#Ben Macintyre

[shangyeoms]

Ben Macintyre on Paddy Mayne's sexuality and Eoin McGonigal

[justforbooks]

This is a book for readers of second world war history who like the Boy’s Own version of the conflict. The cast of characters could have stepped straight from a comic strip story. Yet the men of the SAS were real flesh and blood, “rogue heroes” as the title suggests. The organisation now famous for its derring-do, and as famously secretive, has opened its archive to the historian and journalist Ben Macintyre, so that he can produce the first authorised history of what the SAS did in the war.

Macintyre has made the most of the opportunity. The history needs scarcely any embellishment, though he tells it with flair: the simple facts of SAS activity make the “ripping yarns” of comic book heroes pale by comparison. The organisation was the brainchild of two officers posted to the war in Egypt, David Stirling and John “Jock” Lewes. Stirling was an awkward soldier, hostile to spit-and-polish and authority, charming, fun-loving and irreverent (“layer upon layer of fossilised shit” was how he described military bureaucracy). Bored by life in Cairo, he discussed with the ascetic, hard-working, serious-minded Lewes, his complete opposite in personality, the possibility of creating a unit of awkward men like himself, who wanted action, few rules and adventure in small hit-and-run assaults behind enemy lines. Astonishingly, Stirling persuaded the high command in Cairo that he could achieve something significant at low cost in men and materials. The chief of British deception in the desert war, Dudley Clarke, gave the unit its name. Already fooling the Italians with a bogus parachute unit, the First Special Air Service Brigade, he lent the name to Stirling, and the organisation has borne it ever since.

Macintyre uses the SAS war diary as the backbone of his narrative, and is candid about failure as well as the hard-earned successes. The SAS was an irregular unit, its members drawn from an extraordinary range of backgrounds – a spectacles salesman, a textile merchant, a tomato farmer, amateur boxer, and so on – with a range of motives to match. Some wanted excitement, some liked killing and made no pretence about it, some were escaping from their past, some were too eccentric for the ranks; all had to be fit, alert, crafty, ruthless if required and dedicated to the mission. Stirling was also aware that his outfit did not meet with approval in conventional military circles, which saw war as face-to-face, not behind the back. Churchill liked the force, and would no doubt have joined it had it existed in his youth. But through the campaign in North Africa, then Italy and Germany, the SAS had always to prove itself, in order to stave off disbandment.

The new unit nevertheless made a disastrous start and indeed had mixed fortunes throughout the war. The first operation, code-named “Squatter”, carried out while the handful of volunteers were still feeling their way, could not have gone more wrong. Poorly trained as paratroopers, the group nevertheless flew off into a desert storm trying to land at pre-planned dropping zones well to the rear of the enemy. They landed in the worst places, faced a Saharan downpour of biblical proportions, lost some of the troop to injury as they hit the ground, and were then unable to retrieve the parachuted supplies. With explosives so soaked they were worthless, uncertain about their whereabouts, short of food and water, the remnants of the original units made their way back to Egypt. Out of 55 men, 34 were killed, injured, captured or missing without a single achievement.

Macintyre makes the point that this was by no means the end of a madcap idea. Stirling recruited the Long Range Desert Group to take the SAS teams by Jeep or truck rather than risk any further parachute drops, and the second set of raids in December 1941 resulted in the destruction or disabling of 60 enemy aircraft. But Operation Bigamy, a series of raids against Benghazi shortly before the battle of El Alamein, was another disaster. It featured one of the most bizarre figures to emerge from the story: a Belgian textile merchant, Robert Melot. Fluent in Arabic, keen to get at the Germans, he volunteered for the SAS aged 47 as an intelligence officer. He used his range of Libyan contacts to glean information needed for the raids, but in this case Melot miscalculated. An Arab double agent alerted the Germans and Italians and the raids were a disaster. Once again a forlorn, bearded, hungry and damaged band straggled back to Cairo. Melot carried on his SAS career regardless, and died not from his many scrapes in battle, but from a Jeep accident on his way to a party in Brussels late in 1944.

The SAS came of age in the campaign in Italy, where it was used as a more conventional raiding party, the Special Raiding Service, under the command of Paddy Mayne following Stirling’s capture in Tunisia in late 1942. The Italian campaign was a particularly grisly one, and the SRS (with its core of SAS men) found collaboration with the partisans and rivalry with the Special Operations Executive (SOE) a challenge (unlike the SAS, the SOE always linked up with local resistance). Macintyre spares none of the details; the SAS fought a dirty war against an enemy they regarded as every bit as dirty. Prisoners were rare, but in return Hitler condemned irregular commando units to death if they were caught. Not all were killed by any means, but many were, just as the Germans killed all the other irregular, partisan forces ranged against them.

In October 1945 the army wound up the SAS and it continued to exist by subterfuge, a unit of war crimes investigators searching for evidence across Europe that SAS members had been murdered. In 1947, to meet the many crises of empire, the SAS was revived. What it did then and since can be guessed at, but until the postwar unit diaries are revealed, like the wartime diary used by Macintyre, the exact details will not be known.

What in the end did the SAS achieve in the war? Macintyre does not really say, leaving the narrative to speak for itself. It did not, as some of the book’s publicity has suggested, turn the tide of war. Its overall accomplishment, set beside those of the Commandos, or the SOE, the Chindits or other partisan groups, was strategically modest, whatever its tactical successes. But the SAS did bring to life the plucky, maverick, individualist hero of the comic strip, a very British way of making war. SAS: Rogue Heroes is a great read of wartime adventuring, in a long, grim war of attrition where adventure was hard to find.

Daily inspiration. Discover more photos at Just for Books…?

[jackharkness]

Ok I'm gonna go cry in a corner now

[ravenpuffheadcanons]

Something wonderful that nobody tells you about being an adult is that occasionally you get to go to bed at 7pm on a Friday with a large mug of tea and four books.

[m4lb00]

My Reading in 2022

My Reading in 2022

I’m now well into the habit of updating my reading progress on Goodreads because as I read virtually everything on my Kindle, it does it automatically. In December 2022 Goodreads told me that I had read only 21 books which is quite a lot fewer than in 2021. I thought a couple of books took a long time to get through as they seemed much longer but on a Kindle you don’t get as much of a feel for…

[semper-legens]

85. Colditz: Prisoners of the Castle, by Ben MacIntyre

Owned: Yes Page count: 327 My summary: During the Second World War, the imposing German castle of Colditz was used to house the most notorious Allied prisoners of war - the escapers, the troublemakers, the ones who proved difficult to contain. This is their story, from the first POWs to walk through the gates, to the liberation of the castle. My rating: 4/5 My commentary:

Look, at this point, I don't feel the need to justify myself anymore. I've got a few special interests in things that most people aren't interested in, and one of those special interests is prisoner of war camps during World War Two. And, specifically, Colditz. It's an interesting subject, okay! I'm always fascinated by the ways that people react to being put into extreme situations, as well as the nuances of class in the 1940s and the ways we retell these stories. This was an interesting read, but first - Jamie gets on their soapbox!

So many POW tales that get retold (see the Great Escape) are of Plucky Brits Plus A Token American Or Two exhibiting the classic Stiff Upper Lip and treating wartime escapes like they're games. Which wasn't the reality for most POWs, and not even most officers. See, under the Geneva Convention, officer POWs could not be made to work in captivity, whereas regular soldiers could. In the earlier stages of the war, the penalty for attempting escape as an officer would be returning to the POW camp and some time in solitary. Regular soldiers could be shot. And so many of our POW narratives revolve around the Heroic Escaper that Kept Defying The Nazis even after captivity...which subtly reinforces the idea that some, who saw less combat, aren't worth talking about. There's class dynamics, there's toxic masculinity, there's a lot going on in how we characterise people in this time period, and a lot of nuance gets lost in media like the Great Escape, which mostly focuses on Posh Lads Escaping And Fighting The Good Fight, rather than the regular lives of men who were captured by Germany.

Anyway. This book specifically! It promises to be the true story of Colditz, but it still mostly focuses on some of the same old stories - understandable, Colditz was the camp where they housed the chronic escapers and much of the camp genuinely was trying to escape in their time. That said, despite the fact that I already knew some of the stories relayed in this book, I wasn't ever bored. It builds up its core cast of characters quite nicely, from the German commander of the camp to the British prisoners (and some from other nationalities) living there. It is quick to criticise people who need criticising, including war hero and notable asshole Douglas Bader, and shows a level of nuance when talking about the German officials, most notably the difference between the regular German army and the Gestapo, the latter of whom were far more likely to torture and murder prisoners. Overall, if you're interested in the subject, it's a pretty good book! I'm probably gonna return to it a few times when in the throes of Special Interest Fever, that's for sure.

Next up, it's graphic novel time, and we're off to Oregon to the sleepy town of Gravity Falls.

[kwrite1776]

Now that I've finished my Stormlight Archive reread in preparation for Wind and Truth, I could (and probably should) start working through my TBR pile.

But Ben MacIntyre just released a new book today, so of course I'm going to read that instead.

[wolfythoughts]

Book Review: Prisoners of the Castle: An Epic Story of Survival and Escape from Colditz, the Nazis' Fortress Prison by Ben Macintyre

The true story of the Allied Prisoners of War in Colditz, a German fortress turned into a prison. Summary:During World War II, the German army used the towering Colditz Castle to hold the most defiant Allied prisoners. For four years, these prisoners of the castle tested its walls and its guards with ingenious escape attempts that would become legend. Review:This is a rare combination for…

[movies-tv-more]

A SPY AMONG FRIENDS premieres on MGM+ tonight at 10pm

[bedlamsbard]

the problem with trying to write ~historically accurate WWII fic is that everything that really happened in WWII was wilder and more batshit than anything I could come up with, even with superheroes and time travel included. especially in intelligence but also just in general.

[idlesuperstar]

- He’s the same man I knew before in Ireland, but lately...I’m...changed...by him.

[intothespiderverseheadthoughts]

Miles: I like personality quizzes in theory but in practice I just get irritated by the semantic ambiguity of literally every question. "On a spectrum from scientific to artistic what are you" motherfucker I literally wax poetic about the laws of thermodynamics where the fuck does that land on your spectrum.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 Ben Riley: due to personal reasons I will be sitting on my bed in a wet towel and staring at the wall for the next 25 minutes.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Jess: Your future self is hating you for the poor decisions you're making today.

Gwen: Bold of you to assume current me isn’t also hating myself for making the decisions that I am making.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Bonnie: Beat your depression. Beat it with a fucking broom, beat it into the fucking ground, die, die, die!

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Hobie: Nobody controls what I do!!! Nobody!  Not even me! I'm out of control but only I control that!

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Pavitr: *watching Margo play a video game* In a game, with no consequences, why are you still playing the 'good' side?

Margo: Because being mean makes me feel bad.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ganke: I hate how you're just born out of nowhere and you're forced to go to school and get education so you can get a job what if I wanted to be a duck?

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Miles: I hate when people are actually really prepared for a test.  Like, who do you think you are? Someone who actually has their life together? That is not acceptable

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Bonnie: Earthquakes are the weirdest things. Like we're just floating in space and our planet just decides to spontaneously do the chimichanga.

Miguel: Who let her back in?!

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Spectacular! Peter: Just found out my entire personality is a trauma response.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Miguel: Peter B. is trying to prove that he's closer to the younger spiders than I am but the joke is on him because he doesn't know how little I care for Gwen.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Jess: Orbweaver! What’re you doing today?

