The Jedburghs: The Secret History of the Allied Special Forces, France 1944

by Will Irwin

The story of the Special Forces in World War II has never fully been told before. Information about them began to be declassified only in the 1980s.




Known as the Jedburghs, these Special Forces were selected from members of the British, American, and Free French armies to be dropped in teams of three deep behind German lines. There, in preparation for D-Day, they carried out what we now know as unconventional supporting the French Resistance in guerrilla attacks, supply-route disruption, and the harassment and obstruction of German reinforcements. Always, they operated against extraordinary odds. They had to be prepared to survive pitched battles with German troops and Gestapo manhunts for weeks and months while awaiting the arrival of Allied ground forces. They were, in short, heroes. The Jedburghs finally tells their story and offers a new perspective on D-Day itself. Will Irwin has selected seven of the Jedburgh teams and told their stories as gripping personal narratives. He has gathered archival documents, diaries and correspondence, and interviewed Jed veterans and family members in order to present this portrait of their crucial role - a role recognized by Churchill and Eisenhower - in the struggle to liberate Europe in 1944-45.

This is narrative history at its most compelling; a vivid drama of the battle for France from deep behind enemy lines.

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

352 pages, Paperback

First published September 6, 2005

About the author

Will Irwin retired from the United States Army in January 2000 after a career of more than twenty-eight years, half of that in Special Forces. At his retirement, he was a Lt. Colonel. He now works as a defense contractor.

Reviews

[William DuFour · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good book on some operations conducted in Europe by the OSS as it is informative, educational and exciting to read the outcome of the ops. From the operators lives before, during and after WWII.

[Laura and Bart HIll · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent History of the Jedburghs

Very good read regarding the history of the Jedburghs during WWII. Excellent stories and even includes follow up on many of those mentioned in the narrative.

[Ted · Rating 3 out of 5]

Since I was a kid, I've had a fascination with WWII special operations, particularly the Jedburghs. I mean, I have an original Smatchet sitting right here on my desk. But, overall, despite (or perhaps partly due to) the book being a quick read, it was a disappointment. 3 stars only because I have a strong interest in the subject, otherwise I'd give 2.

The book is mostly an aggregation of material from other published work, and not a hard research effort based on primary sources. The author pieced together all that material to tell the comprehensive stories of a few select Jedburgh teams, which is not a bad thing, but there's nothing really new here. The efforts of other special ops elements in France, the OSS OGs, SOE, the British and French SAS, are mentioned only in passing with no attempt to clarify operational linkages or strategic planning. And the author, himself a former SF officer, lets a bit of hero-worship and romanticism unduly color the history. I don't need to read how "handsome", "attractive", or "rascally-eyed" individuals are in my military history. In doing so, he also left out most of the unpleasant details of German retaliation against civilians for the actions of the Maquis. But I guess the book is not targeted at those with a deep interest in history. Its written in manner intended to make it digestible for those with little understanding of the military or military history, so in that way, it may be better suited to readers that fit that bill.

Its not necessarily a bad book; it was a quick simple read about a subject I'm interested in. Some of you may really enjoy it. But its not up to the writing and research standard from which I've grown used to absorbing my history.

[Bill Linton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Candidly, even if you are a fan of military history, you might find this a little dry. Still,this an interesting telling of the story of the establishment during WW II of the Office of Strategic Services and the British Special Operations Executive. It also outlines how the two groups worked together with the French resistance, known as the Maquis, and formed them into a real asset fighting the Germans both before and after D-Day.

There are vignettes of several of the Jed teams, and these give a clear depiction of what these men faced and accomplished. Although the book doesn’t go into, it shows how what these men did during WW II is the blue print for how US Army Special Forces A teams work today.

I listened to this on Audible, an the narrator was the worst I’ve ever heard. As a French speaker, his horrendous pronunciation of French names and places was like nails on a chalkboard for me. His poor pronunciation was not limited to French; the number of English names he mispronounced was shocking. I would strongly recommend getting the book or electronic version. I’d be interested in seeing the pictures of some of the men profiled.

[Blair Shropshire · Rating 3 out of 5]

Impressive story about the first special forces unit invented during WW2. Didn’t know about the maqui and FFI until reading this book. Seems like their involvement and especially the Jedburghs helped shorten the war and likely saved a lot of lives.

[Bill · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very interesting look at the 'little' war of special forces during the liberation of France in WW2.

[Martin Reeve · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good detailed historical account of these brave mens actions

[Will Casner · Rating 5 out of 5]

The original inglorious bastards

[michael baker · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very informative and interesting, I never knew about Jedburgh’s and their role in the allied advance following D-Day.

