Churchill's Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare follows the main players and big events connected with the SOE and adjoining agencies throughout the second world war. This book is an absolute page-turner! Daring raids, weird weapons, ridiculous politics and stone cold killers make up the riveting tale of guerillas and commandos during the second world war.
I picked this book up due to my interest in W E Fairbairn. There are some interesting tidbits on Fairbairn and Sykes, however, they are not the focus here - the book does however give real context to the need for their brand of training.
It is probably fair to say the central character in the book is Sir Colin McVean Gubbins, who was the 'prime mover' of the SOE during the war. At the outset of the war, Gubbins wrote two manuals on guerilla warfare, and like many believed the invasion of Britain was coming and they would be reduced to fighting this style of war. One of his first jobs was setting up cells inside Britain in preparedness for an invasion.
I highly recommend this book for anyone with an interest in the second world war, SOE, Fairbairn & Sykes, combatives, the resistance, daring raids or ripping yarns. The only slight criticism I have is I would have preferred clearer timelines, however, this may have been a writing choice as the book flows extremely well.
I picked this book up due to my interest in W E Fairbairn. There are some interesting tidbits on Fairbairn and Sykes, however, they are not the focus here - the book does however give real context to the need for their brand of training.
It is probably fair to say the central character in the book is Sir Colin McVean Gubbins, who was the 'prime mover' of the SOE during the war. At the outset of the war, Gubbins wrote two manuals on guerilla warfare, and like many believed the invasion of Britain was coming and they would be reduced to fighting this style of war. One of his first jobs was setting up cells inside Britain in preparedness for an invasion.
I highly recommend this book for anyone with an interest in the second world war, SOE, Fairbairn & Sykes, combatives, the resistance, daring raids or ripping yarns. The only slight criticism I have is I would have preferred clearer timelines, however, this may have been a writing choice as the book flows extremely well.