Bonnie: Having my day ruined with whatever you’re about to ask me to do.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Peni: do you care if i take the skin off of the furby? I want to make him a diety. once he is free of his sinful flesh he can begin the path towards enlightenment. he will take care of us. Also I want to softhack his circuits

Miles: i literally could not care less but never say anything as frightening as that ever again

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Hobie: Who hurt you?

Gwen: Do you want a list or what?

Hobie loading his gun: Actually, yes.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Margo: I am shattering like glass, but at least I have video games

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Spot: Hello there, Spiderman. Long time no see. Except in my revenge fantasies, where I see you on an hourly basis.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Pavitr: Miguel sleeps after us and is awake before us. Does he ever actually sleep?

Spectacular! Peter: I think he periodically makes a whirring noise and then just shuts down.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Hobie: It's your first time being a fugitive, so I made you a watch.

Gwen: Thank you, Hobie.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ben Riley: I'm sorry I messed everything up. I guess I'm not cut out for the high stakes world of having friends.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Miguel: It was reported to me by—

Miles: By your spies?

Miguel: No, no. Not spies. People I have terrorized into doing my bidding and watching other people and places for me. You pay spies.  

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Pavitr: Remember how I have such good luck that it’s almost bullshit?

Gwen: I’m afraid to ask, but go on.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Miguel: Bonnie, a question — if Jess and I were drowning, who would you save?

Bonnie: You can both swim.

Miguel: True, but it’s a hypothetical question, so who would you save?

Bonnie: My time and effort.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Margo: Remember Spiderwomen, before you say or do anything, ask yourself: Is this something that would get me diagnosed with female hysteria and locked in the attic by my relatives in the late 19th century? If the answer is yes, proceed.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ham: Hey! How’s it going?

Peni: On all levels except physical, I am dead.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Miles: Top 30 reasons why Spiderman is sorry, number five will surprise you!

Spot: Top 30 anime deaths! Number one: Your fucking ass right now!

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Bonnie, taping a knife to a roomba and setting it loose: Be free, my child.

Miguel, entering the room with a cut on his ankle: WHO THE FUCK—

[dotsayers]

listening to the operation mincemeat soundtrack and considering (once again) rereading the book

[untilthenexttee]

Great Scot! - 2024 RBC Canadian Open

As the 2024 RBC Canadian Open has reached it’s conclusion we now congratulate the latest winner of our National Championship. Already, we look forward to the 2025 edition which is to be played at TPC Toronto – Osprey Valley in Caledon, Ontario. TPC Toronto is the new home for Golf Canada after spending decades just down the street from Jack Nicklaus’ design, Glen Abbey. Next year’s edition will…

[zombeesknees]

#it’s a darcy vs darcy cock-off in the corridors of badly-heated basement espionage   #and the winner is us the viewer   #haven’t seen so many stiff upper lips since the last time i was at a terrence rattigan play   #special mention to johnny flynn’s voiceovers   #also you just KNOW by the way jason isaacs plays cranky and impatient so well he’s probably the most laid-back dude irl - he has to be   #no reflection on the movie but heartbreaking that all the main characters have wiki pages except the women   #these rooms had so many women in them and their names were not recorded   #i mean i know when the bletchley secrets act expired most of the women were like ‘mind your own business’ anyway and didn’t go on record   #so one might assume a similar situation in other branches of the service    #but still there’s a lost world there   #of biographical hyperlinks i should be able to rabbithole and can’t   #anyway bonkers that the main embellishments were to the interpersonal scenes - the operation was just that insane as-is

Operation Mincemeat (2022)

[kwrite1776]

Now that I've finished my Stormlight Archive reread in preparation for Wind and Truth, I could (and probably should) start working through my TBR pile.

But Ben MacIntyre just released a new book today, so of course I'm going to read that instead.