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10 July 2009
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British Special Operations Executive (SOE): Tools and Gadgets Gallery

Discover some of the ingenious gadgets of the SOE Catalogue, available to the well prepared SOE saboteur.

These gadgets were used to great effect in many theatres of war. For instance, one of the most successful SOE operations of the war was Jaywick. This resulted in 30,000 tons of Japanese shipping being sunk in Singapore harbour, with all the agents returning safely. Another operation of major importance was Operation Gunnerside, which destroyed the German supplies of 'heavy water' in Norway and so hindered the German attempt to develop an atomic bomb.

Click on an image below to enter the gallery
Sneakers adapted to leave false footprints
Sneakers adapted to leave false footprints
Amphibian breathing apparatus
Amphibian breathing apparatus
Sten gun with silencer
Sten gun with silencer
Shaving cream tube with secret chamber
Shaving cream tube with secret chamber
'Exploding' rat
'Exploding' rat
Plaster logs
Plaster logs
Cork with hidden compartment
Cork with hidden compartment
Techniques of disguise
Techniques of disguise
Incendiary suitcase
Incendiary suitcase
Sleeve gun
Sleeve gun
'Sleeping Beauty' canoe
'Sleeping Beauty' canoe
Key with a secret
Key with a secret

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