Popski's Private Army

On the 6th of May 1945 men in wheeled vehicles crossed the mosaic floor of the Piazza San Marco in Venice for the very first time in history. They drove around the square seven times in the small, heavily armoured vehicles in which they'd fought their way across North Africa, Italy, and were to travel on to Austria. At the head of this curious band was a man who sported a hook for a hand, and a nom de guerre which was similarly incongruous for a 48 year old Major in the British army. Vladimir Peniakoff, or "Popski" as he became known, was the enigmatic Belgian born son of White Russian emigres, who had until recent years "pursued the ordinary activities of industry" as a discontented sugar refiner in Egypt. Having tutored himself, alone in the Sand Sea but for the navigational instruments of antiquity, he emerged from the wilderness to train the men who accompanied him through the years of turmoil to this long dreamt of moment of victory. "Private Army" is one of the finest military memoirs I have read, and ranks alongside Fitzroy McLean's "Eastern Approaches" and TE Lawrence's "The Mint". This is the authoritative work on Popski's Private Army, but is much more than a Regimental history. This is a superb piece of literature which you will not quickly forget. Read also "With Popski's Private Army" by Ben Owen, a superb companion book to the above.

This book is hard to find but well worth the effort. Peniakoff led a facinating life and this book is a must for anybody interested in World War II special operations.

Vladimir Peniakoff was one of the greatest commandoes to come out of WWII, along with Otto Skorzeny, Claire Chennault, and David Stirling. This very readable account of his exploits in the desert and Italy show the romance of the warmonger, not only of Popski himself but off the PPA as well. The most intriguing parts of the book to me are the parts that show the craft of the warrior, like celestial navigation, trickery Sun Tzu would be proud off, and the romance of forming and leading commandoes. To anyone interested in the very beginings of desert warfare, this is a must read. Tactics formed by Bagnold and Easonsmith are still very relevant today. Plus Popski's adventures with his "Pisspot" give land celestial navigation a face. If you were going to read books about the "Navy Seals" or "Marine Force Recon" ect. read this one, It's very entertaining.

Very readable narrative account of long range desert operations behind enemy lines, in some extremely severe conditions. Almost unbelievable accounts detailing methods in which Popski himself outwitted the enemy and feats of human endurance... i.e. walking 100's of miles in uncharted desert. Mindblowing facts about navigations and movement in desert... i.e. a whole day to drive a jeep 300 yards !!! A definite 'Must - read' for anyone interested in first-hand accounts of WW2 operations.

One of the most fascinating small units in World War II was PPA, so called because no-one could pronounce Peniakoff. The unit served behind the German lines in Libya ,N Africa and Italy. On one occasion, Popski who was fluent in most European languages, asked for and obtained the ration requirements for German garrison troops to determine their strength and the location of their positions. This book recounts a story that is hard to believe even today. A very good read for World War II buffs