Overview

Special Forces Berlin relates the history of a little known and highly classified US Army Special Forces Detachment that was covertly stationed in Berlin, Germany from 1956 to 1990, poised to act if war ever broke out between the West and the Soviet Union and its allies. It is a little-known fact that during the Cold War, two U.S. Army Special Forces detachments were stationed far behind the Iron Curtain in West Berlin. The existence and missions of the two detachments were highly classified secrets. The massive armies of the Soviet Union and its Warsaw Pact allies posed a huge threat to the nations of Western Europe. US military planners decided they needed a plan to slow the juggernaut they expected when and if a war began. The plan was Special Forces Berlin. The first 40 men who came to Berlin in mid-1956 were soon reinforced by 60 more and these 100 soldiers (and their successors) would stand ready to go to war at only two hours' notice, in a hostile area occupied by nearly one million Warsaw Pact forces, until 1990. Their mission should hostilities commence was to wreak havoc behind enemy lines, and buy time for vastly outnumbered NATO forces to conduct a breakout from the city. In reality it was an ambitious and extremely dangerous mission, even suicidal. Highly trained and fluent in German, each man was allocated a specific area. They were skilled in clandestine operations, sabotage, intelligence tradecraft and able to act if necessary as independent operators, blending into the local population and working unseen in a city awash with spies looking for information on their every move. Special Forces Berlin was a one of a kind unit that had no parallel. It left a legacy of a new type of soldier expert in unconventional warfare, one that was sought after for other deployments including the attempted rescue of American hostages from Tehran in 1979. With the U.S. government officially acknowledging their existence in 2014, their incredible story can now be told. AUTHOR: James Stejskal served for 23 years with Special Forces, including two tours in Berlin, retiring as a Chief Warrant Officer 4. He then served 13 years with the CIA as a senior Operations Office (Case Officer) in Africa, Europe and Asia. He is now a military historian and conflict archaeologist. He has previously been published in journals such as the South African Journal of Military Studies and this is his second book. 170 photographs

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... a story that had to be told, and who better to tell it than Chief Warrant Officer James Stejskal who has established his credentials as a historian and researcher in various articles as well as his seminal work on the Swakop River Campaign and World War I in South West Africa The Horns of the Beast. In addition, his service in the US Army Special Forces in Berlin during the 1970s and 80s gives him the insight to comment cogently on that portion of US Army Special Forces history that impacted on the doctrine of both urban unconventional warfare and counter terror operations. ... a historical record without which the story of United States Army Special Forces would not be complete. Congratulations to Chief Stejskal on an excellent work of military history. --CSM Jeffrey Raker, US Army Special Forces (Retired) The Drop: The Journal of the Special Forces Association, Summer 2016 ...an invaluable resource to historians and policymakers on the history of a unique special operations force... James Stejskal has done a huge service to his Nation and the special operations community by diligently creating this work--it truly shows how special operations forces are strategic assets for the United States. More importantly, however, it is a huge testament to the professionalism of the soldiers who served in Berlin in Detachment A and Physical Security Support Element-Berlin B during the Cold War years of 1956-1990. --Col Thomas C. Greenwood, USMC (Ret) Marine Corps Gazette ...part of the book is straight out of a le Carre plot. The Cold War in Europe is an often overlooked part of American military history because it stayed cold. But as this book shows, for the men serving on the front lines next to the Iron Curtain, conflict was always a real possibility that could happen at any time. Their sacrifice and service helped ensure the eventual collapse of communism in Eastern Europe and the peaceful reunification of Germany. --New York Journal of Books A fascinating look inside special ops in the Cold War period. --The Armourer James Stejskal has performed a great service to not only Special Forces but to the national security community by researching and writing this highly readable and anecdote filled history of one of the most unsung military organizations in the Cold War... this is one of the best examples of applied unconventional warfare in special operations history. --Small Wars Journal James Stejskal tells an important story... This book is excellent and it is well written. --International Journal of Intelligence and Counterintelligence, Vol. 31, Issue 1 More akin to a spy thriller...Truly a fascinating time, which this intriguing book examines from an entirely fresh perspective. --History of War Reads like a thriller for much of the time - a small, select force ready for action should the Soviets escalate their activities in Western Europe - nothing much has changed in the last sixty years or so! --Books Monthly This book is excellent and it is well written. One characteristic the Directorate of Operations and the Directorate of Intelligence at CIA had in common: understandable diction. Every sentence and every word is understandable. --International Journal of Intelligence and Counterintelligence This in-depth history of a little-known military organization is written by one of its veterans. It details the myriad ways in which these soldiers planned, trained, and prepared to fight the next global conflagration in East Germany. They also carried out clandestine missions, and as their reputation grew they were even drawn into operation involving Iran during the hostage crisis of the late 1970s. All of this is laid out in the sort of stark detail only a true participant can convey. --Military Heritage Special Forces Berlin is a must-read for military historians and should be mandatory reading for future generations of professional military leaders. In addition to adding to the body of knowledge of the Cold War years, the author--himself a former Green Beret--has lifted the veil of secrecy surrounding an elite Special Forces organization. The incredible story of these unsung heroes needed to be told. Stejskal has helped bring Special Forces Berlin in from the cold. --Command Sgt. Maj. Jimmie W. Spencer ARMY Far too often, unit histories are a combination of tall tales, in-jokes, and details without any context. [Stejskal has] succeeded in placing a very small and unknown unit in the larger context of the Cold War in Europe, producing an account that is historically accurate and judicious and yet enjoyable to read. This study is rewarding for anyone interested in the Cold War, Special Forces, or Berlin. In fact, this is a considerable achievement, a contribution to history that gives the reader a micro-view of the realities of military life. --Col. Jonathan House, American Military Historian and Author

His [Stejskal's] intimate knowledge of special operations in Berlin, personal experiences, and passion shine through in his writing, resulting in an enjoyable and engaging book that places readers in the visual environment he creates. * The US Army War College Quarterly: Parameters * ...a dramatically gripping account... * Journal of Counterterrorism & Homeland Security International *

...a decent and valuable study of a little-known topic whose significance is enhanced by the continuing challenges in the US-Russia strategic relationship in Europe and elsewhere. -- Studies in Intelligence ...an important addition to the history of American guerrilla warfare... -- Military Review ...impressively informative, expertly organized and presented, making it a unique and unreservedly recommended addition to community, college, and university library Cold War era Intelligence & Espionage History collections. -- Midwest Book Review ...part of the book is straight out of a le Carre plot. The Cold War in Europe is an often overlooked part of American military history because it stayed cold. But as this book shows, for the men serving on the front lines next to the Iron Curtain, conflict was always a real possibility that could happen at any time. Their sacrifice and service helped ensure the eventual collapse of communism in Eastern Europe and the peaceful reunification of Germany. -- New York Journal of Books A fascinating look inside special ops in the Cold War period. -- The Armourer Far too often, unit histories are a combination of tall tales, in-jokes, and details without any context. [Stejskal has] succeeded in placing a very small and unknown unit in the larger context of the Cold War in Europe, producing an account that is historically accurate and judicious and yet enjoyable to read. This study is rewarding for anyone interested in the Cold War, Special Forces, or Berlin. In fact, this is a considerable achievement, a contribution to history that gives the reader a micro-view of the realities of military life. --Col. Jonathan House, American Military Historian and Author James Stejskal has performed a great service to not only Special Forces but to the national security community by researching and writing this highly readable and anecdote filled history of one of the most unsung military organizations in the Cold War... this is one of the best examples of applied unconventional warfare in special operations history. -- Small Wars Journal James Stejskal tells an important story... This book is excellent and it is well written. -- International Journal of Intelligence and Counterintelligence, Vol. 31, Issue 1 More akin to a spy thriller...Truly a fascinating time, which this intriguing book examines from an entirely fresh perspective. -- History of War Reads like a thriller for much of the time - a small, select force ready for action should the Soviets escalate their activities in Western Europe - nothing much has changed in the last sixty years or so! -- Books Monthly This book is excellent and it is well written. One characteristic the Directorate of Operations and the Directorate of Intelligence at CIA had in common: understandable diction. Every sentence and every word is understandable. -- International Journal of Intelligence and Counterintelligence This in-depth history of a little-known military organization is written by one of its veterans. It details the myriad ways in which these soldiers planned, trained, and prepared to fight the next global conflagration in East Germany. They also carried out clandestine missions, and as their reputation grew they were even drawn into operation involving Iran during the hostage crisis of the late 1970s. All of this is laid out in the sort of stark detail only a true participant can convey. -- Military Heritage This is a book in which the author colorfully and engagingly describes many of the unit's activities with such detail and tension such that sections of this book are every bit as page-turning as a Robert Ludlum thriller. -- Globe at War With this excellent telling, James Stejskal has made an important contribution on several levels to our acknowledged history of US Army Special Forces and the development of today's American special operations capability. The book recognizes a unit, the members of which were among the most impactful of giants on whose shoulders the current special operators stand, whether in the SF groups or in the most clandestine of our special operations 'SMU' outfits... Their exploits, known to few by design, but long rumored can now be shared with the public and SOF professionals. It is fitting too that the unit be recognized and her members honored before time finishes with these great men. --LTG Charles T. Cleveland, US Army (Retired) ... a story that had to be told, and who better to tell it than Chief Warrant Officer James Stejskal who has established his credentials as a historian and researcher in various articles as well as his seminal work on the Swakop River Campaign and World War I in South West Africa The Horns of the Beast. In addition, his service in the US Army Special Forces in Berlin during the 1970s and 80s gives him the insight to comment cogently on that portion of US Army Special Forces history that impacted on the doctrine of both urban unconventional warfare and counter terror operations. ... a historical record without which the story of United States Army Special Forces would not be complete. Congratulations to Chief Stejskal on an excellent work of military history. --CSM Jeffrey Raker, US Army Special Forces (Retired) The Drop: The Journal of the Special Forces Association, Summer 2016 ...an invaluable resource to historians and policymakers on the history of a unique special operations force... James Stejskal has done a huge service to his Nation and the special operations community by diligently creating this work--it truly shows how special operations forces are strategic assets for the United States. More importantly, however, it is a huge testament to the professionalism of the soldiers who served in Berlin in Detachment A and Physical Security Support Element-Berlin B during the Cold War years of 1956-1990. --Col Thomas C. Greenwood, USMC (Ret) Marine Corps Gazette Special Forces Berlin is a must-read for military historians and should be mandatory reading for future generations of professional military leaders. In addition to adding to the body of knowledge of the Cold War years, the author--himself a former Green Beret--has lifted the veil of secrecy surrounding an elite Special Forces organization. The incredible story of these unsung heroes needed to be told. Stejskal has helped bring Special Forces Berlin in from the cold. --Command Sgt. Maj. Jimmie W. Spencer ARMY

Far too often, unit histories are a combination of tall tales, in-jokes, and details without any context. [Stejskal has] succeeded in placing a very small and unknown unit in the larger context of the Cold War in Europe, producing an account that is historically accurate and judicious and yet enjoyable to read. This study is rewarding for anyone interested in the Cold War, Special Forces, or Berlin. In fact, this is a considerable achievement, a contribution to history that gives the reader a micro-view of the realities of military life. --Col. Jonathan House, American Military Historian and Author Special Forces Berlin is a must-read for military historians and should be mandatory reading for future generations of professional military leaders. In addition to adding to the body of knowledge of the Cold War years, the author--himself a former Green Beret--has lifted the veil of secrecy surrounding an elite Special Forces organization. The incredible story of these unsung heroes needed to be told. Stejskal has helped bring Special Forces Berlin in from the cold. --Command Sgt. Maj. Jimmie W. Spencer ARMY James Stejskal has performed a great service to not only Special Forces but to the national security community by researching and writing this highly readable and anecdote filled history of one of the most unsung military organizations in the Cold War... this is one of the best examples of applied unconventional warfare in special operations history. --Small Wars Journal Reads like a thriller for much of the time - a small, select force ready for action should the Soviets escalate their activities in Western Europe - nothing much has changed in the last sixty years or so! --Books Monthly More akin to a spy thriller...Truly a fascinating time, which this intriguing book examines from an entirely fresh perspective. --History of War This in-depth history of a little-known military organization is written by one of its veterans. It details the myriad ways in which these soldiers planned, trained, and prepared to fight the next global conflagration in East Germany. They also carried out clandestine missions, and as their reputation grew they were even drawn into operation involving Iran during the hostage crisis of the late 1970s. All of this is laid out in the sort of stark detail only a true participant can convey. --Military Heritage James Stejskal tells an important story... This book is excellent and it is well written. --International Journal of Intelligence and Counterintelligence, Vol. 31, Issue 1 A fascinating look inside special ops in the Cold War period. --The Armourer This book is excellent and it is well written. One characteristic the Directorate of Operations and the Directorate of Intelligence at CIA had in common: understandable diction. Every sentence and every word is understandable. --International Journal of Intelligence and Counterintelligence ... a story that had to be told, and who better to tell it than Chief Warrant Officer James Stejskal who has established his credentials as a historian and researcher in various articles as well as his seminal work on the Swakop River Campaign and World War I in South West Africa The Horns of the Beast. In addition, his service in the US Army Special Forces in Berlin during the 1970s and 80s gives him the insight to comment cogently on that portion of US Army Special Forces history that impacted on the doctrine of both urban unconventional warfare and counter terror operations. ... a historical record without which the story of United States Army Special Forces would not be complete. Congratulations to Chief Stejskal on an excellent work of military history. --CSM Jeffrey Raker, US Army Special Forces (Retired) The Drop: The Journal of the Special Forces Association, Summer 2016 ...part of the book is straight out of a le Carre plot. The Cold War in Europe is an often overlooked part of American military history because it stayed cold. But as this book shows, for the men serving on the front lines next to the Iron Curtain, conflict was always a real possibility that could happen at any time. Their sacrifice and service helped ensure the eventual collapse of communism in Eastern Europe and the peaceful reunification of Germany. --New York Journal of Books ...an invaluable resource to historians and policymakers on the history of a unique special operations force... James Stejskal has done a huge service to his Nation and the special operations community by diligently creating this work--it truly shows how special operations forces are strategic assets for the United States. More importantly, however, it is a huge testament to the professionalism of the soldiers who served in Berlin in Detachment A and Physical Security Support Element-Berlin B during the Cold War years of 1956-1990. --Col Thomas C. Greenwood, USMC (Ret) Marine Corps Gazette

Far too often, unit histories are a combination of tall tales, in-jokes, and details without any context. [Stejskal has] succeeded in placing a very small and unknown unit in the larger context of the Cold War in Europe, producing an account that is historically accurate and judicious and yet enjoyable to read. This study is rewarding for anyone interested in the Cold War, Special Forces, or Berlin. In fact, this is a considerable achievement, a contribution to history that gives the reader a micro-view of the realities of military life. --Col. Jonathan House, American Military Historian and Author Special Forces Berlin is a must-read for military historians and should be mandatory reading for future generations of professional military leaders. In addition to adding to the body of knowledge of the Cold War years, the author--himself a former Green Beret--has lifted the veil of secrecy surrounding an elite Special Forces organization. The incredible story of these unsung heroes needed to be told. Stejskal has helped bring Special Forces Berlin in from the cold. --Command Sgt. Maj. Jimmie W. Spencer ARMY James Stejskal tells an important story... This book is excellent and it is well written. --International Journal of Intelligence and Counterintelligence, Vol. 31, Issue 1 This book is excellent and it is well written. One characteristic the Directorate of Operations and the Directorate of Intelligence at CIA had in common: understandable diction. Every sentence and every word is understandable. --International Journal of Intelligence and Counterintelligence James Stejskal has performed a great service to not only Special Forces but to the national security community by researching and writing this highly readable and anecdote filled history of one of the most unsung military organizations in the Cold War... this is one of the best examples of applied unconventional warfare in special operations history. --Small Wars Journal Reads like a thriller for much of the time - a small, select force ready for action should the Soviets escalate their activities in Western Europe - nothing much has changed in the last sixty years or so! --Books Monthly More akin to a spy thriller...Truly a fascinating time, which this intriguing book examines from an entirely fresh perspective. --History of War This in-depth history of a little-known military organization is written by one of its veterans. It details the myriad ways in which these soldiers planned, trained, and prepared to fight the next global conflagration in East Germany. They also carried out clandestine missions, and as their reputation grew they were even drawn into operation involving Iran during the hostage crisis of the late 1970s. All of this is laid out in the sort of stark detail only a true participant can convey. --Military Heritage A fascinating look inside special ops in the Cold War period. --The Armourer ...part of the book is straight out of a le Carre plot. The Cold War in Europe is an often overlooked part of American military history because it stayed cold. But as this book shows, for the men serving on the front lines next to the Iron Curtain, conflict was always a real possibility that could happen at any time. Their sacrifice and service helped ensure the eventual collapse of communism in Eastern Europe and the peaceful reunification of Germany. --New York Journal of Books ... a story that had to be told, and who better to tell it than Chief Warrant Officer James Stejskal who has established his credentials as a historian and researcher in various articles as well as his seminal work on the Swakop River Campaign and World War I in South West Africa The Horns of the Beast. In addition, his service in the US Army Special Forces in Berlin during the 1970s and 80s gives him the insight to comment cogently on that portion of US Army Special Forces history that impacted on the doctrine of both urban unconventional warfare and counter terror operations. ... a historical record without which the story of United States Army Special Forces would not be complete. Congratulations to Chief Stejskal on an excellent work of military history. --CSM Jeffrey Raker, US Army Special Forces (Retired) The Drop: The Journal of the Special Forces Association, Summer 2016 ...an invaluable resource to historians and policymakers on the history of a unique special operations force... James Stejskal has done a huge service to his Nation and the special operations community by diligently creating this work--it truly shows how special operations forces are strategic assets for the United States. More importantly, however, it is a huge testament to the professionalism of the soldiers who served in Berlin in Detachment A and Physical Security Support Element-Berlin B during the Cold War years of 1956-1990. --Col Thomas C. Greenwood, USMC (Ret) Marine Corps Gazette

Author Information

James Stejskal, after 35 years of service with US Army Special Forces and the Central Intelligence Agency, is a uniquely qualified historian and novelist. He is the author of Special Forces Berlin: Clandestine Cold War Operations of the US Army’s Elite, 1956–1990; Masters of Mayhem: Lawrence of Arabia and the British Military Mission to the Hejaz; No Moon as Witness; and The Snake Eater Chronicles.

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