Virginia Hall (1906–1982)
Virginia Hall (1906–1982) was an American agent during World War II who defied every stereotype. A woman, a foreigner, and with a prosthetic leg — which she nicknamed “Cuthbert” — she embodied everything the Nazis underestimated. Even so, she became the most dangerous agent in occupied France.
Who she was
• American, former diplomatic service candidate
• Lost part of her leg in an accident
• Joined the British SOE and later the OSS (future CIA)
Operations in occupied France
• Worked undercover as a journalist and peasant
• Built and coordinated resistance networks
• Organized sabotage, rescues, and escapes
• Distributed weapons, money, and radios
• Trained local fighters
Hunted by the Gestapo
• Became a top Nazi priority target
• Described as “the most dangerous woman in Europe”
• Escaped capture multiple times
• Fled across the Pyrenees on foot in winter with a prosthetic leg
• Sent the famous message: “Cuthbert is causing trouble”
After the war
• Awarded the Distinguished Service Cross
• One of the few women to receive the honor
• Worked for the CIA in complete anonymity
• Never told her story publicly
Why was she forgotten?
• Challenged the traditional image of a hero
• Proved intelligence and courage outweigh brute force
• Her legacy remained hidden for decades
Did you know?