Moonlight Crusaders
Special Duties Pilots over Occupied Europe
Moonlight Crusaders
Special Duties Pilots over Occupied Europe
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Description
This engrossing history explores the creation, development and actions of the Special Duties squadrons, which carried spies, political figures and documents in and out of Occupied Europe.
In 1940, Winston Churchill famously set in motion the Special Operations Executive. However, the creation of secret agent networks required a clandestine transport infrastructure to support nascent resistance movements in Occupied Europe. With only the moon to guide their way, the daring pilots of 161 Squadron constantly faced danger: their locations could be discovered, German night-fighters and flak had to be contended with and, of course, they dealt with the worst of European weather. Despite these extra risks, these Special Duties pilots were remarkably successful.
Packed with first-hand accounts and expert research, this book dives into the history of the men who flew these dangerous missions and the main aircraft they used – unarmed Lysanders. Author Paul Smiddy, an RAF-trained pilot, explores the origins of the Lysander, the dangers it posed to its pilots and how operational techniques were developed. Facing political interference and limited resources from the RAF, these brave and under-recognised pilots provided a critical role in the war – bringing back agents with important information to help Britain and the Allies defeat the Germans.
Table of Contents
Introduction
Chapter 1: The Lysander
Chapter 2: The Customers - SOE and SIS
Chapter 3: The Lysander Goes to War - Bloodied and Bowed
Chapter 4: Finding Their Feet
Chapter 5: Racing Ahead - Newmarket Takes on Military Garb
Chapter 6: Scaling Up - Formation of 138 Squadron
Chapter 7: 1942 - Formation of 161 Squadron
Chapter 8: Tempsford - A Home is Found
Chapter 9: The 1942 Pause and Knowles Lurches to his Maker
Chapter 10: The Dream Team Forms
Chapter 11: 1943
Chapter 12: Tangmere Life
Chapter 13: Treachery
Chapter 14: A Mission
Chapter 15: Tangmere Death
Chapter 16: 1944 and the Déricourt Dénouement
Chapter 17: The Boxer Era
Chapter 18: Last Flights
Chapter 19: Conclusions
Epilogue
Appendices
Index
Product details
| Published | May 05 2026 |
|---|---|
| Format | Hardback |
| Edition | 1st |
| Pages | 384 |
| ISBN | 9781472873477 |
| Imprint | Osprey Publishing |
| Illustrations | 1 x 8-page B&W plate section |
| Dimensions | 9 x 6 inches |
| Publisher | Bloomsbury Publishing |
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