The Eagle Has Landed: Liam Devlin, the Legendary SAS Sergeant Who Survived a Daring World War II Mission Behind Enemy Lines

In the annals of World War II, few missions were as audacious or fraught with danger as Operation Eagle. In September 1944, a small group of paratroopers from the British Special Air Service (SAS) were tasked with landing behind enemy lines in Nazi-occupied France to sabotage a key bridge and prepare the way for the impending D-Day invasion. Among them was Sergeant Liam Devlin, a tough and resourceful Irish soldier who would emerge from the mission as a legend.

The Eagle Has Landed (Liam Devlin series Book 1)

by Jack Higgins

4.5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	5343 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
X-Ray	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	372 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

FREE

Born in County Kerry, Ireland, in 1917, Devlin was a natural athlete and adventurer. He joined the Irish Army in 1939, but soon found himself eager for more action. In 1941, he transferred to the SAS, a newly formed unit tasked with carrying out special operations behind enemy lines.

Operation Eagle was Devlin's first major mission. The plan was for the SAS team to parachute into France, sabotage the bridges at Rennes and Nantes, and then rendezvous with Allied forces. The mission was extremely risky, as the SAS team would be operating deep behind enemy lines and would be outnumbered by German troops.

On the night of September 5, 1944, Devlin and his team parachuted into France. They landed near the village of Plumelec, and quickly set out to sabotage their targets. The team successfully blew up the bridge at Rennes, but were forced to abandon their plan to sabotage the bridge at Nantes. They were pursued by German troops, and were forced to fight their way through enemy lines.

During the fighting, Devlin was shot in the leg and captured. He was taken to a German prison camp, where he was tortured and interrogated. Despite the pain and suffering, Devlin refused to betray his comrades or give up any information about the SAS mission. He eventually escaped from the prison camp and made his way back to Allied lines.

Devlin's heroism during Operation Eagle earned him the Military Cross, one of the highest awards for gallantry in the British Army. He was also promoted to sergeant major, and continued to serve with the SAS until the end of the war.

After the war, Devlin returned to Ireland, where he worked as a farmer and businessman. He remained a humble man, and never sought the limelight for his wartime exploits. He passed away in 1990, at the age of 73.

Liam Devlin was a true hero who served his country with distinction. His bravery and determination in the face of extreme danger was an inspiration to all who knew him. He will always be remembered as one of the greatest SAS soldiers of all time.

Legacy

Devlin's legacy lives on in the SAS, where he is considered one of the most legendary soldiers in the unit's history. He was a highly skilled and courageous soldier who was always willing to put himself in harm's way for his country.

Devlin's story is a reminder of the sacrifices that were made by the men and women of the SAS during World War II. They were a brave and dedicated group of soldiers who fought against overwhelming odds to help secure victory for the Allies.

Liam Devlin was a hero in the truest sense of the word. He was a brave and selfless soldier who risked his life to serve his country. His story is an inspiration to us all, and his legacy will continue to live on for generations to come.

The Eagle Has Landed (Liam Devlin series Book 1)

by Jack Higgins

4.5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	5343 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
X-Ray	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	372 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

FREE