Global Infrastructure of the Special Operations Executive

During the Second World War, the British government established the Special Operations Executive (SOE) for the purpose of coordinating 'all action, by way of subversion and sabotage, against the enemy overseas'. Although the overseas operations of this branch of the British Secret Services are relatively well known, few studies have explored the 'backroom sections' of this organisation. This book draws together the infrastructure developed to support an agent's 'journey' from recruitment to despatch to the field.
At the start of the Second World War there were few existing facilities established within the UK to support clandestine operations. As the conflict progressed, in parallel to learning the operational procedures of their trade, SOE also had to rapidly expand their support infrastructure around the world. The organisation could effectively support their agents only by establishing facilities dedicated to training, research and development, supply, transportation, communication, and command and control. By predominately focusing on the organisation's 'agent facing' infrastructure, this book provides a backdrop to the brave men and women who conducted operations abroad. In addition, it gives an overview of the facilities in which SOE's backroom staff lived and worked.
The book will be of interest to students and scholars of archaeology, history and war studies.

List of contents

1. Introduction  2. Training  3. Research and Development  4. Supply  5. Transportation  6. Communications  7. Conclusion

About the author

Derwin Gregory is the Programme Leader for Archaeology and Heritage at Bishop Grosseteste University in Lincoln, UK. Derwin specialises in militarised landscapes, modern conflict archaeology and material culture.

Summary

During the Second World War, the British government established the Special Operations Executive (SOE). This book draws together the infrastructure developed to support an agent’s ‘journey’ from recruitment to despatch to the field. It will be of interest to students and scholars of archaeology, history and war studies.

Product details

• Authors: Derwin Gregory, Derwin (Bishop Grosseteste University Gregory
• Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd.
• Languages: English
• Product format: Paperback / Softback
• Released: 25.09.2023
• EAN: 9781032168074
• ISBN: 978-1-0-3216807-4
• No. of pages: 138
• Series: Routledge Studies in Second World War History
• Subjects: Humanities, art, music > History > Modern era up to 1918; Social sciences, law, business > Political science > Political science and political education; European History, 20th Century, HISTORY / World, 20th century history: c 1900 to c 2000, HISTORY / Europe / Great Britain / 20th Century, General & world history, 20th century, c 1900 to c 1999, British & Irish history, Second World War, United Kingdom, Great Britain, General and world history, c 1939 to c 1945 (including WW2), History / Wars & Conflicts / World War II / European Theater