Red Devils
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  • Published: 10 October 2023
  • ISBN: 9780241995228
  • Imprint: Penguin General UK
  • Format: Paperback
  • Pages: 384
  • RRP: $30.00
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Red Devils

The Trailblazers of the Parachute Regiment in World War Two: An Authorized History

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Paperback
10 Oct 2023
Audiobook
27 Oct 2022
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A gripping, widely-praised, authorised history of the Parachute Regiment in World War Two

In this gripping, authorised account, bestselling historian Mark Urban tells the story of the wartime creation and development of Britain's elite airborne infantry - who ranged from circus performers to solicitors, policemen to gravediggers, Christians and Jews to communists.

Through the fates of six men - including recently widowed Geoffrey Pine-Coffin, who had to leave his little boy at home to head to the front, and Mike Lewis, whose photographs became iconic images of war - Urban vividly shows what it took to succeed in this new regiment. All six men would shed blood for their country in daring actions at D-Day, Arnhem and across the Second World War; two would not survive, and one would face disgrace.

Based on deep archival research, British and German sources and new material from the men's families, Urban's unvarnished history is a compelling and moving depiction of the highs and lows of battle.
  • Published: 10 October 2023
  • ISBN: 9780241995228
  • Imprint: Penguin General UK
  • Format: Paperback
  • Pages: 384
  • RRP: $30.00
Categories:
Share…

Praise for Red Devils

A detailed, fast-paced history of these remarkable men that reads like a thriller. Brilliantly researched and brilliantly told

Julia Boyd

Riveting. Impeccably researched. Authoritative. Urban reveals the Red Devils in all their glory, as they forged the path for airborne forces to follow in WWII. Full of daring action, standout characters and cutting edge operations, this is unputdownable

Damien Lewis

Gripping and authoritative. Family men, circus performers, solicitors, communists, and reactionaries all fought together and shed blood for their country-a true and moving story of war

Andy McNab

I couldn't put Red Devils down

Amanda Foreman

Excellent . . . Mark Urban has brought an old soldier's insights and a fine journalist's clarity to tell this story resoundingly well, mixing superb accounts of the battles with a deep understanding of personalities, service politics and the paratrooper ethos

Patrick Bishop, Telegraph

If you want to get under the skin of the pioneers of airborne soldiering, this is it . . . fast paced, well written and attention-grabbing from start to finish

Adrian Weale, Daily Mail Plus

Masterful . . . Mark Urban paints a colourful picture of the officers and men who volunteered for what in 1940 was a leap into the unknown

Paul de Zulueta, Spectator

Does not disappoint . . . A story of courage and adversity, Red Devils is a must-read

Who Do You Think You Are Magazine