One of my favourite authors Ken Ford. (Wrote a couple of excellent books about 43rd Division back in the 1980s.) This one is excellent. Written with the approval of the "Battleaxe Club". Which means there are lots of Veteran's stories, good clear maps and some interesting photos. Though I'd like to see more of the latter. I've only just started it and am very impressed. Only just got past the Battle for Longstop Hill and Fall of Tunis. Some funny anecdotes alongside some heartbreaking episodes. Thanks to the wonders of the Internet as I'm reading the book I'm cross referencing with various websites, including our own Gerry Chester's on the Northern Irish Horse. Also whenever a fallen soldier is mentioned by name I'm looking him up on the CWGC site. It makes them become real people and not just names in a book. Looking forward to reading more. £5.99 from Play.com
(Gerry Chester @ Jan 19 2006, 01:53 PM) [post=44539]Excellent book - accurate with close attention to detail! Gerry in Bali [/b] Hi Gerry, Checked out all those wrecks yet?
Now they've just been relieved by the Poles at Cassino. May I suggest if you want a good read BUY IT!
Been checking Paul Reed's WW2 website and he's been to Italy witha Veteran of 5th Northamptons,11th Bde,78th Div. They located the site of where Fus. Jefferson won his VC. Check it out **click here**
Finished it now. The part with the lads of the Div trashing Cairo had me laughing out loud, wish I'd been there. Book ends with the difficult and morally challenging job of repatriating the Cossacks and other nationalities back to the Soviets. One of the best books I've read for awhile. 78th Div first class fighting unit who as the book says fought in the un-fashionable theatres of Tunisia and Italy. Not for them them the accolades of the liberation of NW Europe and being some of Monty's favourites. 78th Div had a grotty dirty hard fought war spending Christmas 42,43,44 up in the mountains.
Can anyone advise on how to get a copy of a book refered to in the Introduction and Acknowledgements section of Battleaxe Division (From Africa to Italy) as, My War by Jim Farrell (RASC) ? The usual Internet searches seem to draw a blank so I assume it was a small private publication.
Ahh, I missed that but it confirms my initial thoughts. Hopefully someone may have a copy or be able to suggest if one is held in any libraries. I'll also do a search at the IWW as I've seen some privately published 'regimental diries' in their library.
