Geoggsg

An exciting story of a young and brave SOE agent

Revisado: 05-27-21

I very much recommend this book. Before listening to Moondrop, I had had followed the exploits of Churchill's 'set Europe ablaze" SOE agents and the later military Jedburgh groups with great admiration. Moondrop brought out the terrible risks these agents faced every day while operating in occupied territory. The Nazi's while very astute, were equally ruthless and brutal, making the lives of so many agents short. It amazes me that Anne Marie Walter (code name Colette; in the book, Paulette), just 20 years of age (the second youngest female SOE agent dropped into France), could face such danger without a major breakdown. Acting as a courier for the head of the Wheelwright resistance organization in S France, she delivered messages across the region (by train, bicycle and foot), moved supplies, accompanied escapees to the border, attended 'parachutagees' of arms drops to macquis groups and even took part in a gun battle with overwhelming German forces attacking her macquisard group. All this clearly and modestly told in the well-written 'Moondrop'. After being effective for over 6 months, and much to her chagrin, she was sent out of France by her 'boss' under false pretenses. During her last weeks in France, she apparently had a falling out with the insular Lt Col Starr, head of Wheelwright. Upon returning to London she was debriefed and while praising Starr's bravery, criticized him for leadership issues including allowing the torture of prisoners. When Starr was repatriated after the liberation of France, an inquiry was held that resulted in a 300 page report. As the book's Afterword notes, Anne Marie's testimony amongst other items mysteriously disappeared from the official record. Although admitting to the occurence of severe torture, Starr was cleared of any direct responsibility. While recognized as a 'sister of the resistance' by her comrades in the macquis, it seems likely that Anne Marie was resented by Starr. While SOE used both men and women as agents, history tells us that this was still a misogynistic time, where women (and young women, in particular) were not held in the same regard as men. After listening to the Afterword and following up with on-line searches, it is my opinion that Colette's reputation was sullied unfairly and her views on Wheelwright's management disregarded.

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A solid history of the Jeds, but a little one-eyed

Revisado: 04-22-21

Col. Irwin does a great job detailing the history and actions of the Jed teams in Europe with reference to the activities of a select group of teams, with one caveat. With few exceptions, the teams described were all American or French led, even 'though Brits were slightly more in numbers. I suspect that the author's base for information was largely located in the US, hence an unintentional bias. Nevertheless the book does an effective job in describing the adversity and hurdles that these small, extremely brave SF members had to overcome. Brave men, all!

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Fascinating telling of first month of WW 1

Revisado: 02-25-21

Clear and immensely interesting. Historians and laymen will find something of interest without any doubt

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A complex story, well told.

Revisado: 12-15-20

Highly detailed and very sinuous, the supposed War of the Roses is well described. Besides being very interesting and entertaining, it also clears the air regarding the mismomers regarding the struggles between the Houses of Lancaster and York.

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Detailed, insightful, humorous. An excellent read

Revisado: 12-09-20

very few detailed accounts of combat in the Stirling over happy valley, dropping supplies to the Macquis, or flying spoof electromic missions in RAF bomber command B17s. An excellent remembrance by a brave Canadian.

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Brilliant history of a dynastic royal family

Revisado: 09-23-20

Very, very interesting history. Colorful and not a boring moment. A triumph of excellent research, interesting storytelling, and great oral presentation. I will be acquiring other nooks by this author.

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One of the best tank combat books I have read

Revisado: 05-05-20

An excellent book. Great detail and pulls no punches regarding command structures, senior officers and other ranks (although I suspect that some names were changed in the latter group). Together, the author and co-writer do an excellent job of marrying the strategic, tactical and personal aspects of tank warfare in NW Europe. After 70 odd years I can forgive the very, very few factual errors - Welsh Guards 2nd btn/Guards Armoured Div liberated Brussels and not the separate 6th Guards Armoured division - my dad was in the second WG Cromwell into Brussels. An excellent memoir from a very brave boy and man about a tremendously accomplished British regiment - The Sherwood Rangers.

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