Jacques de Guélis SOE’s Genial Giant: His Life, His War & His Untimely End

by Delphine Isaaman

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Book cover for Jacques de Guélis SOE’s Genial Giant

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This account of the life of Jacques Vaillant de Guélis follows him from his birth in
Cardiff, through school and University and French Military Service. Newly married
he was recalled to France in 1939 and was assigned to a company of British engineers
as liaison officer until reportedly captured. He escaped via Dunkirk, only to return to
France a few days later. 


He retreated south, escaped over the Pyrenees only to be caught again and flung into
the Miranda del Ebro Concentration camp. On his release he returned to England
where he was recruited by the fledgling SOE, after an interview with Churchill. He
became a familiar figure in Baker Street as a recruiting and conducting officer until
he was sent to France on a fact- finding mission in 1941. A stay in Algiers in 1942-3
followed when he took part in the liberation of Corsica before returning to London
and leading his 2nd mission to France in 1944. 


In 1945 he joined SAARF and led his last mission to Germany which culminated in
collision with another vehicle when he was badly injured. He died later as a result
  • ISBN13 9781911604440
  • Publish Date 1 June 2018
  • Publish Status Active
  • Publish Country GB
  • Imprint Unicorn Publishing Group
  • Format Paperback
  • Pages 176
  • Language English