Misfire : British Empire Special Forces and defeat in Malaya in World War II / Brian P. Farrell.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Farrell, Brian P. (Brian Padair), 1960- Author.

Series:

Modern war studies

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Great Britain. Army--Commando troops--History--20th century.

Great Britain.

World War, 1939-1945--Campaigns--Malaysia--Malaya.

World War, 1939-1945.

Special forces (Military science)--Great Britain--History--20th century.

Special forces (Military science).

World War, 1939-1945--Commando operations--Great Britain.

World War, 1939-1945--Campaigns--Singapore.

Malaya--History--Japanese occupation, 1942-1945.

Malaya.

Physical Description:

xi, 322 pages : illustrations, maps ; 24 cm.

Other Title:

British Empire Special Forces and defeat in Malaya in World War II

Place of Publication:

Lawrence, Kansas : University Press of Kansas, [2025]

Summary:

"In World War II, British special forces were combat units organized, trained, and specifically equipped to operate independently, for long periods of time if necessary, physically separated from the main forces in the field. Main force missions focused on defeating the main forces of the enemy: taking and holding ground, imposing control on space and people, defeating any enemy effort to seize and hold friendly ground, or destroy friendly main forces, or impose control on space and people. British Army special-forces units were usually directed to carry out two broad but often closely related missions: provide direct assistance to main force operations; harass enemy movements, lines of supply, and communications. Special forces were also frequently used to destroy specific targets, sometimes in completely independent operations with no main force in the field, and especially to act as the eyes and ears of the main force, gathering intelligence on enemy movements and or screening those of friendly forces"-- Provided by publisher.

"Of all the Allied strategic defensive campaigns in the first half of World War II, the fight to defend Malaya and Singapore provided perhaps the best chance to use special forces to wider effect. In December 1941 the issue in the East during World War II was whether or not the Japanese could drive the Western Allies out of Southeast Asia before the Allies could reinforce strongly enough to prevent it. Consequently, the British Army organized, trained, and specifically equipped special-forces combat units to operate independently, for long periods of time if necessary, physically separated from the main forces in the field. British Army special-forces units were usually directed to carry out two broad but often closely related missions: provide direct assistance to main force operations; and harass enemy movements, lines of supply, and communications. Special forces were also frequently used to destroy specific targets, sometimes in completely independent operations with no main force in the field, and especially to act as the eyes and ears of the main force, gathering intelligence on enemy movements and or screening those of friendly forces. In Misfire, Brian Farrell analyzes how and why the British Army developed special forces in the early years of World War II; what uses it made of them; and the role that special and irregular forces played in defending Malaya and Singapore against Japanese invasion, from prewar preparations to capitulation in February 1942. Farrell's examination of the use of special and irregular forces helps us understand both the Malayan campaign and wider efforts to defend Southeast Asia as well as what that campaign tells us about the evolution of such forces in the British and Empire armies"-- Provided by publisher.

Contents:

From Quebec to Norway

Calculating Risk

Aliens, Armies and Asians

A Rose By Any Other Name?

Ideas from Home

Command and Command Troops

Stopping Gaps

Coast Watching

Breakdown

Dead End

Lessons and Legacies.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Other Format:

Online version Farrell, Brian P. (Brian Padair), 1960- Misfire

ISBN:

9780700639953

0700639950

OCLC:

1513344305