DARING TO WIN : Special Forces at War by Eschel, David

London 1992, Arms & Armour pr, UK First edition in dj, 6x9, VG/VG condition, 214 pages, illus, maps, index. -------------------------------------------------------A vital component in all armies worldwide today, Special Forces can be traced back to the Biblical era, proving the importance and value of professional, dedicated and superbly trained elite warriors. From Genghis Khan and the Mongol hordes can be gleaned the predecessors of Blitzkrieg tactics in essence: the swiftest and most outstanding forces attacked the enemy in his weakest areas to achieve breakthrough and initiative. Their purpose lives on in modern special forces which essentially perform similar tasks today. The most significant development in their history is the emphasis placed on stealth and surprise: more important and tactically useful given the changed nature of war.Only in attitude is the modem soldier similar to his predecessors, as the weaponry he uses is now often at the leading edge of technology. Yet dedication remains the single most fundamental requirement for elite forces: fighting outside conventional warfare demands immense loyalty to cause and comrade, for only teamwork ensures success and survival. Of necessity at the sharpest edge of conflict - raiding behind enemy lines and courageous rearguard actions are all commonplace in the history of these forces.----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------This book, written by a veteran elite unit officer, is an entertaining and dramatic narrative detailing the most impressive, intrepid and often famous elite actions on land, at sea and in the air. Emphasizing less the technical details, the book instead highlights the drama, to create a realistic and enjoyable flavour of this type of combat. Examples from the pages of 20th-century history begin with stormtrooper action in 1918, through lesser known wartime exploits such as commando action in Norway and SAS North African raids to post-war actions in Israel, Vietnam and the Falklands and beyond to conclude with action in the Gulf War. These deeds of courage and endurance promote greater understanding of the nature of the job and the men who do it. This work is a marvellous history of daring and exciting action.