The Sixteen: The Covert Assassination Squad that went beyond the SAS - Hardcover

Urwin, John

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1904132146 ISBN 13: 9781904132141

Publisher: Vision, 2002

Synopsis

"A member of the Sixteen—an elite, ultra-secret group of handpicked men who were charged with carrying out assassinations in the Middle East and Eastern Europe during the Cold War—John Urwin has decided to break the code of silence and speak for the first time about his covert unit. This true story reveals how Urwin was trained extensively in the use of extraordinary weapons and military techniques that were not made available to other parts of the armed services. He describes weapons such as the sash, which looks like a normal trouser belt but has serrated edges and when released lashes out and upward at astonishing speed, taking the face off anyone standing within a four-foot radius. Urwin recounts his training in unarmed combat, survival skills, and fear-elimination techniques. He also discloses the Sixteen's mission to assassinate Communist sympathizers in the military and their dispatch to Egypt on orders to assassinate President Nasser, a mission that was aborted with only hours to spare. This book is not just about military intrigue and covert ops—it is also about a band of young men whose secrecy, skills, and professionalism earned them a place in the Sixteen."

About this title

From the Author:

I would like to take this opportunity to thank Alun, Wilfred and Jonathon for the reviews they have kindly given to my book. It's very gratifying to know that you all enjoyed it so much and your views are greatly appreciated. However, even more rewarding is the fact that you all 'had the ability to read between the lines' as Alun puts it, and so picked up on the very essence of 'The Sixteen'.

As I stated in the book's preface, I did not write my story as any form of expose', indeed the book only documents something in the region of perhaps 10% of the groups' real skills and capabilities, simply scratching the surface of what I actually know.

It was a very conscious decision on my part to merely recount a fraction of my knowledge; a taster if you like, in order to draw attention to the fact that such a highly skilled group existed and, hopefully, word will eventually filter through to the right authorities.

For obvious reasons, and because I understand the true meaning of the word 'covert', I will never educate the enemy (whoever and wherever they might be)and have therefore witheld the greater part of the facts in order to expose, as Alun again so rightly states '...the inadequacies of the present day military and intelligence establishment...'. My aim was has always been to simply provide a suggestion as to how things should, and could, be done because I believe it to be a great shame that so many good men in Special Forces units today sadly appear to lack even the most basic of the skills that I still possess (as indicated in their own words in a variety of publications).

Thank you all once again, lads. Let's hope you're right Alun and my book rings the right bells then, perhaps, the relevant 'authorities' will make contact with me before it's too late!

John Urwin
09.10.02

Synopsis:

An insider's account of a covert and elite branch of the British military service. Reveals secret training techniques, weapons and activities of 'The Sixteen'. Details the author's involvement in events during the Middle East crisis of the late '50s Describes top secret missions which involved assassinations made to look like robberies or suicides. In 1957, the author was secretly observed during his National Service basic training and was specifically targeted and selected whilst stationed in the Middle East to become 'Geordie', one of an elite, covert group known only to one another as 'The Sixteen'. After highly specialised training which involved a top secret fear elimination technique, the efficient use of lethal weapons exclusive to the group and unique unarmed combat skills, John Urwin tells for the first time, the role he and 'The Sixteen' played in the Middle East crisis beginning in the late 1950s. His missions included the successful assassination of key figures to protect British Secret Agents. The weapons and military techniques described are not known or adopted by any part of the armed forces including Special Forces Worldwide, the Commandos and the SAS.

Told with gripping pace the reader is introduced to the other members of the group as they embark on missions where their secrecy, skills, character and sheer professionalism made them proud to be a part of The Sixteen.

About this edition

• Publisher: Vision
• Publication date: 2002
• ISBN 10: 1904132146
• ISBN 13: 9781904132141
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 269