The Jedburghs: France, 1944, and the Secret Untold History of the First Special Forces

The Jedburghs: France, 1944, and the Secret Untold History of the First Special Forces
ISBN-10
1586483072
ISBN-13
9781586483074
Category
Biography & Autobiography
Pages
378
Language
English
Published
2005-10-10
Publisher
Public Affairs
Author
Will Irwin

Description

"The Jedburghs were a pioneering Special Forces unit, uniquely made up of American, British, and French volunteers. They parachuted deep behind the German lines to assist with the recapture of France in 1944. Dropped in teams of three, the Jeds would rally local opposition to the Germans and conduct guerrilla warfare - sabotage, ambush, and intelligence gathering - ahead of the advancing Allied armies. In doing so, they contributed to the Allied breakout from the Normandy bridgehead and to the rapid advance to the German border." "Above all, the Jedburgh teams were trained to survive. The three-man teams could not be certain that their communications with London would survive the drop or that any meaningful resupply would be possible. They had to operate alone against extraordinary odds in a country almost entirely occupied by a hostile force, prepared to survive pitched battles with the Wehrmacht and relentless manhunts by the Gestapo. Nor did they know how long they would have to wait before the Allied front line reached them. It was an enormous test of endurance, cunning, and strength of will." "The Jedburghs tells the story of these heroic young men, and offers a new perspective on the D-Day landings. Will Irwin, who served in the modern U.S. Army Special Forces himself, has selected seven of the Jedburgh teams and told their stories as gripping personal narratives. He has gathered archival documents, diaries, and correspondence, and interviewed veterans and family members in order to present a full portrait of their crucial role - recognized by Churchill and Eisenhower - in the struggle to liberate Europe. It is narrative history at its most compelling: a vivid drama of the battle for France from deep behind enemy lines."--BOOK JACKET.

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