
SAS: The First Secret Wars
The Unknown Years of Combat and Counter-Insurgency
Tim Jones(Author)
I.B. Tauris (Publisher)
Published on 5. November 2010
Book
Paperback/Softback
224 pages
978-1-84885-566-3 (ISBN)
Description
The covert, clandestine operations of the Special Air Service (SAS) regiment, from the jungles of Malaya, Borneo and Brunei to the deserts and mountains of the Middle East and Afghanistan have always been the focus of intense fascination, stoked by the regiment's 'closed' organization and secretive activities. However, no period of activity has remained more secret than the vital years in the immediate aftermath of World War II when the regiment seemingly expired, only to rise miraculously from the dead to fight communism in the Malaya Emergency. Tim Jones' fascinating history pieces together the evidence to show that while the Malaya Emergency re-established the SAS as a unique source of counter-guerilla expertise, the regiment was not disbanded in 1945 and was, in fact, covertly involved in the Greek Civil War of 1945-49, a war unmatched in savagery until the Bosnian conflict in the 1990s. Revealing important operational secrets and shedding new light on post-war history, this book will be essential reading for enthusiasts of military history, and those interested in the world of intelligence.
Reviews / Votes
'Reveals a new insight into the undiscovered years in the history of the SAS - a must for those interested in the SAS.' - Bulletin of the Military Historical SocietyMore details
Language
English
Place of publication
United Kingdom
Publishing group
Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
Target group
College/higher education
Professional and scholarly
Illustrations
8 b/w plates
Dimensions
Height: 216 mm
Width: 138 mm
Weight
302 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-84885-566-3 (9781848855663)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions

E-Book
04/2005
1st Edition
I.B. Tauris
€22.99
Available for download

E-Book
04/2005
1st Edition
I.B. Tauris
€22.99
Available for download
Person
Tim Jones did his PhD research at the Department of War Studies at King's College, London, followed by lecturing at the University of Liverpool Department of International Relations and now works in journalism.
Content
Introduction: Dare All to Win All
1. Towards a New Beginning
2. A life-line: Greece
3. Fighting for Survival on Two Fronts
4. Fighting Insurgency on Two Fronts
5. The International Squadron: Bending the Rules in Greece
6. 'Too Funny to be True!': The Middle East Rangers (SAS)
7. Fighting for Corps Status
8. Korea: The War That Never Was?
9. Malaya: Hearts, Minds and Winged Dagger
10. The SAS Family
Appendix - Deception in Malaya
1. Towards a New Beginning
2. A life-line: Greece
3. Fighting for Survival on Two Fronts
4. Fighting Insurgency on Two Fronts
5. The International Squadron: Bending the Rules in Greece
6. 'Too Funny to be True!': The Middle East Rangers (SAS)
7. Fighting for Corps Status
8. Korea: The War That Never Was?
9. Malaya: Hearts, Minds and Winged Dagger
10. The SAS Family
Appendix - Deception in Malaya