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Raiders: WWII Britain's Most Daring Special Operations
To the people of Great Britain
World War II was the deadliest and bloodiest war in history. Never before or since have so many people made such a personal sacrifice in the line of duty.
Raiders tells the extraordinary true stories of six of the most daring special operations ever undertaken in warfare and the heroism of the people behind them.
Operation Chariot was the most ambitious amphibious raid ever mounted by the British Forces. Attacking the heavily fortified dry dock at St Nazaire in German occupied France, an elite group of commandos battered their way through a maelstrom of bullets and incendiaries. Their boat is punctured by over a hundred shell holes, the dead and wounded lie all around them on the decks, but still their guns are blazing and still they press on...
'Courage is the first of human qualities because it is the quality that guarantees all others'
Winston Churchill
World War II was the deadliest and bloodiest war in history. Never before or since have so many people made such a personal sacrifice in the line of duty.
Raiders tells the extraordinary true stories of six of the most daring special operations ever undertaken in warfare and the heroism of the people behind them.
Operation Chariot was the most ambitious amphibious raid ever mounted by the British Forces. Attacking the heavily fortified dry dock at St Nazaire in German occupied France, an elite group of commandos battered their way through a maelstrom of bullets and incendiaries. Their boat is punctured by over a hundred shell holes, the dead and wounded lie all around them on the decks, but still their guns are blazing and still they press on...
'Courage is the first of human qualities because it is the quality that guarantees all others'
Winston Churchill
- GenresHistoryMilitary History
304 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 25, 2012
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
October 9, 2018
The book re-tells the stories of six of Britain's WWII small scale operations, ones that although not huge in terms of number of soldiers or length of battle had considerably greater consequences that at first would be thought.
The problem with the book is partly Mr Kemp's style (or perhaps that of his proof readers and editors), in particular the clunkiness at times and 'boys own' theme that pervades the book. BY and of themselves these can be overlooked. For me it was simply that the operations described here have been described in other books and in both more detailed and better narrated style.
If you have not read about the Taranto, Vaagso or Vermork operations you should get this book and read it, you will enjoy it. If you have read about them there is nothing in here that is new.
The problem with the book is partly Mr Kemp's style (or perhaps that of his proof readers and editors), in particular the clunkiness at times and 'boys own' theme that pervades the book. BY and of themselves these can be overlooked. For me it was simply that the operations described here have been described in other books and in both more detailed and better narrated style.
If you have not read about the Taranto, Vaagso or Vermork operations you should get this book and read it, you will enjoy it. If you have read about them there is nothing in here that is new.
September 21, 2020
Purchase Raiders here for just $8!
Ross Kemp really made the history come alive with the detailed research, down to the nicknames for key soldiers involved in these raids. A enjoyable book that was easy to read.
Alicia, The Book Grocer
Ross Kemp really made the history come alive with the detailed research, down to the nicknames for key soldiers involved in these raids. A enjoyable book that was easy to read.
Alicia, The Book Grocer
January 24, 2020
Good
Language is at times dated reflecting the period it was produced. Kemp 's writing has a .trim style .
Good account of Royal Navy 's tough early days in
Language is at times dated reflecting the period it was produced. Kemp 's writing has a .trim style .
Good account of Royal Navy 's tough early days in
February 15, 2020
i rearly enjoyed this book the detail was great and the story well told
September 18, 2018
Gripping Read
A really well written book very factual and informative i could not stop reading out. The facts regarding the importance of the fleet are brought to life in this book.
A really well written book very factual and informative i could not stop reading out. The facts regarding the importance of the fleet are brought to life in this book.
December 19, 2014
An excellently researched book about six raids by British forces in WW2, all of which changed the course of history. Required reading if you are interested in the men who courageously were prepared to give all for us.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews