Anders Lassen VC, MC, of the SAS

by Mike Langley, William Langley (Foreword)

The dramatic true story of the heroic Danish World War II soldier who received Britain’s highest military honor.   The story of Anders Lassen is one of the most amazing of the Second World War—indeed in the history of the British armed services. From the day he stalked and killed a stag armed only with a knife, Lassen had been recognized as unique. He took part in a series of extraordinary strikes against the Axis powers in West Africa, Normandy, the Channel Islands, the Aegean and Greece, the Balkans, and, finally, Italy.   This biography of a remarkable warrior is based on interviews with Lassen’s fellow soldiers and a wealth of original research. It covers each stage of Lassen’s short, brilliant career in vivid detail and offers a penetrating insight into the exceptional courage, confidence, and single-minded motivation that lay behind Lassen’s extraordinary exploits. Mike Langley also reconstructs, using the testimony of survivors, the operation in which Lassen was killed—and for which he was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross.

Genres: Nonfiction

307 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 31, 2017

Reviews

[JD · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a pretty average book about one of the best and most brutal special forces during World War 2. Anders Lassen's hate for the Germans was well known among his fellow soldiers and he gave them no quarter. He was a master in the art of silent killing and used this to great effect against his enemy. He was a brave warrior, but I do not think many people will like his general character after reading this.

In the book the author takes a look at his background and his journey in joining the British special operation units, and also all the raids he participated in. Also in focus is his time during training and his social life throughout the war in England and especially the Middle East. A lot of background is given to the men and units he served with, and at times it feels as though you are reading a book about someone else.

[Rupert Hague-Holmes · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found this book disappointing. It started slowly albeit gathered pace as the story of Lassen’s dare devil exploits in WW2 developed.
His death at Lake Commachio about a week before the end of the War was a distinct anti-climax in the book. A short chapter at the end briefly covers the event. Not really a fitting tribute to a fearless warrior.

[chris zayc · Rating 5 out of 5]

The best war stories are Commando related

From the first book on Commandos I read when I was 8, I have always found the tales of daring raids against the loathsome Nazis as truly fascinating, in the Pacific, The Alamo Scouts. This is a good book about Lassen, an amazing soldier. It also says a lot of interesting things about the SBS, SAS, SSRF, and Fairbairn and Sykes! Loved it.

[S Withers · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ok but hardly the edge of seat reading

Not sure a VC was deserved or warranted considering not a great deal of any importance was achieved .By that I mean real strategic attacks unlike the actions of Paddy Mayne and co but I guess it was very important for the SAS to get a VC to ensure they had a case so they weren't disbanded. Who really knows.

[Richard R Thomas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bravery

It is hard to believe the times and resulting bravery and selfless drive of this man and their generation. Bravo

[simon payne · Rating 3 out of 5]

What a man, although only 3 stars it was hard to read in places, the last third of the book was much more interesting. What could this man have achieved, like so many a lost generation.