The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare: How Churchill's Secret Warriors Set Europe Ablaze and Gave Birth to Modern Black Ops

This is an outstanding story about the early development of Spec Ops in WWII. The author had interviewed the few members of the SOE who were still alive and got some of his material directly from them. The book follows some of their missions and I haven't read more exciting adventures written in fiction in a long time. What these guys accomplished was amazing. I some cases they worked alongside local partisans and in other cases, stole in during the night and created terror amongst the German soldiers. Hitler was made aware of their activities and gave special orders for their torture and death if/when they were captured. This is one of the many fine smaller stories about what men did in WWII that are finally being told. I have read at least 50 books on WWII and this one is in the top 10%!

The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare traces the origins of several Special Forces units in WWII. The Special Raiding Force and its original relationship with Special Operations Executive, and the Special Air service as well as the main emphasis on the Special Boat Service and the Greek Sacred Squadron. Churchill wanted to "Set Europe Ablaze" and created Commando and Special Forces Units to carry on the fight after Dunkirk. The fist action recounted in this book occurs in a neutral port in Africa and are key models of "false flag" and "Trojan Horse" operations which have become ruse de guerre for modern special forces. The author hones in on Major Anders Lassen, a Dane who fled Nazi occupation and became feared by his foes with his ruthless "Irish Patrol" in the Aegean raiding enemy held islands. Highly recommended for scholars and practitioners that want to understand the origins of modern Special Forces.

While "The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare" isn't as broad a look at British World War II special operations as the title suggests, it is a worthy account of the branch of the Special Operations Executive that became the Special Boat Services. Almost all of the operations detailed in the book pertain to commando-style raids launched from small vessels, starting with the first successful effort that entailed the hijacking of several Axis ships that were holed up in a neutral port on a Spanish-owned island in the Atlantic. Much of the narrative centers on one of the top special operators in the boat service throughout the war, a Dane named Anders Lassen who had a score to settle with the Germans occupying his home country. Lassen was a key player in crucial British raids in the war, ranging from Channel Islands, to a devastating raid against a German airfield on Crete and, finally, his final assault on swampy lake in northern Italy in 1945 that earned him a posthumous Victoria Cross. Author Damien Lewis gives a detailed look at all the operations and many of the tactics employed by the seaborne operators, including the fates of many of the most successful warriors.

Didn’t know that this book has another title, still a great read

This is a powerful record of the beginnings of Special Ops. That Churchill went across the grain of military protocol to promote it speaks well of his insight and abilities in Britain's time of crisis. Anders Lassen was a genuine hero who saw himself as a gifted killer but mourned and drank and caroused under the pain of it all. A hard book to read, especially for a woman, but war is never light entertainment. I was gripped by the inexorable thrust of Lassen's life and inevitable death and would gladly travel to wherever to honor his statue there. And I am humbled by the terrible price that was paid to keep Hitler's offspring from overspreading the free world.

This is a fascinating book and well written but unlike Giles Milton's book of a similar title it deals less with the larger picture of Churchill's order to "set Europe ablaze" and more with the story of a small group of men working behind the lines in sabotage and destruction. It unfolds into the story of the evolution of the S.B.S and Anders Lassen V.C. a consummate warrior and maverick who became a huge thorn in the side of the axis forces throughout north Africa and the Aegean. There are many details of operations I had no idea about, and the Aegean and Balkans are the oft forgotten theatre of W.W.II. Seems to slow a little at the end as Landers' missions became somewhat repetitive, but each one adds some little detail of his sometimes odd behavior and almost maniacal hatred for Germans. A fascinating story of a complex man. Would definitely recommend to anyone interested in military history.

I really enjoyed this book. It showed a whole new aspect of WW II. I had no idea of the mini war that was being waged on the islands in the Aegean sea. It is a tale of a small group of fearless men from Britain, Ireland, Sweden, Greece and Turkey that risked their lives to neutralize the Nazi threat. Their work paved the way for the eventual Allied invasion of Italy. A really good read for both history fans and those who like a good story. I highly recommend

Excellent book, focused more on the work of one individual, whose missions through SOE are detailed far more than found in the more general SOE book by nearly the same title. A humbling experience to remember the dedication, sacrifice and astonishing fortitude and ingenuity involved to accomplish their goals. School children should be taught what freedom is, and who its real heroes are.

Wonderful read and very enjoyable, and very good gift for my stepdad

Great book, if you like this kind of WWII stuff you won't be disappointed.Just so you know: 1) The front cover is very appealing and pictures desert warriors, the story spends 95% of it's time on the Special Boat service and antecedents. 2) The book is really a biography of Anders Lassen, who is very impressive, but that is basically what you get; 3) Cover claims to cover the Warriors that gave birth to modern black ops, which one could argue against any number of ways, but as mentioned it is essentially a bio of one guy who is supper important to SBS and SAS, but that is not the same as telling some kind of blow by blow service wide history, so don't buy wanting that.On a humorous note I would say that while the idea that what is described is "Ungentlemanly Warfare" is doubtless part of the historic critique, anyone familiar with that era, or say an earlier book like Stalky and Company, will find archetypal gentlemen amateur muddling through behavior on display. Think Sherlock Holmes or even Miss Marple. It is no surprise that one of the handlers back in London was Ian Fleming. Danish nationality, and tragic wartime landscape aside, the comic and ironic (don't take it seriously) a verse or two of the "Song of Patriotic Prejudice" might be added at this point:The English are moral, the English are good And clever and modest and misunderstood.And all the world over, each nation's the same They've simply no notion of playing the game They argue with umpires, they cheer when they've won And they practice beforehand which ruins the fun!The English, the English, the English are best So up with the English and down with the rest.

A war story I was not aware of

Husband has read and liked it.

I would recommend this book 100%, great read!👍🏻