Product Description

Audley End House in Essex - or Station 43 as it was known during the Second World War - was used as the principal training school for SOE's Polish Section between 1942 and 1944. Polish agents at Audley End undertook a series of arduous training courses in all aspects of guerrilla warfare before being parachuted into occupied Europe. In 1943, Audley End, or Secret Training Station 43, was placed exclusively under Polish control, a situation unique within SOE. The training was tough and the pass-rate low, but a total of 527 agents passed through Audley End between 1941 and 1945. Author Ian Valentine has consulted a wide range of primary sources and interviewed dozens of Polish former agents who trained at Audley End, to write a definitive account of this Essex country house and the vital but secret part it played in defeating Hitler. Set against the background of Polish wartime history, he examines the comprehensive training of agents at Audley End and describes the work undertaken by Station 43's agents in Europe. He also covers the vital link with the RAF's Special Duties squadrons whose crews risked their lives dropping agents into occupied Europe. "Station 43" breaks new ground in telling the hitherto untold story of Audley End House and its role as a vital SOE training school.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #209267 in Books
• Published on: 2006-03-23
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 224 pages

Synopsis
Audley End House in Essex - or Station 43 as it was known during the Second World War - was used as the principal training school for SOE's Polish Section between 1942 and 1944. Polish agents at Audley End undertook a series of arduous training courses in all aspects of guerrilla warfare before being parachuted into occupied Europe. In 1943, Audley End, or Secret Training Station 43, was placed exclusively under Polish control, a situation unique within SOE. The training was tough and the pass-rate low, but a total of 527 agents passed through Audley End between 1941 and 1945. Author Ian Valentine has consulted a wide range of primary sources and interviewed dozens of Polish former agents who trained at Audley End, to write a definitive account of this Essex country house and the vital but secret part it played in defeating Hitler. Set against the background of Polish wartime history, he examines the comprehensive training of agents at Audley End and describes the work undertaken by Station 43's agents in Europe. He also covers the vital link with the RAF's Special Duties squadrons whose crews risked their lives dropping agents into occupied Europe.

"Station 43" breaks new ground in telling the hitherto untold story of Audley End House and its role as a vital SOE training school.

About the Author
IAN VALENTINE is an estate gardener and event supervisor at Audley End House. He has made a special study of the Polish Section of SOE at Audley End which has resulted in this book. He lives in Ely.

Customer Reviews

From a Polish Person's perspective
I have never been interested in historical books but the writer Ian Valentine encouraged me to read Station 43. Not only did I read the book because I am Polish and the story is set against the background of Polish wartime history but because I have spoken to the very author of the book and got the impression that whatever he has written cannot be disappointing.

The setting itself is very intriguing and full of secracy as some people are still reluctant to talk about what went on in the place since they had to sign the Official Secrets Act. Audley End House in Essex-Station 43-was used as the principal training school for SOE’s Polish Section between 1942-1944. Polish agents undertook a series of tough training courses before being parachuted into occupied Europe. Out of 316 parachuted Polish agents,106 lost their lives.

Ian Valentine introduces the story of Station 43 in a friendly manner and fills it with detailed information he gathered from interviewed Polish former agents who trained at Audley End. He enclosed a variety of pictures and detailed descriptions and consulted a wide range of primary sources. What filled me with admiration for the writer was that every Polish term introduced in the book is accompanied with translation, thorough explanation and its origin. This allowed him to get a good insight and understanding of the Polish nation.

The larger theme of the story is devoted to the very training of agents at Audley End but it is interwoven with Polish wartime history. He covers the work undertaken by the agents in Europe as well as the experience of the Braybrooke family who owned Audley End and other occupants of the house like the civilians and British servicemen. He as well includes the stories of the women of the FANY, the civilian and military code breakers, and the men of the RAF Special Duties squadrons.
What I like most about the book is that Ian while introducing the history of the Second World War , never judges or blames anybody for what had happened. He says from the very beginning that: ”a fixed period of history can look very different between individuals, social, cultural, political and ideological perspectives. An episode in war can be very different for two soldiers standing only yards apart."