Special and elite forces Books

Book SynopsisSouth African Special Forces, known as the 'Recces', are an elite group of soldiers that few can aspire to join. Shrouded in secrecy due to the covert nature of their work, the legendary Recces have long fascinated, but little is known about how they operate. Now one of this select band has written a tell-all book about the extraordinary missions he embarked on and the nail-biting action he experienced in the Border War.Shortly after passing the infamously gruelling Special Forces selection course in the early 1980s, Koos Stadler joined the so-called Small Teams group at 5 Reconnaissance Regiment. This sub-unit was made up of two-man teams and was responsible for numerous secret and highly dangerous missions deep behind enemy lines.With only one other team member, Stadler was sent to blow up railway lines and enemy fighter jets in the south of Angola. As he crawled in and out of enemy-infested territory, he stared death in the face many times.A gripping, first-hand account that reveals the near superhuman physical and psychological powers these Special Forces operators have to display.

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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.In the early 2010s the Wagner Group, a notorious private military company under the control of Yevgeny Prigozhin and Dmitry Utkin, began to emerge onto the world stage. This organisation first showed its hand in Crimea, eastern Ukraine and the civil war in Syria. It quickly became apparent that it had the blessing of the very highest levels of Putin?s government in Russia to act as an armed extension of the country?s foreign policy before a spectacular fall from grace following the mutiny in the summer of 2023.The role of mercenary is as old as recorded human history and stretches back to the earliest days of civilisation. For those states unable to afford a standing army the mercenary offered professional services and could be viewed as a profession of honour. When the mercenary fell into disrepute in the post-colonial world of revolutions, coups and counter-coups, it was essentially banned by the Geneva Protocols in the late twentieth century. The trade of mercenary did not go away however, and instead morphed into that of the ?private military company? or PMC, a still thriving global trade in a world of clandestine operations, that may or may not be government sanctioned, offering ?plausible deniability? in a casualty-averse age of hybrid warfare.Wagner Group - Private Military Company: Volume 1 - Establishment, Purpose, Profile and Historic Relevance 2013?2023 looks at the profession of arms as practiced by mercenaries throughout history and the emergence of the modern private military company in the late twentieth and early twenty-first centuries, along with the failed Slavonic Corps and Moran Security Group, often mistaken for early incarnations of Wagner. This work examines the emergence of the Wagner Group, its connection to the Russian government, security and intelligence services, and its operations in Syria, Libya, Sub-Saharan Africa and Venezuela as an extension of Russian foreign policy, often displacing Western interests, and as a private organisation primarily concerned with securing access to the world?s oil and mineral resources for its owners and sponsors. Volume 2 will examine the group?s role in Russian operations inside Ukraine from 2014 onwards.This volume is illustrated with original colour photographs showing the Wagner group?s activities and its iconography, along with colour artworks highlighting the unusual equipment employed in many of the group?s activities.

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Book SynopsisThis book charts the seemingly spontaneous growth of the 'Free Corps' movement from the ashes of the Imperial German Army following the 1918 Armistice. Large numbers of former officers and soldiers - often from elite units - assembled in 'private armies' and helped themselves to weapons and equipment Led by highly motivated and often highly decorated combat leaders, these 'Freikorps' fought off both Communists at home and Polish troops in the borderlands with considerable success, founding a nationalist legend. Many went on to serve in the new Reichswehr, and later in the SA and SS.Table of ContentsThe German Army in November 1918; the communist threat; the threat to the borders - Poland; the Baltic; the birth of the Freikorps; the major FKs, and their enemies in the campaigns of Berlin, December 1918-January 1919 (FK Marker, von Roeder, etc versus the Spartakists), Munich 1919 (FK Werdenfelds, von Epp, Bayreuth etc), the Ruhr 1920 (FK Rossbach, Jager Btln 37, FK Hacketau, versus Red Army, the Kapp Putsch, Berlin 1920 (Ehrhard, Marine Bde Wilhelmshaven, FW Bde von Hulsen, the Baltic Coast (Baltische Landwehr, Eiserne Division, Selbsschutz Obershcliessen), the Reichswehr, 1923.

