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The Unknown Warrior (Code Name Nimrod): The Allies Greatest Deception Before D-Day
It is 1944 and the British Army has the 'strangest, most individualistic and most secret unit to wear uniform. . .X-Troop.' This special unit of anti-Nazi German, Hungarian and Austrian volunteers are given new British identities. One of them, Stephen Rigby, is a German Jew by birth. He is chosen for a secret and dangerous assignment: to present himself to the Germans in France as a French spy. He has to convince them that the planned Allied landing is to be at the Pas de Calais, diverting the Germans from the location of the real invasion. Thousands of lives depend on his success.
354 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1981
6 people are currently reading
102 people want to read
About the author
James Leasor
155 books13 followersJames Leasor was a prolific British author, who wrote historical books and thrillers. A number of Leasor's works were made into films, including his 1978 book, Boarding Party, about an incident from the Second World War that until that time was secret, was turned into a film, "The Sea Wolves", starring Gregory Peck, Roger Moore and David Niven.
Thomas James Leasor was born at Erith, Kent, on 20th December 1923 and educated at the City of London School. On leaving school, whilst waiting to join the army, he had his first foray into journalism, as a cub scout reporter for the Kent Messenger.
He volunteered for the Army in World War 2, as soon as he was old enough. He was commissioned into the Royal Berkshire Regiment and served in Burma with the Lincolnshire Regiment.
After the war he went up to Oriel College, Oxford, to read English. There he edited the Isis magazine, before joining the Daily Express. He became a full-time author in the 1960s. He also ghosted a number of autobiographies for subjects as diverse as the Duke of Windsor, King Zog of Albania, the actors Kenneth More and Jack Hawkins and Rats, a Jack Russell terrier that served with the British Army in Northern Ireland during the Troubles.
He lived for his last 40 years at Swallowcliffe Manor, near Salisbury in Wiltshire. He died on 10th September 2007 and is buried in the churchyard of St Peter’s Church, Swallowcliffe.
Thomas James Leasor was born at Erith, Kent, on 20th December 1923 and educated at the City of London School. On leaving school, whilst waiting to join the army, he had his first foray into journalism, as a cub scout reporter for the Kent Messenger.
He volunteered for the Army in World War 2, as soon as he was old enough. He was commissioned into the Royal Berkshire Regiment and served in Burma with the Lincolnshire Regiment.
After the war he went up to Oriel College, Oxford, to read English. There he edited the Isis magazine, before joining the Daily Express. He became a full-time author in the 1960s. He also ghosted a number of autobiographies for subjects as diverse as the Duke of Windsor, King Zog of Albania, the actors Kenneth More and Jack Hawkins and Rats, a Jack Russell terrier that served with the British Army in Northern Ireland during the Troubles.
He lived for his last 40 years at Swallowcliffe Manor, near Salisbury in Wiltshire. He died on 10th September 2007 and is buried in the churchyard of St Peter’s Church, Swallowcliffe.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
April 7, 2020
After reading some of the reviews on here I was a bit dubious about this book but I thoroughly enjoyed it. It did take me a little while to get into it but once I did I couldn’t stop reading. It is a fictionalised non fiction so take it with a pinch of salt as it were but I think given the secrecy around this particular troop this fictionalisation is definitely necessary! A fantastic read about bravery, sacrifice and holding your nerve - incredible to think this sort of thing happened in the war years, another reminder of just how brave those people were.
Would definitely recommend for a well written page turner.
Would definitely recommend for a well written page turner.
February 24, 2020
This book is fake news and complete bullshit.
There is zero credible evidence any of this is a true story. It's basically the plot to a Hogan's hero episode, turned into a movie script complete with dashing hero, a love triangle - conveniently the love interest's husband is a POW -, a brooding misunderstand young enemy commander who totally could have stopped D-day if mean old Mister Hitler hadn't put him in time out. Oh! Our dashing hero ends up in front of the Fürher where his cover might be blown, but it's ok! His magical hyponis magic that lasts for exactly like five days (maybe?) means he won't blow his cover. There's even a daring escape at the end!
Man, it's too bad WWII wasn't recorded with as good dialogue archives, or the author is a time travel or fly on the wall.
There's just enough historical reference to trick someone into believing this is real. The Author, in all of his prestige (that is to say none, he has no academic accolades to speak of) was apparently granted access to top secret copies of documents that conveniently won't be available for public consumption until 2042 - long after the author is dead.
Fiction is fine, but sell it as fiction, the author has done an incredible disservice to the actual commandos of WWII, the SOE, and every single man and woman who made D-day an allied victory. Then cheapens it more by turning Hitler into a cartoon villain and Rommel into some kind of brooding, misunderstood genius.
The author should be ashamed.
There is zero credible evidence any of this is a true story. It's basically the plot to a Hogan's hero episode, turned into a movie script complete with dashing hero, a love triangle - conveniently the love interest's husband is a POW -, a brooding misunderstand young enemy commander who totally could have stopped D-day if mean old Mister Hitler hadn't put him in time out. Oh! Our dashing hero ends up in front of the Fürher where his cover might be blown, but it's ok! His magical hyponis magic that lasts for exactly like five days (maybe?) means he won't blow his cover. There's even a daring escape at the end!
Man, it's too bad WWII wasn't recorded with as good dialogue archives, or the author is a time travel or fly on the wall.
There's just enough historical reference to trick someone into believing this is real. The Author, in all of his prestige (that is to say none, he has no academic accolades to speak of) was apparently granted access to top secret copies of documents that conveniently won't be available for public consumption until 2042 - long after the author is dead.
Fiction is fine, but sell it as fiction, the author has done an incredible disservice to the actual commandos of WWII, the SOE, and every single man and woman who made D-day an allied victory. Then cheapens it more by turning Hitler into a cartoon villain and Rommel into some kind of brooding, misunderstood genius.
The author should be ashamed.
March 8, 2018
I'm not usually a fan of "novelized" historical non-fiction. Clearly the author was gunning for a Movie Deal. Might have been a cool movie. But it makes one question the dramatics possibly added to the narrative since the setup is dramatic enough.
Apparently the effort to fix German attention on Calais as landing place and NOT Normandy, was extreme. The British, who had "turned' all the Nazi spies in the UK, tried to send a fake German agent back to France to assure the German general staff and/or Hitler himself that the real effort was at Calais. This book is the entire story of that effort from inception to execution to a cliff hanger type ending. I'm not sure if I buy all of it happened just this way- but I did enjoy the ride.
Junior readers will find this a challenge, with some adult themes but worth the effort. The Military Enthusiast/Gamer/Modeller will find this a romping read, but not get any new game scenario/diorama insights. TV/Film Producers? Get cracking, guys.
Apparently the effort to fix German attention on Calais as landing place and NOT Normandy, was extreme. The British, who had "turned' all the Nazi spies in the UK, tried to send a fake German agent back to France to assure the German general staff and/or Hitler himself that the real effort was at Calais. This book is the entire story of that effort from inception to execution to a cliff hanger type ending. I'm not sure if I buy all of it happened just this way- but I did enjoy the ride.
Junior readers will find this a challenge, with some adult themes but worth the effort. The Military Enthusiast/Gamer/Modeller will find this a romping read, but not get any new game scenario/diorama insights. TV/Film Producers? Get cracking, guys.
March 12, 2019
Also published as The Unknown Warrior, this purports to be the true story of Stephen Rigby, a.k.a. Stefan Rosenberg and “Nimrod”, is a German Jew by birth. He is chosen for a secret and dangerous part in the deception plans to persuade the Germans that the D--Day invasion would happen near Calais and not in Normandy. His secret mission saw him dropped in France, pursued by both the Resistance and the Germans, and eventually briefing in person first Rommel and then Hitler before escaping to return to British forces.
