Spirit of Resistance: The Life of SOE Agent Harry Peuleve, DSO MC - Softcover

Nigel Perrin

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1473823021 ISBN 13: 9781473823020

Publisher: Pen & Sword Military, 2014

Synopsis

One of the most determined and courageous secret agents of the Second World War, Harry Peuleve joined the BEF in 1940 before volunteering for F Section of the Special Operations Executive. On his first mission to occupied France to set up the SCIENTIST circuit, he broke his leg on landing and, after numerous close calls, made an heroic crossing of the Pyrenees on sticks in December 1942. Imprisoned, he escaped and eventually returned to England in May 1943. He formed a close friendship with Violette Szabo before setting out to train a Maquis group in central France. Despite the Gestapo's repeated attempts to catch him he built up a secret army of several thousand resistance fighters. Eventually betrayed and captured, he was tortured at Avenue Foch but never broken. By coincidence he and Violette met while in captivity before Harry was sent to Buchenwald where he not only avoided execution but also managed to escape reaching American lines in April 1945. Sadly Peuleve never fully recovered from his wartime traumas but nothing can detract from his outstanding courage and contribution

About this title

About the Author

Nigel Perrin is an historian specialising in the Second World War. He lives in Somerset but is shortly to relocate to London.

Edition details

• Publisher: Pen & Sword Military
• Publication date: 2014
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1473823021
• ISBN 13: 9781473823020
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 240