SOE in 100 Objects

‘And now go and set Europe ablaze’, Winston Churchill’s (1874-1965) instruction recorded by Hugh Dalton (1887-1962) after the War Cabinet of 22nd July 1940
An engaging, illustrated history capturing the heroism, ingenuity and bravado of the Special Operations Executive (SOE) in 100 illuminating artefacts. From stoking the ‘spirit of resistance’, when Britain stood alone against the Axis powers in 1940; to modern-day memorials to the top-secret work of the men and women of the organisation across the global theatres of the Second World War. Formally created in July 1940, the SOE was tasked with training and carrying out sabotage operations, distributing subversive propaganda, the co-ordination of resistance groups, intelligence gathering and any activity to take the war to the enemy, by fair means or foul. Illustrated with hundreds of photographs, each entry explores the history and function of poignant objects, including a Fairbairn-Sykes fighting knife; plastic explosive disguised as coal; silk code sheets and escape maps; micro cameras and compasses; plus the British country houses which served as ‘schools for saboteurs’; and the Westland Lysander aircraft which made daring landings behind enemy lines. Insightful text tells the story of ‘hard’ and ‘soft’ war-operations, from Section X dropping itching powder into Germany and the Allied aircrews dropping leaflets preserving the words of the White Rose students; to statues honouring the sacrifice of agents such as Violette Szabo and Gunnar Sønsteby. Kept secret for years, an enthralling history to shine a light on the day-to-day training, unflinching tenacity and an inspiring tribute to the hard-won triumph of the men and women of SOE.

Hardback
24 x 16.5cm
400 pages
Illustrated throughout with colour and black-white photographs, maps and illustrations
FSC accredited paper