MI9

A History of the Secret Service for Escape and Evasion in World War Two

Helen Fry

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Hardback

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Yale University
11 January 2021

History; British & Irish history; 20th century history: c 1900 to c 2000; Second World War; Espionage & secret services

A thrilling history of MI9, the WWII organisation that engineered the escape of Allied forces from behind enemy lines.

When Allied fighters were trapped behind enemy lines, one branch of military intelligence helped them escape: MI9. The organisation 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 eyewitness 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 and Sam Derry, as well as Mary Lindel - one of only a few women parachuted into enemy territory for MI9.

This astonishing account combines escape and evasion tales, in addition to the previously untold stories behind the establishment of MI9, revealing how the organisation saved thousands of lives.

See more for MILITARY INTELLIGENCE

By: Helen Fry
Imprint: Yale University
Country of Publication: United States
Dimensions: Height: 235mm, Width: 156mm, Spine: 15mm
Weight: 753g
ISBN: 9780300233209
ISBN 10: 0300233205
Pages: 352
Publication Date: 11 January 2021
Audience: General/trade , ELT Advanced
Format: Hardback
Publisher's Status: Active

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. She lives in London.

Reviews for MI9: A History of the Secret Service for Escape and Evasion in World War Two

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 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 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