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Thread: New Book - Harry Furness Biography: The Solitary War of a Sniper

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  1. #21
    Legacy Member Riter's Avatar
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    I used everything that Harry could tell me in my own work. I'm sure Nigel or Martin could share more insights. They knew Harry and either had more time with him. I only exchanged emails and a couple of letters.

    I also drew from Harry's contributions in Rocky Chandler's series, Death From Afar. Harry wrote a lot of snippets (tips) that Chandler published and I republished them (Fair Use Doctrine).

    Harry told me he used to carry that Commando knife on his lower leg. Then during Market Garden his company advanced and he noticed his knife was missing. He backtracked and luckily found it sticking up in the grass. He did some horsetrading with an American paratrooper for a bayonet sheath and thereafter carried the knife in the bayonet sheath (which was worn on his belt).
    Last edited by Riter; 07-02-2025 at 08:33 PM. Reason: Since the Sykes-Fairbairn Commando knife was in Nigel's interview

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    On a side note there was written in Hathcocks book (He mentioned it) that on one mission he was tasked with was to take out a spook from memory a man in a grey suit pops up.
    He also stated he took out a Chinese General on a boat going along a river somewhere (Cambodia! possibly)
    *I have read this somewhere in the 3 books I have on Carlos.

    It would be very naïve of us to think that our various Govts have not furthered their political sway in certain areas to eliminate persons of interest that are seen as a threat or roadblock.
    Last edited by CINDERS; Yesterday at 02:43 AM.

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    Got it and started reading it yesterday.
    34a cp., btg. Susa, 3° rgt. Alpini

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  7. #24
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    Quote Originally Posted by Ovidio View Post
    Got it and started reading it yesterday.
    Quit Rubbing it in Ovidio

    I don't think I want to hear anymore.
    I'm Looking to stash this away to read during the cold winter here, that comes too soon and hangs on too long.

    Is Harry in one particular volume of the series in Death From Afar?
    I'd like to gather what I can to read about him, if anyone can direct me further.
    I'd appreciate that help.

    Thx,
    Charlie-Painter777

    A Country Has No Greater Responsibility Than To Care For Those Who Served...

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    Quote Originally Posted by Riter View Post
    Over a decade ago around 2009-10 Harry told me that MoD instructed him not to discuss anything about his wartime activities. They monitored his email and when I asked some questions, he answered and then wrote me that MoD was telling him again to shut up. State Secrets Act. I never asked about anything sensitive like his missions (or kill count) but some very general information (selection, places where trained, operating by himself or with a spotter).
    Seriously? Capt. Shore was writing about his experiences in the 1950s, even discussing training in detail IIRC.

    There are books out there by people who claim to have brought Martin Bormann out of Berlin or flown ME262s out of Hungaryicon...

    Was Mr. Furness something other than a sniper in a line regiment?

    Don't you think perhaps he was perhaps suffering from PTSD and/or was simply tired of being asked questions and this was perhaps a polite way of dealing with such inquiries?

    BTW, since you're gathering this sort of stuff, here's a post that no longer seems to be online you might find interesting; just came across the print out from 2014 the other day.
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    Last edited by Surpmil; Yesterday at 09:15 PM.
    “There are invisible rulers who control the destinies of millions. It is not generally realized to what extent the words and actions of our most influential public men are dictated by shrewd persons operating behind the scenes.”

    Edward Bernays, 1928

    Much changes, much remains the same.

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