The Next Moon : The Remarkable True Story of a British Agent Behind the Lines in Wartime France

by Andre Hue

This is the extraordinary story of a courageous young man who became a leading member of the French Resistance in Brittany and whose activities prevented thousands of German troops from assisting their colleagues during the Allied landing in Normandy.

Genres: History, Military Fiction, World War II, Nonfiction

Hardcover

First published December 28, 2005

Reviews

[Toby White · Rating 4 out of 5]

A most fascinating read, covering a period of time and events I knew about but at the same time knew nothing about. The book made more riveting by the fact it was all written about real events, kept quiet and under wraps for a good long time. Recommended for anyone interested in WW2, liberation of France, espionage, and special operations.

[Leaburn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Promising start that got a little sluggish when organising a succession of air drops. Thereafter the pace picked up a bit. Second SOE book I read in quick succession and like the last one, the stories get increasingly outlandish and embellished. I’ve no doubt the protagonist was a hero but he puts himself firmly at the centre of all events, whilst happily deriding almost everyone else he was associated with. It is boy’s own stuff and exciting in its more captivating moments but a little overblown. Sadly the author passed away before finishing the book and was finished by his wife, so the main love interest is not adequately covered in the epilogue. She is kind of airbrushed out of the aftermath which feels a little odd given the prominence of their romance in the book. If interested in SOE activities in France then this is a valuable read but if you have a casual interest, it’s not really essential.

[Dave Clarke · Rating 4 out of 5]

interesting book, not so much for the daring do and bravado of the author (surprisingly little of either), more so for he recreates a picture of life under the boche, both as a young man, and then, after being selected for the SOE, trained, and dropped back in France as an operator ... the minutiae of fetching cigarettes, paying farmers for both food and help and trying to organise a disparate resistance whilst under the constant threat of recriminations and death ... something we have not had to contemplate for decades thanks in part to their sacrifice

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you know a lot about WWII and the SOE this is probably a fascinating book. However while I found the subject interesting I was confused in places and felt the book could have done with more explanation. This could have been added as italicised paragraphs in the voice of Southby-Tailyour to supplement the original narrative.

[Angela Lewis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Primary account of SOE agent working for the French Resistance in occupied France WW2. Hue, born of Welsh mother and French father had been brought up in Brittany and entered the services at 16 to be shipwrecked before working for the railway where he secured his qualification for the secret services and being parachuted to his task during the Allied invasion. Thrilling, historical record.

[Kim Daly · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's an amazing story, and a very well told one, too.
I do, however, regret the scarcity of dates. The narration gives the impression that between the fall of France and Hue's landing in France, only a few months passed, when in fact, it's been 5 years. The same goes for the progression of the mission in France.

[Adrian Grant · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a cracking read. The best book I've yet read about behind-enemy-lines shenanigans. Builds up a whole world, and is very moving and inspiring.

[Steve Merrick · Rating 3 out of 5]

Its fun in a very BOYS OWN way, at least I think it is because I have never read a boys own, the beginning is a bit confusing as the teenage Hue doesn't seem to have a plan to defeat the entire third reich, but the first few chapters give the French/Welsh hero a face and quite frighteningly leave you thinking stop kid run away. surviving more by dumb luck than anything else it gets worse..... Getting recruited by the special operation executive and being smuggled out of France Hue gets trained and then sent back with the French SAS to the maquis (A french guerrilla fighting force.) all on the night of the D-Day landings.

In what could be described as one of the most daring balls ups from start to finish in battles that included Panzer divisions, Cossacks? and the dreaded Milice, (French collaborators and quasi police officers, ) Hue did a startlingly good job. to start with he was parachuted into a German camp by mistake, having escaped it should have been plain sailing but well that was simply the beginning of what looks like nightmare and as for the Germans, well they were a minor detail at points where as the traitors, collaborators, and the price on their head made for very interesting reading. It was to my eyes a total disaster but others may think otherwise.

Also he fell arse over tit for a girl called Genevieve and at points the Gallic warrior gets so sloppy in his descriptions that its a sort of oblique forties romance, seriously dripping with love for the besotted spy.

Putting aside first love it does give you an insight into the face of the resistance in France, but is it worth reading?

All I can say is give it try and see for yourself. As I myself did find the book interesting but also found it had a naivety to it and in some parts felt disingenuous, however it is an easy one to read but often your attention can drift away from it.

[Trawets · Rating 4 out of 5]

Andre Hue had a Welsh mother and a French father, but was brought up in France. His career in the French Resistance started with him passing on information about German military train , movements. Andre then moved onto helping with the return of Allied airmen, until he came to the notice of the authorities in London who arranged his journey to Britain and his eventual training as a British SOE officer.
Andre was then parachuted back into France the night before D Day to be a liaison officer between London, the local Maquis and units of the French SAS working in still occupied France.
Although not directly involved in the vital sabotage and harrasment of German troops, Andre was instrumental in the organisation, supply and training of the local Maquis and linking them with the French SAS. His work was fraught with many difficulties and dangers and at one time their was a million franc reward offered for his capture.
Anre's story told by himself and Ewen Southby-Tailyour is a cracking yarn, along with the excitement we also get to share his romances and his everyday life, the meals he ate and the hunt for tobacco for himself and his wounded comrades, you really feel you understand Anre's life at this time.
A great read.

[Pam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic book, superb insight into WWII France and survival.

[Lostinfrance · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing story and a truly remarkable man.