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Night Raid

The True Story of the First Victorious British Para Raid of WWII

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Night Raid

By: Taylor Downing
Narrated by: Gordon Griffin
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Summary

The loss of British bombers over Occupied Europe began to reach alarming levels in 1941. Could it be that the Germans were using a sophisticated form of radar to direct their night fighters and anti-aircraft guns at the British bombers?

British aerial reconnaissance discovered what seemed to be a rotating radar tower on a clifftop at Bruneval, near Le Havre. The truth must be revealed. The decision was taken to launch a daring raid on the Bruneval site to try and capture the technology for further examination. The planned airborne assault would be extremely risky. The parachute regiment had only been formed a year before on Churchill's insistence. This night raid would test the men to the extreme limits of their abilities.

Night Raid tells the gripping tale of this mission from the planning stages, to the failed rehearsals when the odds seemed stacked against them, to the night of the raid itself, and the scientific secrets that were discovered thanks to the paras' precious cargo - the German radar. Its capture was of immense importance in the next stages of the war and the mission itself marked the birth of the legend of the 'Red Devils'.

©2013 Taylor Downing (P)2014 Soundings Armed Force Europe France Germany Great Britain World Military War England Air Force
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Critic reviews

"The Bruneval Raid was the start of the airborne brotherhood. Taylor Downing's vivid account brings alive this important turning point in military history with flair and pace." (Andy McNab)
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Covers a lot of history, in a really interesting way… the formation of the Paras, development of radar, Operation Biting, and much more besides. The narration is excellent too, and I’ve strongly recommended the book to my family and friends.

Absolutely fascinating

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the story not only follows the planning of the raid but covers the invention and use of radar throughout the war and beyond.

packed with detail

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This review is brief, but salient. This book clearly, and without melodrama, shows how wars, unfortunate as they are, are won. Its not the pseudo John Wayne hero who wins in the end. It's the ordinary guys who have guile in abundance and are unquestionably brave. They are the people who will eventually triumph.

Two different types of hero are featured here. Those real life characters who show patience and determination throughout the development stage and those who throw caution to the wind (Literally) in the execution phase. Thank god people like these guys existed, who knows! Their type may yet be called upon again.

Should be entitled 'Real Life Heroes'.

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There’s such a lot of scientific information about the development of radar, both in Britain and Germany. Too much? You’ll have to decide but I do think the title is a bit misleading.

Lots of science, not so much on the raid

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After parachuting onto the Bruneval DZ in Feb 2013 and looking around Lone House (what’s left of it!) and the Freya site nearby I can say that Taylor Downings book has filled in the blanks in a thoroughly accurate entertaining way!

Spellbinding !

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