SAS Operation Pistol

Operation Pistol was a British operation performed by 2 SAS during World War II, launching 51 SAS soldiers into the German territory of Alsace Lorraine, 80 miles ahead of the American forces. It ran alongside Operation Loyton.

Of those 51 soldiers, SQMS Jack Alcock commanded a four-man party from his C3 group. This is the story of his incredible bravery that awarded him the Croix de Guerre with Silver Star. Jack's group parachuted into France under extreme weather conditions, lacking vital supplies of food and suffering the theft of their radio receiver. They fought through enemy territory, seeking shelter with sympathetic locals along the way, experiencing a close call with the Gestapo at one farmstead. They eventually reached the front line position of the American Fourth Armoured Division near Arracourt, where Jack was debriefed by Colonel Bruce C Clarke of Command A.

Jack later returned to France with his son to retrace his footsteps for this incredible memoir of determination, courage and tenacity.

Author: Graham is a child of the armed forces. He was born in Aldershot military hospital in 1947. His father was a regular soldier between 1936 and 1965. As such, Graham is familiar with military life. He almost joined the army himself after having attended a Sandhurst Military College taster weekend. However, an inspirational art teacher changed all of that, and he became a teacher of Art and Design. Graham has taught in the UK, Queensland, Australia, and Canada. At his last school, he taught a relative of Lord John Manners of 2 SAS. He wrote this book after his father's death in 1997.