Spec Ops: Case Studies in Special Operations Warfare

Vice Adm. William H. McRaven, who commands a U.S. Navy SEAL team, helped devise the strategy to bring down Osama bin Laden and led the courageous U.S. military unit that carried out the operation on May 1, 2011, ending one of the greatest manhunts in history. In his well-organized and deeply researched study, "Spec Ops," McRaven analyzes eight classic special operations, six of which are from World War II: the German commando raid on the Belgian fort Eben Emael (1940), the Italian torpedo attack on the Alexandria harbor (1941), the British commando raid on Nazaire, France (1942), the German glider rescue of Benito Mussolini (1943), the British midget-submarine attack on the Tirpitz (1943), and the U.S. Ranger rescue mission at the Cabanatuan POW camp in the Philippines (1945). The two post-WWII examples are the U.S. Army raid on the Son Tay POW camp in North Vietnam (1970) and the Israeli rescue of the skyjacked hostages in Entebbe, Uganda (1976).

McRaven identifies six essential principles of "spec ops" success: simplicity, security, repetition, surprise, speed, and purpose. For each case study, he provides political and military context, a meticulous reconstruction of the mission itself, and an analysis of the operation in relation to his six principles. The author deems the Son Tay raid "the best modern example of a successful spec op [which] should be considered textbook material for future missions." His own book is an instructive textbook that will be closely studied by students of the military arts.

The German commando raid on the Belgian fort Eben Emael in 1940 was a well-planned and executed operation that highlighted the importance of simplicity and surprise. The Italian torpedo attack on the Alexandria harbor in 1941 demonstrated the value of security and speed, while the British commando raid on Nazaire, France, in 1942 illustrated the significance of repetition and purpose. The German glider rescue of Benito Mussolini in 1943 showcased the principles of simplicity, surprise, and speed, while the British midget-submarine attack on the Tirpitz in the same year exemplified the importance of security and purpose.

The U.S. Ranger rescue mission at the Cabanatuan POW camp in the Philippines in 1945 highlighted the principles of simplicity, surprise, and speed. The U.S. Army raid on the Son Tay POW camp in North Vietnam in 1970 was hailed by McRaven as the best modern example of a successful spec op, demonstrating all six essential principles. Finally, the Israeli rescue of the skyjacked hostages in Entebbe, Uganda, in 1976 exhibited the principles of simplicity, security, surprise, and speed.

Throughout his analysis, McRaven provides valuable insights into the planning, execution, and lessons learned from these classic special operations. His book serves as an instructive textbook for students of the military arts, offering a comprehensive understanding of the key principles that contribute to the success of special operations.

product information: