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Paddy Mayne

Lt Col Blair 'Paddy' Mayne, 1 SAS Regiment

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About this listen

‘Paddy’ Mayne was one of the most outstanding special forces leaders of the Second World War. Hamish Ross’s authoritative study follows Mayne from solicitor and a rugby international to troop commander in the Commandos and then the SAS, whose leader he later became and whose annals he graced, winning the DSO and three bars, the Croix de Guerre and the Légion d’Honneur.

Mayne’s achievements attracted attention, and after his early death legends emerged, based largely on anecdote and assertion. Hamish Ross’s closely researched biography challenges much of the received version, using contemporary sources, the official war diaries, the chronicle of 1 SAS, Mayne’s papers and diaries, and a number of extended interviews with key contemporaries. It has the support of the Mayne family and the SAS Regimental Association.

In Ross’s analysis Mayne is a dynamic, yet principled and thoughtful man, committed to the unit’s original concepts; not flawless, but whose leadership qualities and tactical brilliance in the field secured the reputation of the SAS.

©2011 Hamish Ross (P)2023 W. F. Howes Ltd Armed Forces Europe Great Britain Military Military & War Special & Elite Forces World War II War England
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It was so refreshing to have a balanced and honest description of a hero that needs no embellishment.

A straight forward description of a true Hero

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I watched and read tales of Paddy Mayne. And the truthful telling and debunking of myths does nothing to diminish the stature of the man. Great read!

What stood out was the truthful story telling

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Really enjoyed this book. Great to understand a bit about the real man. So glad he was on our side

Great book

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It met all the criteria of the man you would dream of to emulate. A tragedy his passing so young and in such circumstances.

The Man

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This has been the topping of all I have read about Paddy Mayne
I Don’t have words to write a review for this book

Why no VC

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