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Accidental Agent: Behind Enemy Lines with the French Resistance
A covert agent’s memoir of three perilous missions in Nazi-occupied Paris, told with “unconditional honesty” (Kirkus Reviews).At first, John Goldsmith’s services were consistently refused. But in 1942, he was recruited into Buckmasters F Section of the Special Operations Executive—and his wartime exploits would be remarkable. His faultless French and upbringing in Paris were to prove invaluable. After intensive training he was parachuted into France for the first of his three missions. His adventures included crossing the Pyrenees, sabotage, forming his own circuits, being captured by the Gestapo, a daring escape, and black-marketeering. In 1944, he was advisor to the Maquis guerrillas in the Mont Ventoux area, where they fought the Germans in pitched battles and won. In this candid autobiography, he vividly recounts his dramatic and dangerous World War II adventures.
255 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 19, 2017
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
July 11, 2021
This was a great insight for me; I’m not too au fait with the inner workings of SOE and wartime resistance in Europe.
This is a brutally honest account of one man’s time with SOE. And the toll that the work took from him.
There is much here, the work, the emotions, the rear-echelon and its administrative role.
The reader must accept this as a true account of things: and I do. I believe this agent’s memoir is brutally honest and candid.
The book paints a picture of a disciplined and cognisant individual. He calls himself a ‘jammy bastard’ and the dice did roll in his favour more than once. But, some say, you make your own luck.
Astute to the perils?
He makes mention that before leaving Britain, his clothes are checked for labels that might give away their origin. Good sense on behalf of the rear- echelon: lest he get arrested and searched. Yet, an agent is dispatched to France with a letter from another agent’s wife. The letter gives away what the husband is up to; and yes the agent carrying the letter is arrested. The writer questions, where was the rear-echelon oversight?
With SOE being a new arm in Britain’s war machine, I think there is no surprise in hearing of lessons learnt. But something is lacking when people’s lives are on the line and then lost because of a whim that is allowed to be exercised.
It was no accident that this man became an SOE agent and so I question the title. Amateur Agent, maybe more apt. The training they underwent seemed to me a little off-the-cuff; no surprise, again, being a new arm in Britain’s war machine.
His request to serve was turned down by each of the three arms, that’s not too remarkable: at that time, many in the establishment thought the war would be over by Christmas.
Having proved his worth and competence as a field agent, I am surprised the professionals, SIS, did not look to recruit the man once the war was done.
This is a brutally honest account of one man’s time with SOE. And the toll that the work took from him.
There is much here, the work, the emotions, the rear-echelon and its administrative role.
The reader must accept this as a true account of things: and I do. I believe this agent’s memoir is brutally honest and candid.
The book paints a picture of a disciplined and cognisant individual. He calls himself a ‘jammy bastard’ and the dice did roll in his favour more than once. But, some say, you make your own luck.
Astute to the perils?
He makes mention that before leaving Britain, his clothes are checked for labels that might give away their origin. Good sense on behalf of the rear- echelon: lest he get arrested and searched. Yet, an agent is dispatched to France with a letter from another agent’s wife. The letter gives away what the husband is up to; and yes the agent carrying the letter is arrested. The writer questions, where was the rear-echelon oversight?
With SOE being a new arm in Britain’s war machine, I think there is no surprise in hearing of lessons learnt. But something is lacking when people’s lives are on the line and then lost because of a whim that is allowed to be exercised.
It was no accident that this man became an SOE agent and so I question the title. Amateur Agent, maybe more apt. The training they underwent seemed to me a little off-the-cuff; no surprise, again, being a new arm in Britain’s war machine.
His request to serve was turned down by each of the three arms, that’s not too remarkable: at that time, many in the establishment thought the war would be over by Christmas.
Having proved his worth and competence as a field agent, I am surprised the professionals, SIS, did not look to recruit the man once the war was done.
August 12, 2021
Excellent book! Fascinating story of a very brave man i woofed my way through this one in just a couple of days. It is well written and very easy to read. The proof reading leaves a bit to be desired but that is irrelevant. I thoroughly recommend this book to anyone interested in the second world war and the French resistance..
April 2, 2021
Brilliant read, incredible true story of a WW11 SOE agent. Highly recommended.
July 27, 2021
A terrific read - the authenticity of it comes through and engaged me from the start. He also has a wry sense of humour balancing passages detailing some of the sad or shocking events.
August 24, 2021
Nostalgia
Anyone who has been in the services will appreciate the moments so well. Story flows and makes you want to get to next situation. Very well written.
Anyone who has been in the services will appreciate the moments so well. Story flows and makes you want to get to next situation. Very well written.
September 19, 2021
A very good read
First hand account of an agent in war. Not breathtakingly full of action, far from it, but an interesting personal piece of history.
First hand account of an agent in war. Not breathtakingly full of action, far from it, but an interesting personal piece of history.
February 28, 2023
excellent read
Really enjoyed this above all others I have read on this subject. The truth will out as always. Very well written
Really enjoyed this above all others I have read on this subject. The truth will out as always. Very well written
August 8, 2023
3.5 - a pretty good story. Nonfiction tale that reads like a novel. Only if you really like WWII stories would I recommend it.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews