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Brendan Murphy
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Turncoat: The Strange Case of British Sergeant Harold Cole, the Worst Traitor of the War Hardcover – January 1, 1987

by Brendan Murphy (Author)
4.3 4.3 out of 5 stars 9 ratings
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The story of how British Sergeant Harold Cole double-crossed the British, French, and American war efforts, and came to wear the Gestapo uniform until his arrest and execution after the war, all revealed in fascinating historical detail by the author of The Butcher of Lyons. 40 black-and-white photographs.
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  1. Print length
    301 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Harcourt
  4. Publication date
    January 1, 1987
  5. ISBN-10
    0151914109
  6. ISBN-13
    978-0151914104
  7. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

British Sergeant Harold Cole, "the worst traitor of the war," deserted from the BEF in 1940 and set up an escape and evasion network in northern France. The group saved hundreds of downed airmen until Cole was turned by the Gestapo. After that, Cole betrayed dozens of resistance workers and soldiers to death at German hands. He was successful with women, discarding a number of loyal mistresses, and completely untrustworthy about money. By 1945 both Gestapo and Allied forces wanted his head. In 1946 he was killed by police in Paris. Cole's longevity is hard to explain; Murphy's suggestions of a deeper game, a cover-up, or simple incompetence will have to wait for proof until the British intelligence archives are declassified. This book provides a good World War II sidelight. Murphy also wrote The Butcher of Lyon, about Klaus Barbie. Edwin B. Burgess, U.S. Army TRALINET Ctr., Fort Monroe, Va.
Copyright 1987 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Harcourt; First Edition (January 1, 1987)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 301 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0151914109
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0151914104
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.4 pounds
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.3 4.3 out of 5 stars 9 ratings

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Brendan Murphy

Brendan Murphy

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Customer reviews

4.3 out of 5 stars
4.3 out of 5
9 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

hessa
3.0 out of 5 stars Three and a half stars
Reviewed in the United States on July 22, 2019
This is the only book that I could find about Harold Cole. After ordering and reading it I found Cole's story very fascinating and truly intriguing. How could someone so cold heartedly betrayed close friends, comrades and even mistresses.

Over 300 pages the author ventures into key characters that new Cole and who worked with him. So much so, to the point, that I found, ventured too much which gives the reader a feeling of "Am I sure I am reading about Harold Cole?"

Overall, clearly hard efforts were put in to produce this book. I would give it 3 and a half starts out of 5.
One person found this helpful
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Chris D Gilleland
4.0 out of 5 stars Interesting book on a subject that is not written about often enough.
Reviewed in the United States on September 17, 2014
Interesting book on a subject that is not written about often enough. While there are a vast amount of WWII books, few are written about the occupied countries and what happened in these countries during WWII. This book is about Harold Cole, a truly despicable character, and how he not only turns against his own country, but how he looks out for himself over everyone else he encounters. A truly despicable person, but an interesting book about him and the damage he caused. The book is well written and flows well.
3 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

tony
5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing story. The worst Englishman to have lived
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on December 15, 2015
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Fast delivery. Amazing story. The worst Englishman to have lived?!
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peter barlow
5.0 out of 5 stars A good book at a good price
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 28, 2015
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A good quality book at a good price
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A.J.Bradley
2.0 out of 5 stars Readable Tripe For Those Who Know Nothing And Care Less
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 4, 2019
Verified Purchase
Why did this have to be written - yet not adequately researched - by an American journalist? We get a tantalizing glimpse of Cole in Cookridge's book (not terribly well written) on SOE: enough to whet the appetite. The author stumbles and blunders about, referring to the Nichol as the Jago, and to Broadmoor as if it's a remand centre. The subject might have made a decent TV mini-series - which is possibly how he should have pitched it - but made in England circa 1980. We still need something worthwhile on Eddie Chapman.
As a book, not a bad - but certainly not a good - read on a wet Sunday afternoon between the roast beef and the cheese and pickle sandwiches.
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