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They Fought Alone: The True Story of SOE's Agents in Wartime France
Set Europe ablaze.' The order came from Churchill himself. The result was the Special Operations Executive - the SOE. Established in 1941 with the aim of supplying Occupied France with a steady stram of highly trained resistance agents, this clandestine Second World War network grew to become a cricual part of the Allied arsenal. Ingeniously engineering acts of sabotage, resistance and terror in the face of the occupying Nazis, the SOE dealt devastating and fatal blows to the German war effort - and directly contributed to the rapid and successful advance of Allied forces across France in the days and months after D-Day. At the head of the French operations stood Colonel Maurice James Buckmaster, the leader of the SOE's French Section. These are his extraordinary memoirs. A lost classic, now available for the first time after many decades, They Fought Alone offers a unique insight into the courageous triumphs and terrible fates of the SOE's agents between 1941 and 1944. This new edition includes an introduction by intelligence historian Michael Smith that deals with the recent controversy surrounding Buckmaster, restoring his reputation as one of the most important figures in the resistance to the Nazis.
340 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1958
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
January 13, 2012
This is the second book written by Maurice Buckmaster, head of the F- (French) Section of the Special Operations Executive (SOE), a resistance organization that trained and sent operatives into Nazi-occupied countries during WWII. Because a significant number of SOE agents were killed while trying to fight the Germans, the organization -- generally considered by the other branches of the British armed services to be dangerously amateurish -- and its leaders came under sharp criticism after the war when the SOE was immediately disbanded.
I can't as yet compare this book to Buckmaster's first (this one had an earlier library due date!) but it is obvious that in this tome, the author is still -- in 1958 -- trying to justify the work of the SOE's F-Section to British readers. Interspered within the F-Section's general history and specific agent stories (told with exceptional page-turning narrative skill) are answers to criticisms that had been around for a while but were still apparently rankling the author.
Some of Buckmaster's writing approaches the sublime and whether or not he made mistakes (decades of scholarship have basically proved that he did), it's obvious here that the agents and the work they did moved him powerfully and his writing has the potential to affect readers in the same way:
"In no other department of war were men and women called upon to die alone, to withstand agony of mind and of body in utter solitude, to face death, often ignominious and pain-racked, uncertain whether they might not have saved themselves by the revelation of petty secrets. In no other department of war were civilians asked to risk everything in order to conceal a man whom they had never seen before and might never see again."
And although Charles de Gaulle apparently kicked the SOE agents out very shortly after his own triumphal entry, this is what Buckmaster had to say about the French:
"Some it may be have read a great deal about the French being too easily vanquished and too ready to collaborate. For my part, I think it would be fitter to remember the tortures which they faced (tortures which so few in any country could stomach reading about, let alone suffering) and the risks they took in the face of a cruel, vindictive and sadistic invader. Let no one in England criticize the ordinary men and women of France till he has examined his own conscience and found himself blameless of compromise with forces and opinions which he secretly detests. Some Frenchmen, perhaps many, compromised with the invader. Many more, in the face of death, stood true to their country and to her allies."
I'm looking forward to reading the earlier Buckmaster book: it's not due till the end of the month. :)
I can't as yet compare this book to Buckmaster's first (this one had an earlier library due date!) but it is obvious that in this tome, the author is still -- in 1958 -- trying to justify the work of the SOE's F-Section to British readers. Interspered within the F-Section's general history and specific agent stories (told with exceptional page-turning narrative skill) are answers to criticisms that had been around for a while but were still apparently rankling the author.
Some of Buckmaster's writing approaches the sublime and whether or not he made mistakes (decades of scholarship have basically proved that he did), it's obvious here that the agents and the work they did moved him powerfully and his writing has the potential to affect readers in the same way:
"In no other department of war were men and women called upon to die alone, to withstand agony of mind and of body in utter solitude, to face death, often ignominious and pain-racked, uncertain whether they might not have saved themselves by the revelation of petty secrets. In no other department of war were civilians asked to risk everything in order to conceal a man whom they had never seen before and might never see again."
And although Charles de Gaulle apparently kicked the SOE agents out very shortly after his own triumphal entry, this is what Buckmaster had to say about the French:
"Some it may be have read a great deal about the French being too easily vanquished and too ready to collaborate. For my part, I think it would be fitter to remember the tortures which they faced (tortures which so few in any country could stomach reading about, let alone suffering) and the risks they took in the face of a cruel, vindictive and sadistic invader. Let no one in England criticize the ordinary men and women of France till he has examined his own conscience and found himself blameless of compromise with forces and opinions which he secretly detests. Some Frenchmen, perhaps many, compromised with the invader. Many more, in the face of death, stood true to their country and to her allies."
