In the North African theater of 1942, Nazi infiltrator Alex Wolff arrives in Cairo with a mission to steal British military secrets for General Rommel. Wolff utilizes a private code based on the novel Rebecca to transmit troop movements and strategic vulnerabilities across the desert. Major William Vandam, a British intelligence officer, identifies the security breach and begins a manhunt through the city’s streets and social clubs. The plot follows the narrow technical successes and failures of their surveillance efforts as Wolff attempts to escape with the plans that will decide the Battle of El Alamein.
This book serves readers who value historical accuracy in the depiction of tactical espionage and the logistical realities of wartime intelligence. It provides a detailed look at the mechanics of signal interception and the physical dangers of undercover operations. Those interested in the North African campaign will appreciate the focus on the friction between civilian life and military necessity. Readers finish the book with a clear understanding of how individual actions and decryption techniques influenced the Mediterranean front.
- Published
- 1978
- Language
- EN
