Eastern Approaches Part 1 Of 2

by Fitzroy Maclean

Part One Of Two Parts In 1943 Brigadier Fitzroy MacLean parachuted into Yugoslavia as Churchill's personal representative to Tito-- then a guerrilla leader known variously as a man, a woman and a committee. For the next two years, whether organizing guerrilla raids, kidnapping a Persian general or outwitting Soviet agents, he led a life that out Lawrenced Lawrence of Arabia. This classic true adventure story of WW II ranges from Yugoslavia to Russia, China and the sands of the Sahara. It is the story of an adventurer, soldier, and diplomat who left his mark on the 20th century. "One of the most readable and instructive memoirs of WW II. A masterly piece of narrative. No less indispensable than Churchill's own memoirs." (Publisher's Source)

Audio Cassette

Published October 29, 1990

About the author

Major General Fitzroy Hew Royle Maclean, Bt, KT, CBE.

Graduate of Eton and subsequently King's College, University of Cambridge. Joined the Diplomatic Service in 1932. Posted to Paris from 1933-1937 and then the British Embassy to Moscow from 1937-1941.

Veteran of WWII. In 1941, he chose to enlist as a private in the Cameron Highlanders, but was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant the same year. He was one of the earliest members of the elite SAS. By the end of the war, had risen to the rank of Brigadier. Maclean wrote several books, including Eastern Approaches, in which he recounted three extraordinary series of adventures: traveling, often incognito, in Soviet Central Asia; fighting in the Western Desert Campaign (1941-1943), where he specialized in commando raids (with the Special Air Service Regiment) behind enemy lines; and living rough with Josip Broz Tito and his Yugoslav Partisans. It has been widely speculated that Ian Fleming used Maclean as one of his inspirations for James Bond.

Unionist Party (Scotland) member of Parliament (MP) from 1941-1974.

Awarded a baronetcy, becoming 1st Baronet, Maclean of Strachur and Glensluain. Invested a Knight of the Order of the Thistle (KT). Appointed a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE). Recipient of the Croix de Guerre (France), the Order of Kutuzov (Soviet Union), the Order of the Partisan Star (Yugoslavia), and, posthumously, the Order of Prince Branimir (Croatia).