Introduction

The first in a series of meticulously researched World War II novels about hit-and-run raids against Hitler's war machine by British forces - under the command of a U.S. soldier - "Those Who Dare" is sure to appeal to avid military fiction fans. By May 1940, panzer divisions had decimated Belgium and reached Calais. Lieutenant John Randal of the U.S. 26th Cavalry Regiment volunteers his expertise to help slow their advance. What unfolds is a blend of military guerrilla tactics, suspense, humour, cultural and social commentary, and war buddy camaraderie - plus a little romance between the American GI and the widowed Lady Jane Seaborn. Along the way readers meet such colourful characters as Captain David Niven in MO-9 and Captain 'Geronimo Joe' McKoy with his Travelling Wild West Show and Shooting Emporium. The author - a decorated combat veteran - covers the details of war extensively, from the five points of contact of a parachute landing fall to descriptions of a British raider's A-5 flinging ferries before the first 12-gauge shell casing hits the floor. As the novel ends, Major Randal's men, fresh from Operation Tomcat in France, learn they will deploy via sea transport within 48 hours on their next mission. The second book, which is already written, tells that tale.

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Excerpt

PROLOGUE
24 May 1940 Calais, France
Lieutenant John Randal, an American volunteer serving in the British Army, stood on the deck of the S.S. City of Canterbury as the ship pulled into the empty war-ravaged port of Calais and prepared to dock. Surveying the wild scene before him, while keeping one eye cocked on the sky to track the Heinkel 111 bomber that had already made one attack run on the ship, he was wondering what he had gotten himself into. ... view entire excerpt...

Discussion Questions

From the publisher:

1. American Lieutenant John Randal finds himself placed in command of a small unit of British troops at the very beginning of Those Who Dare. Have you ever been placed in charge of people that you didn't know? What obstacles and challenges did you have to overcome and face in order to be successful in your position?

2. The author of Those Who Dare, Phil Ward, has an extensive background in military service. He is a decorated combat veteran and a former instructor at the Army Ranger School. How do you feel that this experience might have influenced the writing of Those Who Dare?

3. Ward introduces David Niven, a well-known actor who comes back to England from Hollywood to rejoin his old outfit, the Highland Light Infantry, in their fight against the Nazis. Do you know of any other actors or actresses who similarly donated their time and energy to a war or worthy cause?

4. The character of Lady Jane Seaborn, who hosted the MO-9 planning sessions, is a good representation of how the women of Britain contributed to the war cause. What were other ways that you think women helped during WWII?

5. Captain Niven, after mastering the skill of stage-managing public relations during his time in Hollywood, was ultimately used as a distraction to fool the Germans away from Great Britain's actual plans. What were other techniques the characters of Those Who Dare used to trick the enemy?

6. Captain John Randal, when faced with the idea of parachuting out of an airplane is apprehensive at the idea of jumping out of a perfectly good airplane. Have you ever been in a situation where you had to do something that frightened you? How did you move past the problem?

7. In June 1940, after the defeat of France, Germany prepared to invade Britain. German leaders felt it was essential to destroy the British air force as a prerequisite to launching the ships that would carry German soldiers across the Channel. As bombing raids on Britain started, the Blitz had begun. If you were living in London during this time, what would you have done to escape the bombing that occurred almost every night and how would you have felt about the prospects of your country being occupied by the Nazi’s?

8. Those Who Dare extensively describes the lives of British men and women, in great detail. How do you feel that the lives of characters such as Lady Jane Seaborn and Colonel Stewart Menzies of MI-6 are different from our own? Do you see great differences between British customs and the American way of living?

9. By December 1939, 43,000 women had volunteered for active duty in the Women's Auxiliary Services of the Army, Navy, and Air Force. Captain Lady Jane Seaborn and Royal Marine Pamela Plum-Martin are two such characters in Those Who Dare. How do you feel that their contributions aided the war effort? What would you have done if you were in their place?

10. As the novel ends, Major Randal's men, fresh from Operation Tomcat, learn they'll deploy via sea transport within forty-eight hours on their next mission. How do you feel that this future mission will differ from their most recent one? What do you think we can expect from Major Randal and his men in the future?

Weblinks

»	Official Web Site for Those Who Dare
»	Author Phil Ward's Twitter Page

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