SOE in the Low Countries (Paperback)

'It is impossible to imagine M.R.D. Foot's position as the pre-eminent historian of SOE ever being challenged.' Antony Beevor SOE's operations in Nazi-occupied Europe were crucial to the outcome of the War. SOE's Belgian and Dutch operations have always been considered highly controversial because of the notorious 'Englandspiel' ('The English Game') run by the Germans which took control of the entire resistance organisation in Holland. Skilfully manipulated by Colonel Herman Giskes, the enemy arrested dozens of Dutch agents and operated their wireless sets to fool SOE's headquarters in London that their networks were safe. In reality, each consignment of agents and equipment fell directly into the hands of the Nazis. Was there a traitor in London? Was it incompetence in the field or inadequate security? Opinions have differed, but here, for the first time, the official records are opened for independent scrunity by the acknowledged expert. The story that emerges is a harrowing catalogue of Whitehall jealousies and infighting, blunders and ineptitude, combined with breathtaking bravery on the part of the agents who were captured.