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David Smiley #2
Arabian Assignment: Operations in Oman and the Yemen
This remarkable memoir provides fascinating insight into two conflicts that arose in southern Arabia in the decades following the Second World War. It should be essential reading for anyone who enjoys the work of Dan Mills, Mark Urban and Adam Jowett.
Thirteen years after serving as an SOE agent in World War Two David Smiley was invited to take command of the Sultan's armed forces in Muscat and Oman.
With the help of an SAS contingent, helicopters, supply aircraft and rocket-firing Venoms, in addition to the Sultan’s own forces, Smiley led a brilliant campaign against the Saudi-backed insurrection in the mountainous terrain of the Jebel Akhdar.
Two years after the successful conclusion of this conflict Smiley was invited once again to the Arabian Peninsula, but this time to support and advise royalist forces in the Yemen against a republican coup.
Yet, this book is not only about guerrilla tactics and armed conflict but also provides vivid insight into the Arab way of life in the 1950s and 1960s.
“It is a splendid tale, excellently told” British Army Review
“For students of guerrilla war … this book is required reading” Julian Amery, The Daily Telegraph
“everyone will enjoy [this] straightforward account of a little-known part of the world written by an honest soldier with no axe to grind.” RUSI Journal
“exciting reading” Bernard Fergusson, The Sunday Times
“Smiley’s must be the best and most authoritative account of this action” The Financial Times
“a highly readable story of personal adventure.” Infantry Journal
Arabian Assignment recounts the activities that Smiley undertook during the course of the Jebel Akhdar War in Oman and the North Yemen Civil War, both of which have shaped the history of the Arabian Peninsula to this day. It is brilliant account of irregular warfare from one of its most influential proponents.
Thirteen years after serving as an SOE agent in World War Two David Smiley was invited to take command of the Sultan's armed forces in Muscat and Oman.
With the help of an SAS contingent, helicopters, supply aircraft and rocket-firing Venoms, in addition to the Sultan’s own forces, Smiley led a brilliant campaign against the Saudi-backed insurrection in the mountainous terrain of the Jebel Akhdar.
Two years after the successful conclusion of this conflict Smiley was invited once again to the Arabian Peninsula, but this time to support and advise royalist forces in the Yemen against a republican coup.
Yet, this book is not only about guerrilla tactics and armed conflict but also provides vivid insight into the Arab way of life in the 1950s and 1960s.
“It is a splendid tale, excellently told” British Army Review
“For students of guerrilla war … this book is required reading” Julian Amery, The Daily Telegraph
“everyone will enjoy [this] straightforward account of a little-known part of the world written by an honest soldier with no axe to grind.” RUSI Journal
“exciting reading” Bernard Fergusson, The Sunday Times
“Smiley’s must be the best and most authoritative account of this action” The Financial Times
“a highly readable story of personal adventure.” Infantry Journal
Arabian Assignment recounts the activities that Smiley undertook during the course of the Jebel Akhdar War in Oman and the North Yemen Civil War, both of which have shaped the history of the Arabian Peninsula to this day. It is brilliant account of irregular warfare from one of its most influential proponents.
303 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 24, 1975
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70 people want to read
About the author
David Smiley
20 books2 followersColonel David de Crespigny Smiley, LVO, OBE, MC & Bar (1916 - 2009) was a British special forces and intelligence officer. He fought in the Second World War in Palestine, Iraq, Persia, Syria, Western Desert and with Special Operations Executive (SOE) in Albania and Thailand.
He was Commander of the Sultan of Muscat and Oman's Armed Forces between 1958 and 1961.
He was Commander of the Sultan of Muscat and Oman's Armed Forces between 1958 and 1961.
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
July 9, 2023
8/10
Only gave 4 stars because there's a severe lack of maps and photos in this book. I know it's similar to his Albanian Assignment book, but it really disappoints not having a single map to go back to place all these new and novel locations to your average Western reader.
His prose isn't as good as his colleague Peter Kemp, but Col. Smiley does a very admirable job and his vocabulary doesn't disappoint for someone of his age and background.
Would have been fascinating to have both him and Kemp co-write a book on their experiences, or have more thorough footnotes from each other in their respective books.
All the same, very glad the Smiley estate is keeping this man's legacy alive. Brava!
Only gave 4 stars because there's a severe lack of maps and photos in this book. I know it's similar to his Albanian Assignment book, but it really disappoints not having a single map to go back to place all these new and novel locations to your average Western reader.
His prose isn't as good as his colleague Peter Kemp, but Col. Smiley does a very admirable job and his vocabulary doesn't disappoint for someone of his age and background.
Would have been fascinating to have both him and Kemp co-write a book on their experiences, or have more thorough footnotes from each other in their respective books.
All the same, very glad the Smiley estate is keeping this man's legacy alive. Brava!
December 19, 2025
admirable
A unique and powerful look back at the evolution of a nation from colonial rule , through tribal partisanism, invasion by neighboring countries and finally a working government.
The author coveys the seemingly insurmountable difficulties of travel in primitive country where friends were life savers.
A unique and powerful look back at the evolution of a nation from colonial rule , through tribal partisanism, invasion by neighboring countries and finally a working government.
The author coveys the seemingly insurmountable difficulties of travel in primitive country where friends were life savers.
October 6, 2020
True description of the culture.
Interesting reading. Especially as I had visited the border area. Also his description reminds me of the years spent in the mountains of Arabia. His description of Arab hospitality was spot on.
Interesting reading. Especially as I had visited the border area. Also his description reminds me of the years spent in the mountains of Arabia. His description of Arab hospitality was spot on.
October 31, 2020
Col David Smiley's trilogy of memoirs is excellent.. this one concerns his activities in Muscat & Oman and in the Yemen. 1950s -1960s..
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews