Inside Spetsnaz; Soviet Special Operations: A Critical Analysis
Larry A. Fourmet Novato, CA: Presidio, 1990. Presumed First Edition, Presumed First printing. Hardcover. xx, [2], 308, [4] pages. Maps. Illustrations. Notes. Bibliography. Index. The contributors include, in addition to the Editor: Kirsten Amundsen, John Dziak, James Gebhardt, David Isby, Owen Lock, John Merritt, Jim Shortt, and Robert Smith. Foreword by General Robert C. Kingston, (USA, Ret.). DJ has some edgewear and soiling and is in a plastic sleeve. Spetsnaz (English: Special Purpose Forces or Special Purpose Military Units), is an umbrella term for special forces in Russian and is used in numerous post-Soviet states. Historically, the term referred to special military units controlled by the military intelligence service GRU (Spetsnaz GRU). It also describes special purpose units, or task forces of other ministries (such as the Ministry of Internal Affairs ODON and Ministry of Emergency Situations' special rescue unit) in post-Soviet countries. As Spetsnaz is a Russian term, it is typically associated with the special forces units of Russia; but other post-Soviet states often refer to their special forces by the term as well since they inherited their special purpose units from the now-defunct Soviet security agencies. The 5th Spetsnaz Brigade of Belarus or the Alpha Group of the Security Service of Ukraine are both such examples of non-Russian Spetsnaz forces. This book is a unique open-source study of Soviet special operations and spetsnaz forces. The contributors are specialists in military and historical analysis who have a knowledge of Russian and experience in special operations and intelligence. They deftly define Soviet special operations by analyzing the combat record, doctrine, and evolution of spetsnaz, and use their information and skill to produce this very insightful volume. The Editor was a Major in the U. S. Army who served at Fort Bragg as a Special Operations Branch Officer. Special operations (S.O.) are military operations that are "special" or unconventional and carried out by dedicated special forces and other special operations forces units using unconventional methods and resources. Special operations may be performed independently of or in conjunction with, conventional military operations. The primary goal is to achieve a political or military objective where a conventional force requirement does not exist or might adversely affect the overall strategic outcome. Special operations are usually conducted in a low-profile manner that aims to achieve the advantages of speed, surprise, and violence of action against an unsuspecting target. Special operations are typically carried out with limited numbers of highly trained personnel that are adaptable, self-reliant and able to operate in all environments, and able to use unconventional combat skills and equipment. Special operations are usually implemented through specific, tailored intelligence. Condition: Very good / Very good.
Keywords: Spetsnaz, Special Operations, Spanish Civil War, Great Patriotic War, Petsamo-Kirkenes, Manchuria, Invasion of Czechoslovakia, Kabul, Afghanistan
[Book #73600]
Price: $45.00