World War II saw elite units take a prominent role on the battlefield for the first time. The Encyclopedia of Elite Forces in the Second World War is a wide- ranging guide to these exceptional units on land, sea, or in the air. The success of these men was usually hard-won, but their actions had a significant impact on the course of the wider campaign. The best units from all the major combatant countries are included, from both the European and Pacific theatres of war. Arranged by nation, the book covers such famous units as the US Rangers, British SAS, and German Waffen-SS, as well as some of the lesser-known units, like Popski's Private Army, the LRDG and Flying Tigers squadron. Although many of the units in the book were classified as ordinary soldiers, they achieved elite status through their deeds. Illustrated with black-and-white and colour action photographs and artworks, each entry in the Encyclopedia of Elite Forces in the Second World War describes the unit's strength and date of formation and gives a brief overview of its combat record during the war. Written in an accessible and engaging style by an acknowledged expert, the Encyclopedia of Elite Forces in the Second World War is both an invaluable reference work for special forces enthusiasts and an informative and entertaining book for more general readers.
