally these groups of people are incompetent and seen as such. So it is easier to sneak them past enemies. Also before whining about, "oH lOoK wOmEn aRe aMazIng, bUt tHeRe aRe nO mOviEs", please goc heck because there is literally a movie about her called "A call to spy"
@@dinuxplay8003men and women do have the upperhand in different things, but that does not make one more competent than the other. People who view women as incompetent are fools, the only thing I would understand is viewing them as harmless- which is also a mistake. When this comment was created, there weren't many movies depicting women as anything more than housewives/love interests, and there is nothing wrong with being a housewife and all that but women deserve air time for other things too, because more often than not they're brilliant.
@@KIll74N You literally repeated what I said and still missed the point. As mentioned, men and women and have upperhands in different things meaning there are somethings each are generally good at. But it doesn't make women or men totally incompetent. Ofc, people who think that can be fools. Keep in mind we are talking about spying specifically here. "When this comment was created" ??? Was the comment created in 1980s? There are tons of movies where women are not just housewives/love interests. And ofcourse there is nothing wrong with being just that but It is funny that the people who whine and complain about "women deserve air time for other things" but never bother to check movies giving women air time for those said things. Reminds me of Elizabeth Banks, lol.
That woman had HUGE brass balls! Can you imagine doing what she did in an occupied country during a war? Seriously think about that for a minute. There's no way I could do that. @ some point in most people's lives we realize our own limitations, hers was a lot further than most!
What I'm finding out from all these Biographies is that you can achieve almost anything if you can call on the strength of your convictions. Think of the number of times she had to summon that inner strength to get through what she did. I'm most impressed that she was able to overcome all the odds and obstacles that were placed before her both physically [the leg] and by society [the chronic rejection by her own side!]
@Glenna Smith How about instead of contributing to the modern culture of outrage, and be a real person, maybe even a total badass like Virginia Hall? Do you think Virginia Hall would have made snarky comments in response to james' well meant compliment?
@Glenna Smith Modern outrage culture IS very new, don't lie to yourself. And your complaint is part of it.
Ovaries of steel, womb of kryptonite
Glenna Smith Perhaps he didn’t want to include tits in his comment, only for it to be misinterpreted and be accused of objectifying this great woman.
Thanks guys, great vid as always. Could you please do a biographic on Frederick "Fritz" Duquesne, an interesting South African who participated in several wars, and is best known for running the largest spy ring During WWII.
Of course, Emil might have been murdered by the Soviets at Katyn. it wasn't only the Nazis who murdered Poles.
@Dayas Panditas ???
This was great. What a woman! We need more heroes of this caliber today. The enemy may look different, but there will always be the need for intelligence. Good job!
Just look at her eyes! In every picture, even the one of her as a girl, her eyes are full of brilliance, confidence, and steely determination. That's the look of a hero!
I was looking for someone to mention her eyes. So unwavering and stern. I bet she was also a great poker player. No tells and highly perceptive.
One thing missing was how impressive Ms. Hall must have been driving an ambulance that had a clutch pedal with her prosthetic foot. You guys could do so many other women spies during WW2, but you just did the most badass of them all!
Can you cover Francois "Papa Doc" Duvalier. He was the most brutal dictator of Haiti and practicioner of Voodoo.
Wonderful request. Enjoyed seeing political enemies tortured too.
Oooh! That sounds really neat!
Les Tonton Macoutes were his brutal secret police.
Agree, would love to see a Bio of Duvalier!
More lady heros please😊
😉
They are call heroines.
see my dear friend Andrée Dumon, Belgian resistance heroine, on youtube
0:55 - Chapter 1 - Early life in baltimore
3:15 - Chapter 2 - Life in europe
7:25 - Chapter 3 - Life as an SOE Spy
12:45 - Chapter 4 - Joining the CIA
14:45 - Chapter 5 - After the war & legacy
Yay! A bio on a woman that doesn't end with rape and betrayal, Miracle do happen.
If the Marquis de Sade wrote it, it BEGINS with rape and betrayal.
lol rape and betrayal !
There are lots.
Holy crap, I was literally just finishing up reading a book about her.
What book? I'd love to read it!
@@LiliAquinas The Wolves at the Door, by Judith L. Pearson.
And after that, I'll start on Tomorrow to be Brave, the memoir of Susan Travers, the only woman to have served with the French Foreign Legion. In case you were interested in more books about badass women. ♥
@@Cemi_Mhikku A while ago I read:
Spymistress by William Stevenson
which is a who's who of all the SOE and OSS peeps doing their thing in WWII. Vera Atkins was a certified bad add gal and used Virginia Halls safehouses and services quite a bit.
