On September 13, 1944, at Dachau concentration camp, Noor Inayat Khan was executed by a single gunshot. She was just 30 years old.
Born to Indian and American parents, Noor grew up in Britain and France. During WWII, she volunteered for the Special Operations Executive, trained as a wireless operator, and parachuted into occupied France under the codename “Madeleine.”
Her work was among the most dangerous in Europe. Wireless operators rarely survived more than six weeks. Noor lasted over three months, becoming the last surviving radio link between London and Paris. Even when given the chance to return home, she refused.
After being captured by the Gestapo, she tried to escape three times — once even attempting to climb onto the roof of Gestapo headquarters. Despite being tortured, she never gave away any names or information.
At Dachau, her final word was said to be “Liberté.”
Posthumously awarded the George Cross and Croix de Guerre, Noor’s story remains one of extraordinary bravery — a woman who carried the weight of freedom on her shoulders until the very end.