The Traitor of Colditz

How can an unlikely band of brothers escape hell when there's a traitor in their midst?

Colditz has become an almost mythic symbol of perseverance, resourcefulness, and strength. The prisoners of war who managed to escape the clutches of the Nazis there have been assigned almost to legend. But this explosive new look at Colditz reveals, for the first time ever, the betrayal, espionage, and backstabbing within the ranks. How these men, surrounded by enemies, couldn't even afford to trust each other. And how the Traitor of Colditz almost led them to their deaths.

Drawing on unseen National Archives records, The Traitor of Colditz spans from Auschwitz to the nightclubs of Berlin in a true, epic, spy thriller across World War Two Europe.

“' The Traitor of Colditz is truly revelatory. A rump of die-hard British fascists intent on horrific treachery, a hunt that echoes down the dark and sinister halls of Colditz Castle, secret and ingenious codes to fox the enemy, unbelieveably courages and ingenious escapes executed by Allied POWs who would not be denied, MI9's masterful body lines that spirited escapees back to Britain to continue the fight - this book has it all. From the opening pages, I was gripped and I learned so much. An intensively researched work, this is a period of WWII history that Robert Verkaik brings to life with real verve and flair. Read it'”

'A rump of die-hard British fascists intent on horrific treachery, a hunt that echoes down the dark and sinister halls of Colditz Castle, secret and ingenious codes to fox the enemy, unbelievably courageous and ingenious escapes executed by Allied POWs who would not be denied, MI9's masterful body lines that spirited escapees back to Britain to continue the fight – this book has it all ... An intensively researched work, this is a period of WWII history that Robert Verkaik brings to life with real verve and flair' -- Damien Lewis, author of SAS Band of Brothers
A masterly book... An incredible piece of research that has uncovered an unknown story of betrayal, double agents against a sense of honour and need for justice by those British POWs who were betrayed. It's a real page-turner' -- Dr Helen Fry, author and leading expert on MI9
'Verkaik has managed to add considerably to the history of Purdy, the traitor at Colditz... An excellent book' -- William Neave, son of Airey Neave, the first British officer to escape from Colditz
'A vastly entertaining tale, bursting with astonishing stories and extraordinary characters. Much of it will be new, even to fans of the Second World War espionage genre ... Verkaik has done a great job mining the secret service files in the National Archives and unearthing narrative gold ... The truth about the traitors may be that there is no great enigma to be unravelled. But in Verkaik's hands the story of their treachery makes for a fascinating read' -- Patrick Bishop, Sunday Telegraph
'Riveting story' Mail on Sunday
'A gripping tale of wartime espionage and counterespionage' History of War Magazine
'A brilliant book about Walter Purdy, one of the worst Nazi sympathisers who passed on information about British escape plans, including in Colditz Castle ... Us Brits don't like talking about traitors during the Second World War so Purdy doesn't fit the narrative. Purdy is an uncomfortable reality' Dan Snow's History Hit podcast
'A welcome addition to the Colditz historiography ... This book will have you hanging on every word' Key Military

Robert is, among other things, the former security editor of theMail on Sunday. He has been long listed for both the Orwell and Paul Foot awards.

Drawing on unseen National Archives records, this book reveals the betrayal, espionage, and backstabbing within the ranks of the officers imprisoned in Colditz during WW2. How these men, surrounded by enemies, couldn't even afford to trust each other. And how the Traitor of Colditz almost led them to their deaths. How can an unlikely band of brothers escape hell when there's a traitor in their midst? Colditz has become an almost mythic symbol of perseverance, resourcefulness, and strength. The prisoners of war who managed to escape the clutches of the Nazis there have been assigned almost to legend. But this explosive new look at Colditz reveals, for the first time ever, the betrayal, espionage, and backstabbing within the ranks. How these men, surrounded by enemies, couldn't even afford to trust each other. And how the Traitor of Colditz almost led them to their deaths. Drawing on unseen National Archives records, The Traitor of Colditz spans from Auschwitz to the nightclubs of Berlin in a true, epic, spy thriller across World War Two Europe.

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