What do you think?
Raiding Forces #5
Guerilla Command
In Guerrilla Command Major John Randal leads the Abyssinian guerrilla army he has raised against the Italians in central Abyssinia in the final phase of his private guerrilla war. Col. Orde Wingate and the Patriots enter Abyssinia in the north and begin a cross country advance to Addis Abba. Attacking out of the Sudan with the 4th and 5th Indian Divisions the Kaid runs into trouble at the mountain fortress of Kerne on the way to the Red Sea Port of Massawa. While East Africa Force out of Kenya races up the coast to Mogadishu then across the desert to Addis Abba with Sir Terry Stones Lounge Lizard Yeomanry armored car regiment leading the way in the fastest blitzkrieg in history. This is the story of an extraordinary military campaign that has been lost to history.
- GenresMilitary FictionWar
358 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 2, 2013
About the author
Phil Ward
42 books86 followersPhil Ward is a decorated combat veteran commissioned at age nineteen. A former instructor at the Army Ranger School, he has had a lifelong interest in small unit tactics and special operations. He lives in Texas on a mountain overlooking Lake Austin.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
November 22, 2015
Onward to book six,
February 1, 2021
Guerrilla Command. Phil Ward
Major John Randal leads the Abyssinian army which he has managed to raise to fight the Italians in central Abyssinia. Using guerilla style tactics the Italian forces are slowly starting to retreat , then surrender. Different divisions of the British army are also routing the Italian soldiers. They are afraid to surrender to the Abyssinian forces. Their mistreatment of the local population is well known . They on l y feel safe surrendering to the British troops. The bravery and courage of Major Randals forces is legendary. A lot of the battles they fought is only known to a select few. Most lost to history. An absolutely stupendous read!! Enjoyed immensely!!! My highest recommendation!!
Major John Randal leads the Abyssinian army which he has managed to raise to fight the Italians in central Abyssinia. Using guerilla style tactics the Italian forces are slowly starting to retreat , then surrender. Different divisions of the British army are also routing the Italian soldiers. They are afraid to surrender to the Abyssinian forces. Their mistreatment of the local population is well known . They on l y feel safe surrendering to the British troops. The bravery and courage of Major Randals forces is legendary. A lot of the battles they fought is only known to a select few. Most lost to history. An absolutely stupendous read!! Enjoyed immensely!!! My highest recommendation!!
January 6, 2025
Re ice of books 3, 4 & 5
The first two books in this Raiding Forces were excellent. Book 3 is continued to book 4 which is continued to book 5......which apparently will be continued in
book 11........These 3 books are each entire too long, are boring in places, are very repetitive saying the same thing over and over, and....are too complicated for the average reader (that would be me) to follow and comprehend with too much technical jargon and what too many abbreviations.
I'm going to read book 6, hoping it is more like 1 & 2.
The first two books in this Raiding Forces were excellent. Book 3 is continued to book 4 which is continued to book 5......which apparently will be continued in
book 11........These 3 books are each entire too long, are boring in places, are very repetitive saying the same thing over and over, and....are too complicated for the average reader (that would be me) to follow and comprehend with too much technical jargon and what too many abbreviations.
I'm going to read book 6, hoping it is more like 1 & 2.
August 13, 2025
This book was filled with so much going on, it was hard to follow at times! It must have been hellish for the Italian forces towards the end. I like the ingenuity of the British forces to overcome obstacles in their path, and to modify weapons to be better suited, like the shoulder fired mortar. It must have been a logistical nightmare to command native troops who spoke little english too! Im glad I was not there. The use of psychological warfare certainly aided the success of this mission too!
April 8, 2020
Another great book. I’m trying to read them all.
During this time of social isolation I have found them very entraining. I’m off to find some others to read. I heard of the English trying to run the Italians out of east Africa. Well here’s a very good history of that action. I enjoyed it and recommend it highly.
During this time of social isolation I have found them very entraining. I’m off to find some others to read. I heard of the English trying to run the Italians out of east Africa. Well here’s a very good history of that action. I enjoyed it and recommend it highly.
September 22, 2022
Action packed throughout !
Book 5 in the raiding forces series keeps things hopping in this fast paced series. Loved every minute of it. John Randal is an awesome character, one you root for and he never disappoints. I had to go back and read this one again it was so much fun.
Book 5 in the raiding forces series keeps things hopping in this fast paced series. Loved every minute of it. John Randal is an awesome character, one you root for and he never disappoints. I had to go back and read this one again it was so much fun.
May 30, 2017
Very good.
A tad wordy for my taste but an excellent story one the less. Excellent continued character development. From what I remember from high school history this could be a true story. Nice job Mr. Ward
A tad wordy for my taste but an excellent story one the less. Excellent continued character development. From what I remember from high school history this could be a true story. Nice job Mr. Ward
August 16, 2017
Great 5th book in series
This book could stand alone but I feel it should be read in series to keep the continuity of characters and their romances. Plenty of action throughout this series. Looking forward to the next book.
This book could stand alone but I feel it should be read in series to keep the continuity of characters and their romances. Plenty of action throughout this series. Looking forward to the next book.
