Why Belgian agents risked their lives spying for Britain

Helen Fry tells the story of the network of Belgian spies who passed secrets to Britain from deep behind German lines – and helped win the world wars

Published: January 23, 2026 at 8:00 AM

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In the chaotic opening months of the First World War, Britain's intelligence services were desperate to learn where the Germans would attack next. Enter the White Lady. As historian Helen Fry lays out in her new book, this courageous network of Belgian civilians began spying on German troops from behind enemy lines – and, in the process, changed the course of the war. Here, in conversation with Spencer Mizen, Helen tells an extraordinary story of massacres, drug dealing, double-crossing and secret messages encased in potatoes.

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For more on spycraft in the Second World War, don't miss our interview with Helen Fry on the ingenious British intelligence operation to bug German prisoners during the conflict. Go beyond the podcast

Authors

Spencer MizenSenior production editor

Spencer is senior production editor of HistoryExtra magazine

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