By LARRY BALLWAHN | Wilton
Early in World War II, Germany overran France. France, and especially Paris, was awash with branches of the German military. In addition, the Vichy government and much of the French police force cooperated with the Nazis. However, French resistance was well established. They were well positioned to facilitate the gathering of covert intelligence.
In Meacham’s fiction title, “Dragonfly,” the Office of Strategic Services (OSS) for the United States developed a daring plan to take advantage of the situation. Five young people were recruited from around the country, not because of their spying acumen, but because of their skills in civilian life and their facility with the French and German languages. So, a fly fisherman, an engineer, a fashion designer, a physical education teacher and a fencer of foil were recruited and given a crash course in intelligence gathering. Alistair Renault, OSS case officer, was put in charge of the group that came to be named Dragonfly. The name developed from the means of communication they established. Since it was not safe to know too much about their colleagues’ whereabouts, a singular site had to be established to communicate. Ultimately a wall painting of a wetland scene served the purpose, part of which was a dragonfly. Symbolically, the four wings represented the agents, which coordinated with the body, the radio operator.
Limpet (code name), the fly fisherman, was placed with a fishing guide enterprise near where a German general of noted fly-fishing zeal lived. Lodestar’s position was with an engineering firm. Labrador, the radio operator, assumed a role in a dress-design company, while Lapwing was to teach in a school with a Hitler-designed curriculum to build young warriors. Finally, Liverwort was to teach fencing skills in a training facility frequented by German officers. Each was in a position to gather much useful information.
The book is suspenseful throughout. Will the painting really work as a communication tool? How long will the singular drop box work to get the intelligence to the radio operator? When will the presence of radio transmissions be discovered? Alistair Renault has expressed a belief that all will come home safe if they stick with the assigned mission. It is soon clear that each American has a personal agenda, too, for accepting the role. As if the above was not enough, it becomes apparent that more than one of the German officers is aware that he is being spied upon. Each has discovered Dragonfly’s true intent, yet not acted on it — why not? When will they? The Nazi terror is ever at hand.
“Dragonfly” has several underlying storylines and backstories. We care about what happens to the characters. And much does.
