Special British - How to become a spy : the World War II SOE training manual

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Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data is available on file.

Cover design by Rain Saukas
Cover photo credit: Thinkstock

Print ISBN: 978-1-63220-526-1
Ebook ISBN: 978-1-63220-901-6

Printed in the United States of America

Publishers Note

This publication reproduces the basic syllabus used at the Special Training Schools (STSs) of the Special Operations Executive. The version reproduced hereto our knowledge the most complete and comprehensive of the surviving SOE training materialswas used at STS 103 in Canada, better known as Camp X. The lecture folders containing the syllabus are to be found in two files, HS 7/55 and HS 7/56, which may be consulted at the National Archives, Kew. The aim has been to reproduce the words, layout and appearance of the original documents as faithfully as possible. However, to keep the extent of this edition within bounds, the lists of library books, films and supplementary reading material have been omitted. Also, where necessary, lines and lettering have been strengthened in some of the illustrations; obvious typing errors have been corrected; and cross-references have been revised to conform to the pagination of this edition.

Primary Sources

SOE documents in the National Archives:

SYLLABUS OF LECTURES

Not included in this book.

CAMP ARRANGEMENTS

NAME ______________________________

DRESS .

On arrival in Camp you will be issued with Battle Dress (or Summer Drill) and the necessary accessories. This uniform will be worn during all working periods, for the following reasons:

a) Security . This is a military establishment. For the benefit of local inhabitants and visiting tradesmen, it is considered advisable for the military appearance of the Camp to be consistently maintained.

b) Wear and tear . Many of your activities on the course will be undertaken out of doors. By wearing your issued Battle Dress you will save your own civilian clothes and/or uniform.

There is no objection to your wearing whatever clothes you please for relaxation in the evenings.

You are not required to render military compliments to the officers of the Camp.

COMMUNICATIONS .

Any incoming mail may be addressed to you personally at:

Box 55,

Terminal A,

Toronto 2, Ont., Canada.

Any outgoing mail will be handed in at the Administration Office. In view of the fact that the Camps location is secret, this will be mailed in Toronto.

Therefore, NO mail will be handed to any member of the Camp Staff, other than the Clerks in the Administration Office who have been detailed to handle it.

For the same reason outgoing mail, though uncensored, will not contain any reference either to the Camps location, appearance or activities.

Telephone calls from the Camp may be made outside working hours. NO incoming calls are permitted.

MESSING AND BAR SERVICE .

a) Messing will be charged at the rate of .50 cents per day. A service charge of .50 cents per week will be made to cover gratuities to the staff. It is asked that no additional gratuities be made, as this rate is in accordance with Canadian Army scales.

b) Bar . Within the limits of current rationing, beer, spirits and cigarettes are obtainable from the bar which will be open only between the following hours:

12151245

18001900

19452230

c) Accounts . All messing and bar accounts will be rendered and paid on the day previous to final departure. Subsequent purchases will be paid for in cash.

d) Meal Times .

It is particularly requested that you observe these times. Kitchen accommodation and staff is limited. Considerable inconvenience can be caused through unpunctuality.

INTRODUCTORY ADDRESS .

You will assemble at hours on in Lecture Room, when the details of the Course will be explained in an introductory address.

LEAVE .

For Courses of over fourteen days duration, weekend leave may be arranged from Saturday 1230 until Sunday midnight. A leave application form will be issued. This should be filled in and handed to the Secretarys Office in the Administration Building not later than the Wednesday previous in order to ensure the necessary hotel and transportation reservations.

MISCELLANEOUS REQUESTS .

Complaints, if any, and requests for interviews or general information should be made to the Secretary between the following hours:

C. Skilbeck, Lieut-Colonel,
Officer Commanding.

A. 1.

INTRODUCTION

OBJECTS AND METHODS OF IRREGULAR WARFARE

OBJECTS

In Europe and Asia the enemy seek to obtain from their own, from satellite and from occupied territories the maximum advantage:

But spontaneous resistance has occurred everywhere: