Reclusive British World War II heroine who was tortured by Nazis to be buried with honors

Reclusive World War II heroine to be buried

LONDON — A reclusive World War II heroine who was tortured by the Nazis after she was caught behind enemy lines is to be buried with honors.

Eileen Nearne did not talk to neighbors about her secret wartime service before her death from a heart attack on Sept. 2 at age 89.

Officials only learned of her wartime role with the Special Operations Executive when they found memorabilia among her personal papers in her apartment after her death.

The special unit was created by wartime leader Winston Churchill to wreak havoc in parts of mainland Europe that had fallen under Nazi control.

She served in France and helped with clandestine radio communications until she was caught by the Nazis and sent to a concentration camp.

The funeral is being held Tuesday.