Tobruk Commando
Tobruk Commando

Author: Gordon Landsborough

Publisher: Frontline Books

Published: 2015-11-19

Total Pages: 205

ISBN-13: 1848322453

DOWNLOAD EBOOK

"Gentlemen, we are going to capture Tobruk and destroy it."'Operation Agreement' started as a fairly simple plan to destroy Rommel's bomb-proof oil-storage tanks at Tobruk on the eve of Alamein. But, catching the imagination of GHQ, the plan snowballed alarmingly. As well as a commando unit led by the plan's originator, Colonel Haselden, it came to include the RAF, the Royal Navy, the Marines and two of the largest destroyers in the Mediterranean.It was a daring attempt to rob Rommel at one stroke of the three essentials to success in North Africa - oil, a supply port and shipping. But the calculated risks began to out balance the chances of success when it seemed that every dockyard worker in Alexandria and every cocktail-party-goer in Cairo knew about the raid before the officers and men set out. The operation went on, and became a tragedy of slaughtered men and sunken ships.Tobruk Commando is a classic adventure story of the Second World War. The fast-moving action centres on the small commando of men which set out secretly through the deserts towards Tobruk. After a long journey across the desert sand, they arrived disguised as a group of POWs and their German captors. Expertly written, this is a wonderful tale of heroic bluff and a venture to test the courage and nerves of the toughest men.

Tobruk
Tobruk

Author: William F Buckingham

Publisher: The History Press

Published: 2008-04-01

Total Pages: 394

ISBN-13: 0752487159

DOWNLOAD EBOOK

The siege of Tobruk was the longest in British military history. The coastal fortress and deep-water port was of crucial importance to the battle for North Africa, and the key that would unlock the way to Egypt and the Suez Canal. For almost a year the isolated garrison held out against all attempts to take it, and in the process Tobruk assumed a propaganda role that outweighed its great strategic value, becoming a potent symbol of resistance when the war was going badly for the British. Goebbels referred to the garrison as 'rats,' and they proudly adopted the insult as a title, and became the 'Rats of Tobruk.' When it finally fell to German tanks on 21 June 1942 with the loss of 25,000 men, Churchill said it was 'one of the heaviest blows I can recall during the war'. William F. Buckingham's startling account, drawing extensively on official records and first-hand accounts from both sides, is a comprehensive history of this epic struggle, and essential reading for anyone with an interest in the Western Desert Campaign.

British Special Forces
British Special Forces

Author: William Seymour

Publisher: Pen and Sword

Published: 2006-01-01

Total Pages: 361

ISBN-13: 1844153622

DOWNLOAD EBOOK

This is the first comprehensive history of all the British Special Forces, from their beginnings during the Second World War to the Falklands War. The birth of many of the Special Forces was controversial - they were accused of being 'private armies' and a waste of valuable manpower that could have been better used within the regular forces. Their existence was justified only by their successes. The secrecy that still surrounds some of the Special Forces makes writing an authoritative history no easy task. William Seymour's fascinating narrative draws on a wide variety of documentary sources and eye-witness accounts from surviving members of the Forces. The Special Forces covered are: The Commandos, the Special Boat Section, Combined Operations Pilotage Parties, the Long Range Desert Group, Popski's Private Army, The Special Air Service, the Special Boat Squadron and Raiding Forces, and the Royal Marines Special Forces. From the chaungs of Burma to the African desert, the Greek islands to the D-Day landing beaches, Special Forces played a vital part in Allied victory in the Second World War.

Commando Tactics
Commando Tactics

Author: Stephen Bull

Publisher: Casemate Publishers

Published: 2011-06-13

Total Pages: 340

ISBN-13: 1783378441

DOWNLOAD EBOOK

British commandos are among the most celebrated soldiers of the Second World War. Their daring, ingenuity and bravery have given rise to an almost legendary reputation that makes it difficult to appreciate fully their role and their true value as fighting men.Stephen Bull, in this in-depth study of commando tactics and history, seeks to dispel the myths and the misunderstandings that surround them, and he places these elite troops of 70 years ago in the context of their times. He also demonstrates that the idea of the commando took time to develop and that commando operations were far from always successful. Commando tactics amphibious, mountain, close quarter were forged through the often-painful experience of raids and combined operations. And commando tactics and organization remained in a state of flux throughout the war as new situations and challenges arose.Stephen Bulls vivid account will be essential reading for anyone who is interested in commando fighting techniques and the early history of special forces.

Special Operations and Strategy
Special Operations and Strategy

Author: James D. Kiras

Publisher: Routledge

Published: 2006-07-29

Total Pages: 257

ISBN-13: 1135989893

DOWNLOAD EBOOK

This book argues that the root of effective special operations lies in understanding the relationship between moral and material attrition - this is achieved by examining both strategic theory and real-life case studies.

Lrdg tracks - June 2024
Lrdg tracks - June 2024

Author: Kuno Gross

Publisher: BoD – Books on Demand

Published: 2024-04-29

Total Pages: 66

ISBN-13: 3758326966

DOWNLOAD EBOOK

Most probably the readers of this magazine have never heard of the original TRACKS. I was in the very same situation until by the end of 2020, when NZ LRDG-historian Brendan OCarroll has provided me with a hardly readable copy of the June 1941 issue of TRACKS. I was immediately fascinated by these windows into the past and just thought: "We should revive TRACKS! " The editor of the original Tracks was, that time 20 years old, TA Sgt. N.A Moore, a clerk attached to LRDG Group HQ. The June 1941 issue was created by him when the LRDG HQ was located at Kufra. There he got the idea to create a "house paper" for the unit. He recalled in a letter which was published in the 1991 Newsletter of the LRDG Association, that there were only a very limited number of people who were willing to contribute and that this first edition was mainly launched thanks to the contribution of Lieut. Col. Bagnold and Captain Kennedy Shaw. And indeed, the June 1941 remained the single and only issue of Tracks - it was never published again.... until today!

Massacre at Tobruk
Massacre at Tobruk

Author: Peter C. Smith

Publisher: Stackpole Books

Published: 2008-04-16

Total Pages: 247

ISBN-13: 0811751635

DOWNLOAD EBOOK

Minute-by-minute account of the offensive. Covers both the British attackers and the German defenders. Explains how and why the assault failed so badly.

Allied Special Forces Insignia, 1939–1948
Allied Special Forces Insignia, 1939–1948

Author: Peter Taylor

Publisher: Pen and Sword

Published: 2013-05-20

Total Pages: 260

ISBN-13: 1473822335

DOWNLOAD EBOOK

As early as 1940 political leaders and military commanders responsible for the conduct of the Allied operations relalised that, after a string of disastrous setbacks, national morale could only be restored by taking offensive action against the enemy. With the limited resources available Churchills stirring call to set Europe ablaze called for unconventional solutions and action.From these uncertain beginnings was born a plethora of Allied Special Force units. Inevitably some are household names but others are little known, having had brief and covert existences in far flung parts of the world.rnrnAll, however, had distinctive identities and their proudly worn insignia represent a fascinating and often elusive challenge for militaria collectors. This is due, not just to the scarcity of items in many cases, but to the mystery of their origin; a number of these units were established on an ad hoc and spontaneous basis.Peter Taylors aim in compiling Allied Special Forces Insignia 1939–1948 is to fill a gap in the growing bibliography of militaria collecting. At the same time, Brigadier Bryan Watkins introduction sets in context the growth and development of Allied Special Forces during the global conflict 1939-45.Lavishly illustrated, this work will prove an essential reference work and companion guide for the expert collector and all interested in military history.