The SAS ‘Deniables’: Special Forces Operations, Denied by the Authorities, from Vietnam to the War on Terror

by Tony May

During the 10,000-day Vietnam war Australia had agreed with the United States to have a team of Australian Army Special Air Services (SAS) soldiers conduct covert missions into Cambodia. The SAS soldiers would be bivouacked in Thailand.

With their names changed for security and personal safety reasons, this is a dramatized story of events that actually happened involving a small band of Australian Special Air Service trained specialists involved in covert intelligence activities who were co-opted into the Defence Intelligence Organisation (DIO) repertoire of Plausibly Deniable assets deployed worldwide into the shadows of political indulgence in locations where Australian forces should not be seen or heard.

These Australian SAS Covert operations undertaken are incidents that have never before been exposed and include cross-sovereign-border infiltrations into Cambodia and the daily operations of the elimination of Viet Cong munition dumps. Also revealed are an unauthorized fatal attack by United States Army helicopters on SAS warriors; the rescue of French tourists kidnapped by Muslim terrorists in Mindanao, Philippines, and Operation Eye of the Storm into Northern Kuwait/Eastern Iraq evolving into Desert Storm.

As revealed these covert operations included offshore intervention of East Timorese Fretilin Terrorists sabotaging Australian offshore Exploration and Oil Drilling activities in the Timor Sea; Back Door into Hell during the Somalia conflict, plus covert black ops elimination of Muslim Jihadist activities on homeland soil assisted by Israeli intelligence.

This astounding exposé opens the closed door behind which governments operate to deal quietly with situations they prefer not to mention.

320 pages, Hardcover

First published April 30, 2022

Reviews

[Abibliofob · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have read The SAS ‘Deniables’ Special Forces Operations, denied by the Authorities, from Vietnam to the War on Terror by Tony may. This book caught my interest because I have a fascination for the war in Vietnam. Sadly the only connection is that some of the characters have served in Vietnam so it's only mentioned in passing. On the other hand the book is very interesting because it tells some of the stories involving people not actively serving doing undercover work for the Australian government. We get to follow the charaters in some conflicts around the world, such as intelligence gathering in Kuwait leading up to Desert Storm and also in Somalia where they had some difficulties getting out. We also learn of an operation on the mainland of Australia against some suspected terrorists. I found the actions involving East Timor in the seventies the most interesting because I had not read much about that conflict. I do wonder though where the parts about Cambodia, rescuing some french tourists, blue on blue shooting and activities in Vietnam disappeared? There is a map of cambodia and some pictures in the book that has no connection with the stories in it. The book is well written and I feel that it is well researched and I understand why the author uses fictive names on the people involved. If you like me is interested in the gray side of military operations in history I strongly recommend this book. I must thank @netgalley #NetGalley and @penswordbooks #PenAndSwordBooks for giving me this advance copy of #TheSASDeniables and #TonyMay for writing it.

[mrspegz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Huge war buff so this one was a no brainer for me.

I enjoyed the story telling of these characters and what happened leading up to Desert Storm. This book is well written, well researched and uses fictitious names (obviously). I enjoyed the stories about Cambodia, Kuwait and even operations on the Australian mainland.

Thank you to NetGalley and Pen & Sword for this ARC. All opinions are my own.

[Shane Webber · Rating 1 out of 5]

A strange, fanfiction-like book by a military wannabe/fantasist that has somehow been published. Presents as an "expose" with no real explanation of it's origin from an author who's long experience as an oil worker is quite perplexing. Why is he in the position to write any of this?

The authors unfamiliarity misuse of military terminology (SAS platoons?) and ignorance of organisational history is painfully apparent from the start (the DIO for example is an analytical not a covert action organisation nor did it exist in the 1960s) It's difficult to take anything seriously.

[PETER MICHAEL · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is based on the exploits of a number of members of the Australian SAS. Like the British SAS, the group is a super-secretive special forces unit who operate anywhere in the world where Australia’s interests are threatened.
I found the chapter on their role in the Vietnam war particularly interesting.
The author’s writing style can be quite challenging to read and it is difficult to tell the difference between fact and fiction. Disappointingly, I decided to stop reading the book after the author described fitting two Blackhawk helicopters in a C130J aircraft - this is an utter impossibility. A C130 can only transport one Blackhawk, and that is only possible following major dismantling. The unrefueled range of a Blackhawk is also far greater than described in the book.
The descriptions and terminology of the various oil installations and associated vessels is quite accurate and the author has clearly undertaken some detailed research.
I am aware that virtually any book with the initials ‘SAS ‘ in it's title will sell pretty well. The Australian SF stories need to be told,

[Albert · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent read. A real page turner. The maps & photographs were very helpful & informative.
Interesting how the author covered so many topics & countries as well as telling about what SAS really do. Unsung heroes!
Was surprised to see the comment from Peter Michael regarding the C130. Actually you can load two choppers in a C130 by loading one facing north the other facing south, without dismantling the them. He should have read the whole book but each to his own.

[Albert · Rating 5 out of 5]

An exceptionally well written account of the untold heroes of these Special Forces men. The depth of information is very revealing especially to the uninitiated to military service. The people in this book really are unsung heroes who took their work & love for country to the nth degree. None of the debauchery of some of today's special forces which give a black eye to these special unsung heroes. A A very good, interesting read.
As an ex SBS naval man, I highly recommend this great read.

[Aaron Welch · Rating 1 out of 5]

This reads like the script of a Steven Seagal movie. Poorly written, poorly researched and bordering on total fiction. Anyone with any military experience will see this book has more holes than a slice of Swiss cheese. An insult to the members of the Regiment, those who've supported them, and the exceptional work they've actually done.

[CASPER HILEMAN · Rating 4 out of 5]

The British SAS is one of the last quiet professionals in the highest level of military units. American Delta Force is derived from the SAS ethos and training. These are their tales.