Raiding Forces Series Boxed Set (Books 1 & 2): Those Who Dare & Dead Eagles

Raiding Forces #1-2

by Phil Ward

This boxed set includes the first two books in the epic WWII Raiding Forces Series. Meticulously researched (the author was an instructor at the Army Ranger School), the series begins with the birth of special operations—as seen through the eyes of a young American officer who has volunteered to serve with British Forces. With over 500 reviews and a 4.3 star average, Those Who Dare and Dead Eagles are sure to appeal to WWII military historical fiction fans. Two books for the price of one—$9.99. Those Who Dare (Book1) May 1940, 10th Panzer Division has decimated France and is driving on Calais a short distance from Dunkirk. Lieutenant John Randal, a veteran of the US 26th Cavalry Regiment volunteers to serve with the British Forces and arrives on the continent three days before the town falls. What unfolds is a blend of guerrilla tactics learned in the Philippian jungles, the first small-scale Commando raid, tough training at No.1 Parachute Training School, the Commando Castle, Special Operations Executive. suspense, humor and a little romance with the drop dead gorgeous widow Lady Jane Seaborn. The author—a decorated Ranger combat veteran covers the details of war extensively putting the reader right in the middle of the action. As the novel ends newly promoted Major Randal, upon returning from the first British parachute raid of the war is alerted that Raiding Forces will deploy within 48 hours via sea transport for their next mission off the Gold Coast of Africa. Dead Eagles (Book 2) U.S.Major John Randal, Commander of Strategic Raiding Forces is back, leading a crew of British Commandos, Royal Marines and Royal Navy raiders on bigger and bolder missions to foil Hitler's Third Reich. Off the Gold Coast colony in Africa, the Germans are operating a naval intelligence ring that gathers information about British convoys in the southern sea-lane. Couriers carry the data to nearby Rio Bonita, a tiny Portuguese island protectorate, whence they are broadcast to Nazi U-boats and surface raiders from a clandestine radio station onboard one of three interned enemy ships. As a result, British convoys vital to the war effort are ravaged. Major Randal and the Raiding Forces mission is to invade neutral Rio Bonita and spirit away the three ships. Failure means either imprisonment or hanging for piracy-and that Portugal will declare war on its oldest ally. Peopling Dead Eagles are colorful characters new and old. There is Wild West showman Captain "Geronimo Joe" McKoy, the stunning Special Operations Executive operator Lady Jane Seaborn, who adopts the Raiding Forces as her own pet project; and Lady Jane's bombshell of a driver, Pamala Plum-Martin. Even Commander Ian Fleming puts in an appearance, submitting a plan for "Operation Ruthless", the goal of which is to board a Luftwaffe bomber and crash it into the English Channel in order to capture an Enigma coding device from a Nazi air-sea rescue craft. This action packed adventure story features Lovat Scout Snipers, the take down of the Vichy French fleet in English ports, daring Commando raids, an epic sea battle, beautiful spies and culminates in a deadly shoot-out in a crowed bar in Occupied France.

Genres: Military Fiction, Amazon, Historical, Fiction

774 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 27, 2017

About the author

Phil 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.

Reviews

[William · Rating 5 out of 5]

once started had to read entire series

[Steve · Rating 3 out of 5]

Entertaining, fast-paced read. Really enjoyed both the attention to the training, mission prep and actual missions. That said, I'm a WWII buff, so YMMV, but if you're reading this series you probably are into this subject matter anyway! While I did enjoy the story telling, I did find one element annoying: following the initial introduction of each character, the author continues to use that character's full title, name and nickname (if any) every time that character is mentioned again in the books. For example, "Captain Terry 'Zorro' Stone" is repeatedly referred to as "Captain Terry 'Zorro' Stone" throughout both books. Why not just "Captain Stone" or "Zoro" or even "Terry" when in informal scenes? Same goes for descriptions of particular weapons. Initial descriptions are fully detailed, as they should be, but are never shortened for easier reference through the remainder or the books. I also felt that there were a number of typos, missed words, etc. throughout the books. Could be just a Kindle thing, but regardless some additional editing would help. This wasn't a huge issue, but popped up enough to distract. I give this 3 1/2 stars. Would likely bump up to 4 stars, maybe 4 1/2 if the issues mentioned here are addressed.

[Allison Woods · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kept me on the edge of my seat!

World war 2 has been raked over continuously, so when I bought this I had an idea that it would be going over old news. Was I wrong! It started with the destruction of Calais and the Dunkirk retreat, and ran gleefully on with the creation of the first modern special forces raiding commandos. I could not stop reading this. This pair of books are a great read and it fills the information gaps from my history class. If only school could have this set as part of required reading, I would have paid more attention. It even has Man Flemming in on planning sessions for raids!

[Vic Falconer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent action and characters.

First rate action and adventure for military fans. The Raiders have to learn as they go and they have the resolve, luck and leadership to pull off the impossible. Interforce rivalries are overcome with intelligent planning and a never say no mentality. This one is well worth your time to invest in. Go Raiders. YeeHaa!!!!

[Monroe Bryant · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lots of action

Although packed with lots of action, it's unbelievable that all of those actions can take place with just one KIA and several wounded, but then it's a novel.
Also, there were numerous grammatical, spelling and punctuation errors that, for me, detracted from the story.
But, all things considered, I recommend its reading.

[Richard Weber · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fast moving

Good intentness fast cohesive storyline a little sexiness not overwhelming as to distract from the main theme of the imagined doings of a band of undercover fighters during WW11

[Kendra Morgan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Action

Really enjoyed reading these two World War II stories. Historical Fiction is quickly becoming a favorite genre for me, especially when the romantic fluff is kept to a minimum.

[Mary McNeeley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Top notch action

Description of parachute trading school reminded me SO MUCH of my own time at Ft Benning, going through airborne training.

[James M. Andrews · Rating 5 out of 5]

Constant Action

Well conceived story telling with constant action that kept you wanting more. Very well done!!! Looking forward to follow on books.

[Steven Starr · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good WWII novels. Looking forward to reading book three in the series, and following Major Randal and Raiding Forces and the exploits.

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good read

This is a good and engaging read-i liked the creative storyline for the creation of special forces and the fun characters who help establish and arm them

[Robert · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beginning of the SAS?

Edge of the seat, page turning action vividly written to put the reader in the midst of the action. Excellent!

[Jerry D. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lots of action

And swashbuckling fun. Ordering the next book now. This has enough truth in it to make the novel plausible even though overblown.

[Mark Moxley-Knapp · Rating 3 out of 5]

Decent, interesting read. Not interested enough to search out more.

[Dave Webber · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome Writing

Wonderful writing which brings historical characters to life. Provides character development with excellent storytelling for an exciting and thrilling book.

[Captain Dady Mody · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was a very interesting book. It kept me turning the pages on my Kindle until late into the night. The training was well researched & intense as it was interesting. The action was continuous & without any respite. I would, however, have preferred it if the characters in the book whose name, rank (& serial number) had not been continuously repeated in full throughout the length of the book. I feel that by the time the first few pages were read the reader knew who the author was referring to... until a fresh character had to be inserted into the story when a proper & formal introduction was definitely needed to be made.

From the fast-paced, eventful & daring do's (where it seems that there was no 'Peace for the wicked' or should that last word read as 'daring'.) I feel that maybe the Second World War would have been won earlier if there were many more Major Randal's fighting in that war, achieving victory virtually & regularly on a mission impossible basis daily without much respite.

Captain Dady J. Mody

[David J Steiner]

Excellent! Really great details about operations!!!