Raiding Forces Small Operations Group with Colonel John Randal in command makes a night drop on the Italian held Island of Castelrozzo located a mile off Turkey’s southwest coast. The plan is to capture the island in order to use it as a base of operations for Commando raids on Axis held islands in the Aegean Sea. Admiral Sir “Razor” Ransom, the Deputy Commander of Operations (Irregular), wants Raiding Forces to reorganize into a small scale amphibious raiding unit to carry out pinprick raids. With Field Marshal Rommel’s Afrika Korps driven off the continent of Africa, gun jeep desert patrolling has come to an end. A major reorganization for future operations is underway. Instead of jeeps, the Raiders will transition to high speed MAS Boats, PT Boats and caiques. Major the Lady Jane Seaborn is shot outside the Gizera Restaurant. Commander Ian Fleming arrives and tasks Raiding Forces to carry out a Top Secret Golden Fleece mission. And, Raiding Forces carries out a night combat jump on Sicily to capture a vital bridge at Gela for Major General George S. Patton.
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.
To say the ‘Raiding Forces’ series covers World War II is like calling a Ferrari a car! Author Phil Ward writes a very visual account of the Second World War as seen through the eyes of Colonel Jack Randal, the CO of Raiding Forces.
“The Tip Of The Sword” is book 13 in the ‘Raiding Forces’ series. It is easy to visualize this story because it is written in remarkably detailed prose that jumps the action off each page.
While this is a ‘stand-alone’ story, you should read the entire series to get the full impact of the “The Tip Of The Sword”. It’s a great way to spend your time in quarantine,
Phil Ward is presenting us with an exciting WWII set of novels that are fun to read and the characters a a fabulous of folks with varied backgrounds and talents. He managed to throw in a few facts and opinions about tactics and leaders so the the stories are more believable. Phil Ward also knows enough about airborne to keep you on the edge of your seat. Not a historical account but allot of fun. Wish he would hurry with the next installment of Lady Jane and Colonel John.
Read the entire 13-book series from the beginning!
Phil Ward is an accomplished wordsmith and a great storyteller. His characters each have a depth of personality and the storylines are fast-paced but rich in detail. Ward blends fact and fiction with reckless abandon, but who cares? We read for enjoyment, and if you're a World War II junkie (my father was an Army combat engineer during that war, earned eight battle stars, and never said boo about his time in uniform to his three boys) you're in for a spellbinding treat.
Colonel Randle and his men are involved in missions all around the Mediterranean and Africa. The desert patrol is changing its mission from jeep warfare to amphibious operations. As if that wasn't enough Lady Jane has been shot and is in a coma. Action packed with a little levity thrown in
I have been waiting on this book and I am not disappointed at all. I feel as though these characters are all close friends. Phil does not disappoint! I highly recommend this entire series. Phil does his research and then adds perspective from his characters point of view. 10 out of 10 is my rating.
I've been looking forward to reading this book for months and was not disappointed. The action gets better with each chapter. The deception and intrigue from the competing Allied intelligence agencies keeps the story line captivating.
I look forward to the. Next book, Mr Ward has introduced facts with an excellent fiction story. I enjoy how plans are shot to hell just like real life. A sign of a great author is one who can keep you interested page after page.
Great reads, well written, good character build up! Adventure, intrigue, never a dull moment but sorrow, loss and wounds also. Heroes,cowards and villains it’s all through the series. So real you feel like your there.
I can take my Kindle anywhere and be able to read my latest book. Especially if my appointment is running late or waiting at the pharmacy for my prescription. Makes the time go faster.