The fascinating novel is set in occupied France in 1942/3 and relates the adventures and difficulties which faced a young and inexperienced member of the RAF, a radio operator parachuted into Brittany to report on ships in Brest harbour following the arrest and presumed death of two of his predecessors there. His second task is to test a smaller radio for agents which he helped to design.
He adopts a low profile approach rather than the often published idea of high life and as an "Odd job man" he is able to move around quite well and joins up with a local Resistance Group which has lost members and is in need of military know how.
Despite several brushes with the German occupiers he uses his natural ability to give the impresssion that he is not clever enough to be other than a harmless worker. He lands on his feet and enters the bakery business to help a struggling couple in return for board and lodging and so has a fairly safe base to operate from.
His dislike of the enemy increases when he meets a young Polish Jewish orphan boy and all the time his actions against the invaders are increasing, together with his reputation as a good French resistance operator.
Eventually the Gestapo begin to take notice and start to track him down but with timely warning he is able to flee and attempt to get home. However he decides to take one last swipe at the enemy before he leaves.
He sets up an audacious attempt to teach the Huns a lesson.