There's Something About Mary of Exeter

In a soaring tale of espionage and bravery, Mary, our heroine, flew military missions transporting top secret messages across the English Channel from France to England during World War II.

Racing through the skies, she carried handwritten code concealed in canisters, bobbing and weaving around snipers and air raids, and piloting her way back to safety where her wounds were sewn up in precise stitches by a local bootmaker. She was hit by shrapnel, the tip of one wing shot off, and attacked by hawks.

Mary traveled with bomber crews, smaller than her fellow soldiers and often the only female. She was chosen for these classified missions for her size, speed and because she could move stealthily for long periods of time when radio silence was required. Not a peep out of Mary. Rather plain looking, she blended in like camouflage among her army of messengers.

Read more about Mary of Exeter in Next Avenue by clicking here.