The Unknown Courier

The True Story of Operation Mincemeat

Nonfiction, History, Military, World War II, Social & Cultural Studies, Political Science
Cover of the book The Unknown Courier by Ian Colvin, Biteback Publishing
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Ian Colvin ISBN: 9781785901966
Publisher: Biteback Publishing Publication: November 17, 2016
Imprint: Biteback Publishing Language: English
Author: Ian Colvin
ISBN: 9781785901966
Publisher: Biteback Publishing
Publication: November 17, 2016
Imprint: Biteback Publishing
Language: English

On 30 April 1943, the drowned corpse of Major William Martin washed up on the coast of Spain. In what appeared to be a stroke of grave misfortune for the British, he was found to be carrying top-secret plans for the invasion of Italy. Truth, however, is often stranger than fiction: the plans, as well as the identity of the Major himself, were fake - part of a secret British intelligence ruse called 'Operation Mincemeat', which misled Hitler, causing him to divert his forces away from the Allied target of Sicily.

Journalist Ian Colvin became fascinated by tales of this audacious scheme and decided to investigate further. His search led him to Madrid, Gibraltar, Seville and finally to a grave at Huelva. The resulting book, originally published in 1953, is a breathtaking account of Colvin's journey, involving German ex-intelligence officers, Spanish generals, flamenco dancers and even a frogman pathologist specialising in drowned bodies.

With its thrilling insights into what turned out to be one of the most successful wartime deceptions ever attempted, The Unknown Courier inspired Ben Macintyre's bestselling Operation Mincemeat. Colvin's lively account looks beyond the military machinations and considers the mysterious identity of the unknown courier - who was this man who, after his own death, changed the course of the Second World War?

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

On 30 April 1943, the drowned corpse of Major William Martin washed up on the coast of Spain. In what appeared to be a stroke of grave misfortune for the British, he was found to be carrying top-secret plans for the invasion of Italy. Truth, however, is often stranger than fiction: the plans, as well as the identity of the Major himself, were fake - part of a secret British intelligence ruse called 'Operation Mincemeat', which misled Hitler, causing him to divert his forces away from the Allied target of Sicily.

Journalist Ian Colvin became fascinated by tales of this audacious scheme and decided to investigate further. His search led him to Madrid, Gibraltar, Seville and finally to a grave at Huelva. The resulting book, originally published in 1953, is a breathtaking account of Colvin's journey, involving German ex-intelligence officers, Spanish generals, flamenco dancers and even a frogman pathologist specialising in drowned bodies.

With its thrilling insights into what turned out to be one of the most successful wartime deceptions ever attempted, The Unknown Courier inspired Ben Macintyre's bestselling Operation Mincemeat. Colvin's lively account looks beyond the military machinations and considers the mysterious identity of the unknown courier - who was this man who, after his own death, changed the course of the Second World War?

More books from Biteback Publishing

Cover of the book Prison Diaries by Ian Colvin
Cover of the book Call Me Dave by Ian Colvin
Cover of the book Collapse by Ian Colvin
Cover of the book By Royal Appointment by Ian Colvin
Cover of the book The Purple Book by Ian Colvin
Cover of the book Everybody's Business by Ian Colvin
Cover of the book London Boroughs at 50 by Ian Colvin
Cover of the book Jeremy Corbyn and the Strange Rebirth of Labour England by Ian Colvin
Cover of the book Massively Violent & Decidedly Average by Ian Colvin
Cover of the book Why Women Need Quotas by Ian Colvin
Cover of the book The End of British Party Politics? by Ian Colvin
Cover of the book So You Want to Be a Politician by Ian Colvin
Cover of the book Gridlock Nation by Ian Colvin
Cover of the book Fan-tastic Sporting Stories by Ian Colvin
Cover of the book The Strongest Men on Earth by Ian Colvin
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy