Book SummaryRed Devils, by Mark Urban

1-Page Summary1-Page Book Summary of Red Devils

Formation, Early Operations, and Reputation of the Paratrooper Unit

Origins and Establishment of the Parachute Infantry Regiment

British Initiatives During 1940 to Form Paratrooper Unit, Inspired by Initial German Airborne Successes

Urban highlights that the impetus for establishing a British parachute regiment stemmed from a directive from Prime Minister Winston Churchill in June 1940, prompted by witnessing the devastating effectiveness of German airborne missions in the initial Blitzkrieg campaigns. Churchill envisioned a contingent of no fewer than 5,000 paratroopers capable of mounting daring raids, disrupting enemy lines, and potentially even spearheading future invasions. This initiative, however, faced numerous obstacles, particularly the RAF's opposition, as it prioritized its strategic bombing campaign over allocating resources, aircraft, and crews to support the fledgling airborne arm. The author further explains that Churchill's vision for deploying paratroopers reflected an effort to discover innovative ways when facing an enemy with dominant land and air power in western Europe. For Churchill and some of his defense advisers, these new forces might do much more than stage raids, because the idea of "setting Europe ablaze" by inserting saboteurs or agents to organize resistance had gained traction and linked in to their early plans about what these troops might actually do.

Context

• The concept of using paratroopers for sabotage and resistance was part of a larger strategy to destabilize German-occupied territories by supporting local resistance movements and conducting covert operations.
• There was often competition between different branches of the military for resources and strategic priorities. The RAF's focus on air superiority and bombing campaigns sometimes conflicted with the Army's interest in developing new tactics and units, such as paratroopers.
• The German military strategy known as Blitzkrieg, or "lightning war," involved fast-moving and coordinated attacks using air and ground forces. This approach overwhelmed opponents and was a key factor in Germany's early successes in World War II, prompting other nations to seek innovative countermeasures.
• Winston Churchill was known for his innovative and sometimes unconventional military strategies. His support for paratroopers was part of a broader effort to find creative solutions to counteract the Axis powers' advantages and to maintain British morale and offensive capability.
• The initiative marked a shift in British military doctrine, recognizing the importance of mobility and surprise in modern warfare, which would influence post-war military strategies and the development of elite forces.

How Early Parachute Regiment Volunteers Were Recruited and Trained

Diverse Backgrounds: Recruits Include Circus Performers, Professionals, International Brigade Veterans

Urban emphasizes the diverse backgrounds of those early volunteers, who included Macleod Forsyth, a regular army sergeant major from a working-class background seeking action, Michael Lewis, a young Jewish man escaping the confines of his family and seeking a new way of life, and Richard 'Dicky' Spender, a poet looking for adventure. The author points to the mix of ages, experience, and indeed social origins of these initial recruits, hinting at the snobbery of public school officers, such as Browning, while underscoring the desire of so many—from communists and Jews to those from families with long traditions of serving the Crown—to engage the enemy after two years of defensive combat.

Context

• During wartime, individuals with unique physical skills, such as acrobats or trapeze artists, were often seen as valuable for their agility and ability to perform daring feats, which could be advantageous in military operations requiring stealth and precision.
• The pursuit of action can also be linked to the psychological need for excitement and the adrenaline rush associated with combat, which some individuals find compelling despite the inherent dangers.
• The era saw various social and political movements, including Zionism and socialism, which might have influenced Jewish individuals to explore new identities and roles in the world.
• For many artists and intellectuals of the time, the war represented a break from routine and an opportunity to experience life more intensely, which could fuel their creative expression.
• The experiences and interactions among...

Red Devils Summary Parachute Regiment's Internal Struggles and Challenges

Tensions Between Paratrooper Units and Military Leaders

Conflicts Over Resources, Equipment, and Responsibilities of Airborne Troops

Urban highlights the tensions that existed between those championing the expansion of airborne forces, led by Boy Browning, and the military hierarchy, particularly the RAF. The author details the long-running disputes regarding the distribution of aircraft, training resources, glider production, crew selection and, crucially, the correct place of airborne operations in the wider strategic aims of a war being fought on many fronts. These battles were played out at the high level of the War Cabinet, and in other less formal arenas, with Browning deploying his charm and connections to counter people who considered air divisions, as opposed to small-scale raiding groups, an extravagance.

Practical Tips

• Write a short story or script that dramatizes the conflict between innovative military strategies and established hierarchies. Use your imagination to craft characters and scenarios that reflect the tension between the need for new tactics and the reluctance of traditional structures to change. This creative exercise can help you...

Red Devils Summary Paratroopers Battle Fallschirmjäger

Regiment's Battle Against German Paratroops in North African Theater

British-German Airborne Tactics and Combat

Urban explores the experiences of the 1st Parachute Brigade during the North African campaign in 1942-1943, highlighting intense battles against German paratroopers, the Fallschirmjäger, particularly during the Sedjenane Valley campaign in March 1943. The author contrasts UK and German airborne combat doctrine, with British soldiers relying heavily on accurate fire from the Bren gun and rifle-launched grenades, while their foes preferred high rates of fire from their belt-fed MG34 and MG42 guns. The author also details contrasting approaches to dropping supplies, parachuting in from aircraft, and the very different command cultures of German and British airborne forces, with Anglo-American generals emphasizing speed and initiative, particularly in this initial phase of their operations, whereas the Germans often seemed to emphasize meticulous preparation and a more disciplined approach to command and control. The author states that during the North African campaign, the British Parachute Regiment received the nickname "[restricted term]" as a grudging...

Red Devils Summary Human Cost and Stories of Parachute Regiment Veterans

The Fates of Six Soldiers in the Book

Diverse Backgrounds, Motivations, and Experiences in Battle

Urban weaves together the stories of six individual soldiers whose fates illustrate the broader wartime experience of the Paras and the arbitrary workings of destiny in such a dangerous outfit. He details each man's background, their motivation for entering the airborne regiment, their achievements, and their ultimate fates. Macleod Forsyth, the battle-hardened veteran of Bruneval and the Sedjenane Valley engagements, sought to find a place within his tribe but fell from grace due to disputes with officers he despised. Richard Spender, the poet-turned-hero, relished combat but did not survive Normandy. Arthur Maybury, discovering how to make a living by writing about the paratroopers, went from telling fictional tales to dying for his beliefs, while his old friend Mike Lewis became a celebrated cameraman, recording the war's horrors from the Primosole Bridge to Belsen concentration camp and beyond. The careers of those other two soldiers, Johnny and Geoffrey, both of them officers, reflected the different qualities that were required to command hand-picked volunteers...

Red Devils Summary Parachute Regiment's Evolving Culture, Values, and Identity

Camaraderie and "Elite" Mindset of Pioneer Volunteers

Instilling Regimental Culture and Confidence in Being Elite

Urban traces the evolution of the culture and ethos of the Parachute Regiment, starting with the 'elite' mindset of the original volunteers. He details how the rigorous training, shared dangers, and distinctive insignia fostered a strong sense of esprit de corps and a perception of superiority among these early paratroopers. The author also points out the different methods Browning used to create this culture. One was the issue of a card outlining the values, which began, "You're among the Army's elite," another was the insistence on high standards of turnout and discipline in every aspect of a soldier's life.

Practical Tips

• Embrace a regimented morning routine to instill discipline similar to that of the Parachute Regiment. Start your day with a fixed wake-up time, followed by physical exercise, a healthy breakfast, and a planning session for your day. This mirrors the structured lifestyle of military personnel and can help you develop self-discipline and focus.
• You can cultivate an elite mindset by starting your day with a "victory hour"...