The start of 1943 is a time of great trial for Paddy Mayne – from the capture of David Stirling to the death of his father, Paddy has suffered much personal loss. However, his time to lament is limited when he learns that the SAS is in danger of being disbanded – as ‘the powers that be’ over in GHQ doubt the unit’s use for the war in Europe.

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Paddy must prove to his superiors that the role of the SAS is still essential, wherever the war may lead. Paddy and his men find themselves first in Sicily and then on mainland Italy – a nation with interests aligned with the Nazi regime. Here the SAS men encounter Italian soldiers and civilians alike, with varying attitudes to the arrival of this British specialist forces unit. The SAS must attempt to navigate aspects of war-torn Italy, without making more enemies in the process.

Meanwhile the creation of a newer unit, along with an unexpected arrival, threatens to make things even more difficult for Paddy