From Churchill's SAS to Hitler's Waffen-SS (Hardback)
The Secret Wartime Exploits of Captain Douglas Berneville-Claye
Imprint: Pen & Sword Military
Pages: 200
ISBN: 9781399068635
Published: 12th December 2022
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Captain Douglas Berneville-Claye was serving with the fledgling SAS with fellow officers such as David Stirling and Blair ‘Paddy’ Mayne when he was captured in the Western Desert. He was ‘turned’ and became a member of the Nazi Waffen-SS. Collaboration with the enemy was confirmed when dressed as an SS captain he approached remnants of the British Free Corps; the Waffen-SS unit composed of renegade British nationals. He exhorted them to serve under his command against Russian forces.
Post-war Berneville-Claye was investigated by MI5 for treachery. Following an Army court-martial he was dishonourably dismissed and sentenced to six months imprisonment. Upon release, his escapades and private life were no less contentious. A philanderer and bigamist, he married four times, sired ten children and rubbed shoulders with the criminal underworld in and out of prison. Eventually he succeeded in emigrating to Australia.
Thanks to the author’s painstaking research, this is a compelling yet shocking biography of one of the most intriguing, colourful and disreputable characters of his era. How he escaped with his life is a question readers will ponder.
"...it represents a worthy and significant account of how a flawed individual can infiltrate his way through life through deceit and undiluted dishonesty. It is a compelling story."
Pennant Magazine - Autumn 2023, No.180 - THE JOURNAL OF THE FORCES PENSION SOCIETY
"Thoroughly researched and well written, this book astounds the reader as to how its subject managed to get away with all the things he did. The author tells a good story about a bad man and his wartime escapades."
WWII History
A fascinating story about a character I had never come across before, I imagine probably a difficult story to research from the author’s point of view, but a good book and read all together showing that life can take all sorts.
The History Fella
Read the Full Review Here
As featured in the article: 'The traitor who fought for the SAS… and the SS: Lieutenant in UK's fledging special forces who was 'turned' by the Nazis and joined Hitler's most feared unit (before being jailed for bigamy)'
Daily Mail
READ THE FULL ARTICLE: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-11402445/How-traitor-Douglas-Berneville-Claye-fought-SAS-SS.html
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