Special and elite forces Books

Book SynopsisOver the last 30 years, Special Forces have become a key component of the world’s armed forces, often employing unconventional tactics as part of airborne operations, counterinsurgency, counterterrorism, hostage rescue, covert ops and intelligence gathering. To carry out their role effectively, specific vehicles have been developed for these elite units. Organized by type, the book explores a wide range of vehicles, from the light utility vehicles through mine-resistant protected vehicles (MRAP) to mini bikes and quad bikes. Discover the Pinzgauer High-Mobility All-Terrain Vehicle, a high clearance, all-wheel drive transporter used by Delta Force and the New Zealand SAS; the fast, light Arquus Scarab, a protected vehicle that can turn both the front and rear wheels simultaneously, allowing it to move sideways like a crab; the MRZR, used by the U.S. Marines for fast forward deployment and off-road reconnaissance; the Toyota Hilux pick-up, which due to its simplicity and rugged durability, has proved its worth in conflicts from South America to Central Asia; and the Christini AWD motorcycle, used by U.S. Navy SEALs in Afghanistan. Illustrated with more than 100 photographs and artworks, Special Forces Land Vehicles provides a detailed guide to the specialist vehicles used by elite soldiers in the modern era.Trade Review"With very little prior literature covering the topic, Alexander Stilwell has filled this gap with* Special Forces Land Vehicles* … A useful reference source for Special Forces vehicles deployed worldwide." * Classic Military Vehicles *Table of ContentsContents includes: 1. Legacy Light Utility Vehicles Land Rover 110 ‘Pinkie’ Desert Patrol Vehicles Snatch/Vixen Land Rover Land Rover Weapons Mount Installation Kit (WMIK) Land Rover Perentie Long Range Patrol Vehicle (LRPV) Ground Mobility Vehicle (GMV) Ranger Special Operations Vehicle (RSOV) Pinzgauer High-Mobility All-Terrain Vehicle Interim Fast Attack Vehicle (IFAV) Peugeot P4 2. Protected Vehicles Bushmaster Infantry Mobility Vehicle (IMV)/Protected Mobility Vehicle (PMV) HMT 400 or Jackal Supacat Extenda RG-33 Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected Vehicle Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected Vehicle (M-ATV) Ocelot/Foxhound Light Protected Patrol Vehicle (LPPV) Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV) Arquus SABRE Arquus Scarab MOWAG Eagle V (4x4) 3. Light All-Terrain Vehicles S-ATV Special Purpose All-Terrain Vehicle Desert Patrol Vehicle (DPV) M1161 Growler Polaris MRZR Polaris MRZR Alpha LTATV Polaris Dagor A1 Boeing Phantom Badger Supacat Light Reconnaissance Vehicle (LRV 400) P6 All-Terrain Assault Vehicle (ATAV) Jankel Fox RRV-x KMW Special Operations Vehicle Integrated Convoy Protection (ICP) REVA FAV NIMR Automotive Rapid Intervention Vehicle (RIV) Zetor Engineering Fox Rapid Deployment Vehicle (RDV) Spider Light Strike Vehicle II Koluman Otomotiv Industri LSA4 4. Support Vehicles Arquus VLRA-2 Light Medium Tactical Vehicle (LMTV) ‘War Pig’ HMT 600 (Coyote) 6x6 Jankel Light Tactical Transport Vehicle (LTTV) Supacat Light Reconnaissance Vehicle (LRV) 600 Dutch Military Vehicles Anaconda 5. Non-Standard Tactical Vehicles Purpose-Built Non-Standard Commercial Vehicle (PB-NSCV) Toyota Hilux Toyota Land Cruiser Ford Ranger Nissan Navara Navistar Defense Special Operations Tactical Vehicle (SOTV) 6. Motorcycles

Read more less

Book SynopsisA fascinating insight into the training of the special service volunteer soldiers who formed the Commandos.The Commandos were created by Winston Churchill in 1940 as a ''butcher and bolt'' raiding unit to destroy vital targets in German occupied Europe. Recruits for this ''special service'' were all volunteers, drawn from the British Army, and later from the Royal Marines and other Allied armies. Commando training was extremely demanding men had to be physically fit and show initiative, mental toughness and adaptability.The training courses were designed to cultivate these qualities and to simulate real battle experiences, which included the use of live ammunition. Commandos learned a diverse range of skills at dedicated training centres in the remote Scottish Highlands. This pocket-book draws on authentic training manuals, lecture notes, course literature and other material from the commando schools to give a real insight into this highly specialised

Read more less

Book SynopsisIn this encyclopedic book, Lewis provides insights into the origins, training, tactics, weapons and achievements of special forces and special mission units throughout the world, focusing particularly on US and UK forces. He also looks at the codes that that bind the members of these elite units together. He reveals training secrets in everything from wilderness survival to hand-to-hand combat. In doing so, he draws extensively on biographies, autobiographies, training manuals, interviews and press coverage of key operations. The elite forces covered include: The British Army's Special Air Service (SAS), established in 1950, which has served as a model for the special forces of many countries. Its counter-terrorist wing famously took part in the hostage rescue during the siege of the Iranian Embassy in London in 1980. The Parachute Regiment, the airborne infantry element of 16 Air Assault Brigade, which spearheads the British Army's rapiTrade ReviewPraise for The Mammoth Book of Muhammad Ali West has done a fabulous job -- Slugger M

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe biography of remarkable SAS Original Reg Seekings, from his humble beginnings in the Cambridgeshire Fens to his instrumental role in the success of the SAS during the Second World War.Starting at the very bottom of the ranks, Seekings was a farm labourer’s son who climbed from private to squadron sergeant-major and became one of the British Army’s most highly decorated non-commissioned officers of the Second World War. In short, Seekings was an ordinary man who did extraordinary things. His is a remarkable story - one of fierce ambition, camaraderie, inner strength and heroism as he transcended humble beginnings in the Fen fields of Cambridgeshire. And he was there from the very first day of the SAS, which was born in the late summer of 1941.Using audio material from the Imperial War Museum and previously unseen material from Reg’s collection of notebooks and handwritten accounts of operations, this is a comprehensive and engaging portrait of one of the unit’s all-time greats.

Read more less

Book SynopsisIt is, of course, no secret that undercover Special Forces and intelligence agencies operated in Northern Ireland and the Republic throughout the 'troubles', from 1969 to 2001 and beyond. What is less well known is how these units were recruited, how they operated, what their mandate was and what they actually did. This is the first account to reveal much of this hitherto unpublished information, providing a truly unique record of surveillance, reconnaissance, intelligence gathering, collusion and undercover combat. An astonishing number of agencies were active to combat the IRA murder squads ('the Provos'), among others the Military Reaction Force (MRF) and the Special Reconnaissance Unit, also known as the 14 Field Security and Intelligence Company ('The Det'), as well as MI5, Special Branch, the RUC, the UDR and the Force Research Unit (FRU), later the Joint Support Group (JSG)). It deals with still contentious and challenging issues as shoot-to-kill, murder squads, the Disappeared, and collusion with loyalists. It examines the findings of the Stevens, Cassel and De Silva reports and looks at operations Loughgall, Andersonstown, Gibraltar and others.

Read more less

Book SynopsisThis graphic first-hand account of one pilot's part in the Battle of Britain was written in 1941.

Read more less

Book SynopsisIncludes thrilling first-hand accounts of operations undertaken.

Read more less

Book SynopsisThis new study lifts the veil on the high-profile but often misunderstood gladiators of ancient Rome, from their origins to the dawn of the Principate.Originating in funeral rites during the Punic Wars of the 3rd century BC, the Roman gladiator games have come to symbolize the spectacle and savagery of Republican and Imperial Rome. Increasingly elaborate rules and rituals governed the conduct of gladiator combat, with an array of specially armed and armoured gladiator types pitted against one another, either singly or in groups. While many gladiators met a grisly end, some survived to achieve celebrity and make huge fortunes.Despite the wealth of literary and archaeological evidence, many misconceptions about the gladiators and their violent world remain. Featuring eight plates of stunning specially commissioned artwork alongside photographs and drawings of key items of visual evidence, this fully illustrated account recreates the little-known and under-represTable of ContentsOrigins and evolution Becoming a gladiator The armaturae Gladiator gear Bibliography Index

Read more less

Book SynopsisThis fascinating book is the first to cover the little known C Squadron of the Special Air Service. Operating in East Africa, the Squadron was involved in almost continuous counter communist terrorist operations over the period 1968 to 1980. In the unstable final stages of British colonial and white rule, the Squadron was never short of action. African nationalist movements, backed by Russia's and China's direct and indirect support posed a constant and deadly threat to the existing regimes. Small highly trained detachments of the SAS with highly developed bush warfare skills proved devastatingly effective and achieved results out of all proportion to their size. Often their enemies believed that they were facing rival factions and turned on each other. The inevitable involvement of African wildlife adds an extra dimension of excitement Written by a seasoned former senior member of C Squadron, Secret SAS Missions in Africa paints a graphic and thrilling account of their covert operations and the colourful characters that undertook them.

Read more less

Book SynopsisFull history of the Waffen-SS from the early 1930s to 1945.

Read more less

Book SynopsisA previously unpublished official history of SOE's Czech section.

Read more less

Book SynopsisWith the outbreak of Gulf War hostilities a unit from 22 SAS slipped quietly over the border and into the enemy''s backyard. It would be six weeks before any of the patrol again reached safety.Sabre Squadron recounts in graphic detail their scud-busting operations deep inside Iraq. They were operating alone and out of reach of reinforcements, with the threat of detection and its fatal consequences ever present. Yet their determination to wreak havoc behind enemy lines remained undimmed, culminating in an attack that decisively reconfirmed the regiment''s awesome reputation.Cameron Spence, a senior NCO on the operation, takes you as close to the fighting SAS as you are ever likely to get, conveying the relentless tension, black humour and camaraderie punctuated by explosive, nerve-shredding action that characterized the mission.This is the true story of an SAS operation of breathtaking audacity and flair, carried out under unimaginable pressure, Trade ReviewA brilliantly authentic account of war with an SAS patrol, it's a fantastic read -- Andy McNab, bestselling author of Brave Two ZeroTense and at times terrifying... a well-told action story * Sunday Telegraph *A terrific read * The Times *Blood, guts and military macho - as authentic as anything you are likely to read * Mail on Sunday *

Read more less

Book SynopsisLife and leadership lessons from the Special Forces, from the stars of Channel 4 series SAS: Who Dares Wins - including Sunday Times bestselling author of FIRST MAN: LEADING FROM THE FRONT, Ant MiddletonAre you up to the challenge of SAS leadership? Only the best will succeed... Britain''s SAS (Special Air Service) has an unparalleled reputation for soldiering excellence. Their skills and techniques have been perfected in the most demanding environments imaginable, but many of these can also be used in our everyday lives. This book takes situations all of us will experience during our lives and presents tactical lessons drawn from SAS training and battlefield experience. Its four authors - stars of the hit Channel 4 show SAS: Who Dares Wins - how their finely honed understanding of how to handle extreme challenges can be applied in any environment. Their advice on negotiation, people management, self-motivationTrade ReviewInsightful, gritty and.... at times shocking... a must for fans of the brilliant show - Heat MagazineThe best of this year's TV spin-offs - Guardian

Read more less

Book SynopsisDrawing on difficult-to-access wartime documents and other contemporary sources, this is the first compact, illustrated study of the tactics and techniques of the US fast carriers of Task Forces 50, 58 and 38 during the naval war against Japan in 194345. This title concentrates on exactly how these highly successful forces actually operated: their composition in ships, aircraft and men; the essential technology at their disposal; the evolving doctrine for their employment; the opposition and dangers they faced; and how they overcame them at the tactical level. It explains in straightforward terms the intricate details of topics such as how ships manoeuvred, how aircraft were deployed and recovered, the formations and approaches used by fighters, dive-bombers and torpedo-bombers against naval and land targets, and how Task Forces defended themselves. The text is supported by a wide range of wartime photos and full-colour illustrations, showing, for example, the formations employeTable of ContentsIntroduction Composition Organization Air Group Equipment & Organization Operations & Tactics Surface Combat Air Combat Conclusion Select Bibliography Index

Read more less

Book SynopsisThis title explores the history of the airborne troops, the elite striking arm of the Soviet Union during the Cold War, from their inception in 1930 until the fall of the USSR. Established in 1932, the Vozdushno-desantnye voyska (air-landing forces, or VDV) of the Red Army led the way in airborne doctrine and practice. Though they were initially handicapped by a lack of infrastructure, due in part to a turbulent political climate in the 1930s, they still conducted major drops during World War II, including at the Dnepr River in September 1943. After the war ended, the VDV became independent of the Air Force and were elevated to the role of strategic asset. The newly rebuilt divisions were now organized and trained to conduct deep insertions behind enemy lines, attacking command-and-control facilities, lines of communication, and key infrastructure targets such as nuclear power plants. This training came into play in numerous Cold War confrontations, inTable of ContentsIntroduction Chronology Early Years of the VDV The VDV Goes to War The VDV in the Cold War The VDV in Afghanistan Conclusion Select Bibliography Index

Read more less

Book SynopsisWritten by one of the world''s leading experts on D-Day, Smashing Hitler''s Guns is a ground-breaking new history of the legendary Rangers'' attack on Pointe-du-Hoc.The Ranger attack on the German gun batteries at Pointe-du-Hoc in the early morning hours of D-Day is the stuff of legend. The gun batteries were strategically positioned between the two American D-Day landing beaches, and were considered the main threat to the Operation Neptune landings. In spite of the confusion and chaos of the June 6, 1944 mission, the Rangers succeeded in scaling the 100-foot cliffs, but the guns were nowhere to be found.Spreading out in all directions, a Ranger team managed to find and spike the guns at their hidden location south of Pointe-du-Hoc. For two days, this small force fought off repeated German attacks, until an American relief force finally arrived on 8 June, by which time more than half the Rangers were casualties. The heroic Ranger missioTrade ReviewWell written and researched and essential reading for those interested in US Special Forces. * Army Rumour Service *Table of ContentsList of Illustrations Introduction Author’s Note Acknowledgements Chapter 1: The Guns of Pointe-du-Hoc Chapter 2: The Coastal Gun Threat Chapter 3: “Hard Men for Dirty Work” Chapter 4: Refining the Ranger Plan Chapter 5: Spying on Pointe-du-Hoc: The Intelligence Battle Chapter 6: Softening Pointe-du-Hoc Chapter 7: Obliteration Chapter 8: Assault Group O-4 Chapter 9: Carnage on Charlie Beach Chapter 10: The Stormy Voyage to Pointe-du-Hoc Chapter 11: Force A Strikes Pointe-du-Hoc Chapter 12: Spiking the Guns Chapter 13: The Germans Strike Back Chapter 14: Night Attack Chapter 15: Ranger Force C on Dog Green Beach Chapter 16: The Crazy March on D+1 Chapter 17: Relief from the Sea Chapter 18: Final Mission: The Maisy Gun Batteries Chapter 19: Battle Analysis Afterword: The Rangers in Cinema Appendix A: Ranger Organization, Equipment, and Combat Awards Appendix B: The Pointe-du-Hoc Guns: Doctrine and Technology Appendix C: Naval Fire Support for the Rangers Appendix D: The Guns of Maisy Endnotes Further Reading Glossary Index

Read more less

Book SynopsisDrawing on a superb collection of rare and unpublished photographs the 6th SS Mountain Division Nord 1941 - 1945 is the 6th book in the Waffen-SS Images of War Series compiled by Ian Baxter. The book tells the story of the 6th SS Mountain Division Nord, which was formed in February 1941 as SS Kampfgruppe Nord (SS Battle Group North). The Division was the only Waffen-SS unit to fight in the Arctic Circle when it was stationed in Finland and northern Russia between June and November 1941\. It fought in Karelia until the Moscow Armistice in September 1944, at which point it left Finland. It suffered heavy losses in the Operation Nordwind in January 1945 and in early April 1945, the division was destroyed by the US forces near Budingen, Germany.

Read more less

Book SynopsisWith his special forces training completed, Sergeant Roland Barker was allocated to Operation Arundel as its radio operator. Led by Captain Martin Smith MC, he was parachuted into the Dolomites in 1944. The team’s brief was to cause havoc in the area around the Italian border and to infiltrate into Austria. Whilst attempting to evade German forces, Sergeant Barker and Major Bill Smallwood were navigating mountainous terrain when the Major fell injuring himself and thus was unable to move rapidly. Despite their best efforts, both Smallwood and Barker were subsequently captured by pursuing German troops who they were unable to outpace. Barker provides a vivid account of being ‘interrogated’ by the SS and Gestapo and despite the threats and the terrible conditions, the true nature of their mission was never revealed to the enemy. Having survived these experiences, he was incarcerated in Stalag Luft XVIII in Southern Austria. Ever defiant, Barker escaped by having himself admitted to the camp hospital and made his way into Hungary, from where, as this account of his wartime service reveals, he was eventually repatriated to the UK. After the war Barker opted to remain in the Army, at which point he took a commission. Promoted to Major, Barker became the Officer Commanding 22 SAS in Malaya. He was killed in a helicopter crash in Malaya in 1953, before he could see through his plan to have his memoir published.

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 SynopsisNOW WITH AN INTRODUCTION BY W. STANLEY MOSS'S DAUGHTER GABRIELLA BULLOCK AND AN AFTERWORD BY PATRICK LEIGH FERMORIll Met By Moonlight is the true story of one of the most hazardous missions of the Second World War. W. Stanley Moss is a young British officer who, along with Major Patrick Leigh Fermor, sets out in Nazi-occupied Crete to kidnap General Kreipe, Commander of the Sevastopool Division, and narrowly escaping the German manhunt, bring him off the island - a vital prisoner for British intelligence.As an account of derring-do and wartime adventure, made into a classic film starring Dirk Bogarde, Ill Met By Moonlight is one of the most brilliantly written, exciting and compelling stories to come out of the Second World War.

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe Sniper Encyclopaedia is an indispensable alphabetical, topic-by-topic guide to a fascinating subject. It is intended as a companion volume to John Walter's Snipers at War (Greenhill Books, 2017) and is another addition to the Greenhill Sniper Library which includes a series of first-person memoirs. This is a comprehensive work that covers virtually any aspect sniping. The work contains personal details of hundreds of snipers, including not only the best-known-world-renowned gurus such as Vasiliy Zaytsev and Chris Kyle-but also many crack shots whom history generally overlooks. Among them are some of more than a thousand Red Army snipers, men and a surprising number of women, who amassed sufficient kills to be awarded the Medal for Courage and, later, the Order of Glory. Some of the best-known victims of snipers are identified, and the veracity of some of the most popular myths is explored. The book pays special attention to the history and development of the many specialist sniper rifles - some more successful than others - that have served the world's armies since the American Wars of the nineteenth century to today's technology-based conflicts. Attention, too, is paid to the progress made with ammunition-without which, of course, precision shooting would be impossible. The development of aids and accessories, from camouflage clothing to laser rangefinders, is also considered. Finally, the Sniper Encyclopaedia examines place and specific campaigns - the way marksman have influenced the course of the individual battles and locations which have played a crucial part in the history of sniping, from individual sites to sniper schools and training grounds. The book contains authors' biographies, a critical assessment of the many books and memoirs from the world of the sniper, and a guide to research techniques.Trade Review'A remarkable work of research and an endless treasure trove of information for anyone with an interest in the subject';-Martin Pegler, author of Out Of Nowhere: A History of the Military Sniper

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book SynopsisA study of the Greek Hoplite in the "Golden Age" of Ancient Greek civilization, from the victory at Marathon over Darius of Persia, through bitter inter-state warfare, to the rise of Philip of Macedonia and his son Alexander the Great. It was during this Classical period that the state began to play an important role in military organization, taking responsibility for arming and equipping its citizens. Yet Hoplites also fought as mercenaries too, at the behest of their paymasters. The volume contains ten colour plates that seek to bring the Greek warrior of this period to life, covering his weapons, armour, shield and helmets, and how he was recruited, trained and fought.Table of ContentsChronology; the citizen soldier; weapons and armour; on campaign; the Hoplite in battle; strategy and tactics.

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book SynopsisA hard-hitting history of the U.S. airborne unit who made a name for themselves in the unforgiving jungles of South Vietnam.It was easier killing than living. Third Battalion 506th Airborne veteranDrawing on interviews with veterans, many of whom have never gone on the record before, Ian Gardner follows up his epic trilogy about the 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment in World War II with the story of the unit''s reactivation at the height of the Vietnam War. This is the dramatic history of a band of brothers who served together in Vietnam and who against the odds lived up to the reputation of their World War II forefathers.Brigadier General Salve Matheson''s idea was to create an 800-strong battalion of airborne volunteers in the same legendary Currahee spirit that had defined the volunteers of 1942. The man he chose to lead them was John Geraci, who would mold this young brotherhood into a highly cohesive and motivated force. In December 1967, the battalion was sent intoTrade ReviewWe need books like this because they remind us that the same dedication, teamwork, optimism and courage that defined the World War II generation also defined the generation that fought the war in Vietnam. * Martin K.A. Morgan, Historian and Author *This fabulous book reveals our fears, hardships, humor, trust in each other and creation of a bond that still endures to this day. A must-read for teachers and students of combat leadership. * Joe Alexander, Platoon Leader, A Company *A riveting story of heroism, hardship, and tough combat in Vietnam that vividly brings to life the experiences of an extraordinary unit. * General David Petraeus *Ian Gardner has produced a narrative that is remarkable in keeping the reader engaged in the events through a roller coaster ride of emotions… While the prose is gritty and at times shocking, it is honest in describing the realities of combat often at close quarters in a hostile climate and landscape against a highly experienced and determined enemy. * David Rattee, Honorary Member of US Army 506th Inf. Regt. *Thoroughly researched, with a fascinating array of previously unseen photographs, this is a must-read for those interested in one unit’s Vietnam War. * Classic Military Vehicle *A useful addition to the vast library of books on the US intervention in Vietnam, it provides the reader with a down to earth perspective of one unit’s fight in a conflict. * Aspects of History *Table of ContentsAcknowledgments List of Illustrations List of Maps Acronyms Introduction Chronology of Significant Events 1. “Salute the New Dawn”: Reactivation – Fort Campbell, Kentucky 2. “To the Limit and Beyond”: Training for Vietnam 3. “The Things We Cannot Change”: Shipping Out 4. “Only the Strong Survive”: Orientation and Deployment – October 28–November 30, 1967 5. “The Dragon’s Graveyard”: Operation Rose – November 1967 6. “Battle Troopers”: Operation Klamath Falls – December 1967 7. “Badge of Courage”: The Battle of the Knoll – January 2, 1968 8. “The Aftermath”: January 3–8, 1968 9. “Beer, Bang, and Boom Boom”: Phan Rang – January 9–16, 1968 10. “Living in the Dirt”: Landing Zone Betty and Phan Thiet 11. “We Stand Together”: January 22–February 1, 1968 12. “Blood Trail 556”: The Battle of the Van Ta House – February 2, 1968 13. “Into the Sunrise”: February 3–5, 1968 14. “Death Patrol to Disneyland”: The Battle of Phu Bon and Beyond – February 6, 1968 15. “Take it to the Bridge”: The Second Battle of Phan Thiet – February 18–23, 1968 16. “Red Sand”: The Battle of the Ca Ty River – February 19, 1968 17. “After the Storm”: The Bowl – February/March 1968 18. “Watch and Shoot”: April 1968 19. “Let the Light Shine”: Operation MR-6, April 26–May 16, 1968 20. “Return to the Graveyard”: Operation Rockne Gold, May 19–27, 1968 21. “The Bitterest Pill”: Operation Banjo Royce and Beyond – June/July 1968 22. “The Protected Will Never Know”: August–October 1968 Epilogue Bibliography Index

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book Synopsis_ The author is a sympathetic narrator and he has told his story with genuine verve and style [His] South Tyrolean origins, and his role in the Brandenburg Division make the book very distinctive._' Roger Moorhouse. The Brandenburgers were Hitler's Special Forces, a band of mainly foreign German nationals who used disguise and fluency in other languages to complete daring missions into enemy territory. Overshadowed by stories of their Allied equivalents, their history has largely been ignored, making this memoir all the more extraordinary. First published in German in 1984, de Giampietro's highly-personal and eloquent memoir is a vivid account of his experiences. In astonishing detail, he delves into the reality of life in the unit from everyday concerns and politics to training and involvement in Brandenburg missions. He details the often foolhardy missions undertaken under the command of Theodor von Hippel including the June 1941 seizure of the Duna bridges in Dunaburg and the attempted capture of the bridge at Bataisk where half of his unit were killed. Translated into English for the first time, this is a unique insight into a fascinating slice of German wartime history, both as an account of the Brandenburgers and within the very particular context of the author's South Tyrolean origins. Given the very perilous nature of their missions very few of these specially-trained soldiers survived the Second World War and much knowledge of the unit has been lost forever. Widely regarded as the predecessor of today's special forces units, this fascinating account brings to life the Brandenburger Division and its part in history in vivid and compelling detail.

Read more less

Book SynopsisFollowing Roman Heavy Cavalry (1) on the earlier centuries, this book explains and illustrates the armor, weapons, organization, and deployment of elite heavy armored cavalry units during their long history in the Eastern Roman (Byzantine) Empire.In the twilight of the Western Roman Empire in the 5th6th centuries, the elite of the field armies was the heavy armored cavalrythe cataphracts, clad in lamellar, scale, mail, and padded fabric armor. After the fall of the West, the Greek-speaking Eastern or Byzantine Empire survived for nearly a thousand years, and cavalry remained predominant in its armies, with the heaviest armored regiments continuing to provide the ultimate shock-force in battle. Accounts from Muslim chroniclers show that the ironclad cataphract on his armored horse was an awe-inspiring enemy: ...they advanced against you, iron-coveredone would have said that they advanced on horses which seemed to have no legs. The heavy uniTable of ContentsIntroduction Select Chronology Heavy Armoured Cavalry in the Eastern Roman Army Organization & Units Formation & Tactics Weapons & Armour Horses Bibliography Index

Read more less

Book SynopsisOver the last 20 years, the role of unmanned aircraft systems in modern warfare has grown at an unprecedented rate. No longer simply used for intelligence, data collection or reconnaissance, drones are routinely used for target acquisition and to strike enemy targets with missiles and bombs. Organized by nationality, Military Drones offers a compact guide to the main unmanned aerial vehicles being flown in combat zones today. These include classics, such as the MQ-1 Predator, primarily used for intelligence gathering; the Black Hornet Nano, a micro UAV that is so small it can fit in the palm of your hand and is used by ground troops for local situational awareness; the Chinese tri-copter Scorpion, which is ideal for the stationary observation and strike role in a built-up area; and the French EADS Talarion, a twinjet long-endurance UAV designed for high-altitude surveillance. Illustrated with more than 100 photographs and artworks, Military Drones provides a detailed insight into the specialist military unmanned aerial vehicles that play a key role in the modern battle space.Table of ContentsContents include: 1. United States Former Interstate TDR MQ-1 Predator RQ-2 Pioneer MQ-5 Hunter RQ-14 Dragon Eye RQ-16 T-Hawk FQM-151 Pointer CQ-24A K-MAX Desert Hawk Current 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 Future MQ-25 Stingray UAE ADCOM Systems United 40 Iran HESA Qasef-1 IAIO Fotros (Fallen Angel) Kian China Aisheng ASN-209 (Silver Eagle) AVIC Cloud Shadow AVIC WZ-8 CASC CH-5 Rainbow CASC CH-7 CASIC Skyhawk (series) Chengdu (AVIC) Soar Dragon (Soar Eagle) Gongji-11 (GJ-11) Hongdu Lijian (Sharp Sword) NORINCO Sharp Eye III Shenyang (AVIC) Divine Eagle Tengoen TB-001 Twin-Tailed Scorpion Ziyan Blowfish South Korea KARI TR-60 India DRDO AURA DRDO Rustom (Warrior) France Airbus DS Tanan 300 Airbus Helicopters VSR700 Dassault nEUROn EADS Talarion SAGEM Patroller Italy Leonardo Falco Xplorer Piaggio P.1HH Hammerhead South Africa Denel Dynamics Bateleur Israel Aeronautics Defense Dominator XP Aeronautics Defense Orbiter (series) Elbit Skystriker IAI Green Dragon IAI ROTEM L UVision Hero-900 Belarus ARP Golden Eagle Turkey Bayraktar Mini Bayraktar TB2 TAI Aksungur TAI Anka Germany Reiner Stemme Q01 UK BAe Magma BAe Systems Taranis Thales Watchkeeper WK450 Poland MALE Bayraktar TB2 RQ-7 Shadow 200 Orbiter BSL Orbiter 2 FlyEye Warmate circulating ammunition DragonFly Wizjer program PGZ-19R FT-5 FLIR Black Hornet MayFly system BSP Watchkeeper Russia Forpost ISR Kamov Ka-175 Kronstadt Orion-E Mikoyan Skat Rostech (Luch) Korsar Rostech Chirok (Teal) Sokol Altius Sukhoi Zond (Series) VR-Technologies VRT300 ZAO ENIX Eleron-3 (Aileron-3) Sweden UMS V-200 (Skeldar) Ukraine Antonov Horlytsya Skyeton Raybird-3

Read more less

Book SynopsisAn authoritative analysis of how Putin''s Russia conquered the Crimea in 2014 using ''grey zone'' warfare techniques, blending operations by anonymous special forces with cyber, sabotage, and propaganda. Russia's annexation of Crimea in 2014 was almost bloodless fought as much through propaganda, cyberattacks and subversion as by force of arms but it is crucial for our understanding of both modern warfare and recent Russian history. Ironically, this slick triumph eventually led to the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the largest and costliest conventional war in Europe since 1945. This is a fascinating account of the Crimea conquest from a supremely qualified expert on modern Russian forces. Illustrated throughout, it explores how Russia developed its new model of hybrid' or grey zone' warfare, and planned and deployed it against Crimea, from the choreographed appearance of spontaneous' protesters through to the deployment of unbadged Russian elite forceTable of ContentsIntroduction Origins The Plan Consolidation Analysis Conclusion Further Reading Index

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe biography of remarkable SAS Original Reg Seekings, from his humble beginnings in the Cambridgeshire Fens to his instrumental role in the success of the SAS during the Second World War. Starting at the very bottom of the ranks, Seekings was a farm labourer’s son who climbed from private to squadron sergeant-major and became one of the British Army’s most highly decorated non-commissioned officers of the Second World War. In short, Seekings was an ordinary man who did extraordinary things. His is a remarkable story - one of fierce ambition, camaraderie, inner strength and heroism as he transcended humble beginnings in the Fen fields of Cambridgeshire. And he was there from the very first day of the SAS, which was born in the late summer of 1941. Using audio material from the Imperial War Museum and previously unseen material from Reg’s collection of notebooks and handwritten accounts of operations, this is a comprehe

Read more less

Book SynopsisA concise illustrated history of the Special Air Service''s lightweight, heavily armed vehicles and their combat use. The SAS, the world's most famous special operations unit, made its name in the desert of North Africa, shooting up Axis airfields from specially modified Willys jeeps. Following the start of the El Alamein offensive in October 1942, the SAS used jeeps effectively in reconnoitring and ambushing the retreating Afrika Korps. After the conclusion of the North African campaign, the Willys underwent several small but significant changes, including the introduction of the .303 Browning machine gun.Between June and October 1944, the SAS brigade operated deep inside Occupied France, harassing Germans reinforcements heading to Normandy, calling up air strikes on installations, and carrying out reconnaissance missions - all made possible with jeeps dropped by the RAF. Jeeps were also used in the push into Germany in the spring of 1945. Transported across the Rhine in ''BuffTable of ContentsINTRODUCTION SELF-SUFFICIENCY: THE BLITZ BUGGY SAS DESERT JEEPS THE ITALIAN JOB, 1943 SPROUTING WINGS: JEEPS IN FRANCE, 1944 INTO GERMANY POST-WAR: THE LAND ROVER ERA FURTHER READING INDEX

Read more less

Book SynopsisA gripping history of the SAS in World War II, supported by a collection of rare images from the SAS Regimental Association.The SAS are among the best-trained and most effective Special Forces units in existence. This book is the incredible story of their origins, told in their own words. During the summer of 1941, a young Scots Guard officer called David Stirling persuaded MEHQ to give its backing to a small band of 60 men christened ''L Detachment''.With a wealth of stunning photographs, many from the SAS Regimental Association, the book captures the danger and excitement of the initial SAS raids against Axis airfields during the Desert War, the battles in Italy and those following the D-Day landings, as well as the dramatic final push into Germany itself and the discovery of such Nazi horrors as Belsen. An exhaustive account of an elite organization''s formative years, The SAS in World War II is the fruit of Gavin Mortimer''s expertise and his unprecedented access to tTrade ReviewPraise for the SAS in World War II 'Recounted with breathless pace and very effective use of first-hand testimonies, and supported by a superb collection of photographs and documents, this is a fascinating and hugely enjoyable book. It should prove an important starting point for anyone wanting to learn more about the early years of this legendary regiment.' BBC History MagazineTable of ContentsDedication Acknowledgements Introduction Chapter 1: Stirling’s leap of faith Chapter 2: L Detachment takes wings Chapter 3: Stirling’s capture Chapter 4: The SRS in Sicily and Italy Chapter 5: Bill Stirling and the boys of 2SAS Chapter 6: Roy Farran: from Toronoto to Termoli Chapter 7: Back to Blighty Chapter 8: D-Day for 1SAS Chapter 9: 2SAS earn their wings Chapter 10: 2SAS return to Italy Chapter 11: Operation Archway: the drive into Germany Chapter 12: Operation Howard: Paddy Mayne’s last hurrah Chapter 13: Delighted then demobbed Glossary Notes Bibliography Index

Read more less

Book SynopsisDuring the Vietnam War, the Viet Cong were frequently unable to hold their own in stand-up fights against US and allied forces who were superior in strength, firepower, mobility, and logistics. They relied instead on traditional guerrilla warfare tactics including small-scale hit- and-run attacks, ambushes, terrorist actions, and precision attacks against bases. These included one of the oldest of guerrilla weapons the boobytrap.Booby traps could be made in large numbers in village workshops and jungle camps using locally available materials as well as modern munitions. The VC were adept at making booby traps invisible' in the varied terrain of Vietnam, often emplacing them in locations and surroundings totally unexpected by their enemies. Booby traps could be incredibly simple or startlingly complex and ingenious, ranging from pointed sticks to command-detonated submerged floating river mines. Besides a wide variety of booby traps, they also used land and water mines, bothTable of ContentsIntroduction Non-Mechanical Booby Traps Mechanical Or Non-Explosive Booby Traps Hand Grenades As Booby Traps Explosive Booby Traps And Mines The Military Use Of Booby Traps Free World Forces’ Mines And Booby Traps Conclusion Bibliography Index

Read more less

Book SynopsisThis illustrated study details the organization, battle orders, combat history, uniforms, and insignia of the World War II units recruited by Nazi Germany from ethnic minorities in the USSR.Between 194145, the Germans recruited around 175,000 men from a number of minorities in the USSR, distinguishing between Turkomans (predominantly Muslims) and Caucasians (predominantly Orthodox Christians). Of these, many formed rear-area auxiliary units, but at least 55,000 were combat troops. The first recruits formed two battalions in the 444th Security Division raised as early as November 1941; during 194243 seven legions were formed, each of several battalions, eventually totaling some 53 battalions (equivalent to about 6 full divisions). However, with one exception (162nd Turkoman Division), they were not deployed as whole formations; after training in Poland, individual battalions were posted to fill out German regiments in the front lines, at first in Army Group South but lTable of ContentsIntroduction German Intelligence in the Caucasus The Eastern Legions: Overview Uniforms & Insignia: Overview The Eastern Legions: Profiles Campaign Deployments Crimean Tatar Forces Kalmyk Forces Select Bibliography Charts Index

Read more less

Book SynopsisWhen the shadowy, notorious Spetsnaz were first formed, they drew on a long Soviet tradition of elite, behind-the-lines commando forces from World War II and even earlier. Throughout the 1960s-70s they were instrumental both in projecting Soviet power in the Third World and in suppressing resistance within the Warsaw pact. As a powerful, but mysterious tool of a world superpower, the Spetsnaz have inevitably become the focus of many ''tall tales'' in the West. In this book, a peerless authority on Russia''s military Special Forces debunks several of these myths, uncovering truths that are often even more remarkable. Now, since the chaotic dissolution of the USSR and the two Chechen Wars, Russian forces have seen increasing modernization, involving them ever more in power-projection, counter-insurgency and anti-terrorism and the Spetsnaz have been deployed as a spearhead in virtually all of these operations. This book offers a unique, absorbing guide to the secrets of the Spetsnaz, theiTable of ContentsIntroduction: overview; background in Russian history and culture The Spetsnaz Tradition: special units of the Bolshevik Red Guard, and behind-the-lines NKVD operations in World War II /Cold Warriors: foundation by GRU, 1950 Operations 1960s–70s: Angola, Czechoslovakia, etc, and order-of-battle 1980 Operations in Afghanistan, and order-of-battle Spetsnaz after the USSR: the turmoil of the 1990s Tajikistan and Moldova, imitation units in post-Soviet states Operations in Chechnya, the Chechen Spetsnaz Modern Spetsnaz: increasing strength and importance Naval Spetsnaz, and order-of-battle 2013 Special Weapons Index

Read more less

Book SynopsisExtraordinary Valor is the true story of American Special Forces officer John Duffy, and South Vietnamese paratrooper, Lê Van M?, as they fight to defend Charlie Hill, a key to holding Vietnam''s Central Highlands during North Vietnam''s 1972 Easter Offensive.John Joseph Duffy was born in Brooklyn, New York; Le Van M? in a small village outside the old imperial capital of Hue in South Vietnam. Living on opposite sides of the globe, they come together in the heat of war in Southeast Asia when Major Duffy is assigned as the American advisor to the elite South Vietnamese 11th Airborne Battalion where M? is second in command. The battalion receives the order to Fight to the death on Charlie Hill. After two weeks of intense combat, hundreds lay dead and those still standing are out of food, water, and medical supplies. Their ammunition is nearly gone. Duffy and M? draw on their bond of friendship and trust to make a selfless two-man last stand against the final North VietnaTrade Review"Riveting, raw, and insightful account of a South Vietnamese airborne battalion and the leaders who took it through one of the most horrendous clashes of the Vietnam War. William Reeder’s brilliant writing took me right back into the heart of battle. It is real. Focusing on two heroes and one battalion’s desperate fight, it is the forgotten story of South Vietnam’s most elite forces and how they fought with extraordinary courage and sacrifice. It is also the story of the gallant young American paratroop advisors who served beside them.”--General Barry McCaffrey, USA (Ret.), inductee into the U.S. Army Ranger Hall of Fame, and current NBC national security analyst

Read more less

Book SynopsisIt is a little-known fact that during the Cold War, two U.S. Army Special Forces detachments were stationed far behind the Iron Curtain in West Berlin. The existence and missions of the two detachments were highly classified secrets.The massive armies of the Soviet Union and its Warsaw Pact allies posed a huge threat to the nations of Western Europe. US military planners decided they needed a plan to slow the juggernaut they expected when and if a war began. The plan was Special Forces Berlin. The first 40 men who came to Berlin in mid-1956 were soon reinforced by 60 more and these 100 soldiers (and their successors) would stand ready to go to war at only two hours’ notice, in a hostile area occupied by nearly one million Warsaw Pact forces, until 1990.Their mission should hostilities commence was to wreak havoc behind enemy lines, and buy time for vastly outnumbered NATO forces to conduct a breakout from the city. In reality it was an ambitious and extremely dangerous mission, even suicidal. Highly trained and fluent in German, each man was allocated a specific area. They were skilled in clandestine operations, sabotage, intelligence tradecraft and able to act if necessary as independent operators, blending into the local population and working unseen in a city awash with spies looking for information on their every move.Special Forces Berlin was a one of a kind unit that had no parallel. It left a legacy of a new type of soldier expert in unconventional warfare, one that was sought after for other deployments including the attempted rescue of American hostages from Tehran in 1979. With the U.S. government officially acknowledging their existence in 2014, their incredible story can now be told.Trade ReviewThe reader learns not only the history, but also the individual soldier’s motivations and way of thinking. The work leaves nothing to be desired and closes gaps in the history of the Cold War…I recommend this book highly. * Colonel Friedrich Jeschonnek (German Army Retired), Editor, Hardthöhenkurier *The Cold War in Europe is an often overlooked part of American military history because it stayed cold. But as this book shows, for the men serving on the front lines next to the Iron Curtain, conflict was always a real possibility that could happen at any time. Their sacrifice and service helped ensure the eventual collapse of communism in Eastern Europe and the peaceful reunification of Germany. * New York Journal of Books *More akin to a spy thriller...Truly a fascinating time, which this intriguing book examines from an entirely fresh perspective. * History of War Magazine *A fascinating look inside special ops in the Cold War period. * The Armourer *This study is rewarding for anyone interested in the Cold War, Special Forces, or Berlin. In fact, this is a considerable achievement, a contribution to history that gives the reader a micro-view of the realities of military life. * Dr Jonathan House, Professor Emeritus at USACGSC *This book is excellent and it is well written. One characteristic the Directorate of Operations and the Directorate of Intelligence at CIA had in common: understandable diction. Every sentence and every word is understandable. * International Journal of Intelligence and Counterintelligence *Special Forces Berlin is a must-read for military historians and should be mandatory reading for future generations of professional military leaders. In addition to adding to the body of knowledge of the Cold War years, the author—himself a former Green Beret—has lifted the veil of secrecy surrounding an elite Special Forces organization. * Association of the United States Army *I strongly recommend this book...this is one of the best examples of applied unconventional warfare in special operations history. * Small Wars Journal.com *Reads like a thriller for much of the time - a small, select force ready for action should the Soviets escalate their activities in Western Europe - nothing much has changed in the last sixty years or so! * Books Monthly *

Read more less

Book SynopsisWinning once is often achievable. Winning again and again, is where true greatness lies.Join The 0.1% Academy to learn how to maintain an elite mindset to consistently deliver a high performance and avoid burnout.Performance facilitator and elite mindset coach Gareth Timmins was one of only 0.1% of Royal Marines Commando applicants to reach the end of the intensive and gruelling training, and to earn the coveted Green Beret, a world-renowned symbol of excellence.By drawing on his life experiences after reaching this elite status, his subsequent research into psychological theory and observations from elite athletes, Timmins aims to break the commonly held assumption that people who achieve consistent successes, do so with ease. As if they are somehow unaffected mentally or emotionally by the events of everyday life. This book deconstructs the attributes of a growth mindset, highlighting the positive and negative fluidity of thinking that can a

Read more less

Book SynopsisSpecializing in covert reconnaissance, counter-terrorism and hostage rescue, the SAS is one of the world's most famous, feared and respected elite fighting forces.This book tells the full, fascinating story of the regiment, from formation in the sand dunes of Africa during World War II to present action in the Middle East, and incorporates jungle, desert and urban warfare, counter-terrorism and an insider's view at the selection and training methods employed by this usually secretive unit.Table of Contents1940s - Early History, WWII, disbanding • 1950s - Re-forming, Malaya, Oman • 1960s - Borneo, Aden • 1970s - Oman, Northern Ireland • 1980s - Falklands, Embassy Siege, Gibraltar, Gambia • 1990s - Gulf War, Central America • 2000s - Afghanistan, Iraq • 2010s - Modern Operations • 2020s - Selection, Training, After the regiment • Appendix - Organization, Chronology, Names of the Dead.

Read more less

Book SynopsisPresents an account of Andy McNab, from the day he was found in a carrier bag on the steps of Guy's Hospital to the day he went to fight in the Gulf War. Recounting his activities in the Special Forces unit, McNab offers an insight into the world of surveillance and intelligence gathering, counter-terrorism and hostage rescue.Trade ReviewA richly detailed picture of life in the SAS * Sunday Telegraph *The real thing... The strength of Immediate Action lies in its detail... much more than a jingoistic adventure story * The Times *A joy... An absorbing insight into the controlled thuggery and intimate comradeship that are the the hallmarks of the SAS * Daily Telegraph *

Read more less

Book Synopsis**THE NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER**With all the SEALs'' recent successes, we have been getting a level of attention we are not used to. It''s been flattering but something important has been missing from the discussion. People keep describing what we do, but no one has even scratched the surface of how and why. The unique psychology behind it.Operating in the world's most hostile environments, the Navy SEALs are highly skilled warriors, finely tuned and ready for action. Now, for the first time, Lieutenant Commander Rorke Denver offers a compelling and profound insight into the extreme bravery, borderline lunacy, and touching camaraderie of this elite brotherhood.Packed with tales from the gruelling training process and real-life operations, Rorke Denver recounts his evolution from a young SEAL hopeful pushing his way through Hell Week, into a warrior engaging in dangerous stealth missions across the globe, and finally into a lieutenant commander Trade ReviewIf you’ve ever wished you could read the testament of a Jedi Knight, here it is. Damn Few takes us inside the mind of a born warrior. This is timeless stuff, worthy of being read in the era of Caesar, Alexander, Leonidas—or a long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away. * Steven Pressfield, author of 'Gates of Fire' and 'The War of Art' *Interweaving tales of battle and reflections on what it means to be a professional killer, Denver crafts an awe-inspiring sketch of soldierly excellence. * Publishers Weekly *

Read more less

Book Synopsis''An unpretentious Aussie''s experiences in one of the most ramshackle and soul-destroying military organisations on Earth.'' COURIER-MAILA real-life boy''s own adventure, MARCHING WITH THE DEVIL is a hell-raising account of five years in the infamous French Foreign Legion.''In 1894 a French Foreign Legion General said, Legionnaires, vous etes faits pour mourir, je vous envoie la ou on meurt. Legionnaires, you are made for dying, I will send you where you can die. When I was in my mid-teens and first read those words they were powerful and confronting. I read them as a challenge and an invitation. The words, and the feelings they evoked, remained with me until I was ready. On 20 May 1988, I enlisted in the French Foreign Legion.''Searching for something he wasn''t finding in his life in Australia, David Mason joined the French Foreign Legion. This is a frank account of how Mason came first in basic training, trained other Legionnaires, went to Africa, did sniper, commando and medic training and took part in two operations, both in the Republic of Djibouti where a civil war nearly crippled the nation. It tells of his daily life in the Legion, in the training regiment, in Africa and with the Legion''s Parachute Regiment. But more than this: it reveals his disillusionment, frustration and disappointment with the much mythologised Legion, and how the Legion today is not what it seems - or could be. Now part of the HACHETTE MILITARY COLLECTION.''Remarkable'' THE AGETrade Review‘Since its creation in 1831, the French Foreign Legion has become the stuff of myth, fiction and dreams... Anyone thinking of joining up would be well advised to read this book first.’ * The Sun Herald *‘Remarkable... It's hard not to think it a shame that a man of such obvious gifts should have wasted them on the legion, just so as not to have to feel like a quitter, even if this book was the result.’ * The Age *‘Marching with the Devil quickly turns into an insightful and honest account of an unpretentious Aussie's experiences in one of the most ramshackle and soul-destroying military organisations on Earth.’ * Courier Mail *‘A strangely compulsive read about one man’s quest for self knowledge.’ * Men's Health Magazine *‘Mason left a comfortable life in Australia to test himself in the crucible of the legion, and he writes about it 20 years after his service time necessary to give himself the distance and context he needed to write about an extraordinary and painful experience.’ * Sunday Mail Brisbane *‘It’s a rollicking, readable memoir of extreme adventures.’ * Burnie Advocate *

Read more less

Book SynopsisFaced with the terror of the unexploded bomb, the Maltese people looked for help to the Royal Engineers Bomb Disposal Section, who dealt with all unexploded bombs, outside of airfields and the RN dockyard, across an area the size of Greater London.

Read more less

Book SynopsisPart two of the defining work on Hitler''s elite fanatical boy soldiers. Written by the division''s former chief of staff.

Read more less

Book SynopsisGeorge Jellicoe was one of the most high profile public figures of his era. This book describes Jellicoe's action-packed war with special forces and the many operations he was involved with.

Read more less

Book SynopsisOperation Pistol was a British operation performed by 2 SAS during World War 2 launching 51 SAS soldiers into the German territory of Alsace Lorraine 80 miles ahead of the American forces, running alongside Operation Loyton. Of those 51 soldiers, SQMS Jack Alcock commanded a four man party from his C3 group and this is the story of his incredible bravery that awarded him the Croix de Guerre with Silver Star. Jack's group parachuted in to France in extreme weather conditions lacking vital supplies of food and suffering the theft of their radio receiver they fought through enemy territory seeking shelter with sympathetic locals along the way experiencing a close call with the Gestapo at one farmstead to eventually reach the front line position of the American Fourth Armourerd Division near Arracourt where he was debriefed by Colonel Bruce C Clarke of Command A. Jack later returned to France with his son to retrace his footsteps for this incredible memoir of determination, courage and

Read more less