Operation Firedog

George Yeoman #9

by Robert Jackson

The Second World War is over, but not for everyone… Veteran Wing Commander George Yeoman is still flying Spitfires. Yeoman and his men are working with the Malayan government to fight the Malayan Communist Party. It is a brutal guerrilla war, right in the heart of the jungle. After a carefully calculated sequence of bloody murders — British policemen and planters, their wives and children — the government of Malaya can no longer avoid open conflict with the Malayan Communist Party, whose strength lies in its guerrilla regiments operating from deep within the jungle. A state of emergency is declared and British reinforcements are flown in overnight. War veteran Wing Commander George Yeoman is one of those hardened fighter pilots posted to Kota Balang to command a tactical air support wing of Beaufighters and Spitfires. Their task is to draw the guerrillas out of their impenetrable cover and eradicate them before the whole country is subject to their ruthless terrorism. Operating in tandem with the highly trained Ferret Force, an army unit skilled in jungle warfare, the RAF have little time to acclimatize themselves before the first Communist offensive takes place in their zone. In their own terrain the guerrillas are unbeatable, and those who fall into their hands can expect no mercy. Yeoman and his team quickly discover that their action is every bit as dangerous — and important — as any of the great battles of the Second World War. For the man with the sword, the man known only as Yoke, the war isn’t over either and he will make the British pay for what they’ve done, to him and to his country. Praise for Robert ‘The descriptions of weaponry…are authentically detailed.’ - Publishers Weekly 'Takes you to the heart of the action.' - Tom Kasey, best-selling author of Cold Kill. Robert Jackson was born in 1941 in the North Yorkshire village of Melsonby. A former pilot and navigation instructor, his active involvement with aviation lasted many years. Following his retirement from the RAFVR in 1977 as a squadron leader, he became a full-time aviation writer and aerospace correspondent and lectured extensively on strategic issues. He speaks five languages, including Russian, and has written more than forty nonfiction works on military affairs. Operation Firedog is part of the thrilling Yeoman series.

148 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 31, 2017

About the author

Robert Jackson was born in 1941 in the North Yorkshire village of Melsonby. A former pilot and navigation instructor, his active involvement with aviation lasted many years. Following his retirement from the RAFVR in 1977 as a squadron leader, he became a full-time aviation writer and aerospace correspondent and lectured extensively on strategic issues. He speaks five languages, including Russian, and has written more than forty nonfiction works on military affairs. He is also the author of the popular Yeoman and SAS fiction series.

Reviews

[John Purvis · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Operation Firedog” eBook was published in 2017 (original paper edition was published in 1982) and was written by Robert Jackson. Mr. Jackson has published more than 50 books, mostly non-fiction about the military. This is the 8th novel in his fictional “Yeoman” series.

I received an ARC of this novel through https://www.netgalley.com in return for a fair and honest review. I categorize this novel as ‘R’ because it contains scenes of Violence and Mature Situations. The story is set in and around Singapore during the late 1940s. The primary character is Wing Commander George Yeoman.

Yeoman is assigned to a new base in Malaya. Yeoman, his air crews and British troops are there to fight the communists that are threatening to displace the government and take over. They find themselves in a situation every bit as dangerous as the recent war.

I enjoyed the 4 hours I spent reading this 177 page Military Fiction novel. I have read most of the other Yeoman novels, but this one does well as a stand-alone read. Even though it was written more than 35 years ago, it is still a good read. The cover art depicts the jungle warriors that are a prominent part of the story. I give this novel a 4 out of 5.

Further book reviews I have written can be accessed at https://johnpurvis.wordpress.com/blog/.

[Tom Watson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story of a little known guerrilla war. Great read and great characters

Again, Jackson has written a really good, fast paced story involving something most Americans know little of with great characters. The Yeoman series continues after the war where the action takes place in Malaysia during the protracted guerrilla war after WW2. The book desks with a much shorter period and covers a much smaller sphere. Jackson's books are fast paced and hard to put down. Enjoyable read

[Tony Hisgett · Rating 2 out of 5]

The story starts with the beginning of the Malayan Emergency and George involved in jungle survival training. Unfortunately this wasn’t really a story I wanted to read.
There is a little action in the air, but nothing particularly interesting and overall it wasn’t a great book, although there is a nice twist at the end.

[John McNair · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Yeoman series continues post-Second World War! This was a different tone altogether - a lot less flying and even more political-strategic scene setting with some tactical level encounters throughout. If you aren't familiar with the Malayan campaign late 1940s into the 50s, this will give you an excellent exposure to that. Again, not quite the gripping Yeoman novels I enjoyed over the past eight volumes but very good nevertheless.

[Chaplain Stanley Chapin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another of his well crafted stories

I have had the pleasure of reading most of his novels, unlike many serial authors, who continue with a lot of same. This author takes the characters on a delightful new adventure.

[Warren Osborne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good book

Change of pace novel in post WWII. The novel did a nice job giving thoughts. Of at least three different characters.

[tim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well written

This book is another very good book in the series them right this is book 9I've read the previous 8 I've actually bought the next couple

[Mr D Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

IMO one of his best books. Really enjoyed it. Learned some new history too.

[Snakeman · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another good Yeoman story