Description

A 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 the archives of the SAS Regimental Association. Incorporating interviews with the surviving veterans, it is the definitive account of the regiment's glorious achievements in the years from 1941 to 1945.

Table of Contents

Dedication
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

Product details

Published Jun 20 2015
Format Ebook (Epub & Mobi)
Edition 1st
Extent 304
ISBN 9781472808776
Imprint Osprey Publishing
Illustrations 120 black and white photoraphs
Series General Military
Short code GNM
Publisher Bloomsbury Publishing

About the contributors

Author

Gavin Mortimer

Gavin Mortimer is a writer, historian and televisi…

Resources

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