Red Devils
The Trailblazers of the Parachute Regiment in World War Two: An Authorized History
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Red Devils
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Narrated by:
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Mark Urban
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By:
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Mark Urban
About this listen
Brought to you by Penguin.
A gripping authorised history of the daring 'Red Devils', the trailblazers of the parachute regiment.
The Parachute Regiment is Britain's elite airborne infantry. On the 80th anniversary of their first crucial campaign, in Operation Torch in North Africa, historian and broadcaster Mark Urban combines perspectives from German and British sources to tell the gripping stories of the men who had the resilience, fitness and self-reliance to be "Red Devils"—the name they were given by their German enemies.
The Paras comprised everyone from circus performers to solicitors, policemen to gravediggers, Christian Jews and communists. From recently-widowed Colonel Geoffrey Pine-Coffin, who had to leave his little boy to head to the front, to Mike Lewis, whose photographs became iconic images of war; from those who survived to those who longed for "a bloodbath" and died in action; Urban brings life to these men and their experiences, exploring what drove them and covering their daring actions at D-Day, Arnhem and across the Second World War.
Based on deep archival research and new material from the men's families, and giving overdue recognition to the North African campaign, this compelling account paints a true and moving picture of the heart of war.
PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.
©2022 Mark Urban (P)2022 Penguin AudioListeners also enjoyed...
What listeners say about Red Devils
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- FAB
- 11-12-22
Story of heroism and strength in conflict
A great story of the heroism, strength, courage and comradeship of an elite group of men, held together through conflict despite the odds against them. Thrown into battles against overwhelming odds, without those in higher command knowing how to plan and use these men to their strengths.
Reading this book it brought back the memories of having visited the grave sites around Arnhem to see the young lives squandered in this fruitless battle.
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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- Stodders
- 29-05-23
A wonderful history of the trailblazers of this famous regiment.
As an ex Para I found this book fascinating. Well written and researched and an insight into some of the men who aren’t as well known as the likes of John Frost and Frederick “Boy” Browning. It was interesting in particular to hear of the early operations like the raid on Bruneval that were formulated and carried out by smaller groups than the larger operations that would follow in 1944 until the end of the war. I also enjoyed learning what happened to some of those featured after the war. A very valid and often overlooked point was the success of Geoffrey Pine-Coffin who although as the leader of many successful operations is often overshadowed by those who became almost household names after Arnhem. A great book.
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- B CASTELL
- 25-09-23
It captures the thoughts and mindset of the Toms and NCO’s during the formation of the greatest Regiment
I have read so many books on the early days and the formation of the Parachute Regiment and this one is certainly one of the better
It captures the thoughts and mindset of the Toms and NCO’s, as well as the more known senior officers, the author does well to describe the smaller tactical battles of the individuals and small units as well as giving a good account of the larger strategic battle
As a Paratrooper of 24 years, I would recommend this to all serving members of the Regiment and to anyone thinking of going
Die roten Teufel
Utrinque Paratus
Ad Unum Omnes
Go to it
WAHO MOHAMMED
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- AgathaR Crispie
- 22-01-24
fascinating
Well written and gives an excellent overview of the Parachute Regiment during World War 2
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- Ken P
- 25-01-23
A great book on one of our finest regiments
Great reading by Mark Urban and a very well presented and written book.
Having longer to go into the army from being a very little boy, it wasn't possible due to poor eyesjght, it when I've read anything about the army there are two regiments I would have !over to have been in, The Marines and The Paratroopers.
They both epitomize what serving the country really means.
Well done Mark Urban for reawakening the young child's yearnings once again, and I'm 78 years old. Thank you
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Dave
- 17-01-23
Red Devil's
Fantastic audio book really enjoyed it all though i did struggle to understand all the terminology with the make up of the brigades battalions and such like but all in all i thought the author told the story really well i was engaged from the word go
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance3 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- djmp
- 26-07-23
Fascinating account
The story warts and all of the formation and development of the paratroopers is gripping and moving.
But as is usually the case author's should not narrate their own works
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- Lee Smith
- 08-12-23
I have the Hard Back book
An amazingly insightful book,superbly written and read by Mark Urban,will be looking out for more of his books
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Overall2 out of 5 stars
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- Amazon Customer
- 07-04-23
Not the great
It took me a long time to get into this book I really didn’t enjoy it and dogged it out till the end where it did get better when they where fighting in France and Holland but then after that it went down hill again. Not the best
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1 person found this helpful