Alamein by Jon Latimer
The Battle of Alamein in 1942 was of enormous political and military significance. It brought a sense of victory to Britain grown weary from defeat. And it was a decisive victory. It ended forever the see-saw desert campaign between the Eighth Army and the German-Italian Panzer Army, driving the latter across Egypt, Libya and into Tunisia. Then it was destroyed by the Allied invasion of North Africa in 1943, which in turn led to the invasion of Europe. Alamein was the high-water mark of Rommel's career, and made Monty a household name worldwide. It also changed the way the British Army fought, using concentrated artillery on a scale not seen since 1918 to break through Axis defences built in depth. It was, however, far more than a land battle. Sea power was vital to its success, providing the British with the means to fight while denying it to the Axis. Crucial also were the contributions of the Middle East Air Forces largely overlooked in previous accounts.But fundamentally it was a soldiers' battle in which the infantry, gunners, sappers, tank crews, airmen and their supporting arms fought it out at close quarters amid a welter of confusion - heat, sand, smoke, noise, dust flies and blood. ;As well as providing an overview of the battle in its strategic context, Jon Latimer draws on the experience of the men who fought: British; Australians; New Zealanders; South Africans; East Africans; Indians; Greeks; French; Poles; Canadians; Americans; Italians; Slovenians; Austrians; and Germans. Through them the sights, sounds, smell and taste of the desert come alive, we share their songs and their moments of humour, their fear and their pain.
'Jon Latimer does the dead and veterans of El Alamein proud' Spectator; 'Jon Latimer's excellent book... The most vivid passages chronicle the experience of the Alamein offensive for the fighting men.' Max Hastings
Jon Latimer served for sixteen years as an officer in the Royal Welch Fusiliers, as Platoon Commander, Assault Troop Leader and Battalion Intelligence Officer. He has published widely in military journals and is also the author of 'Operation Compass 1940' and, with Jim Laurier, of 'CAM080 Tobruk 1941'. He lives in Wales.
| SKU | Unavailable |
| ISBN 13 | 9780719562136 |
| ISBN 10 | 0719562139 |
| Title | Alamein |
| Author | Jon Latimer |
| Condition | Unavailable |
| Binding Type | Paperback |
| Publisher | John Murray Press |
| Year published | 2002-12-17 |
| Number of pages | 432 |
| Cover note | Book picture is for illustrative purposes only, actual binding, cover or edition may vary. |
| Note | Unavailable |