Moonlight Crusaders
Special Duties Pilots over Occupied Europe
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Moonlight Crusaders
Narrated by:
Laurence Dobiesz
Buy Now for £17.69
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Narrated by:
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Laurence Dobiesz
This engrossing history explores the creation, development and actions of the Special Duties squadrons, which carried spies, political figures and documents in and out of Occupied Europe.
In 1940, Winston Churchill famously set in motion the Special Operations Executive. However, the creation of secret agent networks required a clandestine transport infrastructure to support nascent resistance movements in Occupied Europe. With only the moon to guide their way, the daring pilots of 161 Squadron constantly faced danger: their locations could be discovered, German night-fighters and flak had to be contended with and, of course, they dealt with the worst of European weather. Despite these extra risks, these Special Duties pilots were remarkably successful.
Packed with first-hand accounts and expert research, this book dives into the history of the men who flew these dangerous missions and the main aircraft they used – unarmed Lysanders. Author Paul Smiddy, an RAF-trained pilot, explores the origins of the Lysander, the dangers it posed to its pilots and how operational techniques were developed. Facing political interference and limited resources from the RAF, these brave and under-recognised pilots provided a critical role in the war – bringing back agents with important information to help Britain and the Allies defeat the Germans.©2026 Paul Smiddy (P)2026 Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
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Critic reviews
This is the story of how a handful of dedicated pilots under took the dangerous business of flying in and out of enemy territory, unheralded and unnoticed, night after moonlit night… Paul Smiddy has produced an outstanding testament to both the remarkable aircraft and the extraordinarily talented and courageous pilots.
What a rare treat – to have an entire book dedicated to the Special Duties squadrons… Moonlight Crusaders is meticulously researched and offers a thorough insight into the legacy of this remarkable aspect of history.
This fascinating story of espionage, subterfuge and bravery is expertly woven by Paul Smiddy. His passion for the subject translates into a detailed and comprehensive account of flying on the edge of reason.
A worthy tribute to this gallant band of airmen.
A stirring tribute to the unsung heroes of Britain’s secret campaign to set Europe ablaze in the Second World War.
A great story, well told.
Due to the particular secrecy of the Lysander activities, some aspects of them, for example the history of Déricourt, the French pilot and double or triple agent, remain obscure. Paul Smiddy does his best with his material, but I assume that firm conclusions about this obscure character - otherwise excellently drawn by Smiddy - remain impossible.
Most of the book, as noted above, concentrates on the secret war in France, a choice justified by the fact that the majority of the Lysander and Hudson flights of 161 Squadron and its earlier incarnations concerned that country. At one point, during 1943-early 1944, the history of 161 reads like a risky taxi service between England and France! The histories of 148 Squadron, in the Mediterranean and 357 Squadron in Asia, are less well developed, and I regret that. Another book maybe?
The narration lets this book down. Unforgivable to have picked a narrator who can't pronounce French when there are so many French names and words in the book and 80% of the work of Lysander pilots was in France. One example amongst many: Marie-Madeleine Fourcade, one of the most famous resistance leaders (and the only woman leader) has her name mangled throughout the book. Unforgivable also to have a narrator who confuses the names of aircraft and personalities. Worst of all, this narrator has a sing-song cheerful tone that never varies. When reading about French resisters sharing a bottle of champagne with their English pilots, the derring-do of pilots downed in France, or the flirtations and parties in Tangmere cottage, that tone is bearable; but listening to a succession of accidental deaths, executions, tortures and other losses in that jolly tone of voice made me cringe. The contrast, funny at first, quickly becomes insufferable. Two stars for the narration, as it's not wholly unbearable, but since I mostly read on Kindle, I won't lower the overall choice I give to the book. Just be aware of the faults in the narration before you decide whether to read or listen to the book (or, like me, do both).
Good book. Poor narrator
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Classic case of using a narrator who knows nothing about the subject. My first irritation was him calling the Heinkel 111 a Heinkel 3 and not a Heinkel one eleven. Ok one slip but then reading every reference to an F/O as a flight officer and not a flying officer (and there are a lot ) 🤬. On top of that his intonation is just pure irritating.
Don’t Bother
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