SOE Manual : How to be an Agent in Occupied Europe

In late 1942, SOE was asked to increase the number of agents to aid the invasion of mainland Europe. Part of agent training was ‘tradecraft’ – the practical details on how to be a clandestine agent behind enemy lines – which every agent had to attend at various bases centred around Beaulie in Hampshire. The course was a set of lectures and this book contains the actual text of those lectures which were discovered in the National Archives this year.

It is not only a fascinating insight into the workings of one of the Second World Wars most famous and secretive organisations, but is also a reminder of the huge danger anyone being dropped behind enemy lines had to face.

Introduction to Course. Individual Security.

Informant Service. Cover. Interrogations.

Operational Orders. Know your Enemy. Surveillance.

Internal Communications. Premises. Security and Premises for W/T Operator.

W/T Operator. External Communications. Organisation.

Cell System. Security of Organisation. Recruiting.

Discipline and Morale. Burglary. Lock-picking.

Selection of Dropping Points and Reception Arrangements. To be given on instructions from London.). Handcuffs.

Pigeons. German Counter Espionage. German Uniformed Police.

National Police – e.g. of France, Belgium etc. (Given according to student’s destination.).

The Nazi Party and its Formations in Occupied Territory. Recognition of German Troops by weapons and equipment. Recognition of German Troops by uniforms.

Military Intelligence Reports. Handling of German Light Weapons. Morale Warfare.

Methods of Morale Warfare. Subversion of enemy troops. Instructions for Foreign Workers in Germany.

Passive Resistance in Occupied Countries. Current German Propaganda to Europe. Tasks Preparatory to Allied arrival.