Editing Special Operations Executive (section)

===Weapons===
Although SOE used some suppressed weapons such as the [[De Lisle carbine]] and the [[Welrod]] (specifically developed for SOE at Station IX), it took the view that weapons issued to resisters should not require extensive training in their use, or need careful maintenance. The crude and cheap [[Sten]] was a favourite. For issue to large forces such as the [[Yugoslav Partisans]], SOE used captured German or Italian weapons. These were available in large quantities after the [[Tunisian campaign|Tunisian]] and [[Allied invasion of Sicily|Sicilian]] campaigns and the surrender of Italy, and the partisans could acquire ammunition for these weapons (and the Sten) from enemy sources.

SOE also adhered to the principle that resistance fighters would be handicapped rather than helped by heavy equipment such as [[Mortar (weapon)|mortars]] or [[Anti-tank warfare#Anti-tank guns|anti-tank guns]]. These were awkward to transport, almost impossible to conceal and required skilled and highly trained operators. Later in the war however, when resistance groups staged open rebellions against enemy occupation, some heavy weapons were dispatched, for example to the [[Maquis du Vercors]].{{Sfn|Foot|2004|p=78}} Weapons such as the British Army's standard [[Bren light machine gun]] were also supplied in such cases.{{Sfn|Foot|2004|p=77}}

Most SOE agents received training on captured enemy weapons before being sent into enemy-occupied territory. Ordinary SOE agents were also armed with handguns acquired abroad, such as, from 1941, a variety of US pistols, and a large quantity of the Spanish [[Llama firearms|Llama]] [[.38 ACP]] in 1944. Such was SOE's demand for weapons, a consignment of 8,000 [[Ballester–Molina]] .45 calibre weapons was purchased from Argentina, apparently with the mediation of the US.{{Sfn|Seaman|2006|p=27}}

SOE agents were issued with the [[Fairbairn–Sykes fighting knife]] also issued to Commandos. For specialised operations or use in extreme circumstances, SOE issued small fighting knives which could be concealed in the heel of a hard leather shoe or behind a coat lapel.{{Sfn|Foot|2004|p=73}} Concealed "Coin slasher" knives were used for slashing car tyres.<ref>https://www.spymuseum.org/exhibition-experiences/secrets-revealed/</ref><ref>https://fightingknives.info/Products/oss-soe/rvdsfpvs/12/rvdsfpvdo/10/rvdsfpvn/4</ref> Given the likely fate of agents captured by the [[Gestapo]], SOE also disguised [[suicide pill]]s as coat buttons.