Ill Met by Moonlight

Ill Met by Moonlight is a non-fiction account of a daring World War II mission based on W. Stanley Moss's wartime diary. The book chronicles the author's experience as a British Special Operations Executive (SOE) agent in Nazi-occupied Crete during 1944. The narrative details the planning and execution of a mission to capture German General Heinrich Kreipe from his headquarters and transport him to Cairo. Moss worked alongside fellow SOE agent Patrick Leigh Fermor, coordinating with local Cretan resistance fighters throughout the operation. Initially blocked from publication by military authorities, the book was released in 1950 to significant acclaim, including praise from W. Somerset Maugham. The text remains a central document of wartime special operations and continues to be republished with additional historical context and commentary. The book stands as both a military memoir and an exploration of courage, resourcefulness, and the complex relationships between occupiers, resistance fighters, and local populations during wartime. Its enduring relevance stems from its authentic portrayal of wartime espionage and its examination of moral choices under extreme circumstances.

Readers appreciate this firsthand account of the WWII Cretan resistance operation for its authentic details and understated British humor. Many note that Moss's matter-of-fact writing style captures both the tension and tedium of guerrilla warfare. Readers highlight: - Vivid descriptions of Cretan mountain life and culture - The author's self-deprecating tone - Historical photographs and maps - Balanced portrayal of both allies and enemies Common criticisms: - Slow pacing in middle sections - Assumption of reader's prior knowledge about the region - Limited strategic context about the wider war - Some find the writing style too detached Ratings: Goodreads: 4.0/5 (500+ ratings) Amazon: 4.3/5 (150+ ratings) Multiple readers note it pairs well with Patrick Leigh Fermor's accounts of the same events. As one Amazon reviewer states: "The diary format gives an unvarnished look at both the excitement and monotony of resistance operations."

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🌟 The mission described in the book involved kidnapping German General Heinrich Kreipe in 1944, successfully spiriting him away to Egypt - making it one of very few successful Nazi general kidnappings during WWII. 🌟 Author W. Stanley Moss was just 23 years old when he participated in this daring operation alongside Patrick Leigh Fermor, with both men disguised as German military police. 🌟 The book's title comes from Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream, reflecting Moss's literary background and the nocturnal nature of many of their operations. 🌟 The 1957 film adaptation starred Dirk Bogarde as Patrick Leigh Fermor and David Oxley as W. Stanley Moss, bringing this remarkable story to an even wider audience. 🌟 The British Special Operations Executive (SOE), which organized this mission, was nicknamed "Churchill's Secret Army" and the "Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare" due to its unconventional tactics.