I'm looking forward to reading the earlier Buckmaster book: it's not due till the end of the month. :)
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November 9, 2017Ok, here's the thing. I REALLY wanted to get into this book because the subject matter interests me and I have the utmost respect for the men and women who operated in this field during this period... but I just couldn't. I think it's probably because it was written over fifty years ago and therefore in a different style and, to a degree, language than we're currently used to. Sadly I didn't finish it so it's not fair to give a star rating.
March 6, 2015
Written by the man who ran F section at Special Operations Executive during the war, this is the story of the organisation and its agents. It's a fascinating glimpse into the world of British secret agents operating in occupied France and the men and women of the French Resistance, who worked alongside them.
SOE is the organisation formed by Winston Churchill with the instruction to "set Europe ablaze". Maurice Buckmaster tells how he came to be part of SOE and the confusion that abounded at its inception. What would this organisation do? What could it do? And how? Gradually, SOE recruited volunteers willing to be dropped into occupied France and risk their lives organising local resistance against the German invaders.
But the heart of the book is not the role of the staff at the headquarters in London, it's the agents on the ground and their stories. Buckmaster relates the exploits of a number of the agents, some of whom survived the war, some of whom didn't. It's heartbreaking in places, but the courage of these individuals is never less than awe-inspiring.
This is not a James Bond world with super secret spy gadgets and futuristic equipment. This is a world where extraordinary people did extraordinary things even as their lives depended on their ability to appear entirely ordinary, bland and uninteresting. Sent to France as individuals, their task was to build up secret armies to strike back at the Germans occupying France and to prepare the country to rise up when the Allied invasion finally came. For four years, all across France, from the factory towns of the north to the ports of the south, from the mountains to the valleys, from the cities to the villages, SOE agents recruited, trained, sabotaged and resisted.
For a history book, this is very easy to read. Perhaps, in part, this is because this wasn't history to the author, this was a major part of his life. It's not stuffy or ponderous. Buckmaster tells his tale in a very straightforward way. He does offer opinions and he does try to justify some decisions or procedures, but why shouldn't he? Was he right or was he wrong? Historians can made those judgements, but the man himself deserves a voice too.
In the end, this book pays tribute to the agents of SOE, recognising the role they played in the Second World War and the sacrifices they made. Throughout, Maurice Buckmaster's admiration for the men and women who worked for him shines through. By the end of this book, I shared his admiration completely.
If you have an interest in the secret war fought in France from 1941 to 1945, this book is a must.
SOE is the organisation formed by Winston Churchill with the instruction to "set Europe ablaze". Maurice Buckmaster tells how he came to be part of SOE and the confusion that abounded at its inception. What would this organisation do? What could it do? And how? Gradually, SOE recruited volunteers willing to be dropped into occupied France and risk their lives organising local resistance against the German invaders.
But the heart of the book is not the role of the staff at the headquarters in London, it's the agents on the ground and their stories. Buckmaster relates the exploits of a number of the agents, some of whom survived the war, some of whom didn't. It's heartbreaking in places, but the courage of these individuals is never less than awe-inspiring.
This is not a James Bond world with super secret spy gadgets and futuristic equipment. This is a world where extraordinary people did extraordinary things even as their lives depended on their ability to appear entirely ordinary, bland and uninteresting. Sent to France as individuals, their task was to build up secret armies to strike back at the Germans occupying France and to prepare the country to rise up when the Allied invasion finally came. For four years, all across France, from the factory towns of the north to the ports of the south, from the mountains to the valleys, from the cities to the villages, SOE agents recruited, trained, sabotaged and resisted.
For a history book, this is very easy to read. Perhaps, in part, this is because this wasn't history to the author, this was a major part of his life. It's not stuffy or ponderous. Buckmaster tells his tale in a very straightforward way. He does offer opinions and he does try to justify some decisions or procedures, but why shouldn't he? Was he right or was he wrong? Historians can made those judgements, but the man himself deserves a voice too.
In the end, this book pays tribute to the agents of SOE, recognising the role they played in the Second World War and the sacrifices they made. Throughout, Maurice Buckmaster's admiration for the men and women who worked for him shines through. By the end of this book, I shared his admiration completely.
If you have an interest in the secret war fought in France from 1941 to 1945, this book is a must.
