Special and elite forces Books

Book SynopsisTHE SUNDAY TIMES NUMBER ONE BESTSELLERTHE BOOK BEHIND THE HIT BBC SERIES SAS: ROGUE HEROES, STARRING CONNOR SWINDELLS, JACK O''CONNELL, ALFIE ALLEN AND DOMINIC WESTFrom the secret SAS archives and bestselling author Ben Macintyre: The first ever authorized history of the SAS.''A master at setting the pulse racing'' Daily Mail________________In the summer of 1941, at the height of the war in the Western Desert, a bored and eccentric young officer, David Stirling, has a vision for a new kind of war: attacking the enemy where they least expect it - from behind their own lines.Despite the intense opposition of many in British High Command, Winston Churchill personally gives Stirling permission to recruit the toughest, brightest and most ruthless soldiers he can find. And so begins the most celebrated and mysterious military organisation in the world: the SAS.With unprecedented access to the SAS secret files, unseen footage and exclusive interviews with its founder members, SAS: Rogue Heroes tells the remarkable story behind an extraordinary fighting force, and the immense cost of making it a reality.________________''Thorough and highly entertaining. It would be nigh on impossible to praise it too highly'' Daily Express''Impeccably researched, superbly told - by far the best book on the SAS in World War II'' Antony Beevor''Told with deceptive brilliance . . . one the finest books of its kind'' Evening StandardSunday Times bestseller, April 2017Trade ReviewThis book has many strengths but perhaps its greatest is how thought-provoking it is -- Laurence Rees * Sunday Times *Macintyre provides a riveting history of a revolutionary fighting force . . . A ripping good read * Washington Post 10 Best Books of 2016 *The sharp style and sly wit reveal some pretty acute insights into the politics of the nation's favourite undercover boys * Evening Standard Books of the Year *So good and so much more than the boys own adventure you might think it will read like. Ben is a brilliant writer * Dermot O'Leary *

Read more less

Book Synopsis‘The best biography I’ve read recently’ – Colin Bateman, Sunday Independent An excellent examination of Mayne… Ross corrects many of the myths about him that have flourished over the years - History of War magazine ‘This welcome reassessment, officially backed and well-researched, sets the record straight’ – Soldier Magazine‘Paddy’ Mayne was one of the most outstanding special forces leaders of the Second World War. Hamish Ross’s authoritative study follows Mayne from solicitor and rugby international to troop commander in the Commandos and then the SAS, whose leader he later became and whose annals he graced, winning the DSO and three bars, the Croix de Guerre and the Légion d’Honneur.Mayne’s achievements attracted attention, and after his early death legends emerged, based largely on anecdote and assertion. Hamish Ross’s closely researched biography challenges much of the received version, using contemporary sources, the official war diaries, the chronicle of 1 SAS, Mayne’s papers and diaries, and a number of extended interviews with key contemporaries.Ross’s analysis shows Mayne to be a dynamic, yet principled and thoughtful man, committed to the unit’s original concepts. He was far from flawless, but his leadership and tactical brilliance in the field secured the reputation of the SAS, proving he was every bit a rogue hero.Trade ReviewThe best biography I’ve read recently -- Colin BatemanThis welcome reassessment, officially backed and well-researched, sets the record straightAn excellent examination of Mayne… Ross corrects many of the myths about him that have flourished over the years.” * History of War magazine *

Read more less

Book SynopsisJason Fox joined the Royal Marine Commandos at sixteen, serving for ten years, after which he passed the gruelling selection process for the Special Forces, serving with the Special Boat Service for over a decade and reaching the rank of Sergeant.Today you are most likely to find him gracing our television screens and giving us a taste of action and adventure around the world.Trade ReviewA must read. * Ant Middleton *The most important book you’ll ever read… Battle Scars will save lives. * Tom Marcus, author of SOLDIER SPY *A vivid, searing account of a life at war, that tells of some incredible moments of strength and courage. * Bear Grylls *Get hold of a copy of Battle Scars. A brutally honest account of war and all that follows from the perspective of a Special Forces soldier. * Andy McNab *

Read more less

Book SynopsisOne of the most remarkable stories in the history of Special Forces' operations - Daily ExpressIn the bleak moments after defeat on mainland Europe in winter 1939, Winston Churchill knew that Britain had to strike back hard. So Britain's wartime leader called for the lightning development of a completely new kind of warfare, recruiting a band of eccentric free-thinking warriors to become the first 'deniable' secret operatives to strike behind enemy lines, offering these volunteers nothing but the potential for glory and all-but-certain death. Churchill's Secret Warriors tells the story of the daring victories for this small force of 'freelance pirates', undertaking devastatingly effective missions against the Nazis, often dressed in enemy uniforms and with enemy kit, breaking all previously held rules of warfare. Master storyteller Damien Lewis brings the adventures of the secret unit to life, weaving together the stories of the soldiers' brotherhood in this compelling narrative, from the unit's earliest missions to the death of their leader just weeks before the end of the war.Trade ReviewOne of the most extraordinary stories of World War II is also one of the least commonly known ... compelling ... an eloquent and welcome tribute to their selfless, sometimes reckless courage - a howitzer of a tale that more people should know about -- Brian Viner * Daily Mail *

