MI9
A History of the Secret Service for Escape and Evasion in World War Two
Published on 12. October 2021
Book
Paperback/Softback
352 pages
978-0-300-26093-9 (ISBN)
Description
A thrilling history of MI9-the WWII organization that engineered the escape of Allied forces from behind enemy lines
"A fitting tribute to the hundreds of men and women who risked their lives in assisting Allied escapees."-Giles Milton, Sunday Times (London)
"A masterful retelling with a fascinating cast of characters straight out of a John le Carre thriller."-Mark Felton, author of Castle of the Eagles
When Allied fighters were trapped behind enemy lines, one branch of military intelligence helped them escape: MI9. The organization set up clandestine routes that zig-zagged across Nazi-occupied Europe, enabling soldiers and airmen to make their way home. Secret agents and resistance fighters risked their lives and those of their families to hide the men.
Drawing on declassified files and eye-witness testimonies from across Europe and the United States, Helen Fry provides a significant reassessment of MI9's wartime role. Central to its success were figures such as Airey Neave, Jimmy Langley, Sam Derry, and Mary Lindell-one of only a few women parachuted into enemy territory for MI9. This astonishing account combines escape and evasion tales with the previously untold stories behind the establishment of MI9-and reveals how the organization saved thousands of lives.
"A fitting tribute to the hundreds of men and women who risked their lives in assisting Allied escapees."-Giles Milton, Sunday Times (London)
"A masterful retelling with a fascinating cast of characters straight out of a John le Carre thriller."-Mark Felton, author of Castle of the Eagles
When Allied fighters were trapped behind enemy lines, one branch of military intelligence helped them escape: MI9. The organization set up clandestine routes that zig-zagged across Nazi-occupied Europe, enabling soldiers and airmen to make their way home. Secret agents and resistance fighters risked their lives and those of their families to hide the men.
Drawing on declassified files and eye-witness testimonies from across Europe and the United States, Helen Fry provides a significant reassessment of MI9's wartime role. Central to its success were figures such as Airey Neave, Jimmy Langley, Sam Derry, and Mary Lindell-one of only a few women parachuted into enemy territory for MI9. This astonishing account combines escape and evasion tales with the previously untold stories behind the establishment of MI9-and reveals how the organization saved thousands of lives.
Reviews / Votes
"Fry has undertaken prodigious research...The book is a fitting tribute to the hundreds of men and women who risked their lives in assisting Allied escapees, and a welcome salute to those who broke out of their PoW camps that they might be returned to the battlefront."-Giles Milton, The Sunday Times"A finely researched appraisal of MI9, one of the least known agencies of the Second World War, whose principal role was to help British prisoners of war escape from enemy-occupied territory."-The Sunday Times 'Best Paperbacks of 2021'
"Helen Fry's engrossing tale M19...details the exploits of the secret organisation that rescued allied troops from behind Nazi lines."-Martin Chilton, The Independent
"Several recent books have shone light on the heroic part women played in the story of intelligence, and Fry illuminates their role even more...[A] noble, moving and inspiring book"-Allan Mallinson, Spectator
"Once started, this is an impossible book to put down."-David Webb-Carter, Aspects of History
"In a brilliantly researched, absorbing and at times gripping text, Helen Fry takes the reader on an awe-inspiring and riveting journey as she details the work of M19, the secret service for escape and evasion in World War Two."-John T. Morris, Love Wrexham Magazine
"Fry is fortunate to have enjoyed access to previously classified files and documents, which allows for a more in-depth study of the department than ever before. The combination of this material, eyewitness testimony and some truly breathtaking tales of heroism and survival make this a must-read for anyone with an interest in the history of the intelligence services of World War II."-All About History
"Supplemented by vivid and captivating personal accounts of espionage, along with daring and heroic escape and evasion reports of POWs, Fry further underscores the critical role of "ordinary" individuals of occupied Europe who risked their lives and the well-being of their families."-Kevin T. Hall, Global Military Studies Review
"A well-written book...[Fry] never loses sight of her research interest."-Winfried Heinemann, International Journal of Military History and Historiography
"There is so much content in this book, so many stories of remarkable bravery and endeavour, that the main feeling is simply to be thankful that Fry has moved them closer to a wider audience, and her enthusiasm for her subjects shines through."-Karl Hornsey, On: YorkshireMagazine
"Fry, through the diligent use of declassified material from the MI9 files at the Kew National Archives, published and unpublished memoirs from personnel within the organisation, and papers in family possessions shows how MI9?s escapers made an important contribution to intelligence during the war."-Bailey Schwab, Intelligence and National Security
Shortlisted for the 2020 Duke of Wellington Medal for Military History
"A thoroughly comprehensive study of a much-neglected secret wartime organisation."-Nigel West, author of MI6
"A masterful page turner you won't be able to put down. The story of MI9 is one of the most inspiring and exciting of all WWII narratives."-Alex Kershaw, author of Avenue of Spies
'Behind every Allied great escape in WWII there stood the brave and resourceful men and women of MI9, an intelligence organisation today almost completely forgotten ... A masterful retelling with a fascinating cast of characters straight out of a John le Carre thriller.' Mark Felton, author of Castle of the Eagles
"Important, informative and engaging. Fry draws an engrossing picture of the commitment and courage of tens of thousands of agents who helped "escapers" and "evaders" in the European Theatre of Operations.'-Michael Jago, author of The Man Who Was George Smiley
More details
Language
English
Place of publication
United States
Product notice
Paperback (trade)
Illustrations
26 b-w illus. + 1 map
Dimensions
Height: 194 mm
Width: 126 mm
Thickness: 29 mm
Weight
334 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-300-26093-9 (9780300260939)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Person
Helen Fry is a specialist in the history of British Intelligence. She is the author of The Walls Have Ears, The London Cage, and over twenty books focusing on intelligence and POWs in World War II.