A gripping history of Britain's Special Boat Squadron in World War II, drawing on veteran interviews and including rare photographs from the SAS Regimental Association. The Special Boat Squadron was Britain's most exclusive Special Forces unit during World War II, and yet its exploits have been largely forgotten. This book tells its story. Highly trained, totally secretive and utterly ruthless, the SBS was established as an entity in its own right in early 1943. Unlike its sister unit, which numbered more than 1,000 men, the SBS never comprised more than 100. Led by men such as the famed Victoria Cross recipient Anders Lassen, the SBS went from island to island in the Mediterranean, landing in the dead of night in small fishing boats and launching savage hit and run raids on the Germans. Through unrivalled access to the archives of the SAS Regimental Association and interviews with the surviving members of the unit, Gavin Mortimer has pieced together the dramatic feats of this elite fighting force. In this new and updated paperback edition, featuring additional content including new text and photographs, the unit and its members are finally granted the recognition that they so richly deserve.

The men of the SBS are the maritime equivalent of their counterparts in the SAS; they are the elite of the British Special Forces and also the most secretive. Although SAS activity has been extensively documented, the SBS has remained in the state it prefers - a shadowy silhouette, with identities protected and missions kept from public view. Formed during the Second World War, when they took part in many daring raids (one of which was filmed as The Cockleshell Heroes), they were active in the jungle campaigns in the Far East, in the Falklands, the Gulf War and Bosnia. Since this seminal book was published in 1997, John Parker has been privy to much more inside information about the SBS's original operations and he brings the book right up to date with accounts of their exploits in East Timor, Somalia, Sierra Leone, Kosovo and most recently in Iraq.

This important book, based on extensive interviews and unprecedented access to SBS archives, argues that SBS is one Australia’s most significant and innovative cultural institutions and that its charter to broadcast for multicultural Australia is as relevant today as it was when the organization started 30 years ago.

For over eighty years the SBS have sailed into the face of danger. Responsible for quick strikes, reconnaissance, and counter-terrorism, they are the world's foremost marine special forces unit. The SBS risk their lives at sea and on land, undertaking the most dangerous missions. 1994, Bahamas. An English doctor disappears without trace. Soon afterwards, a tourist is murdered in Florida. The Americans know the cases are connected, suspecting an infamous drug lord, and Washington D.C. calls in the British government. The SBS are soon dispatched to help cleanse the Caribbean of the international drug trade, in what could be their most crucial mission yet...

For over eighty years the SBS have sailed into the face of danger. Responsible for quick strikes, reconnaissance, and counter-terrorism, they are the world's foremost marine special forces unit. The SBS risk their lives at sea and on land, undertaking the most dangerous missions. 1995, Spain. The Princess of Wales is enjoying a holiday in Catalonia when she becomes the target of an international terrorist's vengeance. With the Princess kidnapped, can the SBS rescue her in time – or will their tried and tested methods fail against the wily and battle-hardened terrorist leader?

For over eighty years the SBS have sailed into the face of danger. Responsible for quick strikes, reconnaissance, and counter-terrorism, they are the world's foremost marine special forces unit. The SBS risk their lives at sea and on land, undertaking the most dangerous missions. 1943, Burma. Fresh from his exploits with the unit in the Mediterranean, Sergeant 'Tiger' Tiller and his SBS comrades are now deployed in Burma, striking at the Japanese supply lines, including deep inside Burmese territory. Tiller must use the SBS's most potent new weapon – the Midget Submarine – to strike at the heart of the Japanese campaign.

For over eighty years the SBS have sailed into the face of danger. Responsible for quick strikes, reconnaissance, and counter-terrorism, they are the world's foremost marine special forces unit. The SBS risk their lives at sea and on land, undertaking the most dangerous missions. 1984, Greece. From their secret military base on a Greek island, the SBS must use all their skills to evade the might of the Soviet navy in a secret mission – a mission that could start a bloody and devastating war in the Middle East if things don't go to plan...