To the Victor the Spoils: D-Day to VE-Day, The Reality Behind the Heroism

This is a controversial study of the Second World War, covering the period between D-Day and VE Day and focus-ing on the day-to-day experiences of the British and Canadian troops involved in the campaign to liberate Europe. It is not an orthodox history of strategy, pivotal battles and the grand sweep of troop movements; instead the author looks at everyday life, seeing soldiers as individuals and illustrating their behaviour and experiences in a way that is both honest and shocking. It is the first time many issues -such as soldiers' sex lives -have been fully examined from a British perspective.This is history written from an alternative, challenging perspective. The author has not been afraid to confront controversial issues. Coverage includes chapters dealing with:* The crime wave unleashed on Europe by British and Canadian soldiers.* The prevalence of indiscipline including the murder of unpopular officers.* Revenge and the widespread killing of German prisoners by Commonwealth troops.* The VD epidemic, the use of brothels and fraternization with German women.* The looting of property from both the enemy and liberated civilians together with widespread vandalism.