SECRET FLOTILLAS VOLUME TWO is Released

As the fall of France took place at the beginning of the Second World War, virtually the entire Western European coastline fell into hostile German hands - delivering as great a strategic threat to the British Isles as any since the Spanish Armada. In response, providing vital lines of intelligence for wartime Britain, were clandestine sea operations tasked with transporting various agents, evaders and escapees to and from France. The brave actions of these "secret flotillas" were crucial to both the SIS (Secret Intelligence Services) and the SOE (Special Operations Executive).

In this authoritative publication the official historian, the late Sir Brooks Richards, vividly describes and analyses these covert naval operations. Featuring many first-hand accounts, this gripping, highly informative book has only been made possible through Sir Brooks' access to closed government archives combined with his own wartime experiences and the recollections of many of those involved.

In addition to operations off French North Africa, this second volume also includes descriptions of operations in the Adriatic around Italy. More than half of the 390 operations in Italian and adjacent waters were carried out by Italian vessels with Italian crews - it was a contribution to the Allied war effort which ought not to be forgotten.

Born in 1918, Sir Francis 'Brooks' Richards was a British diplomat and, during the Second World War, a director of operations for the Special Operations Executive. He was married and had a son. Sadly, Sir Francis died just after completing this second edition in 2002. He lived in Dorchester.