[Doyle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent treatise on the predecessors of the USASF A-teams. This particular book presents the information that is by far the best toward quantifying the follow of such teams overall, as well as the effectiveness of the marquis during D-Day and Post D-Day activities.

[Jeff Andersen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely loved this book. The reader of the audiobook was a little goofy, but exciting and it enhanced the book. Very amazing stories of the Jed teams.
Highly recommend to anyone.

[Joseph · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Jedburgh teams were 3 man teams dropped into Occupied France immediately before and after the Normandy Invasion. Their job was to organize, supply (via airdrop), coordinate with French Resistance elements and collect tactical intelligence.

This book is a welcome addition to the history of WWII ETO Operations. Many books on the war including OSS and SOE specific histories only mention the Jedburgh teams in passing some earlier works saying their activities remained classified. This book tells their rich tale in good detail for the casual reader and enough notes to be a good introduction for the serious student of Military History.

The book's author Will Irwin is a retired Special Forces officer and brings that experience to the book. He briefly covers the organizational history of the teams before moving on to stories of individual teams. He wraps the book up with some what they became information and a limited assessment of the impact of the Jedburgh Teams on the fighting in France.

LTC Irwin writes with a clear, fast paced, workman like style that you could not ask more of. The text is extensively end noted. The only shortcoming with the book is the complete lack of maps.

[Mike · Rating 4 out of 5]

A book about some of the bravest men ever to walk this earth. The Jedburghs were a group of men that would not back down to the enemy and would do whatever it took to fight the Nazi's, despite the odds. Will Irwin tells many informative, exciting stories from the experiences of allied soldiers fighting WWII from behind enemy lines. Having been familiar with the resistance movements of occupied countries, I wasn't expecting to learn much more than I already knew, boy was I wrong. Irwin shed new light on the motivation, dedication and determination of these men and women that were fighting a desperate enemy. Enough details to let you know how the Jedburghs operated without a lot of technical jargon that can put you to sleep, Irwin has written a book that anyone with an interest in the second world war should pick up.

[Robert Lewis · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a former Green Beret, it's awe-inspiring to read about those who came before me and forged the path for the current Special Forces.

The book doesn't talk much about celebrities, but did you know Julia Child & her husband were in the OSS? There were many celebrities of the age who stepped up when they were called to serve their country.

Makes you wonder if any of the big-mouthed celebrities of today would have the intestinal fortitude.

[Samuel Lane · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although not of the genre I would normally read, I found this book captivating. The story is of small teams of Allied soldiers (usually american, british and french) who drop behind enemy lines and attempt to spur the French people into revolution during WWII. Very well written, would recommend to anyone with even a slight interest in war novels.

[Darren Sapp · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of the best books on World War II Special Forces I have read. The Jedburghs were three man teams that dropped into France after D-Day and organized resistance forces for guerilla operations against the Germans. Will Irwin thoroughly covers their recruitment and training, offers numerous mini-bios, and gives stirring tales of their missions.

[Joe Spoto · Rating 3 out of 5]

I got this book because Will's wife is my wife's hairdresser. She came home one day from her appointment and told me that her hairdresser's husband was retired from the military and is now a military historian and had written some books.

This book was a thorough history of the Americans who helped out with the French resistance in WW II

[Eric · Rating 3 out of 5]

Descriptions of some very heroic acts as the Allies prepared to invade the continent in the latter months of WWII. It seems so unfair to compare these great people with the likes of a John Brennan or a John McLaughlin as they pontificate on their own "heroism" for being a part of today's "deep state."

[Tim]

A cross between a history lesson and a personal record. The author is very dry. What should have been several stories of narrow escapes from Gestapo agents was glossed over as 'they were able to slip by with very little gun-fire.'

[Curtis J. Correll · Rating 3 out of 5]

This could have been a GREAT read. The subject is one that really interests me. It almost lives up to its potential. The story covers too many unconnected people and moves from place to place too often. A great book on a similar WWII espionage subject is The Phantom Major. Try that one first.

[Dwayne Coleman · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this one, I loved reading about Bernard Knox, now known as the editor of Penguin Classics like Fagle's translation of the Iliad and such, but then OSS commando and therefore total badass. Who said scholars are boring people?

[Anna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book!

[sr fisk · Rating 4 out of 5]

a very good read.

[HB · Rating 3 out of 5]

Helps explain how the war in France was carried out and how easily things could go wrong.

[Adam Colby · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good overview of the Jeds but the detail of operations was limited. When discussing individual teams, I was left wanting more.