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SBS: The Inside Story of the Special Boat Service
Parker was granted unprecedented help by the SBS for this account of the most secret of Britain's armed services which concentrates on the personalities and their heroic actions
317 pages, Hardcover
First published September 1, 1997
22 people are currently reading
93 people want to read
About the author
John Parker
57 books5 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author by this name in the Goodreads database.
John Parker is a former Fleet Street editor who has written many investigative books.
John Parker is a former Fleet Street editor who has written many investigative books.
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
December 30, 2025
This is the story of a unit that seems very difficult to tell. Part of the problem may be the missions of the unit itself. The other part may be the secrecy that the unit maintains; but telling the story of the Special Boat Service seems to be quite problematic.
The first problem is the mission. The SBS has historically specialized in coastal reconnaissance. A vital task that is also done quietly. Successful recces involve slipping onto a coastline, assessing the beach, then slipping out unnoticed. A vital task, but not one that makes for terribly exiting stories (excluding those from WWII). The second problem is the vagueness of stories. Parker explains that SBS units deployed to certain regions (usually alongside other units like the SAS) but rarely provides mission details, often stating that they were “involved” with missions like intelligence gathering.
When it comes to more detailed stories of operations or training (again, excluding WWII) the book frequently comes up short. Oddly, two of the most detailed stories in the book, the disappearance of Commander Crabb, and the disaster at Fortuna Glacier, didn’t even involve the SBS.
The book is disappointing in the sense that you do not really get “inside” the SBS in terms of its training, culture, or notable operations, however, given the level secrecy that the unit probably requires, I’m not sure it’s possible.
The first problem is the mission. The SBS has historically specialized in coastal reconnaissance. A vital task that is also done quietly. Successful recces involve slipping onto a coastline, assessing the beach, then slipping out unnoticed. A vital task, but not one that makes for terribly exiting stories (excluding those from WWII). The second problem is the vagueness of stories. Parker explains that SBS units deployed to certain regions (usually alongside other units like the SAS) but rarely provides mission details, often stating that they were “involved” with missions like intelligence gathering.
When it comes to more detailed stories of operations or training (again, excluding WWII) the book frequently comes up short. Oddly, two of the most detailed stories in the book, the disappearance of Commander Crabb, and the disaster at Fortuna Glacier, didn’t even involve the SBS.
The book is disappointing in the sense that you do not really get “inside” the SBS in terms of its training, culture, or notable operations, however, given the level secrecy that the unit probably requires, I’m not sure it’s possible.
April 27, 2018
In regards to United States Special Operations Forces, it is the Army units that tend to be less vocal about their exploits (Rangers, Special Forces, and Delta Force, though popular media exists about all three), while the Navy units (particularly the SEAL Teams) are seen as glory hounds and media darlings due to the sheer volume of books, TV shows, films, and former SEALs turned celebrities that exist out there.
In contrast, in the United Kingdom, it is the vaunted 22nd Special Air Service Regiment that are considered the glory hounds (one nickname for them in this book is the "Special Author Service," no doubt a reference to Bravo Two Zero patrol veterans Andy McNab and Chris Ryan), while their maritime counterpart, the Special Boat Service, are considered the quiet professionals.
Reporter John Parker did a solid job investigating the origins of the unit, which come from several sources, all during World War II: a Special Boat Section, a Special Boat Squadron under the 22nd SAS, and various other special purpose maritime units. After the war, like their Army counterparts at the SAS, these were all but disbanded after the war, but with the Korean War and the Malayan Emergency, the SBS was brought back in various iterations and maintained throughout the 1970s and 1980s.
The SBS picked up the maritime counterterrorism role they currently fill around the same time that the SAS developed their Counter Revolutionary Wing. They were also key in the invasion of the Falkland Islands in the early 1980s, and played roles in Desert Storm, the rescue of soldiers in Sierra Leone, and the invasions of Afghanistan and Iraq in support of the Global War on Terror.
Parker proves to be an astute and attentive historian for the World War II and Malayan Emergency years. It's after that point that the details start to peter out. The chapter on the GWOT was remarkably vague which, while good for operational security, is bad for research purposes.
Still, it is a good read to learn the history of the SBS, and see the kind of thinking that made swimmer-canoeists a mainstay in the UK Special Forces. If you can obtain a copy (it is, to my understanding, out of print), it's worth the time.
In contrast, in the United Kingdom, it is the vaunted 22nd Special Air Service Regiment that are considered the glory hounds (one nickname for them in this book is the "Special Author Service," no doubt a reference to Bravo Two Zero patrol veterans Andy McNab and Chris Ryan), while their maritime counterpart, the Special Boat Service, are considered the quiet professionals.
