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Operation Codicil
'McKay delivers wall to wall action and characters to die for. As the elite pathfinders encounter own Bridge Too Far.' Damien Lewis, author of Churchill's Secret Warriors
D-DAY.
Under the cover of darkness, a plane approaches the Normandy coast...
Led by the indomitable Lieutenant Walsh, a former Guard’s officer, a group of paratroopers wait to jump. They are to be the first in; pathfinders, the spearhead of Operation Overlord. Their mission - to capture and hold a key bridge over the River Orne.
For Sergeant Sean Harris, a highly experienced career soldier, this is something for which he has been waiting, for four long years. A veteran of the fall of France, and many more battles since, Harris knows that more blood will be spilled before he can finally lay to rest the ghosts of the past; for what happened to him at Dunkirk.
After being separated from his unit in the aftermath of the perilous drop, Harris and a small group of soldiers must make it to the bridge with vital information, given to him by the Resistance leader, Camille Toussaint - a young Frenchwoman, eager to avenge the murder of her father.
A large SS unit is camped nearby the river - and could undo the entire mission.
Attacked from both sides, a desperate battle for the bridge ensues. With the death toll rising, can Harris and the company of paratroopers hold on until relieved?
The very success of Operation Overlord depends on it.
John McKay served in the RAF before pursuing a career in the Fire & Rescue Service. He lives in Wigan.
D-DAY.
Under the cover of darkness, a plane approaches the Normandy coast...
Led by the indomitable Lieutenant Walsh, a former Guard’s officer, a group of paratroopers wait to jump. They are to be the first in; pathfinders, the spearhead of Operation Overlord. Their mission - to capture and hold a key bridge over the River Orne.
For Sergeant Sean Harris, a highly experienced career soldier, this is something for which he has been waiting, for four long years. A veteran of the fall of France, and many more battles since, Harris knows that more blood will be spilled before he can finally lay to rest the ghosts of the past; for what happened to him at Dunkirk.
After being separated from his unit in the aftermath of the perilous drop, Harris and a small group of soldiers must make it to the bridge with vital information, given to him by the Resistance leader, Camille Toussaint - a young Frenchwoman, eager to avenge the murder of her father.
A large SS unit is camped nearby the river - and could undo the entire mission.
Attacked from both sides, a desperate battle for the bridge ensues. With the death toll rising, can Harris and the company of paratroopers hold on until relieved?
The very success of Operation Overlord depends on it.
John McKay served in the RAF before pursuing a career in the Fire & Rescue Service. He lives in Wigan.
157 pages, Paperback
Published July 14, 2023
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
September 1, 2023
Operation Codicil doesn’t pull any punches in its depiction of the brutality of World War II and the loyalty and brotherhood that developed between the men who fought it.
Operation Codicil is a fictional tale of a squad of British Paratroopers from the elite pathfinder unit, who are tasked with guiding the main paratrooper force on D-day. After a disastrous drop the unit is scattered, but with the help of a local French resistance group they overcome incredible obstacles to move onto the next stage of their mission: to capture and hold a key bridge over the River Orne, until relieved by troops fighting up from the beach head.
McKay doesn’t give the reader or his characters a moments respite as they move from crises to crises to fight off ruthless SS Panzer Grenadiers. Mckay’s depiction of the men, their fears, need for revenge and desire to go home to loved ones is spot on. On the whole this is a very enjoyable book and definitely one for people who liked James Holland’s Jack Tanner series.
Operation Codicil is a fictional tale of a squad of British Paratroopers from the elite pathfinder unit, who are tasked with guiding the main paratrooper force on D-day. After a disastrous drop the unit is scattered, but with the help of a local French resistance group they overcome incredible obstacles to move onto the next stage of their mission: to capture and hold a key bridge over the River Orne, until relieved by troops fighting up from the beach head.
McKay doesn’t give the reader or his characters a moments respite as they move from crises to crises to fight off ruthless SS Panzer Grenadiers. Mckay’s depiction of the men, their fears, need for revenge and desire to go home to loved ones is spot on. On the whole this is a very enjoyable book and definitely one for people who liked James Holland’s Jack Tanner series.
December 12, 2025
A rare 5 stars. I think the writing comes as close to describing real combat as is possible. I felt that I was among the action. Just terrific. Covered all of the elements, not just the fighting.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews