Fighting Skills of the Sas [Paperback]

Mike Robinson (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 1999

Double taps, three-round bursts, tabbing and CasEvac operations. These are but a few of the tactics and procedures used by the men of Britain's Special Air Service (SAS) Regiment. What do they mean, how do the elite soldiers of Britain's SAS fight and what weapons do they use? "Fighting Skills of the SAS" is a complete guide to the tactices, operational procedures, training and military hardware used by the SAS. "Fighting Skills of the SAS" contains individual chapters on weapons skills, using the deadly Browning High Power and the MP5K submachine gun; how SAS teams operate behind enemy lines; SAS sabotage techniques; concealment skills; and observation and intelligence gathering.

Product Details

• Paperback: 192 pages
• Publisher: Lewis Intl Inc (March 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0966677129
• ISBN-13: 978-0966677126
• Product Dimensions: 9.4 x 7.3 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #757,071 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The modern knights of Britain are the SAS (Special Air Servi, April 20, 2001

By 

Victoria Tarrani "writer, editor, artist, des... (Florida, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Fighting Skills of the Sas (Paperback)

Mike Robinson is a photojournalist who uses his artistic skills with the camera and drawings to chronicle the selection, training, testing, and intellectual requirements of this elite Regiment. The many photographs and drawings add to the scenes, but it is his articulate writing style that reveals an excellent writer sharing the world he knows. Robinson is a pseudonym for a man who served with the British Army and in overseas forces.

For the writers:

If battles are part of your story whether modern, fantasy, science fiction, history, war, romance, every genre, then seeing real heroes in action adds to your knowledge base and will make your warriors and their fights believable.

Suppose a highly trained SAS agent who is caught by time finds himself in the midst of the "French and Indian War" or "The War of the Roses." Imagine the great advantage for the "Redcoats" if a team of specialists happened to cross the Bermuda Triangle and find themselves in the midst of American war for Independence. There is no limitation for imagination.

As I read this book, I felt as if I were a miner plucking nuggets with every shifting of the sand. I hit the golden mother lode. Though I had purchased this book as a reference for my own creativity I found myself absorbed and involved -- Mike Robinson has crafted a masterpiece.

The book:

The SAS was formed in Africa over 50 years ago. The Regiment still wins most of their confrontations. Why? To become a member a man must overcome a wide range of training that includes physical, mental, weapon, equipment, paratrooping, medical, analysis, and more. The consistent training means that every member knows what to expect from others, and they build on a bond of absolute trust within each four-man Sabre Squadron.

Robinson's dedication in the Preface is a profound statement of his respect for these heroes: "For the cornerstone of their success has always been, and will always be, the individual SAS soldiers themselves. It is they who win, because they dare, often against impossible odds and at the cost of their lives. To these men this book is dedicated."

Overviews of the chapters:

* Joining the SAS -- volunteers must pass challenges that include navigation by compass and distance in areas that do not provide visible landmarks; jungles, deserts, mountains, or any place where weather has limited the visibility. Additionally, to become a member of the SAS each man must endure exhaustion and pain in their effort to reach the next rendezvous.

* Weapons Skills -- beginning with a day in 1972 when 250 guerrillas attacked nine SAS soldiers who, with a few local gendarmes and tribesmen, defeated the attackers this book documents weapons, skills, and uses including: snipers, battles, armament, intrusion defensive positions, and more.

* Explosives and Sabotage -- with knowledge and training SAS four-man patrol can cause damage that brings aggressive enemies to a stop.

* Counter-Terrorist Tactics -- terrorists are analyzed and a group of no more than 50 full-time soldiers are on call to defend and defeat terrorism tactics. This section includes descriptions of a warfare kit, dress, weapons, and exercises in the "Killing House."

* Fighting as a Four-man Team -- each regiment consists of four four-men troop specialists: medic, communications, linguist, and demolitions expert; also each man has at least one specific patrol skill. As their experiences with the SAS increases, so does the variety of these skills.

* Silent Killing Skills -- to survive when behind enemy lines each member is trained to kill without being seen. Various tools and methods are described.

* Medical Expertise -- trained to use what is available in the locale and in a med pack, these men help their comrades and friendly causalities.

* Civil Disorder Control -- in the midst of civil unrest extremists often use the turmoil to further their own ends. The Regiment have skills to "surgically remove" the subversives.

* Observing the Enemy -- camouflage and concealment skills allow a patrol to move into "hot spots" and strategize for victory.

* Signals and Radio Skills -- all soldiers are trained in the art of using communication equipment, hand and body signals, and Morse code.

* Behind Enemy Lines -- this includes destroying enemy communications, rescue missions, and survival.

* Staying Hidden -- trained to remain hidden even in the most boring or difficult conditions is the difference between success and failure. The SAS has embraces Risk.

* Operating in Hostile Regions -- SAS troops work and battle in the freezing arctic, hot humid jungles, barren desert sands, islands or on the ocean.

* Specialist Insertion Methods -- heavy transport aircraft, parachuting from high or low altitudes, helicopters where troops rappel down from the fuselage, canoes and other water flotation devices and stealth are only part of the skills used to reach the mission location.

* Booby Traps -- these devices are designed to maim rather than kill, and defeat the enemy's morale. The loss of morale creates carelessness, fear, and suspicion.

* Glossary -- of the weapons and equipment used by the SAS.

Five stars -- for the excellent writing, photography, drawings, and information this book. It is not only an excellent reference book, it is an incredible history.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent!, February 25, 2001

By 

Huntress Reviews (United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Fighting Skills of the Sas (Paperback)

Talk about getting a "two for one" deal! When I saw this book I was expecting to have to sift through some boring, rehashed history of the SAS, I was pleasantly surprised! Not only is this excellent book a well written and easy to read Narrative of the SAS, it's a complete Survival and "How To" Book also! Author Mike Robinson is well known for his many other books on Special Operational Forces around the world.

Each topic is covered in detail, how to pull off cold weather operations, small unit tactics, desert work, rappelling, general survival, basic medical, chemical operations, Signals, radio work, weapons, staying hidden, booby traps, handling guerrilla troops, and much much more!!!! I stayed up all night reading this book and couldn't put it down!

The exotic pictures really set the book off well and each diagram of tactics is well presented. The information is top notch, not the usual "I was with em and killed a hundred people" type thing at all. You REALLY get your money's worth from this book! You'll be impressed (and educated!)

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Awesome book which explains a whole lot about the SAS, May 16, 2000

By 

Gulhan Coban - See all my reviews

This review is from: Fighting Skills of the Sas (Paperback)

This book explains a whole lot about the tactics, fighting methods, and organization of Englands premier Special Air Service. A must read for anyone interested in how the SAS goes about its duties.