SAS: Sierra Leone – Deliver A Blow The True SAS Story of Operation Barras

by Andy Pacino

While the ten-year long the bloody civil war of Sierra Leone raged throughout the 1990s and early 2000, the United Nations sent a peacekeeping force to try and stem the bloodshed caused by the vicious rebel-faction death squads that were terrorising and murdering the innocent civilian population indiscriminately. As far as the rebel factions were concerned, everyone who was old enough to carry a gun was a target, an enemy or a potential rebel soldier who could join them.
A particularly dangerous and blood-thirsty outfit calling themselves the West Side Boys operated out of the Occra Hills and had control of the surrounding areas. In the past they had captured, raped, tortured and murdered a number of peace-keeping forces, journalists and religious missionaries.
In September of 2000, they went a step too far: they captured a British Army patrol and held them captive in one of their jungle camps. While the hostages were beaten and both psychologically and physically tortured on a daily basis, they lived in the very real fear of being killed at any moment. Britain’s Prime Minister, Tony Blair – possibly insulted by the rebels’ actions – sent in the UK’s Special Forces version of “Magic Dust” to make the problem go away. The SAS were deployed and tasked with two objectives; firstly to rescue the British hostages, and then to “Deliver a blow!” to the West Side Boys. As far as the Special Forces soldiers were concerned, this meant only one thing: kill every single one of the rebel soldiers. Kill them all.
Operation Barras has gone down in the Regiment’s history as the UKSF’s most daring ever raid, and research for this book involved interviewing British forces who were on the ground throughout training and on the day of the assault, ex RUF rebels and Sierra Leone Army soldiers.
Andy Pacino is an ex-journalist who now works out of Dubai. As well as writing he lectures in academic excellence and education management, having taught at a number of universities in the Far and Middle East. His work has taken him all over the world and his expertise stretches from football – Manchester United in particular – to art, poetry and creative writing. He has also produced a number of art documentaries and an independent feature film.

343 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 28, 2017

Reviews

[Ron Bunce · Rating 5 out of 5]

I bought this on the strength of the author's first book, and I wasn't disappointed. I come from a military family, and I have a friend in the special forces who has also read and recommends this. What is fascinating and really different about it, is that the author also researched the battle by interviewing ex rebels, and so he had an insight into both sides of the conflict. Another interesting point is that the original book was banned by the Ministry of Defence due to one of the SAS soldier's input. That changed when his narrative was removed, however, it still tells essentially the same tale due to other sources who were on the ground for Operation Barras. We don't get much of the soldier as a person, it reads more like a documentary than a personal account, but it is still way better than Damien Lewis' book, which by all accounts is quite a bit wide of the mark and embellishes and adds incidents that didn't really happen. Not that it's a bad read, because it isn't. However, if you want the true account, this is it.

[Disley Trombonis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well, to begin, I can't see how the one person gave this book only one star. Considering it had been banned and now we have the chance to read it, I am over the moon. The authors style takes you right into the jungle, sits you inside the camps and flies you into the mission. It's brilliant, the narrative is a little more documentary than personal, though that may be down to Vinne Keane's original stuff being removed. I wish we could have had the first book, as if it's anything like this, it's fantastic. There's also a proper insight into the rebels, and a number of them were interviewed before the book got written. Definitely recommended.

[Steve Lillis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really top read. The author has a tremendous turn of phrase and his style of colour will take anyone who reads on a ride. Saw on a previous review that Andy Pacino has other work so going to check out.

[Vivian Liu · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nice book, do worth to give it a shot

[Drew Haley · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great book. I love reading about the special forces, especially the SAS and SBS, and this didn't let me down at all. I've long been interested in how the Regiment works, and this book provides a fascinating insight into the operations and the nerve and guts it takes to become one of the best operatives in the world. I intended to take my time and savour the pages, but I couldn't put it down and I ended up reading it in a day. I guess I'll have to go through it again! Brilliant read, well worth the time spent.

[Simon Alphonso · Rating 4 out of 5]

A novel about the SAS which might be factual, might not

This book worked well as a piece of fiction. I don’t know much of it was truth and how much imagination and the author does state at the outset that the original co-author was a member of the SAS whereas the author wasn’t and it somewhat ruined the realism for me as parts of it read as if written by a “wannabe” rather than by someone that had been present and correct.

Probably my mindset in approaching the book more than the book itself.

[G STRANGE · Rating 1 out of 5]

Couldn't stand this book

I was interested to learn more about what happened in Sierra Leone but I could not stand the way that this book was written. I didn't get that far into the book when I had to stop reading it and I am about to delete it from my library. Let's hope my next book choice is a lot better.

[Laura Bentley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good book ...
Deffinatley recomend it...

[Chris Haley · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good read. Recommend the author.

[Will Daniels · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant read, true insight into the Operation and fully enjoyed the read! Was immersed into the book and have actually read it twice! Hope there will be more from this author!

[Denise · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not my usual selection. However, I was intrigued by the introduction so gave it a go. Well written, informative and, at times, shocking. Definitely worth reading!

[Nicola Boothman · Rating 5 out of 5]

When you want to know what actually happened in a conflict, this one tells it all. Wow.

[Simon Dean · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent account of a daring operation that loses none of the drama in the retelling.
Highly recommended.

[Michael Bentley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can thoroughly recommend this book. Brilliantly researched and an excellent read. A veritable page-turner, finding it difficult to put down!

[Jojo Remeny · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant book by this author..
I have read his other books and all beautifully written..
I look forward to Pacino's next book ..

[Mian Mohamad · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very insightful and informative.

[Carla Bazeley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic read, highly recommend.

[Darren O'Neill · Rating 5 out of 5]

By chance I came upon this title and surprised myself by thoroughly enjoying the read. I shall be looking for further work by Mr Pacino in the coming months.

[Khalid Alhabsi · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s a great read.

[Mr Jeremy Hopkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Basic gritty reality

Basic gritty reality of being a member of the British armed forces a reality little understood by those who have not served their country.

[M E · Rating 4 out of 5]

Holiday book

A good read but I prefer factual and this is told from the view of a fictional soldier. That said it kept me involved and I enjoyed it