Free UK delivery on orders £30 or over
You must sign in to add this item to your wishlist. Please sign in or create an account
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.
Published | 30 May 2019 |
---|---|
Format | Hardback |
Edition | 1st |
Extent | 336 |
ISBN | 9781472835444 |
Imprint | Osprey Publishing |
Dimensions | 216 x 135 mm |
Series | General Military |
Short code | GNM |
Publisher | Bloomsbury Publishing |
Gianluca Barneschi draws on a rich range of sources, many long hidden from view, to tell the story of secret agent Dick Mallaby, whose individual exploits in wartime Italy were among the most remarkable of any secret agent in the Second World War. A terrific tale, presented with humanity and panache.
Roderick Bailey,, official SOE historian and author of 'Target Italy: The Secret War against Mussolini, 1940-1943'
On the base of archival research, interviews with eyewitnesses, and personal papers of the protagonist, Gianluca Barneschi has pulled together the many strings of a gripping life story that intersected major historical events, from the Italian surrender to Operation Sunrise.
Elena Agarossi, author and historian
A worthy addition to anyone's bookcase.
Britain at War
Tell us what titles you would like to see published by Osprey, then vote for your favourites in our monthly book vote!
Free UK delivery for orders £30 and over
Your School account is not valid for the United Kingdom site. You have been logged out of your account.
You are on the United Kingdom site. Would you like to go to the United States site?
Error message.