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SAS Band of Brothers

On sale

29th October 2020

Price: £20

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Selected: Hardcover / ISBN-13: 9781787475236

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‘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

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