An Englishman Abroad

SOE agent Dick Mallaby’s Italian missions, 1943–45

An Englishman Abroad cover

Description

Based on 20 years of research, Gianluca Barneschi has uncovered the true story of a real-life James Bond.

The debonair Special Operations Executive agent Richard 'Dick' Mallaby was the first Briton to be sent to Italy as an SOE operative, parachuted unceremoniously into Lake Como in August 1943. Arrested and initially tortured by the Italian authorities, he managed to sweet-talk his way out of trouble, and helped Marshal Pietro Badoglio and King Victor Emmanuel III escape to the Allied lines. He also helped negotiate the armistice with Italy, for which he was awarded the Military Cross.

He was back in action in 1945, when he crossed into Fascist-controlled northern Italy from Switzerland but was swiftly captured and interrogated by the SS. Narrowly avoiding a firing squad once again, he helped to secure the surrender of 800,000 German forces in Italy in May 1945.

Table of Contents

Illustrations and Maps
Prologue

1. Who, When, Where and What
2. Special Operations Executive
3. The First Mission
4. The Second Mission
5. Aftermath

Bibliography
Acronyms
Ranks
Index

Product details

Published May 30 2019
Format Ebook (PDF)
Edition 1st
Extent 336
ISBN 9781472835451
Imprint Osprey Publishing
Series General Military
Short code GNM
Publisher Bloomsbury Publishing

About the contributors

Author

Gianluca Barneschi

Gianluca Barneschi is an author, historian, and at…

Resources

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