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Book SynopsisOppose Any Foe is the epic story of America''s most elite warriors: the Special Operations Forces. Born as small appendages to the conventional armies of World War II, the Special Operations Forces have grown into a behemoth of 70,000 troops, including Navy SEALs, Army Special Forces, Air Force Night Stalkers, Special Operations Marines, Rangers, and Delta Force. Weaving together their triumphs and tribulations, acclaimed historian Mark Moyar introduces a colorful cast of military men, brimming with exceptional talent, courage and selflessness.In a nation where the military is the most popular institution, America''s Special Operations Forces have become the most popular members of the military. Through nighttime raids on enemy compounds and combat advising of resistance movements, special operators have etched their names into the nation''s registry of heroes. Yet the public knows little of the journey that they took to reach these heights, a journey that was neither

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Book SynopsisSimon Chase''s life is a maze of burner phones, encrypted emails, secret meetings, and weaponry - all devoted to executing missions too sensitive for government acknowledgement. Working for shadowy British and American organisations, Chase has been on the trail of Bin Laden in Afghanistan, protected allied generals in Iraq, and been part of an operation directly related to the attack in 2012 on the US consulate in Benghazi.Zero Footprint takes us to this dangerous and thrilling world, and tells the true story of a private military contractor whose work forms the foundation for western security abroad, especially when the UK and US military, intelligence agencies, and departments of state need something done that they can''t - or won''t - do themselves.

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Book SynopsisThe Special Operations Command (SOCOM) was established to oversee the training, doctrine, and equipping of all U.S. Special Operations Forces (SOF). A key objective in establishing a unified command was to ensure that the Special Operations Forces of the military services would be equipped with the right weapon systems to carry out their unique missions. The SOCOM commander was granted the authority to independently develop, acquire, and field specialised equipment. This "special operations forces-peculiar" equipment may be newly created or standard equipment modified to meet SOF needs, but may not duplicate equipment provided from the other military services. This book presents important materials concerning the Special Forces which have become an important strike force due to the changing face of military challenges.

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Book SynopsisAmerica deployed a diverse group of special operations forces (SOF) throughout World War II and in Korea. These elite units quickly earned a redoubtable reputation and proved themselves adept at hit-and-run raids, gathering intelligence in long-range patrols, rescuing PoWs and living and fighting in hostile environments. This valuable, fully illustrated guide includes more than 100 rare and unusual photographs of the men, uniforms, special equipment and insignia of these elite troops. Units covered include the Marine Raider regiments and Paramarines; Ranger battalions; 'Merill's Marauders'; the Special Service Force, OSS teams; Naval CDUs; and ski and mountain troops.

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Book SynopsisTwo sisters. Two special agents. One War. Sisters, Secrets and Sacrifice is the incredible true story of British special agents Eileen and Jacqueline Nearne, two sisters who risked everything to fight for our freedom during the Second World War.

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Book SynopsisIn the summer of 1942, an extraordinary group of men united to form an exceptional unit. Known as the Maritime Unit, it comprised America''s first swimmer-commandos- an elite breed of warrior-spies who were decades ahead of their time when they created the tactics, technology, and philosophy that live on in today''s Navy SEALs. Often armed only with knives and wearing nothing more than swim trunks and flippers, the Maritime Unit''s combat swimmers and other operatives carried out seaborne clandestine missions in the Atlantic, Pacific, and Mediterranean theatres of World War II. In First SEALs , Patrick K. O''Donnell unearths their incredible history- one of the greatest untold stories of World War II.FirstSEALsBook.comTrade ReviewMilitary Review, U.S. Army "One of the world's preeminent military historians" Sacramento Bee "The Navy's Sea, Air, and Land teams (SEAL) are rightfully legendary, but until now their origin has been obscured by time. In this behind-the-scenes history, readers learn how a World War II group known as the Maritime Unit became the template for today's elite special force." Portland Book Review, 3/5/15 "Those having interest in World War II history will love the result of [O'Donnell's] research...The writing in this book is very good, very readable." Proceedings, June 2015 "O'Donnell sets the scene for today's SEALs and provides the reader with the history of the inception of Navy special operations." Seapower, June 2015 "Much of the history of the MU was buried in classified archives until unearthed by the author." Military Heritage, July 2015 "Extensive research and interviews have now brought this story back to light. The author is an established authority on special operations forces and his new book sheds light on the origin of the SEALs."

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Trade Review"OP Commando Wrath was an operational marshmallow of the highest order where Mission Impossible and Murphy’s Law collided head on with some of the meanest mothers in the valley--Green Berets from ODA 3336. It’s Blackhawk Down in the Afghan Mountains!"--Dalton Fury, author of Black Site"The book is not just a cautionary tale in warfare, but a powerful portrait of the men who fought to save each other from certain death."--Michael D. Sallah, investigative reporter for The Miami Herald and winner of the Pulitzer Prize for Investigative Reporting"It’s a must-read for anyone who wants to know how modern battles are fought--and how they should be."--Ames Alexander, award-winning investigative reporter with The Charlotte Observer"In this compelling, multi-dimensional account, Weiss and Maurer remind us of the extraordinary risks soldiers take and the sacrifices they make every day both for their country, and for each other."--Publishers Weekly

