Red Devils: The Trailblazers of the Parachute Regiment in World War Two: An Authorized History

by Mark Urban

A GRIPPING, AUTHORISED HISTORY OF THE DARING 'RED DEVILS' TOLD THROUGH THE FATES OF SIX HEROES.

'Riveting . . . Full of daring action, standout characters and cutting edge operations, this is unputdownable' Damien Lewis

'Gripping and authoritative. Family men, circus performers, solicitors, communists, and reactionaries all fought together and shed blood for their country - a true and moving story of war' Andy McNab

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Their German enemies called them the 'Red Devils'. Montgomery described them as 'men apart - every man an Emperor'. The cards they received on qualifying 'You are the elite of the British army'.

The Parachute Regiment.

In this gripping, authorized account, bestselling historian Mark Urban tells the story of the wartime creation and development of Britain's elite airborne infantry - who ranged from circus performers to solicitors, policemen to gravediggers, Christians and Jews to communists.

Through the fates of six men - including recently widowed Geoffrey Pine-Coffin, who had to leave his little boy at home to head to the front, and Mike Lewis, whose photographs became iconic images of war - Urban vividly shows what it took to succeed in this new regiment. All six men would shed blood for their country in daring actions at D-Day, Arnhem and across the Second World War; two would not survive, and one would face disgrace.

Based on deep archival research, British and German sources and new material from the men's families, and giving overdue recognition to the North African campaign, Urban's unvarnished history is a compelling and moving depiction of the highs and lows of battle.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, World War II, Historical, Military Fiction, Military History

355 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 27, 2022

About the author

Mark Urban is a British journalist, author and broadcaster, and is currently the Diplomatic Editor for BBC Two's Newsnight.

Reviews

[Steve · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant Wartime account of the Parachute Regiment's formation and actions.

[Johnny De Berggeit · Rating 3 out of 5]

I needed some time to work through the first half but then it grabbed me.

[Bill Todd · Rating 5 out of 5]

Established on Winston Churchill's order in 1942, the Parachute Regiment's first success was a raid on a German radar station in Normandy.

They fought in North Africa, Italy, D-Day, Arnhem and the Rhine crossing, forging a mixed bunch of blokes into an elite unit distinguished by their red beret and Pegasus winged-horse badge from Greek mythology. 

Written to mark their 80th anniversary, journalist and historian Urban brings to life the regiment's birth, triumphs and disasters in World War Two.

The Germans named them 'Red Devils'. This story moves fast and hits hard, just like its subject.

[Aloysius Teng · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting historical account about the Parachute Regiment and its battles in WWII. Unlike other historical accounts of units that fought in WWII, Mark Urban’s style of writing ensured that the book never became too dry or boring as readers are hit with excessive information. Instead, by focusing on six main characters throughout his book, Mark was able to give a well rounded an interesting account of the Regiment’s formation and history.

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very well written, and interesting account of a British parachute regiment, from it's beginnings to the end of the war. Brave soldiers, but on the unfortunate end of a number of "cock-ups". Still, they proved their worth in overcoming adversity. My grandmother's nephew, a glider pilot, was a killed at Arnhem trying to escape The Cauldron - described starting on page 233, and with an accompanying map. There are quite a few maps included, which is always a bonus.

[John Ollerton · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting account of the regiment that became an anachronism with parachuting becoming a rite of passage rather than a means of entering battle. The experience of entering battle by glider must have been horrific.

[The Villan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read. Easy read even with all the detailed information.

[Chris Shepheard · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very thorough history of the Parachute Regiment in WW2, it is rather a harrowing read as it doesn't pull any punches about the terrible losses they encountered.

[Samuel Boucké · Rating 5 out of 5]

A masterpiece

[Simon Tyldesley · Rating 5 out of 5]

A utterly brilliantly written book about the history of the parachute regiment.

[Ian Willey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fairly clear and well written

[William Sloan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good but hard read on how they were used and basic it was cannon fodder to get success

[ANDREW M · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very good book and it kept me interested all the way through it.

[Sean Flatley · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great history of the Parachute Regiment during the Second World War

I loved this book as its well written and well research by the author. I am a massive fan of Mark Urban and wasn't disappointed when I read his latest book.
It the story of the founding of the Parachute Regiment and their battles during the Second World War.
Its well written and enjoyable and recommended to any military historical.
Best wishes Sean ex RE Sapper