'Riveting. Extraordinary. A real-life thriller' - Dan Snow
'Truly revelatory' - Billy Billingham
June 1944: the SAS parachute deep into occupied France. In a country crawling with the enemy, their mission is to prevent Hitler from rushing his Panzer divisions to the D-Day beaches and driving the Allies back into the sea.
Captain Patrick Garstin MC's patrol executed one of the most daring escapes of the war, only to fall victim to shocking betrayal. Captured, imprisoned and tortured terribly by the Gestapo, miraculously, two would escape, triggering one of the most-extraordinary Nazi-hunting operations ever.
Summer 1945: with WWII officially over, the race was on to bring to justice the Nazi war criminals who had murdered their brothers in arms. In a deniable, deep-cover operation backed by Winston Churchill himself, the 'the Secret Hunters' would expose Nazi Germany's darkest crimes, doggedly tracking down those they most sought.
Drawing on real life testimony and family archive material:
'I was one year old when my father, Captain Patrick Garstin MC, was executed, so sadly never knew him. This amazing book has filled in so many gaps, and it commemorates all those consigned by Hitler to the Nacht und Nebel; the night and fog.' Sean Garstin
'This spellbinding account brings to life the exploits of a brave band of warriors, one of whom was my uncle, Colonel Blair 'Paddy' Mayne DSO. He led his men on numerous behind-the-lines missions, and this compelling read does their memories full justice.' Fiona Ferguson, nee Mayne
'So much more than just a war story . . . While it involves death and suffering and terrible acts of cruelty, it also highlights the enduring qualities of courage and loyalty, of kindness and humanity, resourcefulness and resilience.' Amy Crossland, daughter of Major Eric 'Bill' Barkworth, Chief of the SAS War Crimes Investigation Team