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Sky Warriors

British Airborne Forces in the Second World War

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Sky Warriors

By: Saul David
Narrated by: Adam James
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About this listen

THE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER

From bestselling historian Saul David, a riveting new history of the British airborne experience across the Second World War.

The legendary ‘Red Devils’ were among the finest combat troops of the Second World War. Created at Churchill’s instigation in June 1940, they began as a single parachute battalion of 500 men and grew into three 10,000-strong airborne divisions: the 1st, 6th and 44th Indian, each composed of parachutists and glider-borne troops. Wearing their distinctive maroon berets, steel helmets and Dennison smocks, they served with distinction in every major theatre of the conflict – including North Africa, Sicily, mainland Europe and the Far East – and played a starring role in some most iconic airborne operations in history: the Bruneval Raid of February 1942; the capture of the Primasole, Pegasus and Arnhem Bridges in July 1943, June 1944 and September 1944 respectively; and Operation Varsity, the biggest parachute drop in history, near Wesel in Germany in March 1945.

©2024 Saul David (P)2024 HarperCollins Publishers 20th Century Air Forces Armed Forces Europe Great Britain Military Modern Winston Churchill

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All stars
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Excellent narration with colourful impersonations which made a detailed and sometimes brutal story more entertaining . Good account of Airborne forces , their raw courage . It is tragic how many men didn’t make it to the battlefield due to the risks , weather, pilot error , glider crash landings and audacious planning . Lightly armed unsupported troops taking heavy casualties taking their objective inspite of overwhelming odds and danger .
What men are these?

Outstanding

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I had high expectations of Sky Warriors after reading Devil Dogs and Saul David doesn't disappoint. The story arc is well structured and holds focus, offering tantalizing glimpses of rabbit holes to explore further in the future (such as the use of airborne troops in the Far East). The historical characters he describes are vivid and make the listener want to find out more. Interesting to hear Saul's analysis of Arnhem, particularly around the role of Urquhart - and I'm still not a fan of Browning.
The audiobook's narration may not be everyone's cup of tea. However, if you like Allo Allo and can bear with ze accents, the performance doesn't get in the way of a great book.

A new appreciation for British Airborne Forces

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A great deal of detailed research has gone into this book with much historical factual information to help put the stories into context. Lots of anecdotal information added that adds the human side to the narrative. Well read by narrator I did like his use of different voices for the characters he was quoting. Thought good listen .

Well researched and written

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This book gives a wwll rounded account of the British Paratrooper during WW2. Refreshing given the often American-centric modern takes. The book keeps a good pace and charts well known operations alongside little known ones. The Narration is on the whole good however there are a few questionable accents used but this could just be personal preference

A well rounded account

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Yet again Saul David tell a compelling and detailed story. Many WW2 historians will tell the ‘bigger picture’ by focusing in on individual people, but in my option no one does it as well as Saul. He brings the people alive and makes the stories more personal and engaging.

Just Brilliant

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Very good book which manages to cover all operations in just enough detail not to be too misleading. Performance is a circus of silly accents (think “Allo Allo”) which rather detracts from the quality of the product.

Very good and colourful overview

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great in history of the British Airborne Forces! Worth a listen and some amazing stories of the Airborne Warriors of WWII

AIRBORNE

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Listening to this really zoned me out, it made me stop what I was doing and really gave me a mental image of the tough times they went through.

I couldn't stop listening.

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I Hated the attempt at Scottish accents but didn't ruin the story for me. Highly recommended 👌

Epic story.

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Great all round history of the units with emphasis on the big shows, N Africa, Sicily, Normandy, Market Garden & Rhine. I have to say though, I’ve read about Arnhem many times and this is the first time my heart broke a little for those lads and what they had to endure. Great narration all round with solid accents when required and not in a cheesy way. Really helps the flow of the narrative. Would recommend.

Great read & narration

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