Ghost Riders

April 1945. As Alliedbombs rain down on Europe, a 400-year-old institution looks set to be wiped offthe face of the Earth. The famous white Lipizzaner stallions of the SpanishRiding School in Vienna, unique and precious animals representing centuries ofcareful breeding, are scattered across rural Austria and Czechoslovakia inareas soon to be swallowed up by Soviet forces - there, doubtless, to becomerations for the Red Army. Their only hope lies withthe Americans: what if a small, highly mobile US task force could be sent deepbehind German lines, through fanatical SS troops, to rescue the horses beforethe Soviets arrive. Just five light tanks, a handful of armoured cars and jeeps,and 300 battle-weary GIs must plunge headlong into the unknown on a rescuemission that could change the course of European history. So beginsOperation Cowboy, the greatest Second World War story that has never been fullytold. GIs will join forces with surrendered German soldiers and liberatedprisoners of war to save the world's finest horses from fanatical SS and theruthless Red Army in an extraordinary battle during the last few days of thewar in Europe.

Mark Felton is awell-known British historian whose numerous books and articles on militaryhistory have received international attention. His last book Castle of the Eagles ('an extraordinaryand largely forgotten wartime story, brought back to life in this Boys' Ownaccount' - Daily Mail) has beenoptioned by Hollywood for movie development, as has his Zero Night ('a thundering good read' - History of War). After a decade working in Shanghai, Mark now livesin Norwich.