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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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About this listen

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 Europe France Germany Great Britain World Armed Force Military War England Air Force

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)
All stars
Most relevant
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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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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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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spends much time on the technical aspects of radar..but non the worse for that..great yarn

excellent

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Loved it! Very inspiring, educational in parts, especially about how Radar works, and I enjoyed how you find out what happened to the heroes in later life. Great narrator too!

Fantastic!

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