Read more less

Book Synopsis Meet the unit that posed as Nazi stormtroopers in the most daring mission ever undertaken SAS Ghost Patrol is the explosive true story of the day in 1942 when the SAS donned Nazi uniforms to perpetrate the most audacious and daring mission of the war. Beyond top secret, deniable in the extreme (and of course enjoying Churchill's enthusiastic blessing), this is one of the most remarkable stories of wartime lawlessness, eccentricity and raw courage in the face of impossible odds - a thoroughly British undertaking.What unfolded - the longest mission ever undertaken by Allied special forces - was an epic of daring, courage, tragedy and survival that remains unrivalled to this day, and which rightly became a foundation stone of Special Forces legend. It may read like the stuff of impossible myth or folklore, but every single word is true.PRAISE FOR SAS GHOST PATROL'Intensively researched and powerfully written. One of the great untold stories of WWII' Bear Grylls'Lewis has done a terrific job in resurrecting Heaven Platoon, portraying them as the brave, buccaneering heroes they undoubtedly were' Daily Mail'Another true tale of military derring-do from Lewis' Sunday Express'In SAS Ghost Patrol Lewis reveals a tale of suicidal bravery, untold daring and breath-taking deceit. Told with the panache and verve of a born storyteller, Lewis is in a class of his own' Saul David'Amazing tale of WWII great escaper's Nazi ruse . . . The extraordinary Second World War saga of the SIG and its legacy is revealed.' The Daily Mirror'British troops dressed in German uniforms and mounted a daredevil raid to take the Libyan port of Tobruk during the Second World War, reveals a fascinating new book' Daily Express'Lewis's account . . . reads like a Boy's Own adventure, except it isn't a work of fiction and the heroes don't come through unscathed. His storytelling enhances the bravery of the men and the danger of the missions without over-dramatising anything. There is no need to' Soldier Magazine'Reveals the true story of an ultra-secret fighting unit that posed as Nazi Storm Troopers to seize the German-held port city of Tobruk during the Second World War' Richard Hatch and Verity Geere, Forces Radio breakfast show

Read more less

Book SynopsisMental Toughness Training examines what it takes to be as mentally fit as a special forces soldier. The book explains why it is equally important to focus on stress management and mental discipline as it is to concentrate on physical exercises, and is an essential guide to testing and improving mental agility and resilience.

Read more less

Book SynopsisExamines the predecessors to the Wagner Group, its activities in a number of conflicts around the world, and its armed mutiny against the top leadership of the Russian Federation.The Wagner Group is symbolic of Russia?s deployment of private military companies (PMCs) to exercise influence in Africa, the Middle East and Europe since the mid-2010s. Nominally an independent commercial enterprise, but actually operating on behalf of the Russian government, and in close cooperation with the Ministry of Defence and its Main Intelligence Directorate (GRU), the Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR), and the Federal Security Service (FSB), it has been deployed to perform a very wide range of military and paramilitary tasks, provide security, and collect intelligence. Through much of its existence, the activity of the Wagner Group appears to have been clandestine and poorly recorded. In practice, the operating principles of this PMC have been very similar to those of numerous similar enterprises from the West. Since its failed coup attempt in the summer of 2023, the fate of the Wagner Group appears to be sealed. Indeed, presently, it is highly unlikely that a Russian PMC might ever again have the same power and influence that Wagner once wielded. However, this does not mean that such all such enterprises have been completely disbanded: only that the Wagner Group has not (yet) been replaced by some other enterprise ? whether Russian or foreign. In fact, we are witnessing a recurrent trend that is likely to become even more characteristic for conflicts in the coming decades as almost everybody who can afford to pay for the services of a PMC is hiring them. Indeed, numerous governments in control of relatively weak or disloyal armed forces have concluded that the deployment of a PMC holds significant advantages. This two-part works examines the predecessors to the Wagner Group, and the establishment of the latter organisation by Yevgeny Prigozhin, its activities in a number of conflicts around the world, and its armed mutiny against the top leadership of the Russian Federation. It is thoroughly illustrated with authentic photographs and custom commissioned color illustrations and maps.

Read more less

Book SynopsisTHE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER.‘The SAS and all it stands for is exemplified in men such as Mark ‘Billy’ Billingham. They are the backbone of the British military and I for one am thankful he is on our side!’ – Sir Ranulph Fiennes 'The most experienced Special Forces soldier in recent memory. The Hard Way is brutally brilliant.' – Tom Marcus, Number One bestselling author of Soldier Spy Mark ‘Billy’ Billingham grew up tough, a grim future ahead of him offering little respite from the hostile streets he walked. Leaving school at thirteen, he ran with gangs in Walsall – and almost died in a knife fight. At sixteen, Billy discovered the British armed forces. It would be the making of him. Billingham would succeed in passing the Parachute Regiment’s arduous ‘P Company’ selection and training, going on to serve with 3 Trade Review'The most experienced Special Forces soldier in recent memory. The Hard Way is brutally brilliant.' -- Tom Marcus, Number One bestselling author of Soldier Spy‘The SAS and all it stands for is exemplified in men such as Mark ‘Billy’ Billingham. They are the backbone of the British military and I for one am thankful he is on our side!’ -- Sir Ranulph Fiennes‘Billy is inspirational and always humble. A giant of a man!’ -- Bear Grylls

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe wartime memoir of Lyudmila Pavlichenko is a remarkable document: the publication of an English language edition is a significant coup. Pavlichenko was World War II's best-scoring sniper and had a varied wartime career that included trips to England and America. In June 1941, when Hitler launched Operation Barbarossa, she left her university studies, ignored the offer of a position as a nurse, to become one of Soviet Russia's 2000 female snipers. Less than a year later she had 309 recorded kills, including 29 enemy sniper kills. She was withdrawn from active duty after being injured: she was also regarded as a key heroic figure for the war effort. She spoke at rallies in Canada and the US and the folk singer Woody Guthrie wrote a song, 'Killed By A Gun' about her exploits. Her US trip included a tour of the White House with FDR. In November 1942 she visited Coventry and accepted donations of 4,516 from Coventry workers to pay for three X-ray units for the Red Army. She also visited a Birmingham factory as part of her fundraising tour. She never returned to combat but trained other snipers. After the war, she finished her education at Kiev University and began a career as a historian. She died on October 10, 1974 at age 58, and was buried in Moscow's Novodevichye Cemetery.