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Book SynopsisFrom the #1 New York Times bestselling co-author of No Easy Day comes an insightful, inside look at the Green Berets—a legendary corps of soldiers whose exploits made military history. But now, its very identity and role as a fighting force may be forever changed. Until the war in Iraq, Special Forces were the military’s counterinsurgency experts. Their specialty was going behind enemy lines and training insurgent forces. In Afghanistan, they toppled the Taliban by transforming Northern Alliance fighters into cohesive units. But since that time, Special Forces units have focused on offensive raids.With time running short, the Green Berets have now gone back to their roots.Award-winning journalist Kevin Maurer traveled with a Special Forces team in Afghanistan, finding out firsthand the inside story of the lives of this elite group of highly trained soldiers. He witnessed the intense brotherhood, the rigorous selection proces

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Book SynopsisLike many young idealists, Eric Greitens wanted to make a difference, so he travelled to the world's trouble spots to work in refugee camps. In studying humanitarianism, he realized a fundamental truth: when an army invades, the weak need protection. So, he joined the Navy SEALs. This book tells his story.

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Book SynopsisWith their renowned squadron leader Greg “Pappy” Boyington, Marine Fighting Squadron (VMF) 214 was one of the best-known and most colorful combat units of World War II. The popular television series Baa Baa Black Sheep added to their legend—while obscuring the truly remarkable combat record of the Black Sheep and Boyington. A retired naval flight officer and former historian for the Naval Aviation Museum Foundation, Bruce Gamble provides a highly readable account that serves to both correct and extend the record of this premier fighting force.

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Book SynopsisTells the true story of how Mike Ritland grew from a skinny, bullied child, to a member of our nation's most elite SEAL Teams, to the trainer of the world's most highly skilled K9 warriors.

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Book SynopsisFrom the US Department of Defense, the skills, tactics, and traits of the most highly skilled soldiers in the word--Army Rangers. This handbook offers the techniques and tactics that make U.S. Army Rangers the best soldiers in the world. These highly trained, easily deployable, and widely skilled infantrymen specialize in airborne assault, raids,

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Book SynopsisIn the spring of 1980, the Irish Department of Defence sanctioned the establishment of a new unit within the Irish Defence Forces and the Irish Army Ranger Wing (ARW) came into being. In the decades that followed, its soldiers have been deployed on active service at home and abroad, generally without the knowledge of the wider public. The ARW is made up of seasoned men from across the island, who are selected through tough competition. Only the best of the best make it through and are trained in an extraordinary range of specialist skills. Being one of these elite operators takes more than simply being a skilled soldier – it means believing you are the best. Shadow Warriors tells the story behind the creation of the ARW, from its origins in specialist counter-terrorism training in the late 1960s and the preparation of small unconventional units in the 1970s to the formation of the ARW itself in 1980 and its subsequent history. The first and only authoritative account in the public domain of this specialist unit, authors Paul O’Brien and Sergeant Wayne Fitzgerald have been granted access to the closed and clandestine world of Ireland’s Special Forces, who train hard, fight harder and face unconventional types of warfare, yet prefer to stay out of the limelight.

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Book Synopsis?This book, by the man who taught them, shows how the British Commandos fought in the Second World War in unarmed hand-to hand combat. It shows how they won their fights – even against enemies who were bigger, stronger, and armed. Brute strength is not required. This book shows you how to put a thug out of action with your bare hands, so fast he won’t know what’s hit him. “Get Tough” is filled with clear, graphic line drawings which, with the easy-to-follow directions, demonstrate the “Fairbairn System”. The author, Major W. E. Fairbairn, was a tough Police officer who spent 30 years with the Shanghai Municipal Police, where he learned ju-jitsu (Judo), Chinese boxing and other martial arts. He was senior instructor to British Special Forces during the war, and was the co-inventor of the legendary Sykes-Fairbairn Commando knife. While in China he became the first foreigner, living outside Japan, ever admitted to Kodokan Jiu-Jutsu University in Tokyo where he was awarded the black belt, second degree. Combining all the knowledge thus acquired he developed a system that stopped the Shanghai terrorists in their tracks, demoralised the Nazis, and probably proved a decisive factor in the success of Allied Special forces in World War Two. This is a “must” book for the armed forces, civilian defence groups, police, security guards, and indeed anyone whose life may be threatened.

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Book SynopsisAs an 18-year-old, John Urwin was posted to Cyprus, where he was recruited into a top-secret unit called the Sixteen, whose task was to assassinate key figures throughout the Middle East. Now he breaks his silence to tell their story. Their training was said to have surpassed that of the SAS in unarmed combat and weaponry. His description of their four key missions is explosive and a riveting account of the turbulent 1950s in the Middle East. The Cold War was approaching its height and when there was a mission to be undertaken that no government could be seen to endorse, the Sixteen would do the job. No previous depiction of a military group, in book or movie, has remotely compared to the secrecy, skills and sheer professionalism of the Sixteen.

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