Rescue mission by UK SAS troops in Sierra Leone

OPERATION CERTAIN DEATH
by Damien Lewis
Reviewed by Paul Harrison

Random House, paperback 460 pages, illustrated colour and black and white photographs. RRP $37.95

A modern story of a rescue mission mounted by UK SAS troops to release a patrol of the Royal Irish Rangers, who were captured by a rebel group in Sierra Leone in 1999.

This gripping account covers all the background and the “blow-by-blow” activities from those captured, the rebel group and the rescuers as the drama unfolded.

The book provides an excellent insight into the techniques and degrees to which the SAS troops had to go to achieve their mission. The horrendous civil war situation in Sierra Leone is also covered in-depth, including the capture and successful escape of a New Zealand Army Officer, who was there as part of the United Nations contingent.