Smirenka, and Jeff Stewart, thank you both! Going off to look for books!
Thanks for the recommendation!
It must have been hell dragging those 20 pound brass balls over the mountains with a wooden leg!!!! Badass
Great video. I had never heard of her. How about doing one on Nancy Wake (aka The White Mouse)?
I agree! This would be excellent
Just in case you didn't get the notification; they uploaded a video on Nancy Wake just a few hours ago :)
It has been done! Oops sorry!
I was worried I wasn't gonna get my daily dose of biographics, worried me a bit there Simon!
My great grandmother had her leg amputated just below the knee when she was 9 (in 1914) after cancer (I was told it was some sort of cancer at least). I hadn't expected to hear this woman had her leg amputated in about the same spot as my grandmother! 😂 My grandmother's youngest (living) brother (Andre Perron aka: Andrew Perron when he was speaking English instead of french) was drafted into WW2 - I wish I knew where he ended up stationed. He ended up surviving a gunshot wound to the head and died in 1995 when I was 4. Random, but this woman's story just struck me funny with the similarities (minor, yet somewhat distinct) between the two of my relatives and herself. I kinda wonder if she may have ever met my great-great uncle. I doubt it, but it'd be cool if she did.
I've never heard of her before. However I fully salute this badass. Thank you for making the world a better place.
badass? really?
Liked and subscribed. Your "women of ww2" videos are my favorite.
Thanks, glad you are enjoying them :)
I’m loving all these vids of badass, inspiring women!
Why this isn’t a major movie along the lines of Saving Private Ryan I don’t know.... WOW!
They also need to make a new nancy wake movie too x
Possibly my favourite video to date. What an incredible human. Thank you for I producing her to me !
I don't know why but her superiors unintentionally telling her to assassinate her prosthetic leg is incredibly hilarious.
My God!! What courage,grit and resilience. Against all odds she realised her dreams. Such a lesson for us all. Thank you for your video.
*Such* a phenomenal episode!!! Thank you so much for this, so dope 🙌
You should follow this up with the story of Nancy Wake, an Australian who did similar work for the resistance with similar heroism.
Not Australian she was a New Zealander
Graeme SYDNEY
Already done that?
Oops!
Now Simon, that is the best story you have shared with us.
Thank you.
"A woman of no importance" The Virginia Hall movie. I must watch this movie
Apparently it is "in production" with Daisy Ridley as Hall.
@@orangelion03 Yep! I can't wait!!
Been watching your videos and reallly enjoying them and i would like to make a suggetion for a historical character in a future video.
The person is Julie d'Aubigny, who was a 17 century singer and dualist under the bourbon king Louis the 14 of France. She were openly bisexuel, and were actually able to exist and kinda thrive, in a not exactly tolerant society, because of a complicated relation between the King and the Church. She also had some crazy adventures like rescuing a noble girl from a monastary, by liting it on fire and making a replacemnet for her body, so everyone thought the girl were dead. The reason why i would like a video about her is because i find the very early stages of the enligment, and some of the first more liberal ideas of equality very interesting. I know she weren't a particularly political active person, and didn't
do her actions and live her life style because of a agenda of equality, but more because she wanted to, but exactly that, doing things because you feel passionate about them despite being controversiel catches the idea of the freedom and liberty even better than doing things because they are controversiel. I also like her story, but have found it hard to find reliable information, because her story is pretty crazy and some sources seem to differ about what was real, and was more legend and exageration. She was also a bad ass person, and just all around and awesome part of history.
Again thanks for the amazing content, and hope you keep it up, and maybe try my idea. (if so you could also wait for the realese till it is pride month since it would go along with the topic)
Sorry for my bad english if it is there, english is not my first language.
Your English is better than me speaking/reading/writing whatever your language is. You were comprehensible. Well done.
La Maupin ! A most awesome woman.
Your English is fine and I like your suggestion. She sounds like an excellent example for Biographics. I also liked why you're suggesting her and not just a "do so & so". Great example!
Lord, Julie was amazing!
Your English is excellent. A lot better than some English speaking people. Your spelling is excellent also.
Got 100% in the exam, couldn't get the job - Sound familiar?
I always love hearing about SOE agents. Some of them were so good, it's almost scary.
The research you do on these biographies is incredible. I truly prefer you over others on UA-cam. I turned my buddy on to these the other day. Told him "this dude is the real deal."
I am glad she end up having her adventures and saving a lot of lives
I cannot believe this hasn't been made into a movie. I've never heard of Ms. Hall but thanks to Simon and Co. for another terrific video.
Thank you so much for sharing this story with us.
Love it, Simon! Never heard of Virginia Hall and glad to hear of her successful and intriguing life! Great job as usual!
Can you do Bob Denard please? The last mercenary of the 21st century. He overthrew 6 foreign governments on behalf of Western interest
Uh, hello, Simon Mann?
The 21st century isn't over.
Other mercenaries may appear.
That had to be one of the best, most inspiring documentaries I have ever seen. I can't wait to see what is next. Thanks so very much! My TV is not being used too much anymore!
wow! how exciting! She really did live the adventures she dreamed of.
Determined Women
This a fantastic story, and great information! Thanks for sharing it!
Simon, wonderful story. There are so many untold stories of the spies whose secrets will never be told.
Wow! Nice job Biographics team! One of your finest yet and on such a deserving hero!
Great doccie, Simon. Thank you.
OUTSTANDING BIO. Well done!
What an incredible inspiration she is! Thank you for educating us about her amazing life.
I've been binging Bio and Geographic vids for the past week and this has been the most entertaining video yet. 10/10 would watch this movie!
Wow, that's all I can say. Her courage and determination are beyond established boundaries to date. My hope is that she found enough joy in life to offset the difficulty and loss. I stand and salute.
Uh oh, here i am binge watching Biographics again. Great video!
An incredible story of an even more incredible lady. Thank you for the great video. I had heard about her, but not with the details that you shared. What an amazing life!
Just wanted to say "kudos" on your channel!! Always looking forward to new videos. What about Alan Turing and John Nash? Just thinking out loud ...
Very Well done! Thankyou for a great video!
I'm amazed by how much quality content this channel is producing!
We try. Thank you for saying so :).
A very great Lady . Thank you for your heroism madam. You are one our true heroes and God bless you.
Well done. Thank you.
Really great video! Thank you 😄
I became aware of Virginia Hall a few years ago, reading a book called "Sisterhood of Spies", and of course I felt the profoundest admiration for her. Brilliant, patriotic, effective, and absolutely fearless!
Thanks for another great one, Simon W. You always brighten my day! :)
Have they made a movie of her, impressive
Don't know. But they should.
@@Biographics They are planning on a film, with Daisy Ridley being Virginia.
Excellent !! A story that I knew nothing about. Well Done.
Wonderful wonderful video!!! Thank you for telling her story!!!
These are great...thank you
In the same vein as this biography could you please do one on Nancy Wake. She was an Australian spy in WW2 however was born in New Zealand. She was known as the White Mouse by the Germans. The most decorated female soldier in WW2. She was amazing.
Anzac hybrid
fascinating, glad I watched this. Good stuff.
I found this episode of the Biographics especially interesting,
inspirational and informative! What a girl / woman, Virginia Hall. She was not only very pretty, she was obviously also (and more importantly) highly intelligent and fearless. It is great that the memory of her, her bravery and her legacy is preserved through this video. Thanks for another great one, Simon W. You always brighten my day! :)
Ditto.
I absolutely love hearing the stories of these amazing women that it seems history has forgotten. I certainly never heard of this woman in school, but I think it would have been incredibly inspiring to hear. It would be really cool if you could include more women of color in your Biographic series as well. Can't wait for what's next!
What a story. I love this channel. Please keep posting.
One brave lady, her dedication, an advetutrus and undefeatable spirit, sense of duty and intelligence is inspiring. People like her today would be great diplomats, spymasters and CO of successful company. Becose of her and many others like her, we won the WW2. We need more people like her today.
Amazing information! Excellent video!
Now THAT is a great presentation.
This episode was absolutely fascinating! Thank you Simon! My husband watched your show and said " who is that? I like that guy! We are now both fans!
Excellent story. Thank you.
Great video!
Thank You
Wow, great bio!!
I Very Much Enjoy All your videos. They are Well researched ,interesting & a joy to watch.
I’ve never heard her name in my life and I’m amazed. She deserves way more recognition. Great video!
What an increadibly brave lady, i think you should also do a Bio Violet Szabo, another lady who was increadibly brave.
3rd video I’m watching. Your videos are awesome 👏🏾
Inspiring!
Another awesome bio!!!
Fabulous thanks for sharing
Many thanks, that was so interesting, I had never heard of her. Would make a great movie.
I’m soooo excited you did this! I just read “A woman of no importance” and it was amazing! This was going to be a suggestion 😁