On 26 April 1944, Generalmajor Karl Kreipe, commanding the German forces occupying Crete, left H Q at Heraklion for his perisonal quarters. He never arrived. Instead, he was driven past 24 of his own guard posts, acknowledging the sentries`salutes while a hidden British officer pressed a gun into his side. 20 days later Kreipe and his chief abductors - Major Patrick Leigh-Fermor and the author - reached British-held Cairo.
One of the finest true adventure stories of the last war, this justly famous book describes the secret landings, the plan, the stalking and victim. Moss`s sharp eye brings to life the national characteristics of thw German solider, the British officer, and the Cretan andarte - characteristics which often showed themselves all too strongly during the day of "monotony, and sweat, and thirst, and sickening fear` in the mountains, hiding from a huge Nazi manhunt. The tale (based on Moss`s own diaries) is told with humour and tolerance and, the fear and discomfort forgotten, is today remembered as one of romantic valour. The exploit earned even the Germans` grudging admiration, and showed them that their most exalted commanders were not safe from death or capture.