Red Over Green

Red Over Green, first published in 1956, is a novel set in the period of 1938-1940, and is based, in part, on author Robert Henriques’ own experiences with the British Commandos, a special forces unit formed in 1940. Much of the novel, however, concern main character Barry Maurice’s love for his wife who has an incurable disease, and an his love for a young woman who Barry has helped get a divorce from her husband. Other portions of the book describe the recruiting, waiting, leaves in London, training, and planning, and finally the actual Commando raid and aftermath in a military hospital. Overall, a realistic look at human frailties, the unpreparedness of England for the war, the lack of trained personnel, and how a Commando operation was planned and executed.