Gentleman Jim: The Wartime Story of a Founder of the SAS and Special Services

by Lorna Almonds Windmill (Author), Lorna Almonds Windmill (Author), Earl Jellicoe (Foreword)

• Used

  Hardcover
  2001

  $48.82

  A story of love and danger, courage, drama and survival against the odds. Set in wartime England, the western desert, Italy and France, it seeks to capture the spirit of the young soldiers at war in the newly emerging SAS. Gentleman Jim Almonds, a sergeant in the Guards Commandos, sailed for the Middle East as part of Layforce in January 1941 with David Stirling and others destined to become SAS originals . After intense training in the desert and action at Tobruk, Jolo Oasis, Nofelia and Benghazi, Almonds was captured and shipped to a Prisoner of War camp in Italy, from which he managed to escape. After 32 days on the run, he managed to reach US forces at the Benevento front line. Later, in 1944, he parachuted into France to disrupt road and rail links. He spent two months living in the Forest of Orleans - despite Hitler's edict that all SAS were to be shot rather than taken prisoner. This work is based on Gentleman Jim's diaries, which he kept to be sent to his wife should he fail to return.

• Used

  Paperback
  2002

  $9.44

  The true story of one of the SAS originals, 'Gentleman Jim' Almonds' remarkable history is set in wartime England, the western desert, Italy and France and recounts his formative role in the birth of the SAS. Against a background of love, courage and survival against all the odds, this book captures the real spirit of the young soldiers in the new Special Air Service. Jim Almonds, a sergeant in the Guards Commandos, sailed for the Middle East in 1941 to become an SAS 'original'. After action at Tobruk and elsewhere, Almonds was captured and shipped to a POW camp in Italy, he escaped and later, in occupied France, won the Croix de Guerre. Based on his diaries, the action throughout is vivid and immediate.