Behind the Lines: A Critical Survey of Special Operations in World War II

Nonfiction, History, Military, World War II
Cover of the book Behind the Lines: A Critical Survey of Special Operations in World War II by Michael Dilley, Casemate
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Michael Dilley ISBN: 9781612001845
Publisher: Casemate Publication: September 30, 2013
Imprint: Casemate Language: English
Author: Michael Dilley
ISBN: 9781612001845
Publisher: Casemate
Publication: September 30, 2013
Imprint: Casemate
Language: English

The array of new technologies that came on the scene in the early 20th century resulted in widely varied new forms of military special operations once civilization embarked on its greatest war. Suddenly, fighting men could be delivered by parachute, submarine, glider, jeeps, and fast amphibious craft deep into enemy territory to perform special tasks; yet others would continue to perform missions the same as their ancestors in previous wars—on foot using stealth, endurance and patience.

This work contains discussions of the employment of various special purpose, special mission organizations during World War II. These units operated in Allied and Axis countries and in various theaters of war including Europe, North Africa, the Pacific, Asia, and the continental United States. Representing every major combatant, the operations include various kinds of raids, intelligence gathering missions, support to partisan/guerrilla groups, prisoner rescues, direct-action missions, and at least two where the object was simply to steal something. Some missions would have been officially denied if the operations had been caught in the act.

The book is divided into two sections: Behind Enemy Lines and Behind Friendly Lines, to demonstrate that special-purpose organizations can be employed wherever needed, even in areas controlled by military units of their own or allied countries. Many of the units described run the gamut of special mission types, from commando to parachute units, reconnaissance to sabotage units, and partisan training units as well as those with combined missions.

Many of the operations described in this book continue to serve as templates for modern Special Operations missions, while still others—the first attempts of their kind—continue to serve as examples of what not to try under the circumstances.

Michael F. Dilley served for 20 years in the U.S. Army’s Military Intelligence branch. After retiring from the Army, the author served for about ten years as an employee of the Department of Defense, then as a contractor for various U.S. Government agencies in several fields for 15 years. Author of several books and many articles, a number of these chapters are based on his previous writings for the legendary Behind the Lines magazine.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

The array of new technologies that came on the scene in the early 20th century resulted in widely varied new forms of military special operations once civilization embarked on its greatest war. Suddenly, fighting men could be delivered by parachute, submarine, glider, jeeps, and fast amphibious craft deep into enemy territory to perform special tasks; yet others would continue to perform missions the same as their ancestors in previous wars—on foot using stealth, endurance and patience.

This work contains discussions of the employment of various special purpose, special mission organizations during World War II. These units operated in Allied and Axis countries and in various theaters of war including Europe, North Africa, the Pacific, Asia, and the continental United States. Representing every major combatant, the operations include various kinds of raids, intelligence gathering missions, support to partisan/guerrilla groups, prisoner rescues, direct-action missions, and at least two where the object was simply to steal something. Some missions would have been officially denied if the operations had been caught in the act.

The book is divided into two sections: Behind Enemy Lines and Behind Friendly Lines, to demonstrate that special-purpose organizations can be employed wherever needed, even in areas controlled by military units of their own or allied countries. Many of the units described run the gamut of special mission types, from commando to parachute units, reconnaissance to sabotage units, and partisan training units as well as those with combined missions.

Many of the operations described in this book continue to serve as templates for modern Special Operations missions, while still others—the first attempts of their kind—continue to serve as examples of what not to try under the circumstances.

Michael F. Dilley served for 20 years in the U.S. Army’s Military Intelligence branch. After retiring from the Army, the author served for about ten years as an employee of the Department of Defense, then as a contractor for various U.S. Government agencies in several fields for 15 years. Author of several books and many articles, a number of these chapters are based on his previous writings for the legendary Behind the Lines magazine.

More books from Casemate

Cover of the book Armies of Bismarck's Wars by Michael Dilley
Cover of the book Big Guns by Michael Dilley
Cover of the book Tank Killers A History Of America's World War II Tank Destroyer Force by Michael Dilley
Cover of the book Storm Clouds over the Pacific, 1931–41 by Michael Dilley
Cover of the book 101st Airborne in Normandy by Michael Dilley
Cover of the book Major General George H. Sharpe and The Creation of American Military Intelligence in the Civil War by Michael Dilley
Cover of the book If Chaos Reigns by Michael Dilley
Cover of the book D-Days in the Pacific With the US Coastguard by Michael Dilley
Cover of the book Greek Warriors by Michael Dilley
Cover of the book Leyte, 1944 by Michael Dilley
Cover of the book The Lafayette Escadrille by Michael Dilley
Cover of the book Days of Valor An Inside Account of the Bloodiest Six Months of the Vietnam by Michael Dilley
Cover of the book Battle Yet Unsung: The Fighting Men of the 14th Armored Division in World War II by Michael Dilley
Cover of the book Letters from Verdun by Michael Dilley
Cover of the book Operation Thunderclap and the Black March by Michael Dilley
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy