In September 2000 eleven British soldiers were captured by a notorious militia gang in Sierra Leone. The so-called 'West Side Boys' had subjected their part of the country to a long reign of terror, murdering, kidnapping and mutilating anyone who stood in their way. Now British soldiers were at their mercy. Surrounded and hopelessly outnumbered, any resistance would have seen them all killed; yet their hopes of a quick exchange soon faded. They were assaulted and subjected to mock executions. Negotiations with the 'Revolutionary United Front' leaders and the 'West Side Boys' proved futile. Prime Minister Tony Blair ordered the armed forces to get the men back. The SAS and elements of the Parachute Regiment were rushed to West Africa and a naval squadron assembled offshore. The stage was set for the biggest British military operation on the continent for a generation - and their most daring rescue mission ever.
- ISBN10 0304366994
- ISBN13 9780304366996
- Publish Date 13 January 2005 (first published 19 February 2004)
- Publish Status Out of Print
- Out of Print 12 April 2014
- Publish Country GB
- Publisher Orion Publishing Co
- Imprint Cassell Military
- Format Paperback (B-Format (198x129 mm))
- Pages 224
- Language English