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Virginia Hall was an American civilian who served the British Special Operations Executive (SOE) and the American Office of Strategic Services (OSS) as a spy during World War II. Considered the most dangerous Allied spy by the Gestapo, she operated in France, sending radio reports, cooperating with other agents and resistance groups, establishing safe houses, and helping downed Allied airmen.
She had to flee Southern France in late 1942 (though she later returned to the country), hiring a guide to help her cross a mountain pass into neutral Spain. Before leaving for the grueling journey, she sent the SOE a message in which she mentioned she hoped “Cuthbert” will not trouble her on the way. The SOE’s reply was "If Cuthbert troublesome, eliminate him." That would have been ill-advised, since “Cuthbert” was Hall’s nickname for her wooden prosthetic leg – she became one of the greatest Allied spies with a partially missing leg thanks to a hunting accident.
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