• S.O.E. Albania
• S.O.E. Belgium (in English)
• S.O.E. Belgium (in French)
• S.O.E. Czechoslovakia
• S.O.E. Denmark
• S.O.E. France (in English)
• S.O.E. France (in French)
• S.O.E. France (German Account in English)
• S.O.E. General Books
• S.O.E. Greece
• S.O.E. Hungary
• S.O.E. Italy
• S.O.E. Netherlands (in English)
• S.O.E. Netherlands (in Dutch)
• S.O.E. Norway
• S.O.E. Poland
• S.O.E. Yugoslavia

ALBANIA

Approach March by Amery

Foothills Against a Whirland by Glen

Illyrian Venture by Davies

MI9 by Foot & Langley - Pages 194-196

No Colours or Crest by Kemp

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BELGIUM (in English)

There are many books and accounts of courageous Belgians in France as they ran most of the escape lines O'Leary, Comet etc. Over 100 agents were sent into Belgium and one of the 3 heads of the Belgian Section was Hardy Amies, who went on to become the dress designer for Mer Majesty the Queen of England.

Battle for Antwerp by J.L. Moulton (Ian Allen 1978)

Resistance by M.R.D. Foot (Eyre Methuen 1977)

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BELGIUM (in French)

Un Maquis dans la Ville by Henri Bernard (Marcinelle; La Renaissance du Livre 1970)
Belgian urban guerilla accounts.

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CZECHOSLOVAKIA

Lidice by J.F.N Bradley (Ballantine 1972)
Story of the infamous Paul Thummel, an officer in the Abwehr, who worked for the Czech allies until he was caught.

Master of Spies by Frantisek Moravec (Bodley Head 1975)
As head of the Czech Intelligence Service he just managed to escape the occupation and worked in London for the exiled Czech Government. He assisted in picking agents and training them to work for S.O.E. and operate in Czechoslavakia.

The Assassination of Heydrich by Miroslav Ivanov (Hart-Davis 1973)
Probably the best & most accurate book on the assassination of Heydrich by Czech S.O.E. agents. There is not too much on training, but a wonderful picture of the result of the training from the time they parachuted back into Czechoslavakia and the actual assassination.

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DENMARK

Although the Danes were magnificient resisters & saboteurs, they preferred to run things for themselves rather than knuckle under to London. There were some very successful S.O.E. teams, but they seemed to provide very useful information more than anything. Another Danish contribution to S.O.E. was the high-speed transmitter, invented by L.D.A. Hansen, which improved the speed of sending by about seven times, thus saving many lives. It was so often that the type of radio and the time needed to send the messages which contributed to the German detection teams to find agents.

Europe Ablaze by Jorgen Haestrup (University Press 1978)

Secret Alliance by Jorgen Haestrup (University Press, Odense 1976)
Three volumns of the Danish fight against the Nazis.

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FRANCE (in English)

Accidental Agent by John Goldsmith (Leo Cooper 1971)
S.O.E. agent (Valentin) account with Carte and Attorney.

Amateur Agent by Ewan Butler (Harrap 1963)
S.O.E. training system.

Baker Street Irregular by Bickham Sweet-Escott (Methuen 1965)
First accounts of S.O.E. by one of its senior staff.

Between Silk and Cyanide by Leo Marks (Harper Collins)

Born for Sacrifice by Jean Overton Fuller (Pan 1957)
Account of S.O.E. agent Noor Inayat Khan, her life and tragic time as an agent.

Bravest of the Brave (Michael Omara 1997)
The true story of Wing Commander Tommy Yeo-Thomas

Canadians behind Enemy Lines 1939-1945 by Roy Maclaren (University of Columbia Press 1981)
The Canadian contribution, albeit small, was and is significant in the overall SOE operations to France. Twenty-five of our men went over, only 18 returned. Of the remainder a number went to SOE Asia and a few of them did not return as well. Their sacrifices should not go unnoticed, thus the reason for writing this book.

Carve Her Name With Pride by R.J. Minney (Newnes 1956)
The Life of Violette Szabo GC.

Conversations with a Captor by Jean Overton Fuller (Fuller, D'Arch and Smith 1973)
A prose-poen form of a conversation with Ernest Vigt, the SS officer who interrogated many captured agents in Paris.

