Rifleman cover art

Rifleman

A Front-Line Life from Alamein and Dresden to the Fall of the Berlin Wall

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Rifleman

By: Victor Gregg, Rick Stroud - editor
Narrated by: David John, Victor Gregg
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About this listen

Bloomsbury presents Rifleman by Victor Gregg, read by David John and Victor Gregg.

Born into a working-class family in London in 1919, Victor Gregg enlisted in the Rifle Brigade at nineteen, was sent to the Middle East and saw action in Palestine. Following service in the western desert and at the battle of Alamein, he joined the Parachute Regiment and in September 1944 found himself at the battle of Arnhem. When the paratroopers were forced to withdraw, Gregg was captured. He attempted to escape, but was caught and became a prisoner of war; sentenced to death in Dresden for attempting to escape and burning down a factory, only the allies' infamous raid on the city the night before his execution saved his life.

Gregg's fascinating story, told in a voice that is good-natured and completely original, continues after the end of the war. In the fifties he became chauffeur to the Chairman of the Moscow Norodny bank in London, involved in shady dealings and strange meetings with MI5, MI6 and the KGB. His adventures, though, were not over – in 1989, on one of his many motorbike expeditions into Eastern Europe, he found himself at a rally of 700 people in a field in Sopron at a fence that formed part of the barrier between the Soviet Union and the West. Vic cut the wire, and a few weeks later the Berlin Wall itself was destroyed – a truly unexpected coda to an incredible life lived to the full.

This is the story of a true survivor.©2011 Victor Gregg (P)2019 Bloomsbury Publishing Plc
20th Century Military & War Modern Espionage War Middle East Soviet Union England Military Russia
All stars
Most relevant  
Thoroughly enjoyable and addictive listening, a very colourful and adventurous life.
Disturbing to hear a survivors account of Dresden too, of which I believe the author has produced a book that focuses on just that.

Excellent, highly recommended

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Fantastic story of a truly interesting life with a fitting narration. Highly recommended . .

Great listen

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I really enjoyed this title and recommend it to anyone who loves a good yarn. RIP

Very enjoyable listen

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Simply superb listening. A marvellous life story well told and enthralling throughout. Well worth listening about this gentleman’s extraordinary life

Super

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