In the aftermath of the Dunkirk evacuation in 1940, Roger 'Jumbo' Pountney is ordered to form and train a small group of canoeists. Taking as his paddler and second-in-command Lieutenant Philip Ayton of the Royal Marines, they command a body of men, known as No.1 Special Boat Section, who are as ruthless and independent as any that fought in World War II.

They employ Folbot kayaks to get ashore from submarines to attack vital enemy targets in the Mediterranean and in these hazardous clandestine operations, skill and stealth count just as much as bravery. It is in the midst of these battles that the reputation of the legendary SBS would be forged.

Based on early SBS missions undertaken during World War II, this is classic military fiction at its best.