A History of Modern Mercenary Warfare

Harry McCallion explores the development of modern mercenary forces from the British SAS led deniable operation in Yemen in the late 1960s to the War in Ukraine. The book includes notable figures such as SAS Fijian warriors Tak Takevesia and Fred Big Fred Mrafano, as well as Bill Scully, a veteran of the Sierra Leone coup, and Major Mac Mackenzie, a Vietnam veteran who commanded a Rhodesian SAS squadron. The use of mercenaries has expanded due to their lack of patriotism, their deaths are not seen as a patriotic sacrifice, and they help to conceal the true human cost of war.

Format: Hardback
Length: 224 pages
Publication date: 30 November 2023
Publisher: Pen & Sword Books Ltd

Since the days of Alexander the Great, soldiers have sold their expertise on battlefields worldwide, fighting and dying in other people's wars for money, glory, or the lust for violence and combat. In this book, Harry McCallion delves into the development of modern mercenary forces, starting with the British SAS's covert operation in Yemen in the late 1960s, during which the Israelis were persuaded to arm the SAS-led Yemeni tribesmen. The journey continues through the bush wars in Africa, Britain's ill-fated intervention in the war in Afghanistan, and up to the current War in Ukraine. Many of the modern-day British mercenaries were known to the author personally, including notable figures such as the legendary SAS Fijian warriors Tak Takevesia and Fred Big Fred Mrafano, who dedicated themselves to the cause of the people of Sierra Leone. SAS veteran Bill Scully, who received the Queen's Gallantry Medal for single-handedly protecting 1,300 civilians from rebel troops during the uprising in May 1997 after the Sierra Leone coup, and American Vietnam veteran Major Mac Mackenzie, who, despite being badly wounded in Vietnam, rose from trooper to command a Rhodesian SAS squadron and was one of the unit's most highly decorated soldiers. Also included are more notorious figures like Costas Georgiou, also known as Colonel Callan, who served in the 1st Battalion of the Parachute Regiment but was dishonorably discharged and sentenced to five years in prison for a post office robbery. Later, he proclaimed himself a colonel and led a group of psychopathic mercenaries in the Angolan War of Independence, before being captured and executed by Angolan forces. The book explores the roles of modern-day mercenaries, whose use has expanded significantly in recent years. These mercenaries are often hired by governments, rebel groups, and private companies to carry out operations that traditional military forces may not be willing or able to undertake. They are known for their expertise, flexibility, and willingness to take risks in dangerous environments. However, their employment also raises ethical and legal questions, particularly regarding their accountability, the use of force, and the potential for civilian casualties. As the world becomes increasingly complex and interconnected, the role of mercenaries is likely to continue to be a topic of debate and discussion.

Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781399050098