SHE WHO DARED: Covert Operations in Northern Ireland with the SAS

by Jackie George

Until recently, only those 'in the know' even knew of the existence of 14 Intelligence Company (14 Int). The membership of this highly trained elite was classified TOP SECRET for obvious reasons; the Company, working hand in glove with the SAS, was at the cutting edge of the bitter fight against Republican and Loyalist terrorism in Northern Ireland.

The public was therefore unaware that, contrary to repeated denials, women were playing a vital role in the 14 Int's operational mission. Not only did their presence provide 'cover' for their male colleagues but the female of the species has special skills and aptitude for such work.

'Jackie George' was one such operator and, in She Who Dared, she reveals in gripping detail the ultra-demanding training and nerve-jangling operations that she and her fellow agents undertook. In so doing we learn that no concessions were asked for or given either by 'the girls' or the enemy.

She Who Dared is a groundbreaking book which lifts the veil on the dark and dangerous war being fought out on the very streets of the United Kingdom.

Remarkably, 'Jackie' retains her femininity despite the brutality of events around her. As a result, this is a deeply human story as well as a shocking exposé.

Genres: Military Fiction

180 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1999

Reviews

[Justin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very interesting read. I joined Shortly after she left, serving in similar places. Still had daft ruperts, but the WRAC moving into the army units, and women getting the x factor balanced things out. There was still plenty of bombings and shootings in NI in the 90s unfortunately.

[Elliot Richards · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book is fairly light at 180 pages and is a very easy read, but don't expect much in the way of detailed accounts. Because of the Official Secrets Act the author can only reveal partial accounts of operations in Northern Ireland and a bit more about her life in the army, but it's somewhat disappointing in that it all feels too generalised.

Whilst on the one hand it's interesting to read about her account of life growing up and joining the regular army as a woman, when we get to her accounts of selection and training, and operations in N. Ireland, it glosses over details. I don't want to read specifics, but I'm sure more detail could be added without breaching the law; admittedly details can make or break a book like this, but the lack of it here was sorely missed and given that most readers might already be familiar with this kind of material, I think it should have been considered.

I don't doubt George's account and I'm grateful she wrote anything at all, just don't expect anything particularly enthralling. If you want to read about one's life in 14th Intelligence Company, I can wholeheartedly recommend James Rennie's The Operators: On the Streets with Britain's Most Secret Service, which has more of the detail I was hoping for from this book, and is a riveting read.

[Alan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Despite the limitations that the official secrets act imposes on any individual involved in the det (14th Intelligence) I felt this easy to read book worth every penny & every minute spent reading it, as it was written from a different perspective to other books on this topic, for example Rob Lewis's Fisher of Men or James Rennie's The Operators.