Sky Warriors: British Airborne Forces in the Second World War

In June 1940, Churchills established the 'Red Devils' as a single parachute battalion of 500 men, which eventually expanded into three 10,000-strong airborne divisions. They served with distinction in every major theater of the war, playing a starring role in iconic airborne operations such as the Bruneval Raid, the capture of the Primasole, Pegasus, and Arnhem Bridges, and Operation Varsity. Sky Warriors is an accomplished work of storytelling that draws on multiple archives, published memoirs, unpublished diaries, and interviews with participants to present the complete wartime story of the British airborne forces for the first time.

Format: Hardback
Length: 576 pages
Publication date: 25 April 2024
Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers

From the acclaimed historian Saul David, comes a captivating new account of the British airborne experience during World War II. The renowned "Red Devils" were among the finest combat troops of the war, originating as a single parachute battalion of 500 men in June 1940 and evolving into three 10,000-strong airborne divisions: the 1st, 6th, and 44th Indian. These divisions comprised parachutists and glider-borne troops, distinguished by their iconic maroon berets, steel helmets, and Dennison smocks. They served with valor in every major theater of the conflict, including North Africa, Sicily, mainland Europe, and the Far East. The Red Devils played a pivotal role in several iconic airborne operations, including the Bruneval Raid in February 1942, the capture of the Primasole, Pegasus, and Arnhem Bridges in July 1943, June 1944, and September 1944, respectively, and Operation Varsity, the largest parachute drop in history, near Wesel, Germany, in March 1945.

Sky Warriors is a masterful work of storytelling, offering an authoritative, comprehensive, and profoundly moving account of the airborne forces' recruitment, training, and wartime exploits. Drawing from a wide range of archives, published memoirs, unpublished diaries, and interviews with participants, Saul David has crafted a dramatic narrative that sheds light on the complete wartime story of the British airborne forces for the first time. This captivating book is a testament to the bravery and resilience of these soldiers and their contributions to the Allied victory in World War II.

Weight: 868g
Dimension: 163 x 243 x 53 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780008522162