MI9 cover art

MI9

A History of the Secret Service for Escape and Evasion in World War Two

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MI9

By: Helen Fry
Narrated by: Helen Lloyd
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About this listen

A thrilling history of MI9 - the WWII organization that engineered the escape of Allied forces from behind enemy lines

When Allied fighters were trapped behind enemy lines, one branch of military intelligence helped them escape: MI9. The organization set up clandestine routes that zigzagged across Nazi-occupied Europe, enabling soldiers and airmen to make their way home. Secret agents and resistance fighters risked their lives and those of their families to hide the men.

Drawing on declassified files and eye-witness testimonies from across Europe and the United States, Helen Fry provides a significant reassessment of MI9’s wartime role. Central to its success were figures such as Airey Neave, Jimmy Langley, Sam Derry, and Mary Lindell, who was one of only a few women parachuted into enemy territory for MI9. This astonishing account combines escape and evasion tales with the previously untold stories behind the establishment of MI9 - and reveals how the organization saved thousands of lives.

©2020 Helen Fry (P)2020 Blackstone Publishing Europe Freedom & Security Great Britain Military Politics & Government Espionage War Imperialism Thought-Provoking World History Military Nonfiction

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All stars
Most relevant  
An incredible insight into secretive organisation created and established during the world wars.

Some of the people involved whether military or civilian. Listing the enormous risks they took and how they went about it.

I particularly enjoyed the enginuity of the compass buttons that hit in plain sight.

Incredible well written and narrated.

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It a story from WW2 I had not really heard of in any detail but the actions and commitment from the operators of MI9 and the many brave and generous acts of the civilians and partisans are worth remembering and honoring. It a testament to the true nature of every day humans to stand defiant against such a tyrannical and brutal regime.

Bravery and integraty beyond

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As a huge fan of information/stories and the sheer unalloyed bravery of people in this war I was amazed at finding out about MI9 no idea it existed! A wonderfully factual detailed narration I thoroughly recommend

Who knew!

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A very interesting book which was made even better by the narrator’s clear narration and the fact that each major chapter is broken down into shorter smaller stories. Perfectly for listening to when you’ve not got time to listen for a couple of hours at a time. The variety of people, places, and stories covered made this an extremely worthwhile listen for me. Highly recommended!

A fascinating book

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A great combination of the horrors that escapers went through, the incredible organisation behind the escape lines and some amusing moments too. Well worth a listen.

Fascinating

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This is my kind of thing and of course not for everyone but I loved it. I was very pleased to listen to the chapters about “the comet line”
If you have ever watched secret army that was based on the comet line (secret army is available to watch on britbox at the moment 20/02/2023)

This is my kind of thing

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Wow the work of MI9 is little known to most, but there were some fascinating insights into who things were done during the war.

Loved the chapter on getting games into the pow camps with various ingenious items hidden within them under the auspices of fake charitable organisations. Well done to the game maker Waddingtons for their efforts.

Also the part about Q and the explanation of this department and subsequent use in the Bond movies.

Narration was a little bland, but perfectly acceptable.

Fascinating

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This has to be the definitive book on the wartime activities of MI9.
Some of the information contained within it wasn’t declassified when other books on WW2 E&E were written and so it’s bang up to date with the accounts of those who took part in these incredibly dangerous escapes.
For me it was the courage of the civilians who helped the escapers that stood out. Their heroism saved so many lives and some very modestly chose not to recognised for their work post WW2.
A great book that I’d recommend 100%.

Outstanding! Superbly researched and detailed.

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Another brilliantly researched and well told look at a part of the Secret War in WW2. Dr Helen Fry does these so well.

Brilliant

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I've read many books on MI9 including the classics but this is by far the best. its refreshing when you put a book on a subject that you thought you new pretty well and can say "I learnt a lot"

Best MI9 book I've read.

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