Skip to product information
1 of 7

Vigo Militaria and Collectables

WW2 1944 Dated SOE/Escape and Evasion Compass Razor with Original Bakerlite Box

Regular price £175.00 GBP
Regular price £195.00 GBP Sale price £175.00 GBP
Tax included. Shipping calculated at checkout.

This WW2 1944 Dated SOE/Escape and Evasion Compass Razor with Bakelite box is complete and in super condition.

The razor is in fantastic condition is dated 1944 and also has the WD arrow. It is complete with its Bakelite box, razor and razor blade box all mate from Bakelite. It has 3 razors one of which is magnetised. 
The razor blade could also be placed in water to find north, thus orientating the agent. 

The correct Bakelite box is manufactured by Wardonia.

This is one of the best SOE/Escape and Evasion Razor compasses we have seen. 

A fantastic addition to your SOE collection.

Setting Europe Ablaze.

SOE was  set up to wage a secret war. Its agents were mainly tasked with sabotage and subversion behind enemy lines. They had an influential supporter in Prime Minister Winston Churchill, who famously ordered them to 'set Europe ablaze!'

SOE's director of operations was Commando officer Brigadier Colin Gubbins whose interest in irregular warfare originated from his service during the Irish War of Independence (1919-21). Gubbins had also been involved in planning to establish a sabotage force to work behind the lines during any German invasion of Britain.

Gubbins’s approach to warfare included blowing up trains, bridges and factories, as well as fostering revolt and guerrilla warfare in enemy-occupied countries.

After completing a gruelling training regime, SOE agents were parachuted into occupied Europe and the Far East to work with resistance movements. Many were serving soldiers, often with Commando training, but others joined directly from civilian life.

Women also joined up. Some were enlisted in the First Aid Nursing Yeomanry (FANY) to disguise their secret work. These were the only women permitted a combat role during the Second World War.