The book's argument distinguishes offensive action, intelligence, and work with resistance movements while stressing their connection to main-force operations. It measures return against scarce personnel, training, special equipment, ships, submarines, and aircraft diverted from conventional formations. Raids such as St Nazaire and intelligence operations such as the Bruneval radar seizure produced value because they supported wider campaigns. The warning is that private armies and guerrilla movements cannot cheaply substitute for the main-force navies, armies, and air forces needed to defeat a determined opponent.
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War Behind Enemy Lines on special forces and strategy
Julian Thompson's War Behind Enemy Lines asks whether special forces produce enough strategic return to justify the people, equipment, and conventional support they consume.