Winged Dagger: Adventures on Special Service

Rating:
Summary: Entertaining reading for anyone with an interest in military
Review: For all those interested in military history, and in this case, the desert war and the following allied forces campaign in Italy this book proves entertaining reading. The book is a commentary by the author of his own experiences as an armored corps officer, and later, as a pioneer of "behind enemy lines" commando warfare. Included are reflections on the tides and fortunes of the British forces, which provide the context for some riveting accounts of the authors own combat experience. The author describes himself and his actions candidly, especially as a young inexperienced officer. The authors' story includes capture, escape and subsequent return to operate behind enemy lines with other British troops, leading Italian partisans in their fight against Germany. This form of warfare was at its infancy in its modern form, its importance not fully understood by the British high command. The success of this operation depended greatly on the authors' initiative and drive in the face of an unsympathetic and disinterested general staff. The book was written some two to three years after the end of the war, and the events are fresh in the authors memory. End.

Rating:
Summary: A good read
Review: nothing groundbreaking here, but it is a nice look at early special warfare. The British SAS invented special warfare during WWII and this books looks at some of the earlier operations. Thre are some real good adventures here. The book is a first hand account. The book does not have any analysis. Any fan of the SAS should give it a shot.