June 28, 2017
Really interesting account one of the Allied attempts at deception in WWII. I don't recommend for someone who doesn't already have a fairly developed interest in this period in history since it can have a kind of "this belongs in an archive to be read by future historians" feel but if you can get past the gritty style it's a great read.
November 6, 2019
Code Name Nimrod is about A spy that helped in the success of the D-Day landings. The first reason why I liked this is because it talks about something that we don't really hear and know about D-Day. The secrets that were kept and the achievements of the spies, that gives me a new look at what it took for the biggest naval landing ever seen to work. I do recommend this book to those that want to know more and those that don't understand what it takes to win the battle.
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May 24, 2023i have been trying all afternoon to purchase a book/nimrod/ and the trouble i have to go through isnt worth the trouble so please dont ever contact me again
November 11, 2014
Code Name Nimrod is the story of one man’s involvement in one of World War II’s greatest deceptions. Through a thousand deceptive actions and messages Hitler is made to believe that the Allied assault will happen at the Pas de Calais and not at Normandy. As a confirmation of these messages Nimrod is dropped into France masquerading as a German spy with vital information about the upcoming invasion. If the Germans take the bait, Panzer and infantry divisions will be posted elsewhere, leaving Normandy virtually undefended and greatly reducing casualties on both sides. This book details the success of the mission.
I have noticed that books about the Second World War don’t often fit the “beautifully written” category. For one thing, the subject is too gritty. Secondly, many books are written from eye witness accounts or painstaking research, neither of which assumes that the author is an engaging writer. (One exception was war correspondent, Ernie Pyle.) What keeps the reader going are the fascinating facts.
If you are not a WWII buff, this book may seem a bit dry, but it’s definitely worth a look if you’d like to know more about a fascinating piece of war history.
I have noticed that books about the Second World War don’t often fit the “beautifully written” category. For one thing, the subject is too gritty. Secondly, many books are written from eye witness accounts or painstaking research, neither of which assumes that the author is an engaging writer. (One exception was war correspondent, Ernie Pyle.) What keeps the reader going are the fascinating facts.
If you are not a WWII buff, this book may seem a bit dry, but it’s definitely worth a look if you’d like to know more about a fascinating piece of war history.
September 7, 2009
An interesting true story, hinging on one of my favorite anecdotes about WWII - the deception the Allies perpetrated against the Axis in the form of misinformation, faux units, rubber tanks, and fake radio chatter. This is the story of Nimrod, an agent sent into France with "critical information" to support the "fact" that the Allied invasion was coming at Calais, not Normandy. The story has several plodding sections. Upon reflection, they were necessary to pad out the book and add to its background, but several times I just had to put the book down and come back to it later. All in all, a worthy look at a fascinating period of WWII.
January 25, 2014
An excellent book ... A story, based on fact, about the X Troop during the 2nd World War who dedicated their lives for the protection and survival of Great Britain and the western civilised world. A wonderful and well written book moving from one tense moment to the next ..... the author maintains the suspense throughout the book. This is a book for those who are interested in untold tales of the 2nd World War.
January 21, 2016
Very good read, a page turner, covering some fascinating history. Leasor manages to make an implausible story ring true, which it should as at the end of the book he backs up the history with some thorough references and background.
November 20, 2009
Very interesting
Quick read
If you like spy novels this one is worth reading
I might recomend you catch up on your georgaphy of Egland and France.
Quick read
If you like spy novels this one is worth reading
I might recomend you catch up on your georgaphy of Egland and France.
June 16, 2011
I read this years ago under the title X Troop and really enjoyed it i didn't realise that there were Germans who actively took part in the struggle against Nazism
January 20, 2012
a man is sent to France to be caught by the Germans and give them false info about where the Allies' landing in France will be
March 10, 2012
This was a great book. Quick, gripping, and a true story. I'm surprised they haven't made this story into a movie yet!
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews