Short Answer
Introduction
Captain Harry Alfred Rée (1914–1991) was a British officer and operative of the Special Operations Executive (SOE) during the Second World War. Serving within the F Section, Rée was deployed to occupied France where he specialized in the organization of resistance networks and the execution of sabotage operations. His effectiveness was noted by M.R.D. Foot, the official historian of the SOE in France, who identified Rée as one of the half-dozen most successful male agents to operate in the country [4].
Early Life and Background
Born on 15 October 1914, Harry Rée was the son of Dr. Alfred Rée, a chemist of Danish Jewish descent, and Lavinia Elisabeth Dimmick, whose lineage included the industrial chemist Eleuthère Irénée du Pont [4]. Rée received an extensive education, attending Shrewsbury School, St John’s College, Cambridge, and the Institute of Education at the University of London [4]. Following the outbreak of war, he served in the British Army from 1941 to 1945, eventually attaining the rank of Captain [4].
SOE Deployment and the STOCKBROCKER Circuit
Between 1942 and 1944, Rée operated as an agent for the SOE’s F Section in France [2]. His primary mission was the establishment and leadership of the STOCKBROCKER circuit, based in the Jura region [2]. The Jura region, characterized by its rugged terrain and strategic location, provided a critical environment for guerrilla warfare and the disruption of German logistics.
To maintain his cover and move within occupied territory, Rée utilized various deceptive documents, including a false certificate of demobilization from the French Army [2]. His operational records also associate him with the CESAR network under the codename CODEBREAKER [3].
Sabotage and Resistance Work
Rée’s tenure in France was marked by high-impact sabotage and intelligence gathering. One of the most significant operations attributed to his circuit was the sabotage of the Peugeot factory in Doubs in 1943, a target of strategic industrial importance to the German war effort [2].
Beyond industrial sabotage, Rée was deeply involved in the intelligence struggle against German counter-intelligence. His private papers contain communiqués regarding the execution of a double agent associated with Pierre Martin, illustrating the perilous nature of the “shadow war” fought by SOE agents to protect their networks from infiltration [2].
Post-War Life and Legacy
Following the liberation of France, Rée returned to the United Kingdom. In 1945, he shared his experiences as a saboteur through a radio broadcast on the BBC French Service [2]. After the war, he transitioned into a career as a teacher and educationist [4].
For his exceptional service and bravery in the field, Captain Rée was awarded the Distinguished Service Order (DSO) and appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) [2, 4]. He died on 17 May 1991 at the age of 76 [4].
Archival Records
Researchers can find extensive primary material regarding Harry Rée’s service in several institutions:
- Imperial War Museums (IWM): Holds his private papers, including a 51-page memoir of his wartime service (1940–1944), correspondence related to his SOE role, and an audio interview [1, 2].
- The National Archives (UK): Contains records under reference HS 9/1240/3, specifically relating to his role as an agent in the CESAR network/CODEBREAKER [3].
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