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe new SAS epic from bestselling military historian Damien LewisWe share the triumphs and tragedies of a group of elite soldier trailblazers as they commit daring raids behind enemy lines in 1944, manage an against the odds escape to victory, and then seek post-war retribution for the terrible murder of their captured comrades.SAS BAND OF BROTHERS is replete with action, peppered with great characters, and features two of the most daring escapes of WWII. It ends with the hunted becoming the hunters - a group of men intent on seeking out the Nazis responsible for their brethren's deaths, on an ultra-deniable SAS mission to avenge a war crime.This is the new bestseller from Damien Lewis. It bears all his hallmarks - an epic, page-turning special forces narrative based on hitherto unavailable personal testimony and private family archives.

Read more less

a huge range and FREE tracked UK delivery on ALL orders.

Read more less

Book SynopsisWanted: Volunteers for Project Delta. Will guarantee you a medal. A body bag. Or both. When the author issued this call to arms in Vietnam in 1965, he revolutionized American armed combat. This title tells the story of what would eventually come to be known as Delta Force.Trade Review"Delta Force, considered the equivalent of SEAL Team 6, are far more tight-lipped than the SEALs." -- New York Times "Delta Force is arguably the most effective fighting unit in the world." -- Washington Post "Absolutely compelling...nations without men like this simply don't survive." -- The Wall Street Journal "The Army's most elite commando unit." -- Los Angeles Times "A page turner. ... Hard to put down. ... One of those rare books that military people will annotate and underline and hesitate ever to lend out. ... Beckwith's candor is extraordinary." -- Armed Forces Journal

Read more less

Book SynopsisTHE ONLY BOOK AVAILABLE on Rome's version of the SAS, SBS, Pathfinders, US GREEN BERETS, SEALS etc.

Read more less

Book SynopsisFishers of Men is the true account of secret operations in Northern Ireland carried out by the British Army's most clandestine unit. It tells the unique story, through Rob Lewis's own extraordinary experiences, of an essential instrument in the fight against terrorism, that of covert intelligence gathering. The men and women who work in this field are a special breed who undertake hazardous risks with unflinching tenacity and professionalism - the price of negligence is high, and the need for secrecy must be preserved even at the expense of personal relationships. The sheer determination and single-mindedness required to achieve selection to this secret world is graphically described, as well as how, against seemingly impossible odds, the operators of the FRU managed to persuade terrorists and their close associates to turn informer. The methods the unit used to target, recruit and handle their contacts, how they protected their informants, and the terrifying life their agents led are all told by an agent handler, using many of his cases to illustrate the sharpness, intelligence (and sense of humour) essential to the job. Fishers of Men fills a gap in the available information about the secret war against terrorism in Northern Ireland. It is a gap that has so far remained largely unexplored - until Rob Lewis's informative and explosive book.

Read more less

Book SynopsisNUMBER 1 SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLERNo one is born a leader. But through sheer determination and by confronting life's challenges, Ant Middleton has come to know the meaning of true leadership. In First Man In, he shares the core lessons he's learned over the course of his fascinating, exhilarating life.Special forces training is no walk in the park. The rules are strict and they make sure you learn the hard way, pushing you beyond the limits of what is physically possible. There is no mercy. Even when you are bleeding and broken, to admit defeat is failure.To survive the gruelling selection process to become a member of the elite you need toughness, aggression, meticulous attention to detail and unrelenting self-discipline, all traits that make for the best leaders.After 13 years service in the military, with 4 years as a Special Boat Service (SBS) sniper, Ant Middleton is the epitome of what it takes to excel. He served in the SBS, the naval wing of the special forces, the Royal Marines Trade Review [A} thumping bestseller… searingly honest’ Sunday Times ‘The best book of the year. First Man In will supercharge your life. Incredible’ Tom Marcus, author of bestseller Soldier Spy ‘Superb, fist-biting fun’ GQ ‘Visceral… Inspirational reading’ Daily Mail Books of the Year

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book SynopsisOne of the most remarkable stories in the history of Special Forces' operations - Daily ExpressIn the bleak moments after defeat on mainland Europe in winter 1939, Winston Churchill knew that Britain had to strike back hard. So Britain's wartime leader called for the lightning development of a completely new kind of warfare, recruiting a band of eccentric free-thinking warriors to become the first 'deniable' secret operatives to strike behind enemy lines, offering these volunteers nothing but the potential for glory and all-but-certain death. Churchill's Secret Warriors tells the story of the daring victories for this small force of 'freelance pirates', undertaking devastatingly effective missions against the Nazis, often dressed in enemy uniforms and with enemy kit, breaking all previously held rules of warfare. Master storyteller Damien Lewis brings the adventures of the secret unit to life, weaving together the stories of the soldiers' brotherhood in this compelling narrative, from the unit's earliest missions to the death of their leader just weeks before the end of the war.Trade ReviewOne of the most extraordinary stories of World War II is also one of the least commonly known ... compelling ... an eloquent and welcome tribute to their selfless, sometimes reckless courage - a howitzer of a tale that more people should know about * Daily Mail *

Read more less

Book SynopsisWritten by an expert author, Fitness Training offers a total fitness programme for both body and mind. Special exercises and routines will help the reader improve strength, stamina and agility. There are also chapters on diet and nutrition, mental agility and self-defence to help cope with the challenges of modern life the SAS way.

Read more less

Book Synopsis*Pre-order now: The explosive new book from the multiple Sunday Times bestselling author sharing unique insights gained from a life spent in the battlefield*''Few men are born brave; many become so through care and force of discipline.'' Vegetius, De Re Militari, written in the 4th century AD. __________The warzone is the most unforgiving environment on the planet. A single mistake or split-second moment of indecision can mean the difference between success and failure, life and death. For Ant Middleton, first as a commando in the Royal Marines with 40 Commando and later as an elite operator with the SBS, the combat zone was a training ground like no other. Each mission provided valuable insights and teachings. In Military Mindset, Ant shares 52 lessons he learned during his military career that have helped him overcome challenges not only during combat, but also throughout his life. With the help of some histori

Read more less

Book SynopsisTHE GRIPPING FIRST-PERSON ACCOUNT OF BIN LADEN''S EXECUTION For the first time, read the first-hand account of the planning and execution of the extraordinary mission to kill the terrorist mastermind. No Easy Day puts readers inside the elite, handpicked twenty-four-man team known as SEAL Team Six as they train for the most important mission of their lives. From the crash of the Black Hawk helicopter that threatened the mission with disaster, to the radio call confirming their target was dead, the SEAL team raid on bin Laden''s secret HQ is recounted in nail-biting second-by-second detail. Team leader Mark Owen takes readers behind enemy lines with one of the world''s most astonishing fighting forces, in the only insider''s account of their most spectacular mission. ''No Easy Day amounts to a cinematic account of the raid to kill Bin Laden: you feel as if you''re sitting in the Black Hawk as it swoops in'' NTrade ReviewNo Easy Day amounts to a cinematic account of the raid to kill Bin Laden: you feel as if you're sitting in the Black Hawk as it swoops in. * New York Times *A blistering first-hand account * The Sun *

Read more less

Book SynopsisMore than half a century after his death, Lt Col. Robert Blair Mayne is still regarded as one of the greatest soldiers in the history of military special operations. He was the most decorated British soldier of the Second World War, receiving four DSOs, the Croix de Guerre and the Légion d'honneur, and he pioneered tactics used today by the SAS and other special operations units worldwide. Rogue Warrior of the SAS tells the remarkable life story of 'Colonel Paddy', whose exceptional physical strength and uniquely swift reflexes made him a fearsome opponent. But his unorthodox rules of war and his resentment of authority would deny him the ultimate accolade of the Victoria Cross. Drawing on personal letters and family papers, declassified SAS files and records, together with the Official SAS Diary compiled in wartime and eyewitness accounts from many who served with him, the picture emerges of a soldier who, although a flawed hero, was unquestionably one of the most distinctive combatants of the campaigns in the Western Desert and Europe.

Read more less

Book SynopsisCarol Mather had a remarkable war. After joining a ski battalion which never made it to Finland, he is sent to Scotland for Commando training before being posted to North Africa, where he meets such colourful characters as Randolph Churchill, Evelyn Waugh, David Stirling and Shimi Lovat. As an early member of Stirling's newly formed Special Air Service, he is involved in thrilling exploits in the Western Desert before becoming a liaison officer on Monty's personal staff. In this role he has a front-seat view of the Battle of El Alamein. After the battle, he returns to the SAS, is captured on a dare-devil raid and sent to a POW camp in Northern Italy from where he escapes making it back hundreds of miles to Allied lines. Sent home, he re-joins Monty's personal staff where he serves from before D-Day and for most of the North West Europe campaign. His account of the desperate Battle of the Bulge is particularly revealing. This exceptional wartime memoir is studded with legendary characters. The unique combination of behind enemy lines action and personal insights into how the war was conducted at the highest command level makes for utterly compulsive reading.

Read more less

Book Synopsis'Absolutely gripping from the word go' Alexis Conran, Times Radio'A convincing insight into the terror and adrenaline rush of war' Mail on SundayDamien Lewis's new bestseller tells the action-packed, riveting story of the band of mavericks and visionaries who made the SAS. Using hitherto untold stories and new archival sources, Damien Lewis follows one close-knit band of warriors from the SAS foundation through to the Italian landings - chronicling the extraordinary part they played as the tide of the Second World War truly turned in the Allies' favour.This is a narrative of wall-to-wall do-or-die action and daring, chronicling the exploits of some of the most highly-decorated soldiers of the twentieth-century.'A new book by historian Damien Lewis ... who has read through the letters, diaries and reports kept by the Mayne family and conducted interviews with its surviving members over the past ten years' Danielle Sheridan, Daily Telegraph'Read more about the characters as seen in SAS Rogue Heroes in Damien Lewis's book SAS Brothers In Arms' Ed Cullinane, SWNS'Damien Lewis, bestselling author, describes the extraordinary bravery of Paddy Mayne and, it seems strange to say, the humanity of Mayne ... Brilliant' Nihal Arthanayake, BBC Radio 5 Live'The depth of research is astounding'Belfast TelegraphTrade ReviewAbsolutely gripping from the word go -- Alexis Conran, Times RadioA convincing insight into the terror and adrenaline rush of war * Mail on Sunday *A new book by historian Damien Lewis ... who has read through the letters, diaries and reports kept by the Mayne family and conducted interviews with its surviving members over the past ten years -- Danielle Sheridan * Daily Telegraph *Read more about the characters as seen in SAS Rogue Heroes in Damien Lewis's book SAS Brothers In Arms -- Ed Cullinane, SWNSDamien Lewis, bestselling author, describes the extraordinary bravery of Paddy Mayne and, it seems strange to say, the humanity of Mayne ... Brilliant

Read more less

Book SynopsisTraces the military history of the Knights of St John from its origins in the Crusades to their defeat by Napoleon Bonaparte in 1798.

Read more less

Book SynopsisReveals how special forces personnel, particularly from the Australian SAS, have been operating in roles and places that they should not have been.

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe ninja is a well-known phenomenon in Japanese military culture, a fighter who is widely regarded as the world's greatest exponent of secret warfare. He infiltrates castles, gathers vital intelligence and wields a deadly knife in the dark. His easily recognisable image is that of a secret agent or assassin who dresses all in black, possesses almost magical martial powers, and is capable of extraordinary feats of daring. He sells his skills on a mercenary basis and when in action his unique abilities include confusing his enemies by making mystical hand gestures or by sending sharp iron stars spinning towards them. That is the popular view, but it is much exaggerated, as this exciting new book explains. _Ninja: Unmasking The Myth_ is a revealing, fascinating and authoritative study of Japan's famous secret warriors. Unlike all previous books on the subject the author, who is an expert in the subject, does not take the ninja for granted. Instead he examines the entire phenomenon in a critical manner, ranging from accounts of undercover operations during the age of Japan's civil wars to the modern emergence of the superman ninja as a comic book character. The popular ninja image is shown to be the result of several influences that were combined to create the world's greatest secret warrior. Many well-known features of the ninja tradition such as the black clothes and the iron stars are shown to be complete inventions. One important feature of the book is the use of original Japanese sources, many of which have never been translated before. As well as unknown accounts of castle attacks, assassinations and espionage they include the last great ninja manual, which reveals the spiritual and religious ideals that were believed to lie behind the ninja's arts. The book concludes with a detailed investigation of the ninja in popular culture up to the present-day including movies, cartoons and theme parks.

Read more less

Book SynopsisSpecial Forces are a key component of every modern army, capable of carrying out clandestine operations, reconnaissance, and incisive attacks behind enemy lines. Units such as the British SAS, US Navy SEALs, the US Army’s Delta Force, Polish GROM and the France’s National Gendarmerie Intervention Group are famous for their bravery and formidable record. Aircraft are a key element of their functionality, without which Special Forces would not be able to move quickly to the combat zone. Arranged into chapters divided by transports, gunships, helicopters, and unmanned aerial vehicles, the book includes the AC-130H gunship, which can be armed with weapons such as the M61 Vulcan rotary cannon and can destroy ground targets from a range of 2,000 metres; the CV-22 Osprey tiltrotor aircraft, which can land large numbers of men and material in tight spaces because of its STOL capabilities; the Eurocopter AS365 Dauphin II, used by the British Joint Special Forces Aviation Wing (JSFAW) for the insertion of small units behind enemy lines; and the Mil Mi- 171Sh Storm rotorcraft, used by the Russian Spetsnaz commandos for operations in difficult terrain. Illustrated with 140 photographs and artworks, Aircraft of the Special Forces is a dynamic guide to the specialist aircraft and UAVs deployed by Special Forces throughout the world today.Table of ContentsContents to include: Aircraft & Gunships: CV-22 Osprey AC-130H/U Gunship MC-130E/H Combat Talon I/II MC-130P Combat Shadow MC-130J Commando II AC-130J Ghostrider MC-130W Combat Spear MC-130W Dragon Spear EC-130J Commando Solo U-28A MC-12W Liberty C-146A Wolfhound Boeing C-32B Helicopters: Eurocopter AS365 Dauphin II AgustaWestland AW159 Wildcat Eurocopter EC725 Caracal NHIndustries NH90 NHIndustries MRH-90 Taipan Airbus H145M MH-53J/M Pavelow MH-60 Black Hawk MH-60L DAP Gunships AH-6 / MH-6 Little Bird MH-47 Chinook HH-60H Rescue Hawk Kamov Ka-27 Kamov Ka-29 Kamov Ka-31 Kamov Ka-226 Kazan Ansat Mil Mi-8 Mil Mi-14 Mi-171Sh Mil Mi-26 Mil Mi-38 Attack helicopters: Eurocopter Tiger Mil Mi-24 and Mi-35 family Mil Mi-28 Kamov Ka-52 Bell AH-1 Cobra Agusta A129 Mangusta AH-64 Apache Unmanned Aerial Vehicles: MQ-1C Gray Eagle RQ-4 Global Hawk MQ-4C Triton RQ-7 Shadow MQ-8B Fire Scout/MQ-8C Fire Scout MQ-9 Reaper CQ-10 Snowgoose RQ-11 Raven RQ-12 Wasp MQ-19 Aerosonde RQ-20 Puma RQ-21 Blackjack RQ-170 Sentinel RQ-180 Black Hornet Nano Coyote Snipe NAV Switchblade Maveric Stalker ScanEagle Northrop Grumman Bat

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe incredible story of the radar wars - Britain's most secret battleIn the winter of 1941 an alien-seeming object was captured in a death-defying dash by an RAF reconnaissance pilot flying a lone unarmed Spitfire across the French coast. Balanced upon the cliffs near Le Havre was what appeared to be a giant convex dish, directed across the Channel at the war-torn British coastline.With Britain's cities being pounded by fearsome bombing raids, teams of experts studied the photograph worriedly. Might the dish constitute a highly-secret form of radar - one that had the capacity to tip the balance of the war decisively in the enemy's favour? If so, Nazi Germany would have leapfrogged British technology many-fold.A top-secret mission was devised to steal what had become known as the 'Wurzburg Dish,' after Enigma intercepts of coded German messages. Appropriately christened Operation Biting, this was to be the first-ever Allied raid using airborne forces. Commanded by legendary Major John 'Johnny' Frost, he demanded blind loyalty from his band of piratical raiders. 'A wild crew ... they looked horrible,' he admitted. Each and every rehearsal had proved disastrous; it was a suicide mission in all but name.On the French coast agents of the Special Operations Executive - Churchill's shadowy ministry for ungentlemanly warfare - risked all to map the target's defences. At the eleventh hour, two unwelcome additions joined Frosts's crew. One, was a shadowy German cloaked in mystery; the other a British radar specialist who could not be allowed to fall into enemy hands. Relying on files declassified for the purposes of writing this book, eyewitness testimony,and working with the families of key figures involved, Lewis reveals an untold epic of daring, ruthless rule-breaking and ferocity, coupled with bravery and ingenuity beyond measure. The results of Operation Biting would resonate throughout the war and beyond,changing the course of twentieth-century history.

Read more less

Book SynopsisThis is the story of Operation Jericho, the spectacular prison break staged by an elite group of British, Australian and New Zealand bomber pilots, who flew a daring low-level mission to blow holes in the walls of Amiens jail and free French Resistance prisoners under the sentence of death during World War II. With D-Day looming, early 1944 was a time of massive intelligence activity across northern France, and many résistants were being captured and imprisoned by the Germans. Among the jails full of French agents was Amiens, where hundreds awaited likely execution for their activities. To repay their debt of honour, MI6 requested an air raid with a seemingly impossible brief: to simultaneously blow holes in the prison walls, free as many men and women as possible while minimizing casualties, and kill German guards in their quarters. The crews would have to fly their bomb-run at an altitude of just 20ft. Despite the huge difficulties, the RAF decided that the low-Trade Review...it includes some marvellous 3D diagrams clearly showing the flightpaths of the various aircraft over the prison site. -- Robin Buckland * Military Model Scene *The book is organised into four chapters with an introduction, the origins, the plan, and the raid along with an aftermath section, a bibliography, and a short index. The book is well illustrated throughout with a great selection of photographs along with superb artwork. There are three double page artworks that really leap off the pages. The diagrams showing the various attack axis is also noteworthy. And the abundance of first person accounts from the aircrew and prisoners alike is commendable. I did however find one editing error on the last page where a footnote says “VHS” instead of “VHF” for a frequency reference. This in no way detracts from the book and is a simple mistake to make. This is one of best and most affordable books out there on this somewhat controversial raid. RAMROD 564 as it was known then is one of the most famous low level bombing raids of World War Two and also one of the most controversial due to the mystery behind why it was actually ordered. I highly recommend this book to anyone with an interest in Mosquito operations, the French Resistance, or as a collector of the RAID Osprey series. -- Todd Shughart * Aviation News Magazine *Table of ContentsIntroduction: The Target for Today Origins: The Aircraft - No.2 (Lighter Bomber) Group The Plan: The Reason Why - Group Captain Percy Charles Pickard The Raid: Take-off - The Attack - Aftermath in Amiens - The Deaths of Pickard and Broadley Aftermath Bibliography Index

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe first comprehensive account of the storming of the Iranian Embassy in London in 1980.Trade ReviewThe full story behind the six day siege in 1980 is a fascinating one * SOUTH WALES ARGUS *Action-packed ... a comprehensive, detailed and also grippng description of the six-day dramam that shook Britain in 1980. * HUDDERSFIELD DAILY EXAMINER *An engrossing story of a seminal hostage situation - the authors offer a clear-eyed account without falling victim to over-simplification. * SUNDAY BUSINESS POST *Gripping from page one right up until the end. A must read. * BURTON MAIL *

Read more less

Book SynopsisPat Evans parachuted into German-occupied Northern Greece in September 1943. His mission as a SOE operative was to support the Greek resistance movement, carry out sabotage and commando operations and gather military intelligence. By this time Greece was not only a country ravaged by a brutal occupation but being torn apart by fending political factions on the edge of civil war. Evans had to walk a tight-rope between the Germans, the Communist -directed ELAS, Macedonia irredentists and his own SOE masters in Cairo and Allied High Command. After the Nazis withdrew in late 1944, he was sent to Northern Greece to try and restore some form of normality amid the chaos of civil war. His success can be measured by the warmth in which the locals still remember him, over 70 years on. This book draws on a wide range of sources, including SOE and War Cabinet papers but it is Pat Evans' unpublished letters and reports that give the reader an insight into the challenge that he faced, both operationally and politically. The result is a thrilling and informative book.

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe sequel to Michael Knights' successful 25 Days to Aden, The Race for Mukalla is the story of elite UAE forces taking the counter-terrorism fight to Al -Qaeda in the southern Yemen port of Mukalla. In many senses this was the UAE's most challenging moment. The first part of the book tells the story of the devastating missile strike at Safer, leading to the deaths of fifty Emiratis - a national tragedy for the Gulf nation. But the Emiratis are quick to regroup and their elite forces go on to save the key city of Marib city and liberate the iconic Zayed Dam. Both UAE forces and Al-Qaeda race to be the first to control the southern port of Mukalla. Initially Al-Qaeda take the port city, but by enlisting the help of local tribes - the Hadrami Elites - UAE forces fight their way in, running through precipitous mountain passes to the north and launching a naval blockade and amphibious assault to the south. Meticulously researched with those involved in the campaign and narrated at the sam

