Airborne espionage

Airborne espionage

Keywords: Aircraft, Espionage

At the outbreak of the First World War in 1914, the transport of “spies”across enemy lines by aircraft was not regarded as a priority. In fact, there was no formal organisation for these flights and no communications network between the air forces and their agents – apart from homing pigeons and the occasional telephone call.

The situation had not improved to any great extent by 1939. Although dedicated air units had been established to fly the spies – or “agents”as they were then known – their aircraft were hand-me-downs and their aircrews considered the “Special Duties” (SD) role as a poor third to the more glamorous worlds of fighter and bomber operations. However, the tasks undertaken by these men and their aircraft were often more hazardous and demanding than any other type of wartime flying.

The Second World War saw the rapid development of infrastructures by the allies to support their SD operations, mirrored in other combatant nations'activities. Operating in all weathers, invariably at night, often at low level and usually without fighter escort, the SD squadrons and units paid a heavy price in aircrew killed and missing.

By their very nature, these operations went unreported in wartime and for some considerable time thereafter. The exploits of British, Commonwealth,American, Free European, Soviet, German, Italian and Japanese airmen and units are recorded in this compelling narrative account.

David Oliver was founding editor of Air Forces Monthly. He is currently Editor of the Global Defence Review and Features Editor of Wingspan International. David has written widely on aspects of historical and contemporary aviation, including RAF Fighter Command (2000) and How to Fly and Fight the Spitfire (1999).

Details available from: Sutton Publishing. Tel: +44 (0) 1453 732452; web site: www.suttonpublishing.co.uk

David Oliver