--- product_id: 29531184 title: "Evasion and Escape Devices Produced by MI9, MIS-X, and SOE in World War II" brand: "phil froom" price: "£52.49" currency: GBP in_stock: true reviews_count: 13 url: https://www.desertcart.co.uk/products/29531184-evasion-and-escape-devices-produced-by-mi9-mis-x-soe store_origin: GB region: United Kingdom --- # Evasion and Escape Devices Produced by MI9, MIS-X, and SOE in World War II **Brand:** phil froom **Price:** £52.49 **Availability:** ✅ In Stock ## Quick Answers - **What is this?** Evasion and Escape Devices Produced by MI9, MIS-X, and SOE in World War II by phil froom - **How much does it cost?** £52.49 with free shipping - **Is it available?** Yes, in stock and ready to ship - **Where can I buy it?** [www.desertcart.co.uk](https://www.desertcart.co.uk/products/29531184-evasion-and-escape-devices-produced-by-mi9-mis-x-soe) ## Best For - phil froom enthusiasts ## Why This Product - Trusted phil froom brand quality - Free international shipping included - Worldwide delivery with tracking - 15-day hassle-free returns ## Description Evasion and Escape Devices Produced by MI9, MIS-X, and SOE in World War II ## Images ![Evasion and Escape Devices Produced by MI9, MIS-X, and SOE in World War II - Image 1](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/81LeHE2nkGL.jpg) ## Customer Reviews ### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 5.0 out of 5 stars Britain at war magazine - BOOK OF THE MONTH - September 2016 *by T***T on Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on September 28, 2016* BOOK OF THE MONTHEVASION & ESCAPE DEVICESProduced by MI9, MIS-X and SOE in World War IIPhil FroomPublisher: Schiffer Military History[...]ISBN: 978 0 7643 4839 6Hardback: 384 pagesRRP: $69.99 (USD)The quality and content of books produced in the famed Schiffer Military History series is positively beyond compare in terms of the standard of production and the undoubted knowledge and capability of Schiffer’s specialist authors – particularly in what are often rather niche interest areas. More often than not with Schiffer’s specialist books, the topics covered reflect a life’s interest and study by the author, with that dedication having frequently added a great deal of detail to specific areas of military history that might otherwise have been lost. Nevertheless, and despite the ‘niche’ subject matter of this book, the scale and depth of what is covered in this title makes this, undoubtedly, the veritable and absolute last-word on the subject. Never before has such a wealth of material been brought together on this topic in one single volume and this will consequently be a book that is a sought-after source of reference for both researchers, militaria traders and collectors as well as those interested in the escape and evasion of allied airmen across the decades. Doubtless it will also be a ‘must-have’ for the reference libraries of most military museums around the world, and particularly those with an aviation specialism. In his magnum opus, author Phil Froom has expertly presented the detailed history of the evolution of escape and evasion equipment in use by Allied troops during the Second World War and following the fall of mainland Europe hostile action against the enemy were largely conducted in the form of air attacks. As a consequence of this, considerable numbers of Allied airmen were downed over Occupied Europe and a decision was taken to equip fliers with all manner of equipment to aid their evasion. Additionally, elaborate plans were laid to smuggle escape equipment to POWs, hidden inside such innocuous items as shaving kits, board games and even gramophone records etc. The lead in producing and supplying this equipment was taken by Britain’s MI9 and the US organisation, MIS-X. Much of the equipment was breath-taking in its simplicity and in the covert concealment of the various items in question and, as a result of the issue of such equipment, thousands of airmen were able to evade capture or else were aided in their attempts to escape from POW camps. Phil Froom’s study presents a concise history of how these items evolved and were developed and he provides us with a lavishly and beautifully illustrated book depicting just about every escape aid that was ever produced – and there were certainly very many hundreds of them! Apart from obvious escape and evasion objects such as maps and compasses, less obvious pieces of equipment like a snakebite lancet with potassium permanganate capsule for operations over jungle terrain or a multi-tool knife, can opener and magnifying glass for starting fires are amongst the fascinating objects described in minute detail. Of all the pieces of secret equipment, perhaps the simplest was the fly-button compass. This allowed one apparently innocent metal fly button to be balanced on top of another, the magnetised top button rotating on the lower one and having north and south compass points marked on them. Often, devices like the fly button were hidden in plain sight – like the RAF escape boots which were standard flying boots which allowed the upper portions to be removed thus leaving a black leather shoe which would not give away the escapee as an airman! Similarly, ‘replacement’ RAF tunics were sent into POW camps that were fully reversible and could be turned inside-out to become ‘civilian’ jackets. Other RAF tunics were made in such a way that they resembled Luftwaffe tunics – right down to the exact colour and type of material used. By simply removing the British badges and emblems, and replacing them with German ones, the wearer could pass easily as a Luftwaffe officer. Such was the subterfuge and cunning of those at MI9 and MIS-X who were, literally, escape artists! The author has certainly produced a truly wonderful book. Slightly quirky and ‘niche’, perhaps, but a truly amazing work of art in its own right and certainly an extremely valuable addition to our knowledge of a little-known aspect of Second World War Allied air operations. In every respect, this is certainly a heavyweight book and Britain at War certainly has no hesitation in putting this forward as Book of the Month. Indeed, if we ran a Book of the Year then this would be up there as a prominent contender.REVIEWED BY ANDY SAUNDERSIllustrations YesReferences/Notes YesAppedices YesIndex Yes ### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 5.0 out of 5 stars The definitive book on WW2 Escape and evasion devices! *by H***K on Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on December 25, 2018* I collected World War II escape and evasion devices for 40 years before Phil wrote his book. Had I only known them, what I know now! I was blown away at the material Phil was able to pull together in his book. The amazing photos and text paint a picture of the ingenuity and creativity of the MI9 craftsman... Clayton Hutton and all of the specialists working on clandestine compasses, escape maps, and water containers... , this book is a treasure. The layout and the design makes it a visual treat. There is no better book on the topic and I recommend it without hesitation. It should be a central part of your library if you’re serious about the topic. I purchased two copies just to make certain that I had a spare! ### ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4.0 out of 5 stars well written history *by W***N on Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on December 24, 2019* A very detailed history of WWII and prison camp materials smuggled to prisoners. More a picture book than a documentary . --- ## Why Shop on Desertcart? - 🛒 **Trusted by 1.3+ Million Shoppers** — Serving international shoppers since 2016 - 🌍 **Shop Globally** — Access 737+ million products across 21 categories - 💰 **No Hidden Fees** — All customs, duties, and taxes included in the price - 🔄 **15-Day Free Returns** — Hassle-free returns (30 days for PRO members) - 🔒 **Secure Payments** — Trusted payment options with buyer protection - ⭐ **TrustPilot Rated 4.5/5** — Based on 8,000+ happy customer reviews **Shop now:** [https://www.desertcart.co.uk/products/29531184-evasion-and-escape-devices-produced-by-mi9-mis-x-soe](https://www.desertcart.co.uk/products/29531184-evasion-and-escape-devices-produced-by-mi9-mis-x-soe) --- *Product available on Desertcart United Kingdom* *Store origin: GB* *Last updated: 2026-06-14*