The Nazi Hunters

The Ultra-Secret SAS Unit and the Hunt for Hitler's War Criminals

By: Damien Lewis

Narrated by: Chris MacDonnell

The gripping "untold story" (Daily Mail) of the Secret Hunters, deep-cover British special forces who pursued Nazi fugitives from justice after World War II.

In the late summer of 1944, 80 British Special Air Service (SAS) soldiers undertook a covert commando raid, parachuting behind enemy lines into the Vosges Mountains in occupied France to sabotage Nazi-held roads, railways, and ammo dumps, and assassinate high-ranking German officers, undermining the final stand of Hitler's Third Reich. Despite their successes, more than half the men were captured, tortured, and executed.

Although the SAS was officially dissolved when the war ended, a top-secret black ops unit was formed, under Churchill's personal command, to hunt down the SS commanders who had murdered their special forces comrades, as well as war criminals from concentration camps who had eluded the Nuremberg trials. Under the cover of full deniability, “The Secret Hunters” waged a covert war of justice and retribution - uncovering the full horror of Hitler's regime as well as dark secrets of Stalin's Russia and the growing threat of what would become the Cold War.

©2015 Damien Lewis (P)2019 Tantor

a fascinating story, previously untold

Today's population of under 30's should read and put their own lives and perceived problems in perspective. It also gives insight into the ways in which entrenched bureaucracies and fiefdoms of government grind down too often the initiative of individual and small groups.

Great Book

The title and subtitle of this book pretty much tell you what it is about. It is a well written book that appears to be very well researched. It reads like a novel.

The men who fought this war are largely forgotten heroes as is the French resistance. The Nazi brutality, particularly against civilians, is disgusting.

It is disappointing to read of the battles the "hunters" had to fight within the British military. It is even more surprising to learn of the ultimate aftermath at the end of the book. Justice was only partially served.

So much more than a review of history

When I bought this book I had no idea how riveting it would be. I’m telling you, you’re right there with these SAS guys! The author paints such a realistic picture, and the narrator won’t let you pause for a breath. The final chapters are slower and a wrap up. Highly recommended!

Fascinating and little known WW2 story

Lovers of WW2 history will find this story compelling. The first part of the book tells of the heroic exploits of the British SAS group the parachuted into occupied France, causing havoc and distracting German troops from Patton’s advance. The second half describes the courage of the French people in a small village who refused to give up the location of the SAS members, the brutality of the Germans to the villagers and the SAS, along with the relentless search to bring Nazi murderers to war crimes trials. This story is up there with The Forgotten 500 with its research and description of one of the war’s neglected stories.

Overall great book

The book itself is fantastic. it's well researched and written. the narrator makes it hard to keep up at times due to being slightly dry. Definitely not the worst narrator by far.

Perfect mix of engaging and instructive

Damien Lewis did a superb job of telling this story! His mix of in-the-moment storytelling and factual information made me look forward to the next listening session!

Incredible true story, well told!

Well researched and presented. Excellent clarity of prose and evocative selection of moments. Who dares wins, indeed.

remember

an excellent story and account of the atrocities committed by the Nazis, the search for them after the war, and the outrage that western intelligence agencies committed by harboring these monsters in the name of intelligence gathering.

Cannot make this stuff up!

Loved to learn about these amazing men. The trials and tribulations they went thru, not to mention the cloak and dagger/ behind the scenes/ in the shadows kind of stuff. It doesn’t seem real! I liked the narration. A great story!!

nazi hunters

a great bit of history that we didn't learn in school. ordinary men doing extraordinary work