Reporter John Parker did a solid job investigating the origins of the unit, which come from several sources, all during World War II: a Special Boat Section, a Special Boat Squadron under the 22nd SAS, and various other special purpose maritime units. After the war, like their Army counterparts at the SAS, these were all but disbanded after the war, but with the Korean War and the Malayan Emergency, the SBS was brought back in various iterations and maintained throughout the 1970s and 1980s.
The SBS picked up the maritime counterterrorism role they currently fill around the same time that the SAS developed their Counter Revolutionary Wing. They were also key in the invasion of the Falkland Islands in the early 1980s, and played roles in Desert Storm, the rescue of soldiers in Sierra Leone, and the invasions of Afghanistan and Iraq in support of the Global War on Terror.
Parker proves to be an astute and attentive historian for the World War II and Malayan Emergency years. It's after that point that the details start to peter out. The chapter on the GWOT was remarkably vague which, while good for operational security, is bad for research purposes.
Still, it is a good read to learn the history of the SBS, and see the kind of thinking that made swimmer-canoeists a mainstay in the UK Special Forces. If you can obtain a copy (it is, to my understanding, out of print), it's worth the time.
August 8, 2018
What a really enjoyable book! This is the history of the SBS, the Special BOAT Service, the Royal Marines' Special Forces. Whilst the Army's SAS, or Special Air Service, with their motto "Who Dares Wins" are the subject of a lot of press interest, and a slew of books, the SBS show their approach with their motto "Not By Strength, by Guile". This book helps to show how different roots led to the SBS, and their preference for stealth. And in the end one understands why Britain maintains two such distinct forces at such a high pitch.
The SBS traces its roots to WWII, just as the SAS do, but their ancestors are the Canoe borne and submarine launched raiders drawn originally from the Commandos. Impressed by Italian Frogmen/MiniSub raiding, Churchill supported several small groups trying those methods. Then the allied liberation of Europe and the Far East required a group to do beach reconnaissances. By the end of the war all these groups were amalgamated into one group. The skills were going to die there, when the Cold War made their retention a priority. The parallels with the US SEAL program are there to see. The book ends with the Falklands and Gulf War II deployments, showing how those skills were essential to those Victories.
Parker keeps the book at a level that any serious junior reader can follow, so this is a finw book for the youngsters. For the Gamer/Modeler/Military Enthusiast- purest gold, especially the many pics in B/W. I bought this book when I laid eyes on it as I knew so little about the SBS. I think that will be the case with most folks who follow this stuff. A whole pile of goodness for the Gamer/Modeller/Enthusiast on a topic with a real dearth of information. A strong recommendation...
The SBS traces its roots to WWII, just as the SAS do, but their ancestors are the Canoe borne and submarine launched raiders drawn originally from the Commandos. Impressed by Italian Frogmen/MiniSub raiding, Churchill supported several small groups trying those methods. Then the allied liberation of Europe and the Far East required a group to do beach reconnaissances. By the end of the war all these groups were amalgamated into one group. The skills were going to die there, when the Cold War made their retention a priority. The parallels with the US SEAL program are there to see. The book ends with the Falklands and Gulf War II deployments, showing how those skills were essential to those Victories.
Parker keeps the book at a level that any serious junior reader can follow, so this is a finw book for the youngsters. For the Gamer/Modeler/Military Enthusiast- purest gold, especially the many pics in B/W. I bought this book when I laid eyes on it as I knew so little about the SBS. I think that will be the case with most folks who follow this stuff. A whole pile of goodness for the Gamer/Modeller/Enthusiast on a topic with a real dearth of information. A strong recommendation...
August 30, 2021
This book was given to me by a friend who has recently retired from the SBS.
Whilst it is not the easiest of reads, being quite technical and somewhat repetitive, it is nonetheless a fascinating overview of the history of the SBS since the Second World War.
Apart from the in depth study of the SBS, the book offers some interesting insights into the workings of the SAS as well as some very informative snippets of the politics of the day, most of the latter being not particularly flattering!
Whilst it is not the easiest of reads, being quite technical and somewhat repetitive, it is nonetheless a fascinating overview of the history of the SBS since the Second World War.
Apart from the in depth study of the SBS, the book offers some interesting insights into the workings of the SAS as well as some very informative snippets of the politics of the day, most of the latter being not particularly flattering!
March 10, 2020
I've read the 2005 edition and found the book to be filled with facts but which is also very easy to read. It allows you to get an understanding of what has happened and makes you want to read about other missions / work that has been undertaken. I'd definitely recommend the book.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews