SAS Band of Brothers: The Last Stand of the SAS and Their Hunt for the Nazi Killers

Hardback

Main Details

Title SAS Band of Brothers: The Last Stand of the SAS and Their Hunt for the Nazi Killers
Authors and Contributors      By (author) Damien Lewis
Physical Properties
Format:Hardback
Pages:432
Dimensions(mm): Height 238,Width 160
Category/GenreMilitary history
Second world war
ISBN/Barcode 9781787475236
ClassificationsDewey:940.541241
Audience
General
Tertiary Education (US: College)
Professional & Vocational

Publishing Details

Publisher Quercus Publishing
Imprint Quercus Publishing
Publication Date 29 October 2020
Publication Country United Kingdom

Description

'Riveting. Extraordinary. A real-life thriller.' Dan Snow June 1944: the SAS parachute deep into occupied France, to wreak havoc and bloody mayhem. In a country crawling with the enemy, their mission is to prevent Hitler from rushing his Panzer divisions to the D-Day beaches and driving the Allies back into the sea. Led by Captain Patrick Garstin MC, a man supposedly invalided out of the military due to his war injuries, rarely had a wilder bunch of raiders been assembled. Having blown to pieces scores of prize targets, Garstin's patrol executed one of the most daring escapes of the war ... only to fall victim to shocking betrayal. Captured, imprisoned and tortured terribly by the Gestapo, they faced execution in a dark French woodland on the orders of Hitler himself. But miraculously, two would escape, triggering one of the most-extraordinary Nazi-hunting operations ever ... Summer 1945: with WWII officially over one team embarked upon a shadow war all of their own. Armed with knowledge earned first-hand in the torture chambers of the Gestapo, the race was on to bring to justice the Nazi war criminals who had murdered their brothers in arms. In a deniable, deep-cover operation backed by Winston Churchill himself, the 'the Secret Hunters' would expose Nazi Germany's darkest crimes, doggedly tracking down those they most sought. 'Truly revelatory. The SAS at their very finest in WWII, and after, hunting down the Nazi war criminals.' 'Billy' Billingham 'In June 1944 my father, Captain Patrick Garstin MC, led a band of warriors into war to help liberate Europe. He paid the ultimate price, as did others in his patrol. But with gritty determination, the SAS brought their killers to justice. I was one year old when my father was executed, so sadly never knew him. This amazing book has filled in so many gaps, and it commemorates all those consigned by Hitler to the Nacht und Nebel; the night and fog.' Sean Garstin 'This spellbinding account brings to life the exploits of a brave band of warriors, one of whom was my uncle, Colonel Blair 'Paddy' Mayne DSO, who commanded the SAS for much of WWII. He led his men on numerous behind-the-lines missions, and this compelling read does their memories full justice.' Fiona Ferguson, nee Mayne 'So much more than just a war story... While it involves death and suffering and terrible acts of cruelty, it also highlights the enduring qualities of courage and loyalty, of kindness and humanity, resourcefulness and resilience - qualities of which today's world is much in need.' Amy Crossland, daughter of Major Eric 'Bill' Barkworth, Chief of the SAS War Crimes Investigation Team

Author Biography

Damien Lewis is a number one bestselling author whose books have been translated into over forty languages worldwide. For decades he worked as a war and conflict reporter for the world's major broadcasters, reporting from across Africa, South America, the Middle and Far East and winning numerous awards. His books include the World War Two classics Churchill's Secret Warriors, Hunting the Nazi Bomb, SAS Nazi Hunters, SAS Ghost Patrol, SAS Italian Job and SAS Shadow Raiders. A dozen of his books have been made, or are being made, into movies or TV drama series and several have been adapted as plays for the stage. He has raised tens of thousands of pounds for charitable concerns connected with his writings.

Reviews

SAS Band of Brothers tells the story of a dozen British soldiers who parachuted into occupied France in 1944. What followed was a series of daring and barely believable exploits that actually prompted the intervention of Hitler himself. An extraordinary story of bravery against all the odds, revenge and justice as well * BBC Scotland * In his gripping new book, historian Damien Lewis tells the story of ... the brave band of twelve brothers who stood between the Nazis and the D-Day beaches * Daily Express * 'This is a quite remarkable tale. In June 1944 the SAS parachuted deep into occupied France to wreak havoc and mayhem ... to prevent Hitler from rushing his Panzer divisions to the DDay beaches and driving the Allies back into the sea. What happened next is worthy of a Hollywood movie * Talk Radio Europe * One of the most breath-taking episodes of the entire war * Mail on Sunday * Author and historian Damien Lewis's latest volume, SAS Band of Brothers ... tells the story of a remarkable Special Services patrol which was dropped behind enemy lines to disrupt the German Army as it advanced on the Normandy beaches * Wigan Observer * Details one of the SAS's most daring missions and the Northern Irish men who played a key role ... Decades later the story of their feats has finally been put to paper thanks to the painstaking research of former war reporter Lewis ... What particularly resonates with the release of SAS Band of Brothers is the way Lewis has been able to work so closely with the families of many of the key protagonists * Belfast Telegraph *