December 20, 2021
Written by the man who sent those brave souls to occupied France in the second world war, and written surprisingly well I think. Not a stuffy read at all so far (if you don't mind the odd "I say old chap" and "Look here old boy"). I've only read the first 30 pages so far but I like it already.
And the story kept me interested right to the end, not least because it's all true. Buckmaster has done a good job here: there is absolutely no hint of 'I bravely did this' and 'It was my insight which led to that'. He tells it in a very matter of fact way and gives all credit to the people on the ground in France. And the bravery of those people on the ground is humbling to contemplate. I've read a lot about airborne troops in WW2, how they are always surrounded and are dropped in amongst the enemy and have to fight their way out. That's scary enough. Imagine being dropped in to occupied territory and not being able to openly fight but instead having to blend in with the locals and carry out missions without being seen. The tension must have been unbearable.
This should be required reading for today's 'snowflake' generation, but the way things are going it's the kind of book which will be shunned.
And the story kept me interested right to the end, not least because it's all true. Buckmaster has done a good job here: there is absolutely no hint of 'I bravely did this' and 'It was my insight which led to that'. He tells it in a very matter of fact way and gives all credit to the people on the ground in France. And the bravery of those people on the ground is humbling to contemplate. I've read a lot about airborne troops in WW2, how they are always surrounded and are dropped in amongst the enemy and have to fight their way out. That's scary enough. Imagine being dropped in to occupied territory and not being able to openly fight but instead having to blend in with the locals and carry out missions without being seen. The tension must have been unbearable.
This should be required reading for today's 'snowflake' generation, but the way things are going it's the kind of book which will be shunned.
April 11, 2018
8/10 (very good): An important semi-official account of SOE in France by one of the key players on this inside. It needs to be read alongside other sources, but to give Buckmaster his credit, he rarely strays far into self-justification or self-praise. A compelling read about extraordinary times.
September 24, 2022
A stirring read of great bravery in the face of dreadful tyranny.
The author was the director of SOE France and was number two on Hitler's kill list after Churchill. Written in the 1950s to vindicate the work of SOE from allegations that they did not properly train and prepare their agents, especially the women, to be disciplined, capable resistance leaders, and that the results of SOE's activities made little difference to the war effort.
Buckmaster describes some of the meticulous training agents underwent, along with careful preparations for their travels to France, even including putting correctly coloured dust in trouser turn-ups. Agents were only selected whose character and abilities were a good match and they were required to be rigorously organised. The usefulness and bravery of female agents is a repeated them. One amusing exception to this was when SOE hired a professional conman. He was trained, dropped into France with a stack of cash, and never heard from again!
Agents often controlled regional resistance groups and these carried out many succesful sabotages of factories: often as an alternative to RAF bombing which would have caused many locals to have been died as collateral. One attack in heavily guarded Lille relied upon the Germans not bothering to check the lorries of regular French hauliers. In the South of France after D-day some groups were able to prevent the movement of panzer divisions to the battlefront by repeated ambushes and sieges. The combined effect of which, along with other SOE work, Buckmaster considers, shortened the war by several months.
Buckmaster is clear that he is telling only part of the story. SOE only recruited British nationals having fluent French. French nationals were the exclusive province of the Free French networks. Although on the field groups were sympathetic to each other one detects a certain coldness in the failure of the two organisations to collaborate more effectively in London.
Vignettes of a number of the great operatives are here. Prosper (Francis Suttill) in Paris, Roger Landes, Vera Atkins, Odette and Violette Szabo. Their courage was, and is, an inspiration to all who seek to resist invading tyranny in any country.
More recent books on SOE will provide greater details and analysis since, at the time this work was written, many records will have been classified.
Buckmaster ends with a quote that remains, sadly, apposite as Russia seeks to destroy Ukraine.
"As a triumph of human courage, as a tribute to the eternal hope which leads men to sacrifice everything in the defence of what they believe right, as an indication of the unity which can bind, for however short a time, men of political, moral and religious views, the Resistance is never likely to be equalled. For in it every shade of opinion that cared for the dignity of man and for his freedom, every man who in the darkest hour yet believed that right would prevail, found its and his place. In it men and women were welded together in an unflinching and mighty confidence. All were heroes."
The author was the director of SOE France and was number two on Hitler's kill list after Churchill. Written in the 1950s to vindicate the work of SOE from allegations that they did not properly train and prepare their agents, especially the women, to be disciplined, capable resistance leaders, and that the results of SOE's activities made little difference to the war effort.
Buckmaster describes some of the meticulous training agents underwent, along with careful preparations for their travels to France, even including putting correctly coloured dust in trouser turn-ups. Agents were only selected whose character and abilities were a good match and they were required to be rigorously organised. The usefulness and bravery of female agents is a repeated them. One amusing exception to this was when SOE hired a professional conman. He was trained, dropped into France with a stack of cash, and never heard from again!
Agents often controlled regional resistance groups and these carried out many succesful sabotages of factories: often as an alternative to RAF bombing which would have caused many locals to have been died as collateral. One attack in heavily guarded Lille relied upon the Germans not bothering to check the lorries of regular French hauliers. In the South of France after D-day some groups were able to prevent the movement of panzer divisions to the battlefront by repeated ambushes and sieges. The combined effect of which, along with other SOE work, Buckmaster considers, shortened the war by several months.
Buckmaster is clear that he is telling only part of the story. SOE only recruited British nationals having fluent French. French nationals were the exclusive province of the Free French networks. Although on the field groups were sympathetic to each other one detects a certain coldness in the failure of the two organisations to collaborate more effectively in London.
Vignettes of a number of the great operatives are here. Prosper (Francis Suttill) in Paris, Roger Landes, Vera Atkins, Odette and Violette Szabo. Their courage was, and is, an inspiration to all who seek to resist invading tyranny in any country.
More recent books on SOE will provide greater details and analysis since, at the time this work was written, many records will have been classified.
Buckmaster ends with a quote that remains, sadly, apposite as Russia seeks to destroy Ukraine.
"As a triumph of human courage, as a tribute to the eternal hope which leads men to sacrifice everything in the defence of what they believe right, as an indication of the unity which can bind, for however short a time, men of political, moral and religious views, the Resistance is never likely to be equalled. For in it every shade of opinion that cared for the dignity of man and for his freedom, every man who in the darkest hour yet believed that right would prevail, found its and his place. In it men and women were welded together in an unflinching and mighty confidence. All were heroes."
May 15, 2018
The author of this book is Maurice Buckmaster, who in 1941 was appointed head of The Special Operations Executive (SOE) F Section, which focused on building and supporting the French resistance. This book was originally printed in 1958. Due to national security issues, Buckmaster was a little restricted on what he could inform the public about the SOE. For example, training methods and naming various operatives and the book has been criticized because of this. In many ways the criticism is justified. The actual book is only 269 pages long and does lack detail with regard to both discussion on the growing influence of the SOE in France and the characteristics of the agents and the staff. However, despite this it is still an interesting little book which shows the passion and imaginative thinking of the author and his colleague in forming this extraordinary and affective organization. You also get a sense of the incredible bravery of the agents and the massive respect he had for them. His attitude to women was also way ahead of his time. Because of this, amazingly gifted agents like Violette Szabo, Noor Inayat Khan and Odette Sansom entered the war on the front line, contributing in no small way to shortening the war. Maurice Buckmaster thought outside the box. He recruited agents that also thought outside the box. There had been no organization quiet like it. As previously stated, this book has not the detail of some of the later books on the (SOE), however, the character of the author does come across in the pages of this book, so it is well worth reading.
October 18, 2024
The story of British Special Operations Executive (SOE), Buckmaster being the head. He sent fluent French speaking British nationals as agents into France during the German Occupation. He sums up their work: "In no other department of war were men and women called upon to die alone, to withstand agony of mind and of body in utter solitude, to face death, often ignominious and pain-racked, uncertain whether they might not have saved themselves by the revelation of petty secrets. In no other department of war were civilians asked to risk everything in order to conceal a man whom they had never seen before and might never see again." He relates incident after incident of individual agents sabotaging with precision, assassinating, joining forces with French families, railwaymen espec who were anti Bosch, the nests as thy were called. His job was hugely responsible and he has earned criticism of the way many of his agents were killed, hardly his fault, and this book is an attempt amongst other things at self justification. There’s some excellent writing as above but much is fairly dull fact telling. Buckmaster mentions Nancy Wake but I found Lawhon’s story of the White Mouse (Nancy Wake) in Code Name Helene much more interesting as a read.
May 16, 2020
Fascinating well written History of the SEO and it's Heros
This is a riveting memoir of the SEO and the men and women who risked life and limb to free France from the horrors of the occupation during the 2nd World War. Maurice Buckmaster should be applauded for bringing back to life in vivid colour, the people who fought in small private armies across the land. This book is a very valuable correct record for those who deserve to be remembered.
June Finnigan - Writer
This is a riveting memoir of the SEO and the men and women who risked life and limb to free France from the horrors of the occupation during the 2nd World War. Maurice Buckmaster should be applauded for bringing back to life in vivid colour, the people who fought in small private armies across the land. This book is a very valuable correct record for those who deserve to be remembered.
