The Wild Geese is a 1978 novel by Rhodesian author Daniel Carney published by Bantam Books. He originally titled it The Thin White Line, but it went unpublished until its film adaptation The Wild Geese was made.
Carney could not get his novel published until a chance meeting with film producer Euan Lloyd. Lloyd loved the story about mercenaries in Africa on a mission to rescue a deposed leader, and purchased the rights to adapt it into a film. Carney in return asked for his novel to be published and Lloyd agreed, as he had already had an offer from an American publisher when he had first taken the novel to Hollywood. The novel was finally published as The Wild Geese just before the film's release.
The story
May 1968
Deposed Congolese President Julius Limbani is on a flight to Israel, when his bodyguard is murdered. The CIA have hijacked the plane as part of a Cold War deal with current Congo president General Ndofa. Waiting in the Tel Aviv airport for Limbani is an Anglo-South African mercenary soldier Colonel Allen Faulkner. Faulkner is under contract to take Limbani back to the Congo and mount a coup d'état. When Limbani fails to arrive, Faulkner is left unemployed and returns to South Africa.
November 1970
Over two years have passed and Faulkner is summoned to London by merchant banker Sir Edward Matherson. Faulkner learns that not only is Limbani alive but he is held in Algeria and is to be returned to the Congo for execution. Matherson proposes for Faulkner to raise and lead a mercenary unit to rescue Limbani and bring him to London. With this chance to redeem his tarnished reputation after Limbani was kidnapped under his contracted safety, Faulkner agrees and sets about assembling his team. Three men are top of Faulkner's list; all have served under him in the past and are trusted beyond question. First to be recruited is American Rafer Janders, who at that time is in hiding from the Mafia. They have put out a contract on Janders' life after he killed a local mafioso's nephew for tricking Janders into being a courier of heroin. As Matherson persuades the Mafia into lifting the contract, Faulkner finds Janders holed up above a night club for homosexuals. Whilst waiting for Matherson to deal with the Mafia, Faulkner learns about what has happened to Janders since they last served together seven years ago. With Janders now part of the operation, Faulkner turns to two more comrades from the Congo, Lieutenant Jeremy Chandos and Regimental Sergeant Major Sandy Young.
After recruiting two more officers (Fynn and Coetzee) and 45 NCOs and enlisted men, the group travels to Portuguese-ruled Mozambique for training. Once Young begins training, he quickly becomes resented by most of the men because of his rigid and harsh methods. While Faulkner remains popular with the men, it is not the same for the RSM, who easily defeats an attempt by a few disgruntled mercenaries to kill him. Now respected as well as disliked by the men, RSM Young transforms old, seasoned soldiers and young rookies into a formidable fighting force. As Faulkner and Janders procure their transport and weapons, Chandos, Fynn and Coetzee explore the local nightlife of Lourenço Marques. There Fynn and Chandos meet two local escort girls; Jeremy dates Maria. Shawn dates Gabriella, who is nicknamed Gabby, and finds himself once again with a reason not to go on the mission. Fynn eventually recognises that he has a responsibility to his comrades and flies out with the rest of the mercenaries. However Fynn makes a promise to Gabby that he will return to her when he gets back.