February 14, 2021
This series is exciting non-stop adventure with a fictional view of the history of early World War Two, and the advent of Special Operations. There is a touch of romance thrown in. It is hard to put the books down.
October 9, 2021
Great from Start to Finish
I didn't see it coming from the previous novel but it looks like MAJ. Randell and Lady Seaborne will weather the return of her husband. Great War/Love story told in true Warrior Fashion. Can't wait to start number 6!!!
I didn't see it coming from the previous novel but it looks like MAJ. Randell and Lady Seaborne will weather the return of her husband. Great War/Love story told in true Warrior Fashion. Can't wait to start number 6!!!
July 28, 2022
This is book 5 of a series. The last 3 books are considered a trilogy based on Africa operations during WWII. I thought the first two books were great and disliked the trilogy (last 3 books). On to book 6 with hopes for return to greatness!
November 4, 2022
Great story with a fitting ending
This book.brought to conclusion the Force B's Abyssinian campaign. It was a long story but worth going through. I can't wait to see what they do next.
This book.brought to conclusion the Force B's Abyssinian campaign. It was a long story but worth going through. I can't wait to see what they do next.
April 7, 2023
Enjoyed the continued seies
The small units perspective remains an interesting novelization of arenas of the War that don't get the attention of historians and their chronology of the grand sweep of events.
The small units perspective remains an interesting novelization of arenas of the War that don't get the attention of historians and their chronology of the grand sweep of events.
May 16, 2017
Good as usual.
I once again enjoyed Mr. Ward's story. You actually root for the character's and, even though we know the outcome, you still get caught up in the excitement.
I once again enjoyed Mr. Ward's story. You actually root for the character's and, even though we know the outcome, you still get caught up in the excitement.
February 23, 2021
Excellent way to carry forth the story!!
The way Mr. Ward has his characters behave is totally normal for honest grunt. We need more writers like him.
The way Mr. Ward has his characters behave is totally normal for honest grunt. We need more writers like him.
March 18, 2021
Every novel is better than the previous one. Just starting #6
May 23, 2021
Thoroughly enjoyed it!
Although the cast of characters is pretty far out, overall the book was very entertaining, as were the last two of the series. Keep 'em coming!!
Although the cast of characters is pretty far out, overall the book was very entertaining, as were the last two of the series. Keep 'em coming!!
July 4, 2021
All needless and endless information about weapons, etc. No character development. Very disappointing.
August 5, 2022
Action packed
Loved that lady jane came back in the picture. Major Handle is an awesome soldier and this books keeps your interest
Loved that lady jane came back in the picture. Major Handle is an awesome soldier and this books keeps your interest
February 26, 2023
another great book
I devoured this book. It was excellent. I know more about this little corner of wwii history than ever. Great book!
I devoured this book. It was excellent. I know more about this little corner of wwii history than ever. Great book!
May 29, 2019
could not recommend any better reading if you like WWII Military
January 9, 2015
Deeply Detailed,Full of Action,Sometimes Laughable!
You can get lost (in a good way) in Phil Ward's fictionalized historical series Raiding Forces due to the intricate details & explanations of the WW2 commando actions of the British forces prior to the U.S.A.'s entry into the war. This fifth installment "Guerilla Command" is to date the most in-depth and uniquely detailed of the series. The author takes the reader through the majority of military actions that Britain had to complete to liberate Italian East Africa and gain secure control over the Suez Canal & the Red Sea area around the horn of Africa. Mr.Ward's research into the backgrounds of battles,events,situations and characters as always is excellent (I checked quite a number of them, fascinating study). The only negative I can comment on is the lack of maps of the areas of the main battles. For me this was an awesome read, very enjoyable and at times laugh out loud funny! A great adventure!
You can get lost (in a good way) in Phil Ward's fictionalized historical series Raiding Forces due to the intricate details & explanations of the WW2 commando actions of the British forces prior to the U.S.A.'s entry into the war. This fifth installment "Guerilla Command" is to date the most in-depth and uniquely detailed of the series. The author takes the reader through the majority of military actions that Britain had to complete to liberate Italian East Africa and gain secure control over the Suez Canal & the Red Sea area around the horn of Africa. Mr.Ward's research into the backgrounds of battles,events,situations and characters as always is excellent (I checked quite a number of them, fascinating study). The only negative I can comment on is the lack of maps of the areas of the main battles. For me this was an awesome read, very enjoyable and at times laugh out loud funny! A great adventure!
September 24, 2013
While not the best of the series, this was still excellent. In this book there were more large group movements instead of just the tighter raiding force.
October 22, 2013
This was not my favorite "Raiding Forces" series book. With that said it is a great book. I look forward to the next book.
October 21, 2015
Another good one
Truly enjoyed reading this book. As with the previous books of this series it has lots of action and military language to lend credibility to the story line.
Truly enjoyed reading this book. As with the previous books of this series it has lots of action and military language to lend credibility to the story line.
July 28, 2016
Not as good as the first 4 books in the series but still a great story. I r alt enjoy the caricatures. Got to reload my Amazon gift card and get the next book
July 6, 2021
The whole series is excellent. Realistic, exciting, great characters. I'm waiting for book 14 to come out!
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews