This tells the story of Operation Mincemeat, a devastating deception plan dreamed up by the author of this book. It was written soon after the war, anThis tells the story of Operation Mincemeat, a devastating deception plan dreamed up by the author of this book. It was written soon after the war, and has that mid-twentieth century old-chap type of English to the narrative, which very effectively takes you right back to those times. I found it really interesting how they created a complete fictional person from their imaginations, and in the guise of a dead body, made him believable to the Germans. It's a real contests of intellects between two opposing war machines, with enormous consequences and ramifications built into the outcome. This is an excellent book for anyone interested in military history....more
This is the second Will Iredale book I've read, the other one being the Kamikaze Hunters. On balance, I liked the other one better. So, this book dealsThis is the second Will Iredale book I've read, the other one being the Kamikaze Hunters. On balance, I liked the other one better. So, this book deals with the Pathfinder Force, a unit within Bomber Command that marked targets for the rest on the bombers to attack. In a time when there wasn't satellite navigation, at the start of the war it was pretty much dead reckoning. The book tells us how the RAF was able to develop its own methods for target marking, based on initial German successes during the Blitz and earlier. Iredale also highlights the interesting personal interplay between Don Bennett, head of the Pathfinders, Ralph Cochrane, head of a rival RAF group, and Bomber Harris, who seemed to play them off against each other. But where the book loses momentum is in the early biographies of the Pathfinders. For me, they were too long, too involved, and frankly, involved too many people. I couldn't keep track of them all in my mind, and it took some of the pace from the story, a bit like the Game of Thrones books when the action suddenly grinds to a halt to mention yet another family and their history. Overall, not a game changer, but it takes a star away, at least in my eye. That aside, a good read, and an interesting piece of history....more
This is Chris Cocks' sequel to Fireforce, and picks up almost immediately after the end of that book. It covers the time from 1979 up to approximatelyThis is Chris Cocks' sequel to Fireforce, and picks up almost immediately after the end of that book. It covers the time from 1979 up to approximately twenty years later, encompassing his adjustment to civilian life, interspersed with semi-military service in the local Police Anti Terrorist Unit (PATU), and the demons he faced along the way as he tries to transition from war veteran to civvy, none of which is helped by the painful transition of Rhodesia to Zimbabwe Rhodesia to Zimbabwe. The writing is much more polished than Fireforce, although there are many more grey areas in the narrative. Fireforce was essentially a military memoir told by a grunt on the front line, and it was done very well. With Out of Action, the reader is faced with the brutal reality and injustices of the Rhodesian establishment's mentality, and how that was implemented on the ground. Cocks' narrative pulls no punches with his delivery of the events. With Fireforce, you could respect and admire the Rhodesian military prowess and actions, although they could have done with a touche more discipline over their dope use. With Out of Action, the establishment behind the military leaves a sour taste in your mouth, and this hits home even more as Cocks tries to justify what he does and did. In another time, another place, Cocks would definitely be diagnosed with PTSD. As it was, he was chucked on the scrapheap and left to fend for himself. It was almost inevitable that it would end in tears, many tears. It is to Cocks' great tribute that he has come out of it still standing, and one can only imagine what successes he would have made of life if a, he hadn't stayed in the RLI after his national service was up, or b, the right support had been there when he did eventually leave the army. This is an enthralling book, all the more powerful for it being a memoir. It takes you on a journey from one world view to another, in the same way that Born on the Fourth of July did....more
I've re-read this, having first read it many years ago, and it has lost none of its visceral impact. This tells the story of a young man fighting in tI've re-read this, having first read it many years ago, and it has lost none of its visceral impact. This tells the story of a young man fighting in the Rhodesian Bush was as a soldier in the Rhodesian Light Infantry. The book chronicles Chris Cocks' career from enlisting, through training to his active service with 11 Troop. The book exudes authenticity and lays to rest any ideas that there was methodical brutality, it was just that war brutalises everyone, whatever side they're on. He keeps politics firmly out of the discussion, which is refreshing, I took one star away from the inclusions of the Cheetah Magazine and letters home, perhaps there was too much of this. Chris Cocks' greatest strength is his own narrative. One of the best books about war that I have read....more
This is a brief but very informative history of the Rhodesian Light Infantry. It focuses on the unit, the organisations, training, weapons and deploymThis is a brief but very informative history of the Rhodesian Light Infantry. It focuses on the unit, the organisations, training, weapons and deployments. And of course, it wouldn't be a Rhodesian military history without mention of Fireforce, a uniquely Rhodesian solution to its strategic situation. Th book talks macro, mentioning the overall military picture, as well as the micro, talking about individual experiences, and by and large it leave the politics for other writers to discuss. If you want to know more about the small but formidable Rhodesian war machine, this book is an excellent read. ...more
So this book is written in the words of British military veterans from Iraq and Afghanistan, all of whom were decorated for bravery. Most are infantrySo this book is written in the words of British military veterans from Iraq and Afghanistan, all of whom were decorated for bravery. Most are infantry, but also included are logistics, medics and aircrew. The accounts are very matter-of-fact, told in a typically understated British way, and give a unique first-hand view of asymmetrical warfare, as seen through the eyes of technologically advanced soldiers fighting a low-tech war....more
