Operation Barras- The SAS Rescue Mission: Sierra Leone 2000

by William Fowler

The British Army has earned a worldwide reputation for its skill at 'peacemaking', intervening in the Balkans and the Middle East to stop civil wars and end communal violence. It does this so well that the horrific risks involved are only really understood by the soldiers themselves, on patrol in strange lands riven by ancient hatreds. In September 2000 the dangers were suddenly highlighted by the capture of eleven British soldiers by a notorious militia gang in Sierra Leone. The so-called 'West Side Boys' had subjected their part of the country to a long reign of terror, murdering, kidnapping and mutilating anyone who stood in their way

214 pages, Hardcover

First published July 1, 2004

Reviews

[Justin gray]

Great read and very interesting and factual book

As above, great read and in site in to the build up, history and political situation in Sierra Leone. Excellent

[Jason]

A thorough and in depth look at the history and events leading up to and including Operation Barras. An interesting read on more modern UK military operations.

[Oliver Parfitt]

Begins with the basic history of Sierra Leone which is a good example of the failings of many African states. Continues to detail the capture of six royal irish soldiers by a militia known as the west side boys and the rescue operation conducted by the SAS and supported by 1 Para.

[Steve]

Gripping electric page turner.

[Richard Marman]

Even though Operation Barras is only 200 pages, it's crammed with details about what a basket case post-colonial Africa in general is with Sierra Leone being in a particular parlous state.
A bunch of bad-arse bandits called the West Side Boys who are downright awful, capture a British peacekeeping unit and the SAS is sent in to rescue them.
The book tells how they go about it in a most Rambo-esque fashion.
I found the massively detailed buildup a bit heavy going, but was rewarded by the climax.
William Fowler writes well considering the density of his subject matter, so it's a good yarn for those interested in modern African turmoil and the diplomatic minefields facing the rest of the world.