Travers, Susan (1909–2003)

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Travers, Susan (1909–2003)

French legionnaire. Born 1909 in London, England; died 2003 in France; dau. of a naval officer; m. Nicholas Schlegelmilch (legion NCO), 1947 (died 1995); children: 2 sons.

The only woman to serve in French Foreign Legion, joined the Free French Forces who were fighting in North Africa during WWII; after withstanding Rommel's siege of the desert fortress of Bir Hakeim for 15 days (1942), played a key role in the breakout of the troops, including 650 legionnaires; awarded the Croix de Guerre; applied to join the legion officially (1945), omitting gender from the form, and was accepted; resigned (1947).

See also memoir (with Wendy Holden), Tomorrow to be Brave (2001).

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