What are you reading at the moment?

I haven't got out of North Africa yet, actually! I'll try to look later.

 

On other Spitfire news, I'm slogging my way through this. More a reference than a quick read it has more than you possibly ever though you wanted to know about the Spitfire between its covers. It opens with the tidbit that one of the inital names considered for this iconic fighter was the Shrew. Not got quite the same ring to it, does it?

 

If it had been called the Shrew then it could have been played in the movies by Elizabeth Taylor.

 

Four WW1 and WW2 books read on vacation so I've taken a brief interlude from the military:

 

I've just finished reading 'Winter in Madrid' by CJ Sansom, fictional spy thriller set just after The Spanish Civil War, with the lead character being a Dunkirk veteran. Nice little page turner, so i've just picked up his other stand alone book 'Dominion' which is set in 1952 following an alternate reality where Britain accepted peace terms after Dunkirk. Neither are my usual cup of tea but i'm enjoying them.

 

British Armour in the Normandy Campaign 1944,
John Buckley, Routledge, 2004


​

I actually finished this a couple of weeks ago but it has taken me this long to "cogitate and inwardly digest" in order to try to do justice to this superb book.

We're all familiar with the popular opinion that Allied armour in Normandy was of poor quality and badly used, and that the Allies only defeated German forces by sheer weight (of numbers and firepower). Buckley's book goes a long way to redressing that perception. He examines the factors 21 AG and Montgomery were operating under - increasing manpower shortages, the perceived fragilty of British and Canadian troops and the overwhelming weight of materiel that the Allies had over German forces.

He examines in turn how the campaign was fought and 21AG operational techniques, the "Tank gap", the design and production of armour and the morale and motivation of the troops. Criticism is given where Buckley feels it is due. Buckley shows that Allied understanding of the use of Armour was flawed and did not fit in with the technique of carefully controlled set-piece battles that Montgomery had developed in the desert and played to the overwhelming fire-power of the Allies.

Also by 1944 the balance on the battlefield had shifted to the defence. Given the nature of the countryside and the German strategy of contesting every foot, offence was likely to be costly - as the German found when they attempted to attack.

Armour-Infantry cooperation was poor to begin with and had been be-devilled by an unclear and patchily applied policy. But Commanders retained the freedom to interpret doctrine as they saw fit and this soon led to the development of mixed brigade groups and greater tactical flexibilty.

British tank design and production also made mistakes - the artifical restriction imposed by the British railway loading gauge for instance- but after the crisis of 1941-42 , when production was paramount, made good progress. One major failing, Buckley feels, was in the adoption of the dual-purpose MV 75mm gun - a decision based on experience in the desert. The A30 Challenger had proved a disappointment and the new HV 75mm gun was unable to be fitted to the Cromwell. Once this was realised in the spring of 1943 the successful crash development of the Firefly was started.

In the final chapter Buckley examines data on battlefield exhaustion and convictions to explore the contention that veteran units, in particular 7th AD showed lower morale. These rates in Armoured units were generally lower than in the infantry and Buckley finds no link between veteran units and poor performance. Whilst the 7th AD did struggle to adapt to Normandy other veteran formations, such as 3RTR, Sherwood Rangers and 4th AB performed well.

This is decidedly an academic book (unlike the author's more populist Monty's Men) and, in my opinion, all the better for it. If only there were more like it! As a reasoned analysis of how and why Allied armour fought, and eventually won, in Normandy it can't be faulted.

Overall I feel this is the best book on Normandy I've yet read (closely followed by Ben Kites' Stout Hearts) and should be complusory reading for any one that wants to pontificate on the subject of Tigers V Shermans or how wonderful the Panzer divisions were.

Just read it, OK !


Apologies for the length. As always, all opinions are my own.

 

Re-reading War Bush, by John Hamilton. This is in response to several Chindit family enquiries with West African Regimental connections.

 

I've been reading this book about 144 RAC in NW Europe in 1944-45 - one of the best armoured regiment accounts that I've read.



Regards

Tom

 

Never heard of that one, Tom - could you say more?

 

Couple of quick reads here. The destroyer one is a nice study of the Narvik battles with some good background on the development of each side's ships. The Ju 88 looks at bomber useage for the first section so not really 'ace' territory but it does a nice look at the introduction of the type and some of the initial issues the Ju88 had which are often overlooked in its later role as the "best" German medium bomber.

 

https://www.amazon.com/South-Africans-versus-Rommel-Untold/dp/081171781X

South Africans versus Rommel: The Untold Story of the Desert War in World War II

After bitter debate, South Africa, a dominion of the British Empire at the time, declared war on Germany five days after the invasion of Poland in September 1939. Thrust by the British into the campaign against Erwin Rommel’s German Afrika Korps in North Africa, the South Africans fought a see-saw war of defeats followed by successes, culminating in the Battle of El Alamein, where South African soldiers made a significant contribution to halting the Desert Fox’s advance into Egypt. This is the story of an army committed somewhat reluctantly to a war it didn’t fully support, ill-prepared for the battles it was tasked with fighting, and sent into action on the orders of its senior alliance partner. At its heart, however, this is the story of men at war.

Review
David Katz's book South Africans versus Rommel is a timely addition to this country's war histories; providing the descendants our 1941-42 North African Desert War veterans, half of whom were Afrikaners, with an accessible yet detailed andmeticulously researched military history. Katz's book often invokes outrage at commanders'ineptitude with the lives of brave men; this book content is part of ourhistory and identity; it needs to be read. Rapport Newspaper 26 August 2018.

The subtitle of the book "The untold story of the Desert War in World War II" already indicates that the author tried to add a new dimension to the history of the Desert War which in itself had been extensively researched by numerous historians. To provide new insights and especially from a South African perspective would be a daunting task. Katz definitely provides new insights, starting in chapter 1 with a thorough investigation on the issue of military doctrine and how the military history of South Africa led to a different approach in two World Wars from that of the British armed forces under whose command the South Africans had to serve. He explains how the history of the South African armed forces led to the combination of different military cultures and how the political situation in both conflicts made South African commanders even more sensitive to higher casualties. The clash of military doctrines runs like a golden thread through all the arguments, but the opinions are not one-sided from a South African perspective. The amount of research based on an intensive literature study and archival research causes this book to be major contribution to the better understanding of the war in North Africa in the period, 1940 - 1943. Dr James Jacobs Historia, 63, 2, November 2018, pp 168-197

In South Africans Versus Rommel, David Brock Katz presents a thorough, comprehensive, and concise overview of the history of the South African army in North Africa. The narrative includes a brief discussion of the forming of the army after the Boer War and its role during World War II's African Campaign and East African Campaign to remove Italian forces from Abyssinia and Somalia from July 1940 to June 1941.
There is also a rich discussion on the divergent views and doctrinal perspectives on employment of mobile forces in both campaigns. This divergence is one of many of the contributing factors that led to the annihilation of the 5th South African Infantry Brigade at Sidi Rezegh during Operation Crusader. It also helps to explain the defeat in May 1942 of the British 8th Army during the battles near Gazala as well as the fall of Tobruk, which resulted in the surrender of the 2nd South African Infantry Division in June 1942. Even with the differing views on how to fight and employ forces in the North African Desert in 1941-1942, this book is a shining example of the abilities, capabilities, and courage of the South African Defense Forces as it fought against Rommel's Afrika Korps--an equally capable, well lead, and tenacious enemy.
For the military reader or historian, South Africans versus Rommel is an excellent, necessary, and relevant source to begin the process to understand the issues, confusion, and misunderstandings that can arise during coalition or multinational operations. This is an ideal companion for any library, or for those who study or are interested in modern warfare, military history, and war studies in general. Military Review The Professional Journal of the U.S. Army. Lt. Col. Jeffrey L. LaFace, U.S. Army, Retired, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas 30 November 2018

From the Inside Flap
DAVID BROCK KATZ ,
a veteran of the modern-day South African National
Defence Force, completed two years of national
service in 1988 as a young officer. He later served
with a Commando unit through South Africa's difficult
transition to a new democratic dispensation.
There, he was extensively involved with internal
deployment and, until recently, as a member of the
defense force, working closely with the local police
forces in crime prevention operations. As a serving
member of the South African Irish Regiment, he
completed a Masters in Military Science (cum laude)
in the Department of Military History, Stellenbosch
University, at the South African Military Academy.
He has published numerous articles in various
academic journals and regularly presents papers
on military doctrine and different aspects of South
African military history at conferences at home
and abroad. He is registered for a Ph.D. in Military
Science at Stellenbosch University, where he is
studying Smuts as defense minister during the First
World War.

 

The second volume of Roll On, by the daughter of Chindit 1 soldier Captain Tommy Roberts.

 

Thanks for bringing this to my attention.

If it isn't too much trouble, could you tell me whether it goes deeply into the fighting/debate about the South African part in the defence of the Alamein area ("First Alamein") in July 1942--in the wake of the shambles at (successively) Gazala, "The Cauldron", Tobruk and Mersa Matruh?

I'm referring to Pienaar and the 1st S.A. Division (heavily depleted as it was). They had 3rd Brigade in the Alamein Box (by the station) and 1st & 2nd Brigades to the south east on the flank of Ruweisat Ridge.

There's a decent account here:

FIRST BATTLE OF EL ALAMEIN - South African Military History Society

I'm particularly interested in interactions/communications between that formation and 18th Indian Brigade at Deir el Shein and Robcol at Ruweisat Ridge, but also the politics between Piennar, Dorman-Smith and Auchinleck, who 'threatened' / 'offered' (differs by account) to replace them with Australian 9th Division if he judged his position 'untenable', which is basically an implication that it isn't.

 

Can't find the exact cover that my edition has, but I am currently reading The Greatest Raid of All by C. E. Lucas Phillips. I hadn't realized how part of the plan was brilliant (the use of the camouflaged destroyer) and part of it almost completely unsound (the little ships).

 

I have to say, and I know he's unpopular in certain circles, I really enjoyed Jeremy Clarkson's two ventures into military history. It isn't that they're especially well put together (though I've no complaints), but more that he exudes enthusiasm.

The Greatest Raid of All:


The other was about the VC and his father-in-law's award of one at Arnhem.

 

Finally finished this! Really good read.

Are there any more detailed accounts of the escape of a few commandos through occupied France? especially George Wheeler and R. Sims.

 

Brought this recently,
It covers brief historys of german units throughout WW2 and their demise, along with maps and other useful info.
Graham.

 

Seroster asked for some details about this book:



It's relatively short (about 150 odd pages) and published in 1952.

The regiment only served in NW Europe landing shortly after D-day as an armoured regiment in 33 Armoured Brigade. There is good coverage of fighting in Normandy (Charnwood, Pomegranate, Totalise, etc) and of later operations at Le Havre and then in the Netherlands and the Ardennes. The regiment then converted to Buffaloes for the Rhine Crossing (also being renamed as the 4th RTR - to replace the previous 4 RTR which was captured at Tobruk in 1942). Written by the C.O. who led it through the NW Europe campaign, it is notable for his thoughtful remarks on opportunities lost and the difficulties experienced in conducting tank-infantry co-operation.

Highly recommended if you can find a copy - with good maps, list of decorations and ROH.

Regards

Tom

 

Much obliged, Tom!

 

Around a dozen years ago I read a book by Ralph Barker titled ‘The Men of the Bombers’. It is a great book that I have recommended to many people. It consists of stories of bravery of commonwealth airmen during WW2 and its strength was the way in which Barker crafted very detailed stories. It was also his last book.

I have just finished ‘The Ship Busters’ which was published in 1957 and was his second book. Again his strength is how he describes the individuals featured (some of whom he knew) and details the actions in which Bristol Beaufort torpedo bomber squadrons flew. Barker details the early operations and the problems they encountered. He follows through with the ‘rover’ operations, attacking the larger German ships when they made the channel dashes, operations in Malta and attacking Rommel’s supply ships before returning to channel operations towards the end of the war.

It explains clearly the problems and the evolution of strategies that led to involving larger numbers of Beauforts and Beaufighters to successfully sink ships. Two things I took away from the book are firstly that the German flak ships seem to have been remarkably effective in protecting their convoys. Secondly, how brave the crews who flew the Beauforts were (approaching targets at 120mph at 20 feet above the sea) and how many of them were killed.

I have just started reading Patrick Gibbs ‘Torpedo Leader’. Gibbs is mentioned throughout Barker’s book and interestingly Gibbs opens his book with a reflection upon the Beaufort losses and the reasons why he thought they were worth sticking with as an effective weapon.

Barker summed it up fairly succinctly- ‘There was never anything easy about torpedo work, especially when the targets were provided with powerful escorts, and to the end of the war it remained as dangerous and highly skilled a job as any’.

Scott