S.O.E. 1940-46

About this book

Recruited from remarkably diverse callings the men and women who were members of this most secret agency in the Second World War lived in great and constant danger. Their job was to support and stimulate resistance behind enemy lines; their credentials fortitude courage immense patience and a devotion to freedom. The activity of the S. O. E. was world-wide. Abyssinian tribesmen French farmers exiled Russian grandees coolies smugglers printers policeman telephonists tycoons prostitutes rubber workers railway men peasants from the Pyrenees to the Balkans even the regent of Siam - all had a part to play as saboteurs informers partisans or secret agents. In this engrossing and illuminating study the eminent Second World War historian M. R. D. Foot sheds fresh light on the heroism of individual S. O. E. agents across the world and provides us with the definitive account of the Executives crucial wartime work.