A memoir recounting SQMS Jack Alcock's daring SAS mission into German-occupied Alsace Lorraine under extreme conditions.

Operation Pistol was a British operation performed by 2 SAS during World War 2 launching 51 SAS soldiers into the German territory of Alsace Lorraine 80 miles ahead of the American forces, running alongside Operation Loyton. Of those 51 soldiers, SQMS Jack Alcock commanded a four man party from his C3 group and this is the story of his incredible bravery that awarded him the Croix de Guerre with Silver Star.

Jack’s group parachuted in to France in extreme weather conditions lacking vital supplies of food and suffering the theft of their radio receiver they fought through enemy territory seeking shelter with sympathetic locals along the way experiencing a close call with the Gestapo at one farmstead to eventually reach the front line position of the American Fourth armorerd Division near Arracourt where he was debriefed by Colonel Bruce C Clarke of Command A.

Jack later returned to France with his son to retrace his footsteps for this incredible memoir of determination, courage and tenacity.

• Cover
• Title
• Copyright
• Contents
• List of Plates
• Foreword Raindrops in Alsace
• Chapter 1 Parachutisme dans les Alsace-Lorraine
• Chapter 2 Joining the Mosquitoes & 2SAS at Taranto and Pisticci
• Chapter 3 Outline of Operation Pistol’s Intentions
• Chapter 4 Events Running Up to Pistol
• Chapter 5 2SAS’s Return to Scotland
• Chapter 6 Departing RAF Keevil for Action in Alsace-Lorraine
• Chapter 7 C Group’s Parachute Arrival at Audviller – Alsace-Lorraine
• Chapter 8 The Importance of Jack’s Missing Report
• Chapter 9 The Loss of C3 Group’s Radio Receiver
• Chapter 10 Our Family’s Pilgrimage to Moussey Village in 1982
• Chapter 11 Our Family Visit in 2012 without Jack
• Chapter 12 Homage to Some Particular Alsace People
• Chapter 13 Patton and the Pistol SAS
• Chapter 14 Towards Forfret’s Berange Farmstead
• Chapter 15 Escape to the American Third Army
• Bibliography
• Plates