The Phantom Major

By: Virginia Cowles

Narrated by: Robert Whitfield

In the dark and uncertain days of 1941 and 1942, when Rommel's tanks were sweeping towards Suez, a handful of daring raiders were making history for the Allies. They operated deep behind the German lines, often driving hundreds of miles through the deserts of North Africa. They hid by day and struck by night, destroying aircraft, blowing up ammunition dumps, derailing trains, and killing many times their own number.

These were the SAS, Stirling's desert raiders, the brainchild of a deceptively mild-mannered man with a brilliant idea. Small teams of resourceful, highly trained men would penetrate beyond the front lines of the opposing armies and wreak havoc where the Germans least expected it.

The Phantom Major is the classic account of these desert raids, an amazing tale of courage, impudence, and daring, packed with action and high adventure. An intimate record based on eyewitness accounts, this book still stands as the definitive history of the early years of the SAS.

(P)2001 Blackstone Audiobooks

Critic reviews

"This military story is ideally suited to audio: maps aren't necessary to follow its excitement, and the reader adds a pleasing dimension with his skill at accents, reminding us of whom the story is about." (AudioFile)

Brilliant story, brilliant narration

What can I say? Narrations do not get much better than this one.

An important, engaging story about little known desert warriors achieving important victories way out of proportion to military capital invested.

Really excellent and very listenable.

What a relief from the first sentences to know you’re in the hands of an author who is just going to tell a fine story without all the goofy melodrama of romantic intertwinings and background padding. I looked up Virginia and saw she was a ww2 correspondent. Makes sense. Fascinating story and some real insights into the very real personalities. Definitely recommended.

Will Hook You Before Page 2

This book starts out with a humorous account of a Scot sneaking into a general's office to finally get past the red tape and get an audience for his brilliant idea to sabotage Rommel's war in North Africa. There are other fun stories, such as the one where the unit (short on supplies) boldly enters the New Zealand camp in broad daylight and packs up their supplies including a grand piano. They justify this in their minds by saying the New Zealand Government takes better care of their soldiers and will replace all of the stolen property with better stuff.
This book is one of my favorites on WWII.

Excellent and extensive history of SAS

I would highly recommend book for anyone interested in WWII operations in Mediterranean North Africa and history of famous SAS unit’s and their adventures.

The Phantom Major

Excellent story and wonderful presentation using various voices and accents. Highly recommend this audio book.