Sky Warriors: British Airborne Forces in the Second World War

THE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER From bestselling historian Saul David, a riveting new history of the British airborne experience across the Second World War. The legendary ‘Red Devils’ were among the finest combat troops of the Second World War. Created at Churchill’s instigation in June 1940, they began as a single parachute battalion of 500 men and grew into three 10,000-strong airborne divisions: the 1st, 6th and 44th Indian, each composed of parachutists and glider-borne troops. Wearing their distinctive maroon berets, steel helmets and Dennison smocks, they served with distinction in every major theatre of the conflict – including North Africa, Sicily, mainland Europe and the Far East – and played a starring role in some most iconic airborne operations in history: the Bruneval Raid of February 1942; the capture of the Primasole, Pegasus and Arnhem Bridges in July 1943, June 1944 and September 1944 respectively; and Operation Varsity, the biggest parachute drop in history, near Wesel in Germany in March 1945. Sky Warriors by Saul David is a Sunday Times bestseller that provides a modern, non-fiction account of Britain's military aviation history in the 20th century. This autobiography of the Red Devils is a compelling read for anyone interested in World War II. For fans of Al Murray (Arnhem), Joseph Wheelan (Bitter Peleliu), Geoffrey Wawro (A Mad Catastrophe), Bob Drury (Throne of Grace), and Antony Beevor (D-Day). HarperCollins 2024