Learning about the SOE

Hello. My name is Tom and I was brought to WW2 Talk through my recent research about the SOE.

I just wanted to say that I appreciate the amount of information there is available about the SOE and in paticular the missing agents which were later found to be executed by the Germans. It is certainly a sad tale and I find my self emersed in the stories of bravery and defiance these men and women of the SOE put up in their service to the Allied cause. They are truly moving.

After reading numerous books thus far, there seems to be much controversy about what happened or may have happened to various agents. There appears to be no absolute account of the incidents and probably will never be.

There are many moving accounts about the service, captivity and eventual execution of agents like Eliane Plewman, Yolanda Beekman that should be remembered and I wish to give credit to the people of the United Kingdom that see to making the history of the SOE carry on and not be forgotten.

I would be interested in any suggestions of printed or digital material regarding the agents of the SOE. Being somewhat new to this topic, I have come across many versions of incidents and find it somewhat perplexing. Any pointers would be truly appreciated.

TJ

 

Hi TJ.
Try:-
Flames in the Field: Story of Four SOE Agents in Occupied France: Amazon.co.uk: Rita Kramer: Books
A Quiet Courage: Amazon.co.uk: Liane Jones: Books
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Life-In-Secrets-Atkins-Agents/dp/0349119368/ref=pd_sim_b_1

 

I read "Flames In The Field" and then followed up with "A Life In Secrets" which I just finished today. It seems the circumstances regarding the deaths of the four agents at Dachau was updated by the second book. Very sad but the women seemed to frustrate the German to the very end.

I will certainly order "A Quiet Courage". I have not heard of that title in my reading and web browsing. Thank you for the suggestion.

TJ

 

I found "Undercover" by Patrick Howarth interesting

 

Ok, thank you. I will add that to my list.

 

Hi Tom,

Was at Kew a few weeks ago and looking into some files, and found M Foot SAS IS9 report Jeburgh22 took a copy and posted that on this.. Here's the link
http://www.ww2talk.com/forum/special-forces/44437-mrd-foot-e-e-report-wo208-3348-a.html

Also try M Foot again SOE and I do have a 1st Ed of that book for sale

Cheers
Tom

 

You may find some interesting information you are looking in the book of Sarah Helm "A Life in Secrets". it is a reconstruction of investigations by Vera Atkins at the end of the war to try to find the missing agents, especially women of the SOE.

 

Thanks. I read that just last week, complete with the revised fate of the Dachau four....
I just finished "Between Silk and Cyanide".....

 

I just finished "Between Silk and Cyanide".....

On my list to read.