Flypast magazine – “Highly recommended”
History of War Magazine
JP4 (an Italian aviation magazine)
“This gripping story explores the creation, development, and operations of the Special Duties squadrons, which transported spies, political figures, and documents in and out of occupied Europe. In 1940, Winston Churchill launched the Special Operations Executive (SOE) and its network of secret agents. However, such an operation required a clandestine transportation infrastructure to support the nascent resistance movements in occupied Europe. With only the moon as a guide, the daring pilots of 161 Squadron faced constant danger: their positions could be discovered, they had to contend with night fighters and German anti-aircraft fire, and they had to brave the worst weather conditions in Europe. Despite these risks, the Special Duties pilots were remarkably successful. Packed with first hand accounts and in-depth research from archives many of which remain classified today, this 394-page book delves into the story of the men who flew these dangerous missions and the primary aircraft they operated: the Westland Lysander. The author explores the aircraft’s origins, the dangers it posed to its pilots, and how its operational techniques developed. Facing political interference and limited resources from the RAF, these brave and little recognised pilots played a crucial role in the war, bringing home agents with crucial information to help Britain and the Allies defeat the Germans. Moonlight Crusaders brings these high-risk operations to life and celebrates the pilots and agents who gave everything to contribute to victory in the war. Only eight pages of photos, some by Leonardo, who now owns Westland, but a text that reads like an adventure film.”
Aircrew Book Review (Facebook group) – Todd Shugart
“This book has it all from hair raising insertions into Occupied Europe, to resupply missions, treachery within the French Resistance with double and sometimes triple agents, and lastly but most importantly the losses suffered by these RAF units and the SOE agents. I highly recommend this book and dare I say it but in my opinion, it is the best book out there on Special Duties squadrons and the brave men and women agents they transported or supplied under dangerous conditions.”