Into the Jaws of Death

Dr Robert Lyman FRHistS is a writer and historian. He is a Research Fellow at the Changing Character of War Centre, Pembroke College, University of Oxford.After finishing a twenty year career in the British Army in 2001 he has published widely on the Second World War in Europe, North Africa and Asia.He is Field Marshal Bill Slim's military biographer. His presentation of the case for Slim won a National Army Museum debate in 2011 for Britain's Greatest General and his case for Kohima/Imphal won a National Army Museum debate in 2013 for Britain's Greatest Battle. He was the BBC's historical adviser for the VJ commemorations in 2015 and 2020 and is a regular contributor to documentary films on aspects of the war.His previous books include The Longest Siege: Tobruk; Slim, Master of War; Operation Suicide and Into the Jaws of Death. He lives in Berkshire, England.

• Preface. Dramatis Personae. Author's Note. Britain, early 1942. Enter the Commandos. Training for War. The First Raids. Raids in 1941. Tirpitz. Saint-Nazaire. Resistance. The Decision Made. Planning. Falmouth. Ryder and Willetts's Plans. Newman's Orders. Final Preparations. The Bay of Biscay. Into the Loire. The Run-In. Ordeal in the River. The Demolitions. Dash for Freedom. Escaping from the Loire. Aftermath. Epilogue. Glossary. Map 1 The Journey to and from Saint-Nazaire. Map 2 Targets for the Commando Groups. Map 3 Vessel movements during the raid. Map 4 Entrance into the Loire Estuary. Appendix 1 Combined Operations Raids, 1940-2. Appendix 2 Flotilla Cruising Order for Entry into the Loire. Appendix 3 Victoria Cross Citations. Sources. Select Bibliography. Acknowledgements. Index.

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