Z Special Unit

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Z Special Unit, one of the most intrepid yet unsung Allied Special Forces during World War II, conducted a guerrilla war against Japan in the south-west Pacific for two years. Engaging in 81 operations, they stealthily mined ships in enemy harbors and parachuted into Borneo's jungles to ally with headhunters against Japanese forces. Notably, they even smuggled a pro-Allied sultan out from under Japanese surveillance. The unit faced not only the Japanese but also the treacherous terrain of the Pacific, battling venomous snakes, man-eating crocodiles, and deadly diseases. The enemy soldiers were particularly ruthless, beheading any Z Special Unit commandos they captured. Veteran Jack Tredrea recalls the secrecy surrounding their missions: "You were never told what you were going to do... You could have been tortured and divulged information." Utilizing veteran interviews, operational reports, and recently declassified SOE files, Gavin Mortimer delves into the extraordinary history of this remarkable special forces unit and the courageous commandos who defied overwhelming odds in their fight against tyranny.