Operation Biting
The 1942 Parachute Assault to Capture Hitler’s Radar
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Operation Biting
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Narrated by:
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John Hopkins
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By:
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Max Hastings
About this listen
Operation Biting was one of the most thrilling British commando raids of World War II, and probably the most successful.
In February 1942 RAF intelligence was baffled by a newly-identified radar network on the coast of Nazi-occupied Europe, codenamed Würzburg. The brilliant scientist Dr RV Jones proposed an assault to capture key components. The nearest accessible enemy set stood upon a steep cliff at Bruneval in Normandy. Winston Churchill enthused, as did Lord Louis Mountbatten, chief of Combined Operations. A company of the newly-formed Airborne Forces was committed to the operation, which took place on the night of 27/28 February. Amid heavy snow 120 men landed, some of whom were misdropped almost two miles from their objective. They nonetheless launched the assault, dismantled the German radar, and after three nail-biting hours in France and a fierce battle with Wehrmacht defenders, escaped in the nick of time by landing-craft across stormy seas to Portsmouth.
Max Hastings recounts this cliffhanging tale in a wealth of previously unchronicled detail. He portrays its remarkable personalities: the ‘boffin’ RV Jones; the peacock Mountbatten; the troubled husband of Daphne Du Maurier, Gen. ’Boy’ Browning, who commanded the Airborne Division; ‘Colonel Remy’, the French secret agent whose men reconnoitered Bruneval at mortal risk; Major John Frost, who led the paras into action; Charlie Cox, the little RAF technician who stripped the Würzburg and became an unexpected hero; Wing-Commander Charles Pickard, a legendary bomber pilot who led the drop squadron. Seldom have so many fascinating personalities been brought together to fulfil a mission that became a front-page triumph in a season of British defeats.
Recounted in Hastings’ familiar best-selling blend of top-down and bottom-up action detail, Operation Biting tells a story that has become almost forgotten yet deserves to rank among the epic tales of courage and daring that took place in the greatest conflict in history.
PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.
©2024 Max Hastings (P)2024 HarperCollins PublishersListeners also enjoyed...
What listeners say about Operation Biting
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- gillian perry-keene
- 12-06-24
Interesting
A very interesting history of the early commando raids and the beginning of the paras.
My father was at Arnhem and was a prisoner of war and it’s good to see they started with success .
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- DRO
- 19-06-24
Another Max Hastings success
Another Max Hastings success. Meticulously researched and written. Interesting critique of airborne operations at the end of- bound to challege
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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- Tonto
- 12-07-24
A very good listen
A gripping story, well told. Well worth the purchase. A subject I'd heard much about but with little detail before listening to this remarkable story.
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2 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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- Paul
- 11-06-24
outstanding account of a daring raid
While I knew a little about this raid, Hastings brings the story to life in his usual style. Listening around the D-day anniversary brings home the bravery of those men. Well done chaps!
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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- Anonymous User
- 12-06-24
The personal details and depth of research.
The style of each chapter being centre around a personage or a location really helped set trhe scene for the finale.
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- tillymax
- 24-06-24
Superb storytelling
I have read about the Bruneval raid before but could not resist Max Hastings new book on the subject. Covers the subject and the characters with great objectivity. This raid should not have succeeded but it did and gave Britain a huge morale boost at a time when good news was in short supply.
Full credit is given to those involved in the raid, including members of the resistance who provided, at great risk, valuable intelligence. Not just allied participants but also the Germans actions are covered, all ranks. Max Hastings does not hold back with critical comments when needed
Perhaps one of the best thefts of the Second World War
Enjoyed the narration, kept the action moving at just the right pace
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- mike
- 29-10-24
Good
Max Hastings is very critical which is disappointing if you want to listen to the a tale of a daring British commando raid which was ultimately successful in protecting allied aircraft from German radar and flak . I was pleased that he gave a post war bio on c company as surely it was the men who achieved the mission not Mountbatten who took all the glory (and none of the blame for Dieppe.). Interesting how Boy Browning gets a fair share of the blame for Arnhem and is seen as a glory hunter . Will read again .
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Kevin Leigh
- 24-12-24
Fascinating account of the men & the battle!
I didn’t know about this raid and mini battle before I listened to this very well read book. The account is detailed and thorough from the raid’s inception through what happened in the aftermath. Even more interesting are the details behind the players. The commentary on lives of people who are relatively unknown outside enthusiasts as well as a warts and all description of famous people who the author places in more accurate perspective. An enjoyable and very informative listen.
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