Network Books
2 total works
The Royal Marine Commandos were formed by Churchill during World War II and have earned a reputation as the most feared amphibious infantry in the world. They are highly trained, disciplined, tough, determined and efficient, always basing their operations on speed, mobility, surprise and fire-power. There are two ways to join the Commandos - through a Recruit Troop Course for teenagers, or through the All Arms Course for volunteeers from the Army, Royal Navy and Royal Air Force. Both involve intensive training, physical hardship and mental pressure, ending with the gruelling Commando tests. This book follows two such courses and presents a human story which finds the reality a far cry from the popular idea of Commandos as gung-ho Captain Hurricanes. The author, who himself successfully complete the All Arms Course, takes the reader through the agony and ecstasy of the Commando training programme in an effort to understand why these men endure this self-inflicted punishment, and to explain the pride and honour felt on winning the green beret.
Aiming to provide a balanced view of the issues facing a modern air force, this study of the RAF takes readers behind the air displays and Royal Tournament performances, the uniforms and the war heroes, to examine the dedication and rigorous training that goes into creating a fighter pilot. Among the other topics considered are how today's pilots differ from their World War I and World War II counterparts, technology and its influence on the modern plane, and the effectiveness of the latest fighter planes. The author served with the 29 Commando Regiment Royal Artillery for 13 years, fought in the Falklands War with the Special Boat Squadron, has also been a paratrooper, and ran the British Army jungle-warfare training school in Belize.