Book Review: The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare by Damien Lewis
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- čas přidán 23. 09. 2017
- Get your copy on Amazon: amzn.to/2xwfDZ8
I ordered a copy of Damien Lewis' book on the exploits of British SOE in WWII expecting to find an overview of, well, what SOE had done during the war. That's not quite what this book is. Instead, Lewis has given us essentially a first-person view of SOE's work through the eyes of Danish commando Anders Lassen (VC, MC with two bars). Don't be fooled by the cover image; the North African LRDG is never mentioned. However, what Lassen was involved in was equally impressive and probably less well known.
Lassen was part of the crew for the first real SOE operation, the theft of a pair of German and Italian supply ships from the neutral Spanish port at Fernando Po. In an exploit that could be straight out of Hollywood, a band of commandoes sailed a pair of tugboats into the harbor at night while the ships' officers were ashore at a raucous party. They blew the anchor chains with explosive charges, locked the crews below deck, and sailed the ships out to sea where they could be legally captured by a British destroyer. And they did it without a single death on either side.
The exploits only became bigger and bolder after that, with Lassen and his comrades making regular raids across the English Channel and running a freewheeling campaign of both hit-and-run raids and occupation of Greek islands in the Aegean. These were the quintessential independent Special Forces fighters, operating outside regular military command structures and supply chains, fighting as they saw fit. Lassen eventually because the commanding officer of a large group, and by the end of the war had been awarded the Military Cross three times. His last operation in Italy - where his men were hit with a shattering defeat when pushed into the role of spearheading a conventional offensive - would result in him posthumously receiving the Victoria Cross for his heroism.
I ended up reading the book almost entirely in a single sitting, and found it riveting and fascinating - far more so than the typical academic history. It offers a humbling and motivating example of what men can do when they are skilled and motivated. At the same time, it also left me a bit melancholy, as by the end we can see Lassen consumed by his combat experiences and slowly becoming removed from society. Nobody can say how Lassen would have coped had he survived the war, but one suspects he would have led a troubled life. Perhaps that is the price one must pay to become, as Churchill described, "a hand of steel which plucks the German sentries from their posts with growing efficiency."
/ forgottenweapons
Actor Christopher Lee was a member of SOE, fought with the Finns when the Soviets invaded beforehand. Great review Ian.
Not to denigrate Christopher Lee in any way as he had volunteered to fight in Finland but the volunteers did not see action.
Yep, if they did the Allies might not have been so allied.
Did they train, advise or exercise with the Finns? They must have done something other than shoot the breeze with people whose nation was under attack.
As was his cousin Ian Fleming.
He didnt do any fighting, the Finns wanted people with outdoor experience able to survive in minus zero temperatures, most of the volunteers didnt have the skills so they were put on as ambulance drivers or sent home.
He did serve with the LRDG, mostly as a photoanalyst, did something diplomatic for the SOE and then ended up using his language skills to assess Nazi's for war crimes after 1945.
unfortunaterly in later life he had a bit of problem buffing up his experience and trying to give younger people WW2 stories and experience, not all of them were his. Any of his WW2 stories he told after 2000 need to be treated with a degree of caution.
The Scandinavians really took to the Special Ops/Commando kind of work. Great outdoors people, self sufficient, tough fighters.
Jæger soldaterne is a good example thou far more focused on recon rather then direct engagement.
+iNsaneMilesy
Anders Lassens father actually participated as a volunteer in the Winter War, (my grandfather, his brother and a cousin was with him in Finland)
+LazyLife IFreak
Jægerkorpset, as well as Frømandskorpset, also recieve training in sabotage!
We used to have a Danish Army Company, who was trained by Jægerkorpset, and was specialized in LRRP but it was dismantled and was made a part of the Hjemmeværnet, (SSR)...
Kind of sad....
It's a shame that Scandinavia has in large traded in traditions of self-reliance and freedom for socialism and dependence on the EU...
The Scandinavian countries have always had a tradition of self-reliance and everyone working together and supporting each other, you know, socialism.
The reason why, is that up there, if you don't all work together, you die.
Your failure to see their historical socialism has no bearing on how many centuries they've been this way.
we need a movie review when it comes out.. I am buying the book this weekend
Ian predicted the Hollywood adaptation perfectly... Ruined completely. 😒
Just ordered it. When Gun Jesus endorseth the written word, thou shalt read.
It came out as Curchills Secret Warriors and now titled Churchills Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare. Excellent read. Its not a biography of Anders Lassen but as he was at the beginning of the group he is constantly at the forefront.
In the 90s I was stationed in camacchio group in Scotland. Untill I read this book about 7 years ago, I never knew the significance of the name.
I was listening to it on audible in Spain, and had to stop the car and take a minute when I put two and two together.
Nice review Ian. Damian Lewis has authored loads of UK special forces books : his most popular are "Hunting the Nazi Bomb" and "The Nazi Hunters". He also specialises in true stories of dogs during wartime. You might also enjoy Giles Milton's "Churchill's Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare" (2017) , which narrates the story of the main six "backroom men" at SOE, including the caravan designer turned bomb maker Cecil Clarke, and William Fairbairn, the expert on killing silently. Contains lots of details and new archival research.
If you enjoyed that book try getting a hold of Popski's Private Army by Vladamir Peniakoff. He operated intelligence gathering using armed jeeps behind enemy lines in both North Africa and Italy .His were not fighting patrols but his was involved in some interesting actions and was awarded the DSO and MC .
Anders Lassen is well known in Danish military, even I was told about his heroics when I was in the army some 10 years ago.
Nemlig! 👍
Samme her, for mere end 20 år siden...!
If you're still of a mood for more stuff in this vein, the book "Churchill's Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare" by Giles Milton is a good read, covering alot more ground from the formation of of the core of SOE with people such as Joan Bright and Cecil Clarke, and following the story from there. It focuses far more heavily on the events as they were progressing in England, and it's not until about halfway through the book that they even get to the cutting out operation. It also covers alot of the inter-departmental warfare that SOE had to do against other branches of the British military structure, and especially the RAF. You'd think at times you were reading something about the IJN and IJA.
I read this a couple of months ago and loved it. The stories are almost unbelievable. Those guys had some serious guts and they really did show the way to all the people in the covert ops field that followed.
After watching this I checked audible and immediately purchased it.
This version was narrated by Nigel Carrington who did a splendid job and I enjoyed it very much.
Thanks for the recommendation!
P.S. you really do an outstanding job of explaining the weapons and their history on your channel, thanks again for all the hard work.
That "gun wall" is a great background for these.
Read this book based on your review and it didn't disappoint,
Larsen was a bit of a wild man wasn't he 😀
Oh wow, I definitely am going to pick this one up! Thanks for sharing this with us Ian!
I have just finished this book and it is indeed excellent. However in the UK it is called 'Churchill's Secret Warriors'.
Thanks for the heads-up BASlade93. I am just now ordering it.
I agree. The US title is much cooler! :)
I suspect this change was made to avoid copyright-there is another book called the ministry of ungentlemanly warfare which is also deeply interesting. It's has a wider focus on the SOE as a whole and a few of its key members and achievements rather than Anders Lassen.
When I saw this video I was expecting it to be about that book, honestly, because it does have quite a lot in it about some of the weapons the SOE came up with during the war.
and uk amazon £2.80.
Both titles sounds a bit misleading if the book is primarily about Anders Lassen!
Yes, SOE was the ones who created the various branches of Special Forces - including the Special Boat Section - but they did so much more than that!
And a fun fact, I don't know if the book mentions it but, Anders Lassens brother who had also enrolled in the British military became a SOE operative!
I got this book for my dad for Christmas since he's always been interested in WWII history. Of course, since it had a FW recommendation, I read it first before giving it to him, and it was definitely worth it. I'm almost considering buying another copy so I can have it for myself.
Great review of a book and a history that I truly enjoyed. Thank you for articulating it so well.
Interesting, I just finished the other book of the same name by Giles Merton. The raid on Fernando Po (Operation Postmaster) is one of the stories that's in there. The Giles Merton book focuses a bit more on the secret-weapon creation side of things. For instance, the boat they set out on, the Maid Honour, was actually set up with a variety of new anti-submarine weaponry, and was supposed to be hunting subs. The commandos on board were having more of a holiday off the coast of Africa than that they felt they were taking part in a war, and Operation Postmaster was only added as a mission later - after the idea to go through with it was nearly scuppered multiple times by the Ministry of War, who didn't want to risk the Franco's Spain entering the war.
Merton's book also gives a lot of background as to how these guerrillas were trained, and what weapons they used - things like the Limpet mine, the PIAT anti-tank gun and more. These were all developed by thoroughly eccentric madcap inventors, who came under the umbrella of an extremely charismatic leader, a Scott called Gubbins, who's other stories are as fascinating as those of Lassen. Particularly the story of the raid on St. Nazaire is spectacular.
I think you'd enjoy reading that book also!
The other book is "Churchill's Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare" by Giles Milton. It is a broader view of operations, including an interesting contrast of the effectiveness of a sabotage raid by a handful of agents, with a full-blown bombing raid by the RAF.
Thanks. This was one of my Covid reads over the past year and it was excellent. I didn't know you had done this review!
The party trick to remove part of the personnel from the ships was also used in Operation Creek, in Goa (Portuguese Neutral Port in India) for the sinking of ships that transmitted the departure of British ships to German submarines. Novelized in the movie "The sea wolves". Greetings from Patagonia Argentina.
Im really enjoying all your book indications!
great review. ordered it and looking forward to reading it
Sounded so excellent I ended up ordering a copy today. Thanks and keep up the good work!
Thanks Ian - book has been ordered from Amazon. Always enjoy your work.
Thank you for all you do. This I really enjoyed this content.
That way of acquiring a ship is called a ‘cutting out expedition’.
Shia Labeouf playing Andy Larsoni leading a bunch of sassy American volunteers to pull off an amazing ocean heist under the noses of German high command while dodging disapproving British stuffed shirts all the way (and eats a danish for breakfast).
(A sequel to U-571 maybe.)
id recommend JACKETS OF GREEN its a history of the rifle brigade and its most daring exploits from the peninsular war to WW2
jimzo1985 I don’t think that the Yanks would want to read about the Loyal American Rifle Regiment! Might get the wrong idea!
Just ordered this as a Kindle book, thanks for the recommendation.
Listened to this as an audiobook...very engaging thanks to an excellent voiceover...would highly recommend. Also a book of the same name by Giles Milton talks about the SOE's creation and usage...with much more of the weapons and experimentation (miniaturisation and anti u-boat mortars to give you an idea!)
Adding this to the reading list! sounds great
3 years late, but that review convinced me to order one. Can't wait for it to arrive
Ian, I don't know if anyone else has mentioned it, but Rogue Heroes by Ben Macintyre is a pretty good read about the formation of the SAS and their actions in the North African campaign. It's a pretty good read if you want to check it out!
Nice one on Hollywood, Ian.
The movie is coming out in 2024, can’t wait
I wanna get this book now thank you Ian
"Rogue Heroes" is a good book about the formation of the SAS. Its by Ben Macintyre so it is an entertaining read as well as being historical.
Why haven't I heard of more of these stories? I thought I have heard most of the summaries of WW2 but that first story is new to me. I'm always learning something new about WW2.
Bought the book, really like it. Thanks for the recommendations.
Damien Lewis NEEDS to make, direct, produce and star in that story about the two boats band of brothers style!
EDIT, not the same Damien Lewis! lol
I just love the stories about Anders Lassen, remember my uncle telling them to me when I was a child and we visited the monument for him and the Museum of the Danish Resistance where his Victoria Cross is on display!
Two branches of Danish special forces both have a monument of him - and he is used as the "perfect role model".
My grandfather and his brother, (and a cousin), knew his father Emil Victor Lassen, they were volunteers in Finland with him during the Winter War.
Just like his family, my family on my grandfathers side, had a history of military service in war Denmark have participated in.
Anders brother Frants also joined the British military, where he ended up in SOE!
Another interesting fact about the family is that his cousin who was German officer also was a part of the German Resistance and had plotted to assassinate Hitler back in 1943!
They're actually in pre-production of the movie based on the book. The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare directed by Guy Ritchie and stars Henry Cavill, Alan Ritchson (Jack Reacher), Cary Elwes (Westley from Princess Bride).
Great review 🤘💪
The 1980 "The Sea Wolves" movie is based on elements of the Fernando Po raid, mixed with the depicted Goa raid in the movie. Features Gregory Peck, Roger Moore and David Niven
Graeme Bray damn good movie
God bless David Niven.
I believe David Niven was a Commando during WW2.
I don't believe the sea wolves thing really happened. Its just British propaganda to keep India under the imperial thumb. Also you will note america never lied about their special ops people. Just watch the rat patrol for the real truth about how america saved your limey asses in north Africa.
@@rogernicholls2079 LOL!
You should read the "other" one too.
The one by Giles Milton.
My mom gave me this book for Christmas last year. Highly recommend it👍
This should be made into a movie.
Read it on your recommendation, loved it!
Hi Ian, thanks for the great book recommendation! I just finished The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare and thoroughly enjoyed it. The author's style is that of a fiction writer which, coupled with the incredible stories told, made for a page turner. I agree with your assessment that it's questionable how someone like Lassen would survive in a post war world. In fact I do wish the book touched more on the psychological impact of this kind of warfare on the soldiers involved. That said, holy crap how has no one made a movie about the Maid Honor raid?! The script has already been written! Anyway thanks as always for the fantastic content and keep the book recommendations coming!
I purchased the Audible versions of this and the other book of the same title and they are fantastic. What was accomplished by the commandos was outstanding. The other book is also very interesting an is about the the guys who were developing the equipment used by the commandos.
I know people have already made a bunch of good recommendations about British ww2 special operations but I feel I must mention the account by the leader of possibly the most over looked of the 8th Army's unruly offspring: Popski's Private Army by Vladimir Peniakoff. It's a bit of a different take on things and whilst most definitely not in the vein of Milligan's stuff is quite funny in places. Also give Spike Milligan and George MacDonald Fraser a look for "alternative" ww2 memoirs.
I was tought maths in High school by a guy who'd been one of Popski's private army. He looked like he wouldn't say boo to a goose, wore a bow tie and a tweed jacket. Amazing what depths people can have.
Ian, if you liked this you really need to read Guy Sajer's "The Forgotten Soldier". It is a Greek tragedy of a war memoir written by a German infantryman on the Eastern front.
I love it when a plan comes together
In fact, he was the only non commonwealth soldier in WW2 to receive the VC. 3 other Danes were awarded the award during WW1.
Postwar the British old guard general staff wanted most of all to forget about all these fancy schmancy special units and return to the good old style of exclusively regular unit army composition so they basically decided to "overlook" the special forces when it came to awards and recognition. That caused an outcry and many high ranking officers who had been involved with the special forces started a fierce lobbying campaign to get Lassen the VC for the actions during which he died (sorry, spoiler).
They succeeded and he was posthumously given the award as the only member of the special forces. Apart form that he also had the Military Cross with 2 bars (people still argue what is the highest honour - the VC for the insane heroism one time or the three MC's showing it was not a fluke).
By the way, he was a known drug addict - special troops were given prep pills prior to actions and Lassen was known to withhold those he was supposed to give his men so he could take them himself.
Fun Fact: Mad Jack Churchill killed a German soldier with a long bow during the campaign in France in 1940 and is regarded as the last official kill in western warfare with a bow. Lassen, being proficient with the bow having hunted with it during his youth, sent an application for admittance of the use of a bow in action during coastal raids, arguing that it was an excellent way of taking down guards at a distance without noise (the de Lisle later filled that purpose). He was turned down because the army found it barbaric and inhumane...
I have both both books! Along with "Stirling Work by Steve Stone", about the SAS, and "Ghost Patrol by John Sadler", a history of the Long Range Desert Group, 1940-1945.
All four overlap, but not with redundant information.
Good reads, all of them!
just bought it, thank you dear gun jesus for a great review
Interesting. I have always like personalized history. I take every chance I get to hear first hand accounts in person. Of course, there are not a great deal of guys still with us that can give such an account of WWII.
The US Unknown Warrior also holds the Victoria Cross.
Yeah, that was the idea, the UK one has the medal of honor, and they both have the French one.
Yes, but that was from WW1 not WW2
I think at the moment about 15 non-commenwealth people have been awarded since its creation. What Ian probably meant is that he was the only one during WW2.
Out of the 15 or so, 4 were Danish nationals, including Anders Lassen.
I think at the moment about 15 non-commenwealth people have been awarded since its creation. What Ian probably meant is that he was the only one during WW2.
Out of the 15 or so, 4 were Danish nationals, including Anders Lassen.
Anders Lassen was the highest decorated dane in alied service, he was born, about 25 km from where i live, ironicly he also live very close to the highest decorated dane in german service in ww2.
Hey Ian, if you enjoyed that book try "Bone Man of Kokoda". A few shades removed from technical firearms references but it is an amazing story of an amazing man and a relatively rare look at Kokoda and the WW2 experience from a Japanese perspective.
4:16 The movie is here, and from the trailer it looks pretty good.
Read this a while back a good read on a very interesting subject
Ok, book is added to the (ever growing) amazon list of things I need. Also I need the Puckle Gun Shirt. And a Puckle Gun.
That’s an awesome band name !!!
This book also titled 'Churchill's Secret Warriors.' (SOE was a cross between secret spies and commando). This guy Lasson was unbelieveable, and the missions in which he was involved hair-raising Boys Own stuff. If you are a boy, buy it. The bold courage of these men both humble and inspire you. The stories of their daring raids are rivetting in their immediacy and drama ; you vicariously-live their risks in the reading of this book. Now Ive said this, I think I'll read the book again.
Ian, the other book with the same title is by Giles Milton and it too is a very good book. It deals with a wider perspective including the development and manufacture of a variety of weapons and devices as well as operations in occupied territories.
Another good book on the SOE and OSS is Ian Dear's 'Sabotage and Subversion'. It's a good general history of their formations, Equipment, and operations. I recently finished 'Kommando' by James Lucas, This is a very good book on German Special Forces in World War 2. His book 'Storming Eagles' is also very good, it covers the German Airborne Forces of WW2.
Apparently, Major Anders Lassen did not enjoy writing combat reports so a typical combat report from him was pretty much "Landed, killed Germans, fucked off".
Major Anders Lassen became a legend within the British special forces and his exploits will most likely live forever within the SAS and SBS.
"The absolute madman, he actually did it" - The book
Anders Lassen's mother made a book based on interview and letters from Anders after WWII. I have a copy of that at home. Since then Thomas Harder has made a new book on Anders Lassen that should be "more" historical accurate. I have not read that copy yet.
And now we get the movie
Hi Ian, I was hoping you can do something that is of Greek Origin like a Pyrkal LMG by EPK, Greek Hotchkiss M1926, etc.
Thanks for the book review, Ian. I'm a reading junkie; you should see my Kindle library (and Audible one, audiobooks are almost as good) so this is definitely interesting to me. I think I'll pick this one up.
The other book is an excellent read as well. It goes into the weapons development, some of the raids on German and Italian industry, shipping, and even nuclear weapon development plants. I’d highly recommend it.
The title is fantastic
That book title alone has me ordering it.
there are, allegedly, in equatorial Guinea some abandoned german submarine pens or a german naval base, that no one wants to admit they ever existed. A friend living and working there tells me they are off limits even to this day.
Anyone interested in this sort of thing has to also read Agent Zigzag: The True Wartime Story of Eddie Chapman.
There was one Swiss guy at Rorke's Drift who had a Victorias cross as well :D
I'd recommend the other book as well, it talks more about the SOE and it's technical development stories
Also the same guy who pretended to be german during a raid on an airfield when its squad were split and trapped. Ordered the germans the other way then escaped. Another very close to this the book churchils secret warriors. Definatelt worth a read.
And the picture on the cover is the S.A.S., Not the L.R.D.G.
their are a few off those types off guys in the SAS SBS RMC love this type of books
If you enjoy Damien's style then I can wholly recommend another book of his called "The Nazi Hunters" it's the same style of book about unofficial SAS (who were technical disbanded at the time) operations in post war 1945/46 Germany, hunting down high ranking Nazi's. A very entertaining read about a lesser know part of history.
