Winged Dagger: Adventures on Special Service

by Roy Farran

An eccentric and charismatic officer, Roy Farran rose to command an SAS squadron during World War II. His fascinating story of the early days of Britain's Special Service became an immediate best-seller when first published, and it continues to intrigue. Covering action throughout the Middle East, the Mediterranean, and Italy, Farran describes his capture and escape during the war, and how he eventually went on to lead some of the most daring operations far behind enemy lines.

Genres: History

336 pages, Paperback

First published April 1, 1948

Reviews

[Bob Hernandez · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good stories about the start of special services in world war 2 the author takes you thru middle east at the start of the war and all the way to the Mediterranean and thru Italy to the end of the war. And his adventures from battles, captures, and his escape as prisoner of war.

[Mark Sohn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rather dry account of the Author's adventures in the wartime Special Air Service.

[Bill McFadyen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Roy Farran led an exciting and interesting life through WW2 and the beginnings of the Jewish State.
A leader in the Special Forces he fought through North Africa , Greece and Italy. Winged Dagger gives his account of his battles and the people who served alongside. I am amazed that he managed to remember the details so clearly - the book was published in 1948 and to a modern reader is ‘of its time’ - and at time rather wordy and dry.
He was a brave man - alongside many others - with his demons . An interesting book - maybe not for the general reader but for those with a particular interest in the SAS and the characters who dared and won.

[Jason Towers · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not sure what to make of this 1948 memoir. It's a somewhat dry recounting of the author's wide-ranging war service. It's also quite frank when it comes to admissions of his screwups.