Read more less

Book SynopsisTwice a year, 150 anxious recruits gather at SAS headquarters in the UK, their minds focused on one objective: to become SAS soldiers in one of the world’s most elite regiments. Yet between arriving and receiving the famous winged dagger badge, stands nearly four months of the toughest military selection process in the world. Could you rise to this exceptional challenge of mind and body? How to Pass the SAS and Special Forces Selection Course shows you how. Beginning with essential preparation, the book covers fitness training, navigation skills and the four-week selection course itself. Find out how to keep the instructors happy, how to deal with exhaustion during Test Week, and how to survive disaster strike on bleak mountains. But having been selected, there’s still training. Learn how the recruits acquire the skills of an SAS soldier, from hostage rescue to handling foreign weapons, from parachute training to surviving jungle courses, from escape and evasion to resistance and interrogation. Illustrated with black-and-white photographs and instructive artworks and including first-hand accounts, How to Pass the SAS and Special Forces Selection Course is an exhaustive, lively guide to the process of becoming one of the world’s best soldiers.Table of ContentsChapter One: The Regiment Chapter 2. Application and Preparation Chapter 3. The Skills Required Chapter 4. Selection Chapter 5. Continuation Training Chapter 6. Combat Survival Training Chapter 7. Life in the Regiment SAS Chronology SAS Organization Index

Read more less

Book SynopsisA hard-hitting exposé of SEAL Team 6, the US military's best-known brand, that reveals how the Navy SEALs were formed, then sacrificed, in service of American empire.The Navy SEALs are, in the eyes of many Americans, the ultimate heroes. When they killed Osama Bin Laden in 2011, it was celebrated as a massive victory. Former SEALs rake in cash as leadership consultants for corporations, and young military-bound men dream of serving in their ranks.But the SEALs have lost their bearings. Investigative journalist Matthew Cole tells the story of the most lauded unit, SEAL Team 6, revealing a troubling pattern of war crimes and the deep moral rot beneath authorized narratives. From their origins in World War II, the SEALs have trained to be specialized killers with short missions. As the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan became the endless War on Terror, their violence spiraled out of control.Code Over Country details the high-level decisions that unleashed the SEALs' carnage and the coverups that prevented their crimes from coming to light. It is a necessary and rigorous investigation of the unchecked power of the military-and the harms enacted by and upon soldiers in America's name.

Read more less

Book SynopsisWith the SAS Across the Rhine is the story of the latter part of Captain Ian Wellsted's military career with the Special Air Service, the first part of which was detailed in his well-received SAS: With the Maquis. After he had spent three months behind the lines in France from D-Day on Operation Houndsworth, during which his unit operated with the Maquis to disrupt the enemy's lines of communications, Ian commanded an SAS Jeep patrol during Operation Archway. Operation Archway was a British special forces mission which involved the 1st and 2nd Special Air Service Regiments acting in direct support of the advance of Field Marshal Sir Bernard Montgomery's Allied 21st Army Group into Germany in operations Varsity and Plunder. This crossing of the Rhine was one of the largest and most diverse operations ever carried out by the SAS. As part of this offensive, the SAS teams were thrust deep into German territory, often having to battle their way through the enemy lines to get back to sa

Read more less

Book SynopsisPanzergrenadiers were Hitler's elite armoured infantry.Written and compiled by leading Images of War series author, this book details their fighting record and equipment.

Read more less

Book SynopsisTony Hough's war started with ski training in the Alps in early 1940 preparing for winter warfare in Finland. Nothing came of that. Later that year, now an officer with 9th Battalion The Rifle Brigade, he sailed for North Africa. In March 1941, his under-gunned Battalion suffered a catastrophic baptism of fire in Libya from 15,000 troops and 500 tanks of Rommel's Afrika Korps. For the next 18 months Hough and his Battalion experienced brutal conflict against a formidable enemy. Selected for David Stirling's elite 1 Special Air Service (SAS), he was captured in December 1942 while raiding behind enemy lines. Sent to an Italian POW camp he suffered the deprivations of captivity. After the September 1943 Italian armistice, he escaped and, after an arduous three month ordeal, he reached Allied lines thanks to the help of brave locals. He went on to fight in North West Europe before becoming a mayor in occupied Germany. Beautifully and modestly written, Tony's many and varied experien

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe author has trawled archives and interviewed veterans in order to piece together the history and record of this elusive special forces unit who fought with great distinction and achieved results disproportionate to their size.

Read more less

Book SynopsisUPDATED EDITION of the ground-breaking 2017 publication that offered the first comprehensive account of the work of Section D of the Secret Intelligence Service.When Neville Chamberlain made his famous Peace in Our Time' statement in 1938, he may not have been aware that a new section of the Secret Intelligence Service, Section D, was already making plans to mount a political and sabotage war against Nazi Germany.This new form of warfare encompassed bribery, black propaganda and sabotage by agents described as having no morals or scruples. It disregarded the conventions of neutrality and was prepared to hit the Nazi state wherever it could do most damage.A scientific section was established to develop new types of weapons, and membership was extended beyond the traditional public-school old boy network' of British intelligence to work with German and Austrian resistance groups socialists, trade unionists, Catholics and Jews.Section D's plans ranged from leaflet campaigns in Germany, t

Read more less

Book Synopsis_There are no better biographies of Goering, Goebbels and Himmler in existence_. **New York Review of Books** Heinrich Himmler was the commander of the SS, and as founder and officer-in-charge of the Nazi concentration camps and the Einsatzgruppen death squads, he was responsible for implementing the extermination of millions of people. By the time he died he was the second-most powerful man in Germany and regarded himself as Hitler's natural successor, going so far as to attempt to negotiate independent peace with the Allies. Based on US documents handed over to the German Federal Archives and the testimonies of Himmler's family and staff, this book examines how a seemingly ordinary boy grew into an obsessive and superstitious man who ventured into herbalism and astrology before finally turning to the science of racial purity and the belief in the superiority of the Aryan race. Filled with insights into Himmler s private life, activities and beliefs, this is an important study of one of the most sinister figures of World War II.

Read more less

Book SynopsisThis gripping action-packed book is the eagerly awaited sequel to the best-selling Secret SAS Missions in Africa. C Squadron SAS, comprising dedicated battle-hardened veterans, operated against ruthless terrorist groups, trained and equipped by the Chinese and Russians between 1968 and 1980. The Author, who rose to be the Squadron Second-in-Command, is superbly qualified to tell the inside story of their daring and deadly operations undertaken regardless of international borders in former Southern Rhodesia, Zambia, Angola and Mozambique. These include actively supporting Renamo, who were bitterly opposed to the Marxist/Leninist Frelimo regime in Mozambique. Operation DINGO, the Squadron's largest mission, destroyed a large ZANU training base and almost tipped the balance of power against Mugabe. We learn the story behind the shooting down of two civilian aircraft in what is now Zimbabwe and the special force follow-up to exact revenge. Also described are anti-poaching operations against break-away groups intent on trading ivory and rhino horns. With its fast pace, colourful characters and behind-the-lines operations, SAS Action in Africa is a superb and thrilling read.

Read more less

Book Synopsis'Drawing on the stories of the soldiers who were there, this dramatic history of the SAS is full of bravado. Forged to fight guerrillas in the sweltering jungles of Malaya... Ryan writes with the authority of a man familiar with every nuance of the regiment's tactics, training, weapons and equipment.' - Sunday Times CultureTasked with storming mountain strongholds in the desert. Trained to hunt down the world's most wanted terrorists. This is the extraordinary story of 22 SAS. The history of the modern SAS is one of the great successes of post-war Britain. Since it was revived in 1950 to combat Communist insurgents, the Regiment has gone from strength to strength, fighting covert wars in Oman, Borneo, Northern Ireland, the Falklands, the Persian Gulf and beyond. In the process, it has become one of the most indispensable, and at times controversial, units in the British armyToday, the SAS is regarded as the world's leading Special Forces unit, renowned for its demanding Selection course and its relentless ability to adapt to the changing nature of warfare. More than anything else, however, it is the determination and ingenuity of the SAS soldiers that has made the Regiment what it is today. Drawing on his extensive network of contacts and his own experiences, Chris Ryan tells the story of the men on the ground. From the earliest patrols in the Malayan jungle, through to the storming of the Iranian Embassy, the daring raids behind enemy lines in the Gulf War, and up-to-minute missions to capture or kill notorious terrorists - this is the gripping, no-holds-barred account of Regiment operations. Above all, it is a story of elite soldiers fighting, and triumphing, against seemingly impossible odds.Trade ReviewPraise for Chris Ryan * : *Ryan chooses fiercely up-to-the-minute plots, and laces them with an exceptional eye for detail and insider knowledge ... Fearsome and fast-moving. * Daily Mail *The action comes bullet-fast and Ryan's experience of covert operations flash through the high-speed story like tracer rounds * The Sun *Nobody takes you to the action better than Ryan, because he's the real deal, and this muscle-and-bone thriller will have fans' blood pumping. * Evening Standard *

Read more less

Book SynopsisAdmiral William H. McRaven is a part of American military history, having been involved in some of the most famous missions in recent memory, including the capture of Saddam Hussein, the rescue of Captain Richard Phillips, and the raid to kill Osama bin Laden.Sea Stories begins in 1960 at the American Officers' Club in France, where Allied officers and their wives gathered to have drinks and tell stories about their adventures during World War II -- the place where a young Bill McRaven learned the value of a good story. Sea Stories is an unforgettable look back on one man's incredible life, from childhood days sneaking into high-security military sites to a day job of hunting terrorists and rescuing hostages.Action-packed, inspiring, and full of thrilling stories from life in the special operations world, Sea Stories is a remarkable memoir from one of America's most accomplished leaders.

Read more less

Book SynopsisWith the aid of superb line artworks, Unarmed Combat demonstrates to the reader how special forces soldiers are taught to excel in hand-to-hand fighting: how they maximise bodyweight, and the use of various strikes, throws, locks and constrictions to defeat opponents. It explains how different martial arts have been combined by military units to create hand-to-hand combat systems for defence against multiple assailants, for fighting on the ground, for dealing with edged and impact weapons, what works against attackers with firearms and – more importantly – what doesn’t. With tips and techniques from unarmed combat experts, the book is divided into two main sections. The first covers the mental preparation needed to be ready to defend yourself. The second covers the physical techniques needed to defend yourself, and if necessary, strike back to temporarily incapacitate your attacker and escape. With more than 300 easy-to-follow artworks and handy pull-out lists of key information, Unarmed Combat is the definitive guide for anyone wanting to be ready for anything - it could save your life.Table of ContentsIntroduction PREPARATION 1. The Threat 2. Win Without Fighting 3. Training to Win TOOLS OF THE TRADE 4. The Basics 5. Unarmed Combat Training 6. Your Body’s Weapons 7. Striking and Grappling Methods 8. Locks, Controls and Chokes IN ACTION 9. Tactics 10. Defeating Unarmed Attacks 11. Defeating Hand-Held Weapon Attacks 12. Defeating Firearm Threats 13. Fighting on the Ground 14. Fighting Under Adverse Conditions Final Notes Index

Read more less