'An exhaustively researched memoir by the son of the courageous WWII SAS figure, Sergeant John Alcock, this takes the reader into the heart of the action in Italy and then France. Highly recommended.' - Damien Lewis

Operation Pistol was a British operation performed by 2 SAS during World War 2 launching 51 SAS soldiers into the German territory of Alsace Lorraine 80 miles ahead of the American forces, running alongside Operation Loyton. Of those 51 soldiers, SQMS Jack Alcock commanded a four man party from his C3 group and this is the story of his incredible bravery that awarded him the Croix de Guerre with Silver Star.

Jack’s group parachuted in to France in 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 to eventually reach the front line position of the American Fourth Armourerd Division near Arracourt where he was debriefed by Colonel Bruce C Clarke of Combat Command A.

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