We Landed by Moonlight: Secret RAF Landings in France 1940-1944

by Hugh Verity

For most of the Second World War, the RAF flew small aircraft into Occupied France at night, landing and taking off in total secrecy. Their mission was to transport agents to and from France to support the activities of the French Resistance and SOE. The chronicle of these operations tells an extraordinary adventure story, full of danger for both agent and aviator.

Hugh Verity flew many of the missions recounted in 'We Landed by Moonlight' and was probably the most outstanding pick-up pilot of them all.

Genres: History, World War II, Nonfiction, Aviation, Espionage

272 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1978

About the author

Hugh Verity, DSO & Bar, DFC, Legion of Honour, Croix de Guerre 1939-1945 {France}, was an English Royal Air Force fighter pilot and later a "special duties" squadron pilot working with Special Operations.

Reviews

[Toby White · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very informative book covering all the Lysander operations out of RAF Tempsford in WW2. It is written more in the style of a memoir, not flowing so easily at times and is very technical. Great if you want a concise history though.

[Jonathan · Rating 2 out of 5]

I found this book rather a disappointment, maybe I expected some different more or different. It tells what should be a riveting story of dropping agents mainly in Nazi occupied France, in a style lacking any spark of excitement. There is plenty of detail which borders on to turgid minutiae and at times has all the appeal of a shopping list. There are tantalising glimpses of the danger both to the pilots and the agents being dropped into what was for some a very short career as an agent before capture, torture and death in the concentration camp system. The book does highlight a neglected part of the war fought on the ground against the Nazis by incredibly brave English and French agents most of whom were subject to unspeakable cruelty and death (at least one of the female agents murdered at Natzweiler was still alive when pushed into the crematorium). Whilst the book isn't about the agents themselves rather their delivery service it still for me fails to convey the danger and excitement of the heroic deeds the Lysander and Hudson pilots performed. Perhaps Hugh Verity should have employed a ghost writer.

[M.K. Aston · Rating 3 out of 5]

An informative book covering the covert RAF flights onto French soil during WWII. The author's narrative does not read like a rip-roaring adventure but it most certainly reveals in great detail the secrecy involved and the perils faced by the pilots and aircrew. I enjoyed reading it and would have given three and a half stars if the rating feature allowed.

Having read a number of publications about S.O.E agents sent to France, it was interesting to read from the point of view of the pilots who took them there. So brave, all of them.

[Paul Lindstrom · Rating 5 out of 5]

It might help if you are interested in flying when reading this book (I'm learning to fly gliders) because Hugh talks a lot about the technicalities of the different operations. But it's also a story about all of those brave men and women who took part in the resistance against the German ockupation – mainly in France, but also in many other countries during WW II. Michael Foot mentioned this book in his book about SOE, and I'm glad that I bought it.

[Tony Rea · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm reading this mostly for research. As it is based on the author's logbooks and memories of himself and others, it is very detailed and perhaps not one for the lay reader.
What these people did, flying single handed for miles over enemy held territory, landing by night in a field and - after spendign say five minutes on the ground - flying all the way home; unbelievably brave and skilled.

[Pete Hartley · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent first-hand account of World War Two operations.

[Elizabeth]

Discretion, célerité
Voyagez chez Vérité

.... which may be loosely translated, oh gawd, as:

For speed and care
Fly Verity-air

Another jaw-dropping read based on the author's experiences as a British pilot dropping and picking up agents, evaders, resistance fighters, diplomats, etc. in Nazi-occupied France. When I tried to describe to my husband the combination of privileged background, education and insanity that these young pilots seem to embody, his response was, "They're basically snowboarders." That just so hits the nail on the head--Snowboarders with heroic *purpose*.

I really liked this book and am deeply indebted to the author for provided such a detailed record of the entire Moon Squadron's adventures right the way through the war.

[David]

This book is a little dry due to the matter of fact reporting nature of the author but it it is comprehensive and detailed.
The book is written by Hugh Verity, the commander of the squadron 161.
He summarizes the operations of the unit by month in great detail. Who flew, the landing site, weather conditions, who was dropped off (sometimes their fate) and who was picked up.
There are several appendices too that are excellent.

He goes into the characteristics of the planes as well. You almost need to be a pilot to grasp it all.

It is amazing stories. Not only did they land single engine Lysanders but also twin engine Hudson's in German occupied territory to deliver supplies, pick up people and deliver agents.

[Chris Lightfoot · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an excellent book! An incredible amount of detail is woven into this factual account of heroism. The pilots flying slow, unarmed aeroplanes into occupied France and landing on farmer's fields by moonlight takes bravery of the highest order. Likewise, the SEO agents they transported back and forth were exceptionally brave, doing their bit for the war effort whilst risking their lives on a daily basis. I can't believe I haven't got around to reading this before. I highly recommend it.

[Ian · Rating 4 out of 5]

A superb account of RAF clandestine operations delivering and collecting agents to and from France in WW2.

Operating usually single pilot so flying and navigating, in all weathers, over hostile territory to a landing in a farmer's field by moonlight and a few torches is quite astounding.

I thoroughly recommend this certainly to all pilots, but to a more general readership too.

[Liz Chapman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very detailed but interesting read