Krystyna Skarbek
Polish spy (1908-1952) · United Kingdom · On the map · Died at 44
Maria Krystyna Janina Skarbek,, also known as Christine Granville, was a Polish agent of the British Special Operations Executive (SOE) during the Second World War. She became celebrated for her daring exploits in intelligence and irregular-warfare missions in Nazi-occupied Poland and France.
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Journalist Frederick Voigt introduced Skarbek to SIS
Gen. Colin Gubbins, executive head of SOE from 1943
Gen. Stanisław Kopański, Chief of Staff to the Commander-in-Chief of the Polish Armed Forces in the West (1943-46)![Maquisards (Resistance fighters) in the vicinity of Savournon in the Hautes-Alpes in August 1944. SOE agents are second from right, (possibly) Skarbek, third John Roper, fourth, Robert Purvis.[58]](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/af/Maquis_Haute_Savoie.jpg/500px-Maquis_Haute_Savoie.jpg)
Maquisards (Resistance fighters) in the vicinity of Savournon in the Hautes-Alpes in August 1944. SOE agents are second from right, (possibly) Skarbek, third John Roper, fourth, Robert Purvis.[58]
Skarbek's grave, St Mary's Catholic Cemetery, Kensal Green, London, with Andrzej Kowerski, her partner in life and SOE service
Tempsford Memorial to the female agents and RAF Special Squadrons, among them Krystyna Skarbek
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Journalist Alistair Horne, who described himself in 2012 as one of the few people still alive who had known Skarbek, called her the "bravest of the brave." Spymaster Vera Atkins of the SOE described Skarbek as "very brave, very attractive, but a loner and a law unto herself."