An insight into the methods and equipment of the Commando and Ranger units, including the special tactics and techniques which they developed to spearhead the Allied invasions. It includes personal and eye-witness accounts, which aid understanding of the campaigns and their aims and achievements.

Special Styrker; Special Forces; Landing Crafts; Special Service Brigade(UK); Special Service Group(UK); Commando(UK); Royal Marine Commando(UK); Middle East Commando(UK); Chindits; Marine Raider Regiment(US); Marine Raider Battalion(US); Ranger Battalion(US); Darby's Rangers(US); Special Service Force(US); American Air Commando(US); Merrill's Marauders; Guerillakrigsførelse; Irregulær Krigsførelse; Ukonventionel Krigsførelse; Commando Fiji Guerillas; Landing Crafts Obstruction Clearance Units; Special Boat Section; Combined Operations Assault Pilotage Parties; COPPs; Sea Reconnaissance Unit; RM Boom Patrol Detachment; Small Scale Raiding Force; Special Raiding Squadron; Raiding Force Middle East; RM Detachment 385; Small Operation Group; RN Beach Commandos; Combined Operations Scout Units; RAF Servicing Commandos; Anzio; Arzew; Air Support; Dieppe Raid; Demolitions; Churchill; Clogstoun-Willmott; Bruneval; Camuflage; Darby; Dives River; Lauenburg; Komrower; Keyes, R.; Jellicoe; Hardy; Guadalcanal; Gustav Line; Durnford-Salter, J.; El Alamein; Garigliano River; Rhinen; Norge; Ouistreham; Parachute Troops; Phuket; Normandy; Naval Support; Myebon; Murray; Mountbatten; Manners, J.C.; Mills-Roberts; Montgomery; Maas River; Lovat; Laycock; Jugoslavien; Wingate; Weasel LVT; Weatherall; Tobruk; Sicilien; Schweningen; St. Honorine; St. Nazaire; Salerno; Singapore

From the deadly shores of North Africa to the invasion of Sicily to the fierce jungle hell of the Pacific, the contribution of the World War II Ranger Battalions far outweighed their numbers. They were ordinary men on an extraordinary mission, experiencing the full measure of the fear, exhaustion, and heroism of combat in nearly every major invasion of the war. Whether spearheading a landing force or scouting deep behind enemy lines, these highly motivated, highly trained volunteers led the way for other soldiers -- they were Rangers. With first-person interviews, in-depth research, and a complete appendix naming every Ranger known to have served, author Robert Black, a Ranger himself, has made the battles of WWII come to life through the struggles of the men who fought to win the greatest war the world has ever seen.

This Leavenworth Paper is a critical reconstruction of World War II Ranger operations conducted at or near Djebel el Ank, Tunisia; Porto Empedocle, Sicily; Cisterna, Italy; Zerf, Germany; and Cabanatuan in the Philippines. It is not intended to be a comprehensive account of World War II Ranger operations, for such a study would have to include numerous minor actions that are too poorly documented to be studied to advantage. It is, however, representative for it examines several types of operations conducted against the troops of three enemy nations in a variety of physical and tactical environments. As such, it draws a wide range of lessons useful to combat leaders who may have to conduct such operations or be on guard against them in the future. Many factors determined the outcomes of the operations featured in this Leavenworth Paper, and of these there are four that are important enough to merit special emphasis. These are surprise, the quality of opposing forces, the success of friendly forces with which the Rangers were cooperating, and popular support.

“A first-class work detailing the work of the elite British Commandos and their American counterpart the Rangers . . . Outstanding . . . 10/10.” —The Great War Magazine In the dark days of 1940, Prime Minister Winston Churchill showed his belief in ultimate victory by ordering the raising of the elite Commandos to “break the intolerable shackles of defeat.” Having proved their worth in numerous raids and operations in the Mediterranean, they and their American counterparts, the Rangers, were automatic choices for the most demanding and vital missions of the D-Day Landings in June 1944. These included the capture of key ports, enemy coastal defences and the securing of vulnerable open flanks. The tasks allotted to the Rangers included the seizure of Pointe du Hoc while No 4 Commando took the port of Ouisterham and 47 Royal Marine Commando that of Port-en-Bessin. These daring actions and many others are vividly described in this superb book written by a highly experienced battlefield tour expert and the author of many acclaimed guide books. Indeed, each chapter concludes with invaluable tour notes for those who wish to visit these historic sites. It was only thanks to thorough planning, specialist training, inspiring leadership and, above all, the courage of the men involved that these missions were successfully achieved—but at great cost.

The Rangers are some of the best-trained and most skilled soldiers in the Army. Their motto—Rangers lead the way!—is not just a slogan; in many of the modern conflicts in which the U.S. military has been involved, the Rangers have been among the first soldiers on the ground. In both Iraq and Afghanistan, Rangers carry out raid, ambush, and rescue missions, as well as many other kinds of operations. Army Rangers gives readers a view into the world of the highly skilled Seventy-Fifth Ranger Regiment, today's Rangers, as well as a look at the history of the unit. Since the Revolutionary War, Ranger tactics and standards have been some of the most effective in the entire military. The book also includes information about: • The tough training courses that all Rangers must endure. • What kinds of weapons the Rangers use today and throughout history. • How the modern Rangers were organized and put into action around the world.

How have the U.S. Army Rangers acted as special operations forces in military operations since 1942? Hogan's study examines the nature and purpose of the Rangers over the past fifty years and shows how they have served as scouts, raiders, assault troops, and elite infantry. They have spearheaded amphibious landings, raided enemy prison camps, patrolled behind enemy lines in Korea, served alongside Green Berets in Vietnam, and carried out special missions in Grenada. Professional officers, military historians, students, and general readers will find this a fascinating history. This analytical account opens with a short description of the origins of the Ranger legend in America and then moves to a discussion of their use in World War II, as commandos in 1942, then as spearheaders in 1943 and 1944, as line infantry in Europe and as special operations forces in the Pacific. This provocative assessment also traces the development of Ranger raider units in Korea, the special training and use of Green Berets as Rangers in Vietnam, and the shifting of Ranger roles into more complex and varied types of operations in Vietnam and Grenada and in a world of increasing terrorism and changing combat situations. Illustrations, maps, and a lengthy bibliography add to the usefulness of the study.