Britain’s Special Operations Executive (SOE); which conducted sabotage campaigns and supported resistance movements in Axis-occupied Europe and in Asia; is often described as Winston Churchill’s brainchild. But as A. R. B. Linderman reveals in this engrossing history; the real genius behind Britain’s clandestine warriors was Colin Gubbins; a British officer who forged the SOE by drawing on lessons learned in irregular conflicts around the world. Following Gubbins through operations he studied and participated in; Linderman maps the evolution of the SOE from its origins to its doctrine to its becoming a critical institution. Part biography; part intellectual and organizational history; Rediscovering Irregular Warfare is the first book to explore the origins of a substantial force in the Allies’ victory in World War II. Although popular history holds that Britain entered World War II with no prior knowledge of or experience with underground warfare; Rediscovering Irregular Warfare tells us otherwise. Linderman finds ample precedent in the clearly documented work of Gubbins and his fellow clandestine organizers. He traces Gubbins’s career from 1914 through World War I and such irregular conflicts as the Allied intervention in Russia; the Irish Revolution; and conflicts in British India. To these firsthand experiences; Gubbins added the insights of colleagues who had served with him and in Iraq; as well as what he learned from the Second Anglo-Boer War; the Arab Revolt led by T. E. Lawrence; the German guerrilla war in East Africa; the revolt in Palestine between the world wars; the Spanish Civil War; and the Second Sino-Japanese War. The two booklets that Gubbins wrote based on his accumulated knowledge offered the first synthesis of British unconventional warfare doctrine: practical guides that emphasized the centrality of local populations; the collection; protection; and use of intelligence; the necessity of cooperating with conventional forces; and the use of speed; surprise; and escape in ambush operations. In 1940; when Gubbins joined the newly created SOE; the experience and know-how codified in his guides formed the basis of Britain’s approach to irregular warfare. The history of the SOE’s doctrinal origins is Colin Gubbins’s story. By telling that story; Rediscovering Irregular Warfare amplifies and clarifies our understanding of the Second World War—and of doctrines of unconventional warfare in the twentieth century.
#2369367 in Books University of Oklahoma Press 2005-02-01Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 9.00 x .50 x 6.00l; .95 #File Name: 0806136871304 pages
Review
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Bigger hero than his more famous brother.Great Civil War soldier; no saintBy Thomas EricksonRecently I read about George Armstrong Custer and that he had a hero brother who earned two Congressional Medal of Honer medals in the Civil war.Carl F. Day wrote a very good book about George Custer's younger brother Tom Custer. The 301 page book reads well with no boring parts. some nice B/W pictures and some maps.We see the three brothers (Boston was the youngest) and a sister growing up in a non rich family. George gets to go to West Point with the help of a relative with political connections. Tom the middle brother enlists in the army as a private; makes corporal and with a Colonial with political influence attached to Brevet General big brother George Armstrong Custer gets a commission as second lieutenant.Armstrong gets Tom attached to his command and Tom shows his bravery in the Civil war by attacking the Confederates killing men and capturing a battle flag. A few days later he does it again and captures another battle flag and is gun shot in the mouth/neck area.We are told that in the early days of the US Army; Medal of Honers were given out for lots of non bravery/valor achievements. Later many of these early medal awards after being board searched were disallowed. However; the two Medal of Honers Tom Custer earned were certified as real awards for true heroism and valor. This to me is amazing; Tom being the first person ever to win two Medals of Honer.Tom advances to Brevet Lt. Colonel; is later discharged but comes back with a commission and advances to the rank of Captain.Lt. Colonel Armstrong Custer ( earlier Civil War Brevet two star General) was so proud of his younger brother that he said "Tom should be the General and I the Captain".We see that Tom Custer was no saint and battled alcoholism. He did love his dogs but shot and killed many buffalo many times for the fun of it. He had a number of girl friends but never married. His brother Armstrong did and had a loving wife. Both brothers considered Libbie ( Armstrong's wife) their friend and did many jokes back and forth.Eventually Tom gets to be attached to the Seventh Cavalry as Lt. Colonial Armstrong Custer's aid. We see the orders the brothers receive to attack and kill Indians.Eventually a large part of the Seventh Calvary including Armstrong and Tom are massacred at the battle of The Little Big Horn. We see both are terribly mutilated ( Tom's remains being almost unrecognizable). Only parts of the regiment survive under Captain Banteen and Major Reno. All directly attached to Armstrong Custer are wiped out.This Frontier Military Series book was a great read and I plan to read others. On the back of the book 21 more books are listed. Anyone interested in the Civil War and the later Indian wars will like this action packed book. The reader will gain deep empathy with both the Custer brothers ( both had faults and were not saints) and be saddened by their tragic deaths and horrible mutilations. 4 1/2 stars3 of 3 people found the following review helpful. A Hero of the Civil WarBy JEBI thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. This should be made into a movie. We have heard so much about George Custer; but not much about Thomas Ward Custer; two-time Medal of Honor winner of the Civil War. I believe only 19 people hold the honor of receiving two Medal of Honors in the same war time.Tom Custer is not mentioned much at all in the books written about his brother George and the Battle of the Little Big Horn. But he was with his brother George throughout most of his Military Career and he died at the Battle of the Little Big Horn along with his brothers George; Boston; nephew Arthur "Autie" Reed and Brother-in-law James Calhoun. What a terrible tragedy all the way around.This book tells about the human side of Tom and George Custer; and their relationship as brothers and family members. Just a great read.I still say that a movie should be made about Thomas Ward Custer.2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. Tom Custer:Ride to gloryBy kedVery interesting book; i learned a lot about him that i did not know. He was a very interesting man. History should not always sugar coat everything.
