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History's Secret Heroes: Series 1: Virginia Hall’s Great Escape

History's Heroes

CHAPTER

The Coded Messaging System for Prison Breaks

A priest who had lost both legs in the First World War concealed a radio under his catechism. The imprisoned agents could now speak directly to Hall's agents outside. Together, they devised a coded messaging system aimed at coordinating a prison break. Everything was timed to the absolute second - but there was a problem. One of the agents panicked that if he was seemed to escape, it might put his wife and daughter at risk. He threatened to blow the whistle on the plan and tell the guards. Some sleeping potion was smuggled in to the camp so that he could be put to sleep very effectively and wouldn't betray them. As planned, an old lady passed the camp with three children, giving

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