Francis Mackay

A British Army veteran revisits his military career, sharing thrilling stories of Special Forces missions behind enemy lines during World War II.

A pre-war Sapper, Charlie Radford served in North Africa until he returned to the UK for parachute training. He volunteered and joined 2SAS in Scotland. His first behind-the-lines operation was in France (Op. Rupert) cutting railway lines, and he then took park in Operation Loyton, now in armed jeeps. His next assignment (Operation Zombie) involved parachuting into the Italian Dolomites to disrupt the vital German link North of Verona between Italy and Austria.

This operation ended in failure due to fool hardy leadership, inadequate manning and poor preparation. His OC was captured, tortured and executed, but Charlie escaped to live with the Partisans before being repatriated to the UK. After the war he returned to France to help with the exhumation and reburial of SAS men executed in the Vosges mountains. Postwar he served in Kenya and Somaliland and his experiences there form an interesting epilogue.

But SAS Trooper is first and foremost a thrilling account of Special Force soldiering told from the perspective of a young man who more than did his duty under the most testing conditions. Those who imagine that this was a glamorous role in war need only read of the shortcomings of preparation and leadership that led to the disastrous failure of Operation Zombie and the hardships and dangers of fighting with the ruthless Partisans in the Dolomites.

Praise for SAS Trooper

“This is an interesting autobiography examining the British experience of the Second World War from . . . a pre-war long-service army man rather than the more normal wartime entry, with a mix of special forces and engineer service. Radford and his editor Mackay have produced an interesting book, of special value for those with an interest in the SAS but also of use for those with an interest in the wider British army.” —HistoryOfWar.org

Pen & Sword Military

SAS Trooper: Charlie Radford's Operations in Enemy Occupied France and Italy

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