‘Resistance : European Resistance to Nazism 1940-45’
M.R.D. Foot – Eyre Methuen, London (1976), 346 pages
ISBN 0 413 34710 9
Reprinted 1979 with some amendments – hence get ’79 edition.

They say: ”A work of major significance, the author has analysed the whole field of wartime resistance to the Nazis in Europe, assessing what resisters could and couldn't do; assessing in outline, whether they achieved their aims.”

Not too hard to get, around £8.00 hardback.

IMHO; Foot is ex SOE/France, serious reading on this subject, can get heavy and can presume a degree on knowledge on behalf of the reader. Wrote the official HMSO History of the SOE in France. Original 1966 edition withdrawn because of content re Peter Churchill. Re-issued with modifications. 1966 edition around, may cost @ £45. Plenty of re-issue versions, @ £6.

Note: This is an overview about ‘Resistance’ with an SOE and French bias. This is not about Partisan overt guerrilla formations and actions.

Foot may write of all Europe but his depth of knowledge is really France. The subject is extremely difficult because of the agencies, departments and secrecy involved, not to mention the citizens of the respective countries. Everyone was out for their own ends and everyone used everyone else to achieve them. Motivation for the various nationals might be patriotism, revenge, anti nazism, communism, profiteering, adventure or crime – or whatever permutation of these you care to come up with. Easier to approach from the Allied military aspect than the involved citizens aspect. (A) You’ll probably need to read the language for many compilations or memoirs, and (B) you’ll probably read stuff you wish you hadn’t.

I personally rate Foot considerably over Stafford who has also written extensively on the subject.

No.9