This is part of Osprey Publishing’sexpanding Raid series.  These provide “Detailed, authoritativeanalysis of the greatest raids in military history”.  The subject matter covered so far isextremely wide both in time and geography (and the scale of operationsinvolved).  This reviewer has only asmall number of Raid books in his (vast) Osprey collection but they serve toshow the range; the Israeli assault on Entebbein 1976, the conquest of Okinawa by the Shimazu Daimyo in 1609 and John ofGaunt’s Great Chevauchee in France1373.

Who DaresWins byGregory Fremont-Barnes is part of what is a military history sub-genre all ofits own – SAS Lit!  Being a fan of themore informed end of SAS (Special Air Service – the main British Special Forcesformation; there are others.) literature, rather than the coffee table trash,this book travels a well worn path for me. However I would suggest that for those unfamiliar with SAS counterterrorist operations and Iranian Embassy siege specifically this book is anexcellent place to start. 

It starts with a short introduction onthe origins, functions, training and equipment of the SAS; explains the originsof the seizure of the Embassy and provides a day by day run down leading uptothe launch of Operation Nimrod (the codename of the actual assault). Thesesections are an interesting insight into the way government’s handle suchsituations and make it clear that in such circumstances a small highly trainedspecial force is a huge strategic and political asset.  There are several interesting quotes from theBritish Home Secretary of the time, Willie Whitelaw, which add to the book’sflavour and perhaps give it an interest to an audience wider than those concernedwith SAS operations.  It also covers thepreparation that took place by the deploying SAS troopers.  Even the best of the best have to ensure thatpractice makes perfect.

The assault itself is explainedclearly and includes quotes from some of the troopers involved.  Given that the assaulters enter the targetbuilding from multiple entry points Mr Fremont-Barnes’ writing ensures that thereader can follow the actions clearly and without confusion.  This is aided by an excellent cutaway of theEmbassy while the assault is underway by the book’s main artist Howard Gerrard. 

The book is illustrated throughout byblack and white (plus a few colour) photographs.  These are mainly of the assault and will befamiliar to those that have studied this action before.  There are also a number of colourillustrations by the previously mentioned Howard Gerrard (these are of coursewhat the various Osprey Series of books are famous for).  As well as the cutaway of the Embassy we havean SAS trooper in the famous black assault rig with equipment and two scenesfrom the assault itself – the troopers abseiling down to break in through thewindows in the rear of the Embassy and the famous incident where Pete Winner(author of the excellent “Soldier ‘I’”, also available from Osprey) has to usethe blunt end of his Heckler & Koch MP5 on one of the terrorists who hadmingled with the hostages as they escaped and had a grenade in his hand.  Mr Gerrard is a regular with Osprey and seemsto major in World War Two subjects but I cannot fault his work here.  The two scenes from the assault have analmost surreal quality about them as they are viewed from close in vantagepoints that would have required a cherry-picker if one was to try and achievethe same with a camera and also are at (almost) eccentric angles! To me theycapture perfectly the high tension of the situation.

The book follows a Raid house style –the cover art is by Mariusz Kozik who does all the cover artwork for theseries.  And down the right hand side ofa number of pages there is a timeline arrow showing the date and time and ashort sentence of the events at the time or day; this is a sort of countdownfrom the start to the end of the Raid in question.  I have to say that I like Mr Kozik’s style onmost of the covers – his dark, almost “fantasy” style suits the more modernactions, I am less keen on the pre modern era covers.  But of course art is a matter of taste.  As for the “countdown arrows” I can take themor leave them really.

As to the book in question I have tosay that despite familiarity with the subject I thoroughly enjoyed it.  It is well written with an economy of effortthat emulates the brisk understated efficiency of the SAS and is well supportedby the artwork.  It took me back to a Mayevening in 1980 when as a young lad I sat with my family by the television andwatched the events in this book unfold in real time!  

Who DaresWins is availablenow in paperback from Osprey Publishing, normal price £11.99

Reviewwritten by: PaulRobinson, Staff Writer