The book, Macdonald Illustrated War Studies: British Airborne Troops (1940 - 1945) represents a comprehensive review of the training, insignia, organization, weapons, equipment, air transport, military operations and unit histories of the British airborne forces during World War II.  Military operations reveals the whole war-time story of the British Airborne forces from the ill-fated raid on the Tragino aqueduct in southern Italy in February 1941 to the Rhine-crossing and the closing stages of the "recapture" of Burma from the Imperial Japanese Army in 1945.  A passing reference is also made to the Special Air Service (SAS) Regiment, as well as, Allied units under the command of the 1st, 6th and Indian Airborne Divisions.  The creation of the British Airborne forces was put into motion shortly after the British Army's defeat and retreat from Dunkirk in May 1940.  Influenced by the German paratroopers swift capture of Holland in the spring of 1940, the British Prime Minister requested that a special commando outfit be assembled for the purpose of conducting hit-and-run raids along the coastline of western Europe.  No. 2 Commando was consequently formed and assigned to R.A.F. Ringway for parachute training.  No. 2 Commando subsequently grew and was eventually split into two parachute divisions and one independent parachute brigade.  The two airborne divisions were in turn comprised of two parachute brigades and one air-landing (glider) brigade.  From 1940 through to the end of the war in September 1945, British Airborne Troops played an important part in many of the Allied victories won in the European, Mediterranean and India-Burma combat theaters.  The major sections in "Macdonald Illustrated War Studies: British Airborne Troops (1940 - 1945)" are as follows: 1) Introduction and Acknowledgements; 2) Parachute Commando; 3) Training And Organization; 4) Insignia, Clothing, Weapons, Equipment and Air Transport; 5) Military Operations - The Red Devils; 6) Military Operations - A Bridge Too Far!; 7) Apendix 1 -The Special Air Service Regiment; 8) Appendix 2 - The Chindits; 9) Appendix 3 - Order Of Battle, 1st and 6th Airborne Divisions; 10) Appendix 4 - 44th Indian Airborne Division; 11) Appendix 5 - Battle Honours Of The Parachute Regiment and 12) Appendix 6 - Select Bibliography.  In addition to an informative narrative, "Macdonald Illustrated War Studies: British Airborne Troops (1940 - 1945)" includes the following features: 1) Approximately 134 vintage black and white photographs and 2) About 17 maps.  "Macdonald Illustrated War Studies: British Airborne Troops (1940 - 1945)" is sure to appeal to the general reader and military expert alike.  This book is 160 pages and is in excellent condition.  The author is Barry Gregory.  Edition published in 1974.