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(ALBANIA - SOE)
Albania Basic Handbook.
First editions. Comprises of four sections, all designated SECRET; Part I Pre-Invasion, August 1943, 92pp: Part II Post-Invasion, August 1943, 73pp; Map Section, August, 1943, 2 general maps, together with Roads and Railways Map, and Administrative Map; Supplement No.1, November 1943, containing lists of Albanian and Italian "personalities," a Local directory, and a section of Food and Agriculture. This detailed report on Albania produced by the Ministry of Economic Warfare at the time that SOE had just infiltrated their liaison party - including Julian Amery, Anthony Quayle, David Smiley, and Neil "Billy" McLean - into the country. Roundell Palmer, Lord Selbourne, who succeeded Hugh Dalton as Minister for Economic Warfare in 1942, estimated that economic warfare took up "about a fifth of his time," it was essentially a cover for the management of the activities of SOE. Suggestions for amendments were to be sent to the splendidly anonymous Box 99, Western Central District Office, New Oxford Street, WC1. Uncommon, COPAC finds 4 - BL, Oxford, LSE and IWM - OCLC adds NYPL, and University of Wisconsin.
Foolscap quarto. Original green and buff cord-tied binder. 4 folding maps, 2 of them coloured, 2 folding tables printed in red and black. A touch rubbed, else very good.
