Damien Lewis has written both fiction and non-fiction, and in SAS: Italian Job he proves himself to be both a credible researcher and also a powerful storyteller. And what a true life story!
In the winter of 1944, the Allied advance northwards through Italy had stalled on the mountain defences of the Gothic Line. Two men were parachuted in to break the deadlock. Their mission: to penetrate deep into enemy territory and lay waste to the Germans' impregnable headquarters.
But soon there was shocking news. High command radioed through an order to stand down, having assessed the chances of success at little more than zero. But in defiance of orders, and come hell or high-water, these men, and the men they were leading were going in.
SAS: Italian Job is an incredible true story, and it’s not just the real-life action that grips, but also the political decisions made behind the scenes. It’s an insight into the lives of the brave Italian partisans, members of the SAS and SOE, and also the conditions for soldiers and civilians at this stage of the war in Italy. It’s also a revealing book about the injustices meted out to Mike Lees, one of the heroes of this book, who was injured and vilified after the war. You will have to read this book yourself, to discover what I am talking about, but I’m sure you will be as appalled as I am about this injustice.
Reviewer: Karen McMillan
Hachette, RRP 37.99