Z Special Unit: The Elite Allied World War II Guerrilla Force

Z Special Unit was a wartime special forces unit that fought against Japan for two years in the south-west Pacific. They used unconventional tactics such as canoeing into enemy harbours, parachuting into the Borneo jungle, and smuggling out the pro-Allied sultan from an Indonesian island. They faced many challenges, including venomous snakes, man-eating crocodiles, and deadly diseases, but the enemy soldiers were the most ruthless foe, beheading those who fell into their hands. Gavin Mortimer's book explores the history of this remarkable special forces unit and the band of commandoes that defied the odds.

Format: Hardback
Length: 240 pages
Publication date: 14 April 2022
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC

Z Special Unit, a remarkable wartime special forces unit, defied the odds in its origin story. Formed during World War II, this unit was one of the most intrepid Allied Special Forces, waging a guerrilla war against Japan for two years in the south-west Pacific. On their 81 operations, Z Special Unit executed daring maneuvers, including infiltrating enemy harbours in canoes, mining ships silently, parachuting into the dense Borneo jungle, and even landing on an Indonesian island to smuggle out a pro-Allied sultan.

However, their adversaries were not limited to the Japanese. The unit encountered venomous snakes, man-eating crocodiles, and deadly diseases in the mango swamps of Borneo and the dense jungle of Papua New Guinea. The most ruthless foe they faced was the enemy soldiers, who beheaded those Z Special Unit commandos who fell into their hands.

To uncover the incredible history of this remarkable special forces unit, author Gavin Mortimer relied on veteran interviews, operational reports, and recently declassified SOE files. Mortimer delves into the bravery, resilience, and ingenuity of the commandoes who faced impossible odds and emerged victorious.

Z Special Unit's story is a testament to the human spirit's ability to overcome adversity and achieve greatness in the face of impossible circumstances. Their actions in the Pacific theater during World War II have left a lasting impact on military history and continue to inspire generations to come.

Weight: 1052g
Dimension: 200 x 249 x 25 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781472847096