Living in Colchester myself, I found this book really interesting. On the site of the current Military Training and Corrective Centre (aka the GlasshoLiving in Colchester myself, I found this book really interesting. On the site of the current Military Training and Corrective Centre (aka the Glasshouse), was a POW camp from the end to just after WW2. It tells the story, pieced together from obscure bits of history and individual testimony. It tells a fascinating story, all the more so for the tolerance and sense of great reconciliation, a lesson that we could all do with remembering in today's world. The book also includes illustrations, art work from the prisoners, and gives notes on what happened to various members of the camp after the war, as well as an insight into what it was like in various sectors of immediate post-war Germany. A really really interesting read....more
This book does what it says on the tin, tells the stories of RAF and commonwealth aircrew who survived being shot down over enemy territory and made iThis book does what it says on the tin, tells the stories of RAF and commonwealth aircrew who survived being shot down over enemy territory and made it back to friendly lines. The book covers all main theatres, Europe, middle east and far east. All good so far, so why only two stars? The problem is the narrative. The content is fine, and let's face it, that's what draws the reader in. Unfortunately, Graham Pitchfork's writing style leave a lot to be desired. Guys like Anthony Beevor and John Keegan have told us that it's really OK to write military history and still make it entertaining. Sadly, Graham Pitchfork writes as though he'd lecturing officers at the staff college and we're expected to take notes and cascade back to the chaps. At times also, the limited variety of vocabulary makes some of the stories a little difficult to follow, and, sorry to say, a bit boring and samey. A shame, really, because we all like reading stories about blokes who went through exactly what is being written about in this book....more
An amazing story of endurance as Jan Baalsrud, a sole survivor of a behind the lines team tries to escape enemy held Norway and get back to the UK. IfAn amazing story of endurance as Jan Baalsrud, a sole survivor of a behind the lines team tries to escape enemy held Norway and get back to the UK. If you didn't know it had happened, it would be unbelievable. I'd love to have given it more stars, but the style of writing, maybe it's just dated, but it's really not that good. But that's not what this book is about, so we'll let David Howarth have that one. Although perhaps Abdy McNab's intro could have done with one or two less trumpet-blowing mentions about his experiences, and focused on Jan's. Maybe I'm being picky on that point....more
The bomber offensive in Harris' own words, and you can almost hear him talking through the narrative. More dry humour than you'd imagine, and lots of The bomber offensive in Harris' own words, and you can almost hear him talking through the narrative. More dry humour than you'd imagine, and lots of perceptive comments about the world at the time. More than just the single-minded demon some people view him as. Of course, as you'd imagine, he always was a great advocate of the offensive, but as other histories tell us, he didn't dream up the whole thing. It was around before he took over Bomber Command, and if it wasn't him in charge, it would have been someone else. The description of the offensive itself is as you'd imagine, very detailed with insider knowledge, peppered with wry swipes at the other services which may or may not be completely serious. He definitely wasn't a fan of the battleship, or the cavalry mind, and probably with good reason. The most eye opening passages though, for me, were right at the end, and his predictions about how the next war would be fought and won. Quite why he was retired and not made chief of staff with his world view, I'll never know. In my opinion, he wasn't the monster who destroyed German cities (was his American opposite so reviled for doing the same to Japan?) For Harris, it was the weapon of the time, and had to be utilised to the full. For a long time, it was all the British had to fight back with. The ultimate responsibility lay with the politicians who made the decisions. Harris, like any military commander, simply did what he was told. The fact that he agreed with the concept, does not in itself make you a war criminal. ...more
Call me a monster if you like, but I've always been a fan of Bert. Say what you like about the bloke, but he always told it straight. And let's face iCall me a monster if you like, but I've always been a fan of Bert. Say what you like about the bloke, but he always told it straight. And let's face it, was he really in charge of the country? Are we really to believe that he told Churchill how the war was going to be fought? No. No more than Goring or Rommel did. And at least, unlike his masters, he never hid the real aims of the bombing campaign. Anyway, rant over. This is a very detailed history of the man, of course concentrating on the Bomber Command years, but would we expect anything else? There is a lot of build up, so we have a clearer idea about what brought him to his wartime role. It's sympathetic, but honest, and we're left with a very clear idea of the man's strengths, and his more human failings. An excellent history, which may make many re-evaluate their views, if not of the bomber offensive itself, but perhaps of the man himself....more
George Macdonald Fraser tells the very personal story of his war time service in Burma. It is an intensely modest, insightful account, told in a very George Macdonald Fraser tells the very personal story of his war time service in Burma. It is an intensely modest, insightful account, told in a very honest way. Some of his views are perhaps controversial, but as he rightly says, he was there, and if anyone has earned the freedom to say what they think, it's him. Of course, you can't talk about GMF without mentioning Flashman. You can see how he developed the character from some of his experiences and world view, but as I personally think Flashy is a 'normal' hero, no more nor less of a coward than you or I, I'm good with that. I have to say though, I got a bit fed up with his use of accents in the dialogue, but it's a small point. Hard on the heels of the truly awful Narrow Road to the High North, it was very refreshing (if that's the right word) to read an enjoyable book about the Burma campaign....more
This was a good, workmanlike account of Fighter Command during WW2. It gives a general overview, mentions the