I believe the other book is "Churchill's Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare" and it covers more of the technical aspects like the fuses and the stick pistol that were developed.
Having read Nazi Hunters, Operation Mayhem (with Steve Heaney) and Bloody Heroes, I can say you won't be disappointed in any Damien Lewis book.
Read the other title by Giles Milton, fantastic book, I do recommend it for a good read!
This is amazing
I think it also the story how all the Maid honour crew met their fate, a great book and audiobook. Andy Lassen statute at SAS HQ is only one of two the other being the founder of the SAS David Stirling
Steal two ships out of a neutral country harbor from undercover bad dudes sounds like a fun Friday night
Just so you know Ian three Danes have been awarded the Victoria Cross two in the First World War and one in the Second World War.
3 in WW1 but only Anders Lassen in WW2 - and in WW2 no other foreigner but Lassen recieved it!
It's still quite impressive for such a small country as Denmark!
Who was the Swiss soldier from the Zulu/natal conflict who got a Victoria cross?
Corporal Christian Ferdinand Scheiss VC, Natal Native contingent. Born 1856, died of disease on board HMS Serapis, Sunday 14th December 1884, aged 28. He was buried at sea the same day.
Is the picture cover on the book is the LRDG soldiers? (Long Range Desert Group)
Afnan Zahran 'L' Detachment, S.A.S Brigade, 1942. If they showed the whole photo you would be able to see their founder, David Stirling standing to the left of the closest soldier ( possibly Paddy Mayne, but I may well be wrong).
At the time where Anders Lassen joined the SBS it was part of SAS
He actually came from SSRF to SAS to reestablish 1 SBS
kind of fun earlier today I read a short blog about those who like fighting in war. I think Luri Törni/Larry Thorns fait comes close to what would have happend if Anders Lassen would have survived WWII. Some humans arn´t created for a life in a society in peace.
His brother, Frants and his cousin Axel fought as well, his cousin was in the German Army and was a part of the German Resistance and his brother enrolled in the British Military and ended up in SOE, (the actual "Ministry of Ungentlemany Warfare")!
Don't know why the book is called this if it's primarily about Anders Lassen!
Anders Lassen was a important figure in the creation of Special Forces but it was his brother who was in SOE, but perhaps the author has got them mixed up or something...?
Ian i would love if you did a profile on Adrian Carton de Wiart. Possibly one of the most fascinating soldiers from the UK, served in a bunch of wars including WW1 & 2.
Hear hear. The book is 'Happy Odyssey' by Leieutenant-General Sir Carton de Wiart.
Another would be 'Popski'sPrivate Army' by Vladimir Peniakoff for whom my father had the privilege oof providing signals support. Popski's Private Army was the actual name of a real British Army unit commanded by a Belgian Russian who had served in the French army in WW1. BTW Carton de Wiart was also Belgian.
Carton de Wiart - mad as a badger, wounded more times than I've had hot dinners, awarded the VC but didn't even mention it in his autobiography... the list goes on and on. Nominated for having "the most interesting Wikipedia page ever". The man's a legend.
Just a thought... Do you like the idea that Guy Ritchie is making this into a movie with Henry Cavill in the starring role.... At least it's not in Hollywoods hands.
If "The man from UNCLE" is any indication, we are in very good hands
What a coincidence, Guy Ritchie is making a movie about this...
If you guys haven't heard of Orde Wingate and the Chindits, look them up they're also precursors to modern special ops as well.
My views on Orde Wingate are coloured by my father who knew him in service pre war and thought him genuinely mentally unbalanced. The Chindits were a substantial brigade-ish size force occupying ground rather than hit and run. Getting the enemy to engage them was part of their aim not a necessary risk to achieve their aim. What they did do was show the changes in operations in Burma since 1942 and the role that air supply could play. One thing that is remarkable about the Chindits was the (comparatively) high age and low health profile of the soldiers. Commanders were loth to lose their best men in operations that they thought would result in very many becoming casualties (and they were right) so Wingate had to draw on other troops. Chindits were admirable and bold soldiers but their operations were more army than special forces.