Alamein

Product Description The Battle of El Alamein in 1942 brought a sense of victory to a Britain grown weary from defeat.And it was a decisive victory. The Eighth Army ended the see-saw desert campaign and drove the German-Italian Panzer Army across Egypt and Libya, and into Tunisia. There 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 it 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.It was, however, far more than a land battle. Sea power was vital, providing the British with the means to fight while denying it to the Axis. Crucial also were the Middle East air forces, which have been 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: Britons, Australians, New Zealanders, South Africans, Indians, Greeks, French, Poles, Canadians, Americans, Italians, Slovenians, Austrians and Germans. Through them we experience the harshness of the desert: we share their songs and their moments of humour, their fear and their pain. Praise for Alamein: 'Excellent' - Max Hastings, The Sunday Telegraph'Painstaking yet gripping, this should be the definitive account of the battle itself for years to come' - Publishers Weekly'Latimer makes skilful use of first-hand accounts by participants to bring the narrative to life.' - Gary Sheffield, BBC History'An incisive and readable narrative. He...stands back and lets the fighting men speak for themselves...' - Lawrence James, Daily Mail'Jon Latimer's is the heavyweight account - detailed, exhaustive, complete, as might be expected from an historian with an eye for soldiering' - Allan Mallinson, The TimesJon Latimer (1964-2009) was a historian and writer who served for many years in the Territorial Army and published widely in military journals. He was the author of many books, including Operation Compass 1940, Tobruk 1941 and Deception in War. Review 'Jon Latimer brings a spring-like freshness to the campaign ... a forthright, in-depth and highly-satisfying view of one of history's classic encounters' - The Oxford Times'Jon Latimer's excellent book' - Max Hastings, The Sunday Telegraph'Latimer makes skilful use of first-hand accounts by participants to bring the narrative to life.' - Gary Sheffield, BBC History'Vividly describes the battle in all its complex detail ... oral history and eye-witness accounts are skilfully used.' - Soldier Magazine'A blow-by-blow account that does not have particular axe to grind but brings together both the overall strategy and the nitty-gritty of the fighting' -Sunday Mercury'An incisive and readable narrative. He...stands back and lets the fighting men speak for themselves...' - Lawrence James, Daily Mail'Brilliantly weaves eyewitness accounts into the broader strategic picture...an altogether masterly piece of work.' - Eastern Daily Press'Written with verve: the confusion of the fighting, which defied Montgomery's own subsequent assertion that it was all planned, is conveyed in vivid detail.' - Hew Strachan, Times Literary Supplement'Jon Latimer's is the heavyweight account - detailed, exhaustive, complete, as might be expected from an historian with an eye for soldiering' - Allan Mallinson, The Times'Painstaking yet gripping, this should be the definitive account of the battle itself for years to come.' - Publisher's Weekly (USA)'Jon Latimer sets the scene almost like a Deighton thriller...This is living history at its best.' - Birmingham Evening Mail'Just when you thought this campai