June Finnigan - Writer
March 10, 2019
An interesting account now the archives have been made available. Clearly there is more to come, and more of these heroes will be recognised. A bit dry, although that isn't surprising given its an account from the 'puppet master' who was sat back in London coordinating and planning and waiting and the waiting.
Worth a read.
Worth a read.
May 14, 2020
For French Freedom
Many have jokes about the French having developed great skill in he art of surrender, but this story reveals the great courage and patriotism of the French people. Amazing men and women of France and Great Britain fought underground against the occupying armies of Germany.
Many have jokes about the French having developed great skill in he art of surrender, but this story reveals the great courage and patriotism of the French people. Amazing men and women of France and Great Britain fought underground against the occupying armies of Germany.
May 21, 2021
An enlightening informative description of the SOE
I have read many books about the french resistance and the SOE.
This book manages to link everything together and explains clearly the sacrifices of these brave men and women and how the culmination of their work came together on D day.
I have read many books about the french resistance and the SOE.
This book manages to link everything together and explains clearly the sacrifices of these brave men and women and how the culmination of their work came together on D day.
June 21, 2021
Well worth reading. The incredibly brave SOE operatives played an important part in the final defeat of the Germans in France in WW2. Jumping out of a plane is scary enough but jumping out in the dark over enemy territory is above and beyond! Buckmaster writes well although many of the conversations were obviously manufactured,
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 18, 2023
Mindblowing
I read this book in two days couldn't put it down, fascinating true story, I have so much respect for all the people involved helping us to win the war. Would highly recommend to any reader interested in WW11.
I read this book in two days couldn't put it down, fascinating true story, I have so much respect for all the people involved helping us to win the war. Would highly recommend to any reader interested in WW11.
February 4, 2017
Riveting
An excellent book detailing the exploits of very brave and patriotic British and French men and women of the secret service and resistance.
An eye opener
An excellent book detailing the exploits of very brave and patriotic British and French men and women of the secret service and resistance.
An eye opener
May 18, 2017
Noble tale but not a skilled writer. Still, worth the read.
September 7, 2018
Very Interesting
I thought this book was very informative and gives details of daily activities of SOE agents working in the field.
This book made me want to read more about the SOE. I am glad I have read it.
I thought this book was very informative and gives details of daily activities of SOE agents working in the field.
This book made me want to read more about the SOE. I am glad I have read it.
October 5, 2018
Heroes all
A must read for everybody young and old, a truly fantastic account of events in France under German occupation, those people deserve recognition by all.
A must read for everybody young and old, a truly fantastic account of events in France under German occupation, those people deserve recognition by all.
August 15, 2019
Fast read and lots of details
Great look at the human side of SOE work, especially how vulnerable people are when dropped in country and must form a network.
Great look at the human side of SOE work, especially how vulnerable people are when dropped in country and must form a network.
April 22, 2020
I did enjoy this book at times I found it a little hard to read but really enjoyed learning about the SOE in France during WW2. These SOE were very brave and courageous people. I would read again.
May 21, 2020
A really interesting book a outb the SOE written by its creator.
October 26, 2021
honorable Resistance
One reads this well-written book in awe of SOE and the brave members who helped save France. Vive le France!
One reads this well-written book in awe of SOE and the brave members who helped save France. Vive le France!
December 16, 2021
Enjoyed reading and a good supplement to previous book on codebreakers in SOE
January 6, 2022
Those involved in destroying the evil of Hitler’s Nazi regime deserve honor and praise. No one that didn’t live through the horror can judge. Bless those that freely gave all to stop it.
September 6, 2022
Excellent Book, Very Heroic of what the SOE & French Resistance did during WW2 in Liberating France. All these people are Heros, they all should be Rewarded with the Highest Honours & Respect
November 10, 2022
A good retelling of the mission of the SOE, what it did and it's people accomplished.
November 17, 2022
Great read
I'd read Between Silk and Cyanide, but this is a marvellous counterpoint from Marks' boss. Well written. Worth the read.
I'd read Between Silk and Cyanide, but this is a marvellous counterpoint from Marks' boss. Well written. Worth the read.
August 28, 2023
Incredible first hand account of some of the most daring actions of WWII. Definitely worth reading.
Read
December 31, 2023Great
May 30, 2024
A fun romp through the spy world of the southwestern corner of France during the German occupation, though the narrative was sometimes a bit difficult to follow.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews