Jacques de Guelis SOE's Genial Giant

This account of the life of Jacques Vaillant de Guélis follows him from his birth inCardiff, through school and University and French Military Service. Newly marriedhe was recalled to France in 1939 and was assigned to a company of British engineersas liaison officer until reportedly captured. He escaped via Dunkirk, only to return toFrance a few days later. He retreated south, escaped over the Pyrenees only to be caught again and flung intothe Miranda del Ebro Concentration camp. On his release he returned to Englandwhere he was recruited by the fledgling SOE, after an interview with Churchill. Hebecame a familiar figure in Baker Street as a recruiting and conducting officer untilhe was sent to France on a fact- finding mission in 1941. A stay in Algiers in 1942-3followed when he took part in the liberation of Corsica before returning to Londonand leading his 2nd mission to France in 1944. In 1945 he joined SAARF and led his last mission to Germany which culminated incollision with another vehicle when he was badly injured. He died later as a result