Phil Ward

Roman Candle Phil Ward

In this sequel to Blood Wings, U. S. Major John Randal, commander of Strategic Raiding Forces, returns in Roman Candle, the second book in a trilogy within the Raiding Forces Series about the Abyssinian Campaign. Major Randal is raising a guerrilla army 600 miles behind the enemy lines in Italian East Africa. In the north Col. Orde Wingate will be leading a column of rag-tad band of Patriots to install the exiled Emperor back on his thorn, out of the Sudan the Kaid will be attacking with two Indian Divisions into the mountainous Kern stronghold and from the south out of Kenya the East Africa Force will be attacking up the Red Sea coastline to clear it of Italians in order for the British Middle East Command to qualify for Lend Lease. The Empire Forces are attacking against at least 10 to 1 odds. The only hope of success is for Major Randal's guerrilla army, called Force N, to disrupt the Blackshirts lines-of communications and for the attacking army's to maintain the element of surprise. At the last minute it is learned the Italians have a master spy in Kenya. Unless he is discovered and eliminated the invasion will fail.