The Hidden Army - MI9's Secret Force and the Untold Story of D-Day

Nonfiction, History, Military, World War II
Cover of the book The Hidden Army - MI9's Secret Force and the Untold Story of D-Day by Matt Richards, Mark Langthorne, John Blake Publishing
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Matt Richards, Mark Langthorne ISBN: 9781786069054
Publisher: John Blake Publishing Publication: July 19, 2018
Imprint: John Blake Language: English
Author: Matt Richards, Mark Langthorne
ISBN: 9781786069054
Publisher: John Blake Publishing
Publication: July 19, 2018
Imprint: John Blake
Language: English

Almost seventy-five years ago, MI9 dreamt up the most audacious escape and evasion plan of World War Two. Formulated by Airey Neave, one of the first men ever to escape from Colditz, this plan was one of subterfuge, concealment and deception on a scale never seen before.

With numerous downed RAF and Allied pilots on the run in Europe and with the fabled Comete Escape Line having been infiltrated by double agents, Neave's plan was to hide these men right under the very noses of the Nazis rather than risk repatriation. Choosing a forest in the heart of France, right next to one of the German Army's largest ammunition bases, Neave, Belgian agents and the French Resistance would secretly transport and hide Allied pilots and soldiers within feet of the enemy.

Nobody thought it would work, but such was the success of the secret camp that a whole community of over one hundred and fifty Allied escapers lived within the forest for three months in the run-up to D-Day.

Despite numerous close shaves, they were never discovered and this outrageous plan, brilliant in its simplicity, saw the Allied evaders make their home in the forest, cooking and hunting to survive - and even setting up a golf course in the forest using branches for clubs - without discovery.

This operation remained absolutely secret, to the point that the inhabitants of the villages surrounding the forest were unaware, until the end, of the existence of that allied force so close to them.

Told through interviews with evaders, members of the Resistance and the children charged with smuggling food into the forest, this book tells the compelling story of one of the most audacious operations in World War Two. A story that has, until today, remained as secret as the Hidden Army of Freteval.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

Almost seventy-five years ago, MI9 dreamt up the most audacious escape and evasion plan of World War Two. Formulated by Airey Neave, one of the first men ever to escape from Colditz, this plan was one of subterfuge, concealment and deception on a scale never seen before.

With numerous downed RAF and Allied pilots on the run in Europe and with the fabled Comete Escape Line having been infiltrated by double agents, Neave's plan was to hide these men right under the very noses of the Nazis rather than risk repatriation. Choosing a forest in the heart of France, right next to one of the German Army's largest ammunition bases, Neave, Belgian agents and the French Resistance would secretly transport and hide Allied pilots and soldiers within feet of the enemy.

Nobody thought it would work, but such was the success of the secret camp that a whole community of over one hundred and fifty Allied escapers lived within the forest for three months in the run-up to D-Day.

Despite numerous close shaves, they were never discovered and this outrageous plan, brilliant in its simplicity, saw the Allied evaders make their home in the forest, cooking and hunting to survive - and even setting up a golf course in the forest using branches for clubs - without discovery.

This operation remained absolutely secret, to the point that the inhabitants of the villages surrounding the forest were unaware, until the end, of the existence of that allied force so close to them.

Told through interviews with evaders, members of the Resistance and the children charged with smuggling food into the forest, this book tells the compelling story of one of the most audacious operations in World War Two. A story that has, until today, remained as secret as the Hidden Army of Freteval.

More books from John Blake Publishing

Cover of the book Jamie Vardy - The Boy from Nowhere: The True Story of the Genius Behind Leicester City's 5000-1 Winning Season by Matt Richards, Mark Langthorne
Cover of the book Idris Elba - So, Now What? The Biography by Matt Richards, Mark Langthorne
Cover of the book Emma Watson by Matt Richards, Mark Langthorne
Cover of the book Zayn Malik and Liam Payne - The Biography by Matt Richards, Mark Langthorne
Cover of the book Hercules the Bear - A Gentle Giant in the Family by Matt Richards, Mark Langthorne
Cover of the book Johnny Cash - He Walked the Line by Matt Richards, Mark Langthorne
Cover of the book The Guv'nor Revealed - The Untold Story of Lenny McLean by Matt Richards, Mark Langthorne
Cover of the book Psycho Steve - I Swam the Solent to Freedom. No Jail Can Hold Me by Matt Richards, Mark Langthorne
Cover of the book Diego Costa - The Beast by Matt Richards, Mark Langthorne
Cover of the book Unconditional Love by Matt Richards, Mark Langthorne
Cover of the book Freak Unique: My Autobiography - Pete Burns by Matt Richards, Mark Langthorne
Cover of the book Margaret - The Last Real Princess by Matt Richards, Mark Langthorne
Cover of the book No Boundaries - Passion and Pain On and Off the Pitch by Matt Richards, Mark Langthorne
Cover of the book The Completely Useless Guide to Christmas by Matt Richards, Mark Langthorne
Cover of the book Broadmoor - My Journey Into Hell by Matt Richards, Mark Langthorne
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy