The Sledge Patrol: A WWII Epic Of Escape, Survival, And Victory Paperback – February 1, 2018

Not only is this an exciting story of a mini-war between Germans and Greenland residents, but also a fascinating portrayal of how the Greenlanders lived and survived in this climate. Mr. Howarth intertwines the drama of the various chases up and down the island with interesting, and sometimes astounding information about dog sledding, living out on the open on the land, hunting, survival during the worst of weather, and how attuned the Greenlanders were with their environment. I found these parts of the book to be as interesting as the stories of the various conflicts with the Germans. The maps he provided really helped me keep straight on who was traveling where and when. This is a book I will not soon forget.

Greenland is the world's largest island and, as of 2022, still has a population of only 57,000 people. It was a colony of Denmark during the period of this book in 1943 and remains so today. During WW2 weather forecasts from Greenland were vital to the planning of convoys of shipping from the USA to Europe.The Nazi's were determined to end weather forecasts to the allies and at the same time provide their own data. When the Nazi's landed a force of 19 men on the island they were opposed by seven civilian hunters and various other people who assisted as support. Denmark had already been conquered by the Nazi's , in a six hour campaign--the Greenlanders were on their own.These few men resisted the Nazi's, none had any military training and were armed only with their hunting rifles, while enduring the harshest of weather conditions. Temperatures were routinely well below zero. Transport was mainly by sledges pulled by teams of dogs. Bears were an ever present threat and it was not unknown for sledges , dog teams and drivers to fall through thin ice and all be lost.Readers will eventually conclude that these men faced the possibility of death almost daily from extreme weather, animals and the Nazis. All the while having no back up and little support except each other. An inspiring read that should not be scanned.As an aside: Greenland is still a Danish colony and still has no means of self defense.

The Sledge Patrol--a hidden gem--is a special treat for those of us who savor 'real life' hair-raising adventures in inclement climates while nestling in our cozy armchairs. David Howarth, a talented military historian and a Good Writer (as Charlotte the spider would say), peels the ice layers off a little-known story of mid-war Allied resistance: a small group of Norwegian Arctic-loving dog sledgers who protected vital meteorological stations in Greenland (sending weather forecasts to the Allies) from a German attempt to destroy them. It's all there--the blizzards, the narrow escapes, the impossible flight to safety, the death that shouldn't have happened. Howarth gives these part time warriors flesh, blood, and complex interior lives. Doubtless the results of WWII would have been the same without the patriotic efforts of the Sledge Patrol, but-- this small book boasts a big story.

This is a great story and an easy read. I am glad that David Howarth recorded this story and preserved this part of World War 2 history. It was my good fortune that son chanced upon, began reading it and clued me in. If you are interested in dog sleds, polar bears, isolation, extreme weather, the clash of the good will of men v. duty, and the drive to go on when it seems that all hope is lost, this is the book for you!

This is a wonderful and compelling story, but it might be better to seek out another edition. The mysterious phrase “45 degrees of frost” is never explained and the washed out photographs are printed on the same paper as the text! Very disappointing.

Book was in good condition as described. Shipping was quick.

"The Sledge Patrol" is set in eastern Greenland during World War 2. Yes, that conflict even extended to the remote Danish colony. Greenland was strategic because weather patterns for Western Europe and surrounding waters form there. This was of obvious and vital interest to the American, British and German navies. Early in the War, the Danish colonial weather stations had broadcast reports "in the clear". Anyone, including the Germans could pick them up. Two critical events take place: Eske Brun, the Danish colonial head decides he had the power to resist German interest in his territory- and formed the Greenland Army with a force of 9 men. Then the Danish weather reports are sent in cipher so that the German navy can no longer eavesdrop. The Germans land a force to establish their own weather station. This the background to SP. What follows is almost as much a tale of personal honor and battling/surviving the Arctic elements than of military action. There is much dashing to and fro on sledges (dog sleds) to the point where this reader lost track of who was going where. The sides vie to avoid each other more than to engage in combat. And since there is minimal fighting and hence no real "bad guys", I found myself losing track of who was on which side. In fact, most of the men on both sides appear as nice, solid guys. The ending is almost academic. Readers will receive an excellent sense of the fierce and beautiful Greenland geography and Eskimo tradition. Mr.Howarth is an excellent writer and interest in his books appears to be going through a well-deserved revival. But one has to be cautious in recommending SP. It is simply too hard to keep track of the action. Furthermore, the maps are inadequate, adding to the confusion. A positive note: SP is well laid out in an eye pleasing typeface and paper stock. So many of us take such for granted but a tip of the hat to an anonymous graphics person is in order. Cautiously, I'm giving out 4 stars, but 3 may be more appropriate due to my frustrations with the maps. It really would have helped to know where these guys were rather than "somewhere in eastern Greenland".