Christine: A Search for Christine Granville, O.B.E G.M. Croix de Guerre by C. Masson (Hamish Hamilton 1975)
Life story of Christine Granville (Pauline), part of the JOCKEY circuit, murdered in London in 1952.

Death Be Not Proud by Elizabeth Nicholas (Cresset Press 1958)
Describes the fate of seven women S.O.E. agents, all brutally killed. Also highlights errors both in London and in the Field.

Dericourt - The Chequered Spy by Jean Overton Fuller (Russell 1989)
An account of Dericourt, the air movements officer in Northern France. Almost all agents were landed or seen off by Dericourt and it was claimed he was a double agent the whole time, doing a good job for S.O.E. and when necessary the Germans as well. An enigma. He was aquitted at trial by rather unusual means.

Double Agent by Jean Overton Fuller (Pan 1961)

Double Web by Jean Overton Fuller (Putnam 1958)

Duel Of Wits by Peter Churchill (Hodder 1957)

FANY Invicta by Dame Irene Ward (Hutchinson 1955)
Some history about S.O.E. Book about the First Aid Nursing Yeomanry which became the Womens Transport Service during the War.

Horned Pigeon by George Miller (Heinemann 1946)

Inside North Pole by Peter Dourlein (Kimber 1953)
Dutch S.O.E. agents horrifying account of his time back in Holland when almost every agent fell into enemy hands immediately they landed. The Abwehr controlled almost all the resistance radio sets and many operators. Information on S.O.E. training as well. This book is included in the French library because the Abwehr agents who worked on the "radio game" in holland went on to break up escape lines & betray S.O.E. agents in France & Belgium.

In trust & Treason by Gordon Young (Hulton 1959)
Life of Susan Warenghem, first escape line helper, and romantic partner of one worst traitors of the war (she was totally unwitting and he nearly killed her too). She escaped to England, trained with S.O.E., went back to France, but the war was nearly over.

Knights of the Floating Silk by George Langelaan (Hutchinson 1959)
Fascinating agents account.

Madeleine by Jean Overton Fuller (Gollancz 1952)
Account of S.O.E. agent Noor Inayat Khan, her life and tragic time as an agent.

Madeleine Noor-un-Nisa, Inayat Khan by Jean Overton Fuller (Pan 1957)
Account of S.O.E. agent Noor Inayat Khan, her life and tragic time as an agent.

Maquis by George Miller (Heinemann 1945)

Moondrop to Gascony by Anne-Marie Walters (MacMillan 1946)
Autobiography of S.O.E. agent in 1944, very descriptive.

Moon Squadron (Wingate 1956)
History of 138 Squadron which landed and dropped agents into occupied territory.

Nancy Wake by Russell Braddon (Cassell 1956)
Account of Nancy Wake during her work on PAT escape line, and as an S.O.E. agents in the FREELANCE circuit. Also worked with the Maquis in Auvergne.

No Banners by Jack Thomas (Allen 1955)
An account of the Newton Brothers, both their escape from France and return as S.O.E. agents. They fell into the hands of Klaus Barbie anmd ended up in Buchenwald.

No Cloak, No Dagger by Benjamin Cowburn (Jarrolds 1960)
Amazing account of TINKER'S experiences.

No Drums, No Trumpets by Barry Wynne (Barker 1961)
Account of the MARIE-CLAIRE escape line and at Ravensbruck with several S.O.E. girls, some of whom were executed.

Odette by Jerrard Tickell (Chapman & Hall)
Account of Mrs. Sansom (Lise).

Of Their Own Choice by Peter Churchill (Hodder 1952)

Pin Stripe Saboteur by Charles Wighton (Oldhams 1959)
Life of agent Jacques Weil.

Resistance Movements of the War by Sir C. Gubbins (1948)

Road to Resiastance by George Miller (1979)
Excellant description of an agent's life in France, both as an escaper and later as an S.O.E. agent.

S.O.E. In France 1940-44 by M.R.D. Foot (London HMSO 1966)
The official and most comprhensive account of S.O.E. in France.

Solitary Confinement by Christopher Burney (MacMillan 1952)
Describes the author's eighteen months in Fresnes Prison.

Specially Employed by M.J. Buckmaster (Batchworth 1952)

Special Operations by Patrick Howarth (Routledge 1955)
Chapters from other S.O.E. books reprinted including some on France.

The Art of Spying by Ronald Seth (Peter Owen 1957)
Accounts of several agents during WWII, including several S.O.E. agents.

The Autobiography of the Women the Gestapo called the White Mouse by Nancy Wake (Macmillan Australia 1985)
Fascinating account of the life and work of Nancy Wake.

The Dungeon Democracy by Christopher Burney (Heinemann 1945)
Describes the author's time in Buchenwald. Amazing!

The Natzwiller Trail by A.M. Webb (Hodge 1949)
Court Record of the awful murder of four female S.O.E. agents.

They Came From The Sky by E.H. Cookridge (Heinemann 1965)
Account of Cammaerts, Landes and Ree.

The Fateful Years by Hugh Dalton (Muller 1957)
One chapter on S.O.E. origins.

The German Penitration of S.O.E. by Jean Overton Fuller (Kimber 1975)
Very suspicious, some say fanciful accusations, but also truth and interesting research, of the extent of German penitrations of S.O.E.

The Starr Affair by Jean Overton Fuller (Gollancz 1954)
Justification for the rather dubious behaviour of agent John Starr. (Brother of but not to be mistaken for, agent George Starr)

The White Rabbit by Bruce Marshall (Evans 1952)
Biography of S.O.E. agent Yeo-Thomas, written with the agent's help. So realistic and grim, almost horrifying.

They Fought Alone by M.J. Buckmaster (Oldhams 1958)

The Spirit In The Cage by Peter Churchill (Hodder 1954)
All accounts of the author's missions in France and his captivity.

We Landed By Moonlight by Hugh Verity (Allen 1979)
Account by RAF pilot who landed and collected agents from occupied France.

Who Lived To See The Day by Philippe de Vomecourt (Hutchinson 1961)

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FRANCE (in French)
Often more information and much more candid than the English.

L'Abbe Emile Pasty, Pretre et Soldat by Paul Guillaumen (Comite Abbe Pasty, Baule-Loiret 1946)
A short account of a PROSPER sub-agent who lost his life and some hard truths about S.O.E.

La Sologne au Temps de Lheroiseme et de la Trahison by Paul Guillaume ( Orleans, Imprimerie Nouvelle 1950)
One of the most honest , comprehensive and detailed accounts of the collapse of PROSPER. S.O.E. does not come out too well.

Livre d'or de L'Amicale Action (Ori 1953)
Comprehensive list of RF agents and sub-agents, both living and dead, plus details of RF operations.

Souvenirs by Colonel Passy.

1. 2 Bureau, Londres (Solar, Monte Carlo 1947)
2. 10 Duke Street, Londres (Solar, Monte Carlo 1947)
3. Missions Secretes (Plon 1951)

GENERAL

An Outline History of S.O.E. 1940-46 (BBC 1984)
Comprehensive account of S.O.E. by the official historian. Small chapters dealing with each country and London.

Baker Street Irregular by Bickham Sweet-Escott (Methuen 1965)
General information by a senior staff member.

Code Name Marianne by Edita Katona & Patrick Macnaghten (Collins & Harvill 1976 - ISBN 0-00-262112-6)
Account of the life of Mrs. Edita Zukermanova, alias Marianne Chabot.

Resistance by M.R.D. Foot (Paladin Books 1978 - ISBN 0-586-08277-8)

Resistance Movements in the War by Sir C. Gubbins (1948)

Sabotage and Subversion by Ian Dear (Cassell Military Paperbacks - ISBN 0-304-35202-0)
Covert action behind enemy lines in WWII.

Secret Agents, Spies and Saboteurs by Janusz Piekalkiewicz (William Morrow & Co 1973)
Very good chapters on many S.O.E. exploits, agents and training with excellant photographs & illustrations.

Secret War (Hodder & Stoughton 1992)
The Story of SOE Britains Wartime Sabotage Organisation

S.O.E. In France 1940-44 by M.R.D. Foot (HMSO, London 1966)
The official and comprehensive account of the S.O.E. in France.

S.O.E. Recollections and Reflections 1940-45 by J.G. Beevoir (The Bodley Head 1981 - ISBN 0-370-30414-4)

The Partisans by David Mountfield (Hamlyn - ISBN 600-37152-2)
"The true purpose of resistance is to save a nation's soul" - Col C.M Woodhouse.

Undercover (Routledge & Kegan Paul 1980)
The men and women of the Special Operations Executive

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GREECE

All accounts of clandestine warfare in Greece.

Apple of Discord by C. M. Woodhouse (Hutchinson 1948)

Hide and Seek by Xan Fielding (Secker & Warburg 1954)

Ill met by Moonlight by Stanley W. Moss (Harrap 1950)

The Cretan Runner by G. Psychoundakis (Murray 1955)

Venture into Greece by Nicholas Hammond (Kimber 1983)

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HUNGARY

British Policy in S.E. Europe by Elizabeth Barker (Macmillan 1976)

S.O.E. 1940-46 by M.R.D. Foot (BBC 1984)
Small sections for each country that S.O.E. was active in.

Special Operations Europe by Basil Davidson (Gollancz 1980)

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ITALY

From Cloak to Dagger by Charles MacIntosh (Kimber 1982)
Amazing Tales of S.O.E. exploits in Florence 1944.

Now It Can Be Told by James Gleeson and Tom Waldron (Elek 1952)
Pages 121-148 - S.O.E. "turned" a radio operator so that Badoglio could communicate with the allies.

The Brutal Friendship by F.W. Deakin (Penguin 1962)
S.O.E. aid and action when Italy changed sides.

The Rome Escape Line by Sam Derry (Harrap 1960, Ace 1962)
Not really S.O.E. but fascinating background.

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NETHERLANDS (in English)

Probably the worst S.O.E. disaster of the War.

Inside North Pole by Peter Dourlein (Kimber 1953)
Agents horrifying account of the Abwehr radio coup in Holland of which he was one of over 60 victims (51 S.O.E. alone) A great deal of information on S.O.E. training.

London Calling North Pole by H.J. Giskes (Kimber 1953)
German officers account of Abwehr radio coup in Holland.

Saturday at MI9 by Airey Neave (Hodder & Stoughton 1953)
Short chapter on Beatrix Terwindt, actually a MI9 agent but trained by S.O.E. Unfortunately dropped straight into enemy hands, thanks to S.O.E., somehow surviving Ravensbruck and Mauthausen. (Most agents did not survive).

The German Penetration of S.O.E by Jean Overton-Fuller (Kimber 1975)
Rather fanciful & seemingly believes German sources over English ones, but very interesting.

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NETHERLANDS (in Dutch)

Het Koninkrijk der Nederlanden in de Tweede Wereldoorlog by L. de Jong (The Hague 1969)
One of the best overall accounts of the S.O.E. Englandspiel, or radio game, which took so many agents (and that frequently meant Dutchmen) lives.

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NORWAY

An Outline History of the S.O.E. by M.R.D. Foot (BBC 1984)
Comprehensive account by the official historian with small chapters on each country.

Skis Against the Atom by Knut Haukelid (Kimber 1954 with preface by Sir C. Gubbins)
Possibly the most valuable and decisive of all S.O.E. exploits. The story of the destruction of the heavy water plant (Norsk Hydro) and the heavy water itself which was already on its way to Germany. With this water the Germans would probably have developed Atomic weapons.

Underwater Saboteur by Max Manus (Kimber 1953, London)
S.O.E. trained saboteurs who did a marvellous job of sabotage, including much naval sabotage without too much help from London.

We Die Alone by David Howarth (Collins 1955)
Account of an S.O.E. party in Norway showing the usual bravery and toughness of the Norwegians.

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POLAND

Churchill and Eden at War by Elizabeth Barker (New York 1978, St. Martins)

Fighting Aushwitz by J. Garlinski (Julian Friedmann 1975)

No Colours or Crest by Peter Kemp (Panther 1960)

Poland S.O.E. and the Allies by J. Garlinski (Allen & Unwin 1969)

S.O.E. 1940-46 by M.R.D. Foot (BBC 1984)

The Polish Underground State by J. Garlinski (1975)

These Remain by Sir John Slessor (Michael Joseph 1969)

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YUGOSLAVIA

S.O.E. and British Involvement in the Belgrade Coup D'tat 1941

The Embattled Mountain by F.W.D. Deakin (Oxford OUP 1971)

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