For four years Special Operations Executive toiled to sabotage disrupt and degrade the German occupation of France, Holland, and the Balkans without much help from there own.

It did have some notable successes such as the destruction of the Heavy Water plant in Norway that if it was allowed to continue, might have lead to Germany being the first to have a Nuclear Bomb capability. The blowing up of power supplies to French factories that Bomber Harris failed to do. Ultimately they were to lead the way on D-Day with their ungentlemanly warfare, disrupting and destroying enemy movements and disseminating false information prior to the landings.

During the early days Dalton personally selected his own staff from his headquarters in Berkeley Square House. His first appointment was Gladwyn JEBB, an ideal person who took overall control. SO1 the old psychological warfare unit was merged with the Political Warfare Executive that was to result in the poster on the right and other propaganda.

SO2 the 'gunpowder and fire brigade' eventually became Special Operations Executive under the guidance of Sir Frank NELSON.

Additional staff required for these sections was picked by Gladwyn Jebb. Interviews were conducted in Whitehall room 124, the residence of Brigadier J G JAW. But one group he did not select but inherited was that of the staff and boffins at Station XII Aston House, the old MI(r) section D. These were the only ones that you could consider as 'crackpots', my father being one

Researches by myself and memories and observations of my father. The best book that I found that dealt with the political side Ben Pimlott's "Hugh Dalton" Biography, publisher Harper Collins, poster property of Jean-Loup Charmet.

The opinions, views and accounts expressed in this site are based on the reports, writings and memories of the mentioned articles, people and books. "Special Operations Executive Beginnings" is the sole responsibility of myself  Maurice A Christie.