Combat Divers: An illustrated history of special forces divers

Combat Divers explores the full visual history of special forces combat divers from World War II to the present day, revealing their elite operations, equipment, and adaptations to threats in various theatres. It features rare and unusual images and includes first-hand accounts of female combat divers.

Format: Hardback
Length: 304 pages
Publication date: 19 January 2023
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC

Combat Divers is a comprehensive visual history of the special forces combat diver from World War II to the present day. Every special forces combat diver is required to pass selection twice – first into the elite military unit and then a combat diving qualification. The combat dive units themselves are tiny and the operations highly classified. The role of a military diver is inevitably a lonely and a dangerous one,whether clearing mines or striking from the sea against enemy-held targets. Fully illustrated with rare and unusual images, Combat Divers reveals their little-known yet fascinating operations,from Dutch Special Forces combat divers covertly operating against Somali pirates to the actions of Soviet Spetsnaz divers in Swedish territorial waters during the Cold War. It also examines how the most famous units,such as the US Navy SEALs and the Royal Navy s SBS,are currently operating and adapting to threats in a multitude of theatres. Combat Divers gives an insight into specialist kit and vehicles presently used and equipment that is being developed and trialed throughout the world. Covering a variety of kit,from dry deck shelters to mini-submarines and swimmer delivery vehicles,former Royal Marines Commando Michael G. Welham draws on his own extensive diving experience to reveal exactly how this equipment is used by special forces dive teams. As their kit and equipment constantly evolve,so does the nature of their work and even the team element. Combat Divers also details the first female combat divers and includes their own first-hand accounts about their groundbreaking roles within their respective units to create a fascinating history of these elite special forces operatives.
The full visual history of the special forces combat diver from World War II to the present day is a fascinating journey through the elite ranks of military units. Every special forces combat diver must pass two selection processes – first into the elite military unit and then a combat diving qualification. The combat dive units themselves are small and highly classified, making their operations even more challenging. The role of a military diver is inherently lonely and dangerous, whether clearing mines or striking from the sea against enemy-held targets. Combat Divers provides a rare and unusual glimpse into these operations, featuring rare and unusual images of Dutch Special Forces combat divers covertly operating against Somali pirates, as well as the actions of Soviet Spetsnaz divers in Swedish territorial waters during the Cold War. It also examines how the most famous units, such as the US Navy SEALs and the Royal Navy's SBS, are currently operating and adapting to threats in a multitude of theatres. Combat Divers offers an insight into specialist kit and vehicles presently used and equipment that is being developed and trialed throughout the world. Covering a variety of kit, from dry deck shelters to mini-submarines and swimmer delivery vehicles, former Royal Marines Commando Michael G. Welham draws on his own extensive diving experience to reveal exactly how this equipment is used by special forces dive teams. As their kit and equipment constantly evolve, so does the nature of their work and even the team element. Combat Divers also details the first female combat divers and includes their own first-hand accounts about their groundbreaking roles within their respective units, creating a fascinating history of these elite special forces operatives.

Weight: 1150g
Dimension: 198 x 249 x 25 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781472856005