Night Raid

The True Story of the First Victorious British Para Raid of WWII

By: Taylor Downing

Narrated by: Gordon Griffin

The loss of British bombers over Occupied Europe began to reach alarming levels in 1941. Could it be that the Germans were using a sophisticated form of radar to direct their night fighters and anti-aircraft guns at the British bombers?

British aerial reconnaissance discovered what seemed to be a rotating radar tower on a clifftop at Bruneval, near Le Havre. The truth must be revealed. The decision was taken to launch a daring raid on the Bruneval site to try and capture the technology for further examination. The planned airborne assault would be extremely risky. The parachute regiment had only been formed a year before on Churchill's insistence. This night raid would test the men to the extreme limits of their abilities.

Night Raid tells the gripping tale of this mission from the planning stages, to the failed rehearsals when the odds seemed stacked against them, to the night of the raid itself, and the scientific secrets that were discovered thanks to the paras' precious cargo - the German radar. Its capture was of immense importance in the next stages of the war and the mission itself marked the birth of the legend of the 'Red Devils'.

©2013 Taylor Downing (P)2014 Soundings

Critic reviews

"The Bruneval Raid was the start of the airborne brotherhood. Taylor Downing's vivid account brings alive this important turning point in military history with flair and pace." (Andy McNab)

History of the Red Devils

What did you love best about Night Raid?

Very thorough background on the reasons for the raid along with the planning and preparation

What did you like best about this story?

Most histories on WWII only look at US involvement. This book covers several events that predate 12/07/1941.

British Paratroops: Trails, Errors and Successes

What did you love best about Night Raid?

The account of the formation. deployment and following actions of the British and Combined paratroops is very well researched and presented. Gives an excellent account of the struggle to form a paratroop force and how to deploy it and how it almost failed. Takes the reader past the first raid with a good review of what happened to the principal figures once the frirs traid was completed.

What did you like best about this story?

It is a thorough and unglazed account laying blame and glory as deserved.

Have you listened to any of Gordon Griffin’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Clear and steady narration.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

No as it needs time for absorption and reflection and is not intended to be a page turning thriller, although there are many thrilling moments.

Job Well Done Red Devils!

I loved the audio sample and I got this book based on the historical significance, the narration and the telling of story in the sample.

Knowing that Audible usually picks a juicy snippet for the sample I knew I needed to be patient and give the book a chance to develop. It starts out a little dry with just a bit too much technical minutia and historical biographies about characters. However, by the time I reached chapter 3 (and the chapters actually follow the screen display in this book) I was thinking "enough already get to the point", but I decided to hang on for one more chapter. I'm very glad I did. The book picked up speed and I could hardly stop listening after that point. One of the faster finishes I've had.

I would strongly urge you get this book if you like WW II history and a healthy does of technical details. It is a fascinating story of technology, spying, perseverance in the face of adversity and courage. While I'm not sure if I will listen to it again I absolutely enjoyed the first time. Gordon Griffin has gone down on my top ten list of great narrators.

A marvellous book!

This book is so much more than a secret mission behind enemy lines. The incredible back story about the development of Radar is so well researched and presented that after the first hour of listening I was sad I only had 11hrs left! The narration could not have been bettered and brings alive the characters, places and sense of another time period wonderfully. The sense of duty and adventure that compelled the first "volunteers" to join the Para's is quite moving.
I encourage anybody with a love of a good adventure, an appreciation of military planning or interest in the development of ground breaking technology to give this a listen, it is worth it.

Not the WWII book I were looking for

Narrated very well, but the story is 4/5 build-up and information surrounding the actual raid. 22 chapters... Maybe two are used to talk about the actual raid

Good story with great detail

This is a good story with lot of in depth detail. Covers the first British paratrooper raid on northern France and the invention of radar.