Shannon Monaghan reveals 4 key members of British SOE in WWII

 A QUIET COMPANY OF DANGEROUS MEN: The Forgotten British Special Operations Soldiers of World War II (Viking) by Shannon Monaghan.

During the early years of World War II, Britain found itself standing alone against the formidable Nazi forces. France had fallen and America had yet to join the war. In this critical period, Winston Churchill had to figure out how to get British forces back into Europe. Thus, the birth of one of the most thrilling and pioneering units of British special forces, the "Special Operations Executive" (SOE). In her captivating new book, A QUIET COMPANY OF DANGEROUS MEN, Monaghan delves deep into the astonishing tales of four special operations officers, often referred to as Britain's real "Band of Brothers” and their daunting mission: to “Set Europe ablaze.”

Monaghan has uncovered a story of war in the twentieth century that, due to the secretive nature of the SOE’s work, has remained largely unknown. But with new and extensive research, including unprecedented access to private family papers, Monaghan shines a light on some of the most significant figures of the SOE, including the Spanish Civil War veteran Peter Kemp, the demolitions expert David Smiley, the born guerrilla leader Billy McLean, and the political natural Julian Amery. These extraordinary men were dropped behind enemy lines of Nazi-occupied Albania with little more than compasses hidden in their buttons, and maps and money sewn into their clothing. Their missions were to foment local revolt, to gather intelligence, to blow up bridges, and to do anything that could help to disrupt the Axis cause. Their efforts were crucial and would continue across multiple theaters of World War II, and later even for decades after in the hottest parts of the Cold War.

An interview with Monaghan could cover anything from the real-life inspiration of Q’s shop from the James Bond movies, to the trajectory of WWII into the beginning of the Cold War from the perspective of these incredible men. More talking points can be found below:  

·          The Beginning of the Cold War – the story of these four men also reminds us that the Cold War started even earlier than we tend to think, at least on the Soviet side – even before WWII ended.  They were pursued and nearly captured by the Communist leader Enver Hoxha, later to be the postwar dictator of Albania.  Peter Kemp was imprisoned by their Soviet ‘allies’ in Poland, an unhappy guest of the NKVD, who did not want him to send intelligence on the Soviet mistreatment of Poland before the crucial Yalta conference.  In Thailand, Peter Kemp and David Smiley clashed with the Vietminh, whose insurgency would eventually lead to American involvement in Vietnam.

  James Bond connection – David Smiley was advised by his friend Peter Fleming, the older brother of the Bond creator Ian Fleming who based the character on individuals he met during the war.  Smiley also had an unfortunate encounter with one of the younger Fleming’s inspirations. “Q’s” shop from the books and films, full of ingenious gadgets, was real and during the war was called “The Museum.”  Smiley was given a briefcase bomb that was meant to destroy sensitive papers in an emergency.  It blew up in his face in Thailand, necessitating an emergency evacuation.

The Cambridge Five – the men also had a connection to Kim Philby, and the infamous Cambridge Five, a spy ring that passed British information along to the Soviets. A Soviet agent in their own staff office during their time in Albania had also helped to recruit the “fifth man,” John Cairncross to the group.  And Philby himself helped blow a post-war operation in Albania in 1949, called Operation Valuable.

Wild Fiascos – the saying “war is boredom punctuated by moments of terror” is true, but it ignores the absurdity and straight-up entertainment that can go with it.  Between the four men, during the war they fell in with a Polish countess in Cairo who was gifted a dancing bear to go with her two murderous mongooses; figured out how to pay the laborers of a POWs’ brothel with parachute silk; recruited a terminally-ill Macedonia terrorist to kill Hitler; learned to parachute over the plains where the final battle for Armageddon is meant to take place; and crossed the Roof of the World with a baggage train of eighty-two ponies.

The Continuing Fight – for our freedom and prosperity, these men fought not just one war, but throughout their whole lives.  Visiting Albania after the Soviet collapse in 1991, Smiley and Amery finally found one of their translators, a man whom they thought had been executed by the Communist dictatorship.  “Half a century, my dears,” their translator said in greeting.  They had fought for all of it.  When they came limping out of Albania in 1944, Julian Amery reflected that despite the dominance of the brutal Hoxha, they had managed to sow a seed.  “And one day,” he promised, “there will be a harvest.”

Enduring Friendships – They were friends for life, standing as godparents for each other’s children and giving the eulogies at each other’s funerals.  And they were fundamentally good men.  When David Smiley, the very last, passed away in 2009, his son said, “I’m proud that some of my father’s exploits may go down in the annals of military history; and of course I’m proud of his bravery.  But I think I’m proudest of all of the simpler virtues of his life: his disarming modesty, his uncomplicated patriotism, his down-to-earthness, his instinctive decency, and above all his absolute straight-as-a-dye honesty.”

A QUIET COMPANY OF DANGEROUS MEN is a thrilling and inspiring story of four remarkable men who, through sheer determination and daring, as well as unwavering friendship and loyalty, fought for a better world.