Green Devils–Red Devils

The history of the parachute and glider-borne soldiers of Germany and the Allies, forged during World War II to become elite soldiers. The story of the British and German airborne troops in the World War II is one of the most remarkable episodes in the entire history of special forces, not least because it is almost, if not quite, true to say that within the conflict is encompassed the whole history of airborne forces. Though credit must be given to the Germans for being first off the mark, it occurred to both sides that the delivery of troops either by glider or by parachute behind enemy lines must have war-winning potential. That his proved to be a little wide of the mark in no way detracts from the extraordinary courage displayed by those who chose, or were chosen, to conduct this particularly hazardous form of warfare. In Green Devils–Red Devils: Untold Tales of the Airborne in World War II, historian Edmund Blandford has managed to track down a number of survivors from these elite units and, having set each episode in its historical perspective, then allows the participants to tell the story in their own words. He also explains how the airborne corps were established and the manner in which the men were recruited. All this is woven into the author's tapestry to produce a work of quite remarkable vividness and immediacy.