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X Platoon
- Narrated by: Steve Heaney MC
- Length: 13 hrs and 20 mins
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Summary
For three decades one of the most secretive units in the British military has been a mystery force known as X Platoon.
Officially there was no X Platoon. The forty men in its elite number were specially selected from across the Armed Forces, at which point they simply ceased to exist. X Platoon had no budget, no weaponry, no vehicles and no kit - apart from what its men could beg, borrow or steal from other military units.
For the first time a highly decorated veteran of this specialised force - otherwise known as the Pathfinders - reveals its unique story. Steve Heaney became one of the youngest ever to pass Selection, the gruelling trial of elite forces, and was at the cutting edge of X Platoon operations - serving on anti-narcotics operations in the Central American jungles, on missions hunting war criminals in the Balkans, and being sent to spy on and wage war against the Russians.
The first non-officer in the unit's history to be award the Military Cross, Steve Heaney reveals the extraordinary work undertaken by this secret band of brothers.
What listeners say about X Platoon
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- Andy north
- 01-03-24
Fair
It was a very good tail and story line and still shows the level of sf soldiers around the world from then to know
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- Richard
- 17-05-24
Gritty account of some unsung heroes
an in depth insight into an unsung set of hero's. Performing missions and training like the wider known special forces.
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- Morag Bocking
- 16-02-24
gripping
with been a crap hat i found it absolutely a great listen, with out the sweat abd pain, i felt every step and effort he did, lots off good detail in book which kept me listening, we need men like this. well done loved it
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- Lee
- 29-06-24
Great book, great soldier
What a journey and what a life, I’ve worked with and know some Paras in my time and the pathfinders are a league above and this book explains why in a personal and gripping fashion Had to speed it up to 1.2 x as it’s a bit slow but that’s personal preference
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- william odowd
- 23-06-24
all of it
nothing all was brilliant, a fantastic listen, will definitely buy more from this author
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- Lolly30
- 10-02-24
Outstanding
Absolutely great audiobook, I listen to lots of audiobooks and normally have a period of time that I lose interest in the story…… not this time….. kept me riveted from start to finish.
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- Michael Rose
- 13-07-24
wow!! what a book
Absolutely brilliant book. I have quite a few audio books and hard back's about our incredible elite forces, this one is definitely right up there. We all owe these incredible men a debt of gratitude for their protection of our country. listening to the selection part makes you wonder how is it possible for anyone to pass but, these are the best of the best forces in the world. Thankyou Mr Heaney for your service . I'm now ordering Steve's other book, operation Mayhem.
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- Stodders
- 06-05-24
Mega! A rare insight into a unit that’s not widely known about outside the military.
The Pathfinders were men I remember seeing about at Montgomery Lines in Aldershot when I was there with 1 Para,(the 1st Battalion of The Parachute Regiment), and they stood out because some wore their hair longer than normal and they had a distinctive DZ flash on their smocks but apart from that I didn’t really know that much about them at the time as I was new to battalion.
Fast forward to the present day and I’ve several friends who served with the “PF” and so it’s been fascinating to listen to an account of their selection process and some of the continuation training and operations they’ve taken part in as little has been written about them outside of one or two books or the regimental
journal, Pegasus.
I’d recommend this book 100% to anyone who’d like to know what the Pathfinders are about and their role within the British Army.
Steve mentions Steve Brown, a fellow Pathfinder, and I’d also recommend his book, Regimental. Another great insight into The Parachute Regiment and Pathfinders.
I’m aware that Steve Heaney MC gives talks on leadership and a positive mindset to the business community and having listened to this I can see why they are so well received.
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- Amazon Customer
- 13-03-24
The best of the best
Having previously enjoyed reading the X Platoon book, I decided to purchase and listen to the audiobook of X Platoon which is narrated by Steve Heaney MC. It’s a truly amazing account detailing the physical and mental stamina that is required in order to pass Pathfinder selection, and you are left in no doubt that those who pass selection are without doubt, the very best of the best. The narration by Steve Heaney MC was easy listening, his account was riveting and held my attention throughout. I would recommend the X Platoon book and audiobook to anyone who is interested in the military or special forces and especially to youngsters as it’s such an inspirational story.
Steve Heaney MC was your typical teenager getting involved in petty crime, and could easily ended up in prison but, in 1982 when he saw the Para’s going off to war during the Falklands conflict something inside him clicked and he knew then that he wanted to be a Para as soon as he was old enough to join. Despite his obvious determination to join the Para’s he almost completely ruined his chances just as he was about to join Para selection, he went for a joyride in a milk float which landed him in jail. However, his dad who was summoned to the Police station explained to the duty officer that Steve was hoping to join the Para’s and that if charged his chances of a career in the military would be ruined, luckily for Steve (and the military), the Police officer allowed Steve to get off with a stern warning that if anything like that happened again he would face the full force of the law.
As I listened to the account given of Para selection then Pathfinder selection I was constantly thinking, how I would have coped at that age. I can honestly say that I would probably only have lasted a matter of days before being kicked off Para selection and as for Pathfinder selection, I couldn’t even do it in my dreams, the selection process sounds like a living hell and you have to give those who pass selection the utmost respect for the sheer physical and mental strength required. X Platoon must be one of the best personal accounts of the gruelling Para and Pathfinder selection, it’s inspirational, riveting and I can’t recommend it highly enough.
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- Karl
- 06-04-24
outstanding
a fantastic brave soldier and a superb human being...you deserve the best of everything..will done Steve.
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