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by David Hebditch.
Softcover (6.2×9.2 inches). 301 pages. 2023 reprint of 2021 book.
Subtitle: Signals From Behind Enemy Lines
These profiles of various covert intelligence operations focus on the agents who sent the intel back to the Allies. The book primarily covers Europe with agents in Norway, France, and the “Red Orchestra” in Germany, but also a chapter about the coastwatchers in the Solomon Islands in the Pacific.
Much revolves around finding the best location for surveillance and the schemes agents used to hide their radio transmitters and receivers.
Of interest were the German efforts to track down and locate said agents using fixed and portable radio direction finders as well as people assets.
Surprisingly, not all captured agents were executed — instead interrogations, some including torture, and incarcerations were used to gather additional information about cell members and procedures.
The book contains 163 black and white photos, seven black and white illustrations, and 14 black and white maps. Chapter 8 (p222-p278) contains technical briefings on the various pieces of equipment as well as examples of codes, encoding, and decoding.
The extensive use of excerpts makes for a choppy read, but the overview of activities is solid.
Enjoyed it.
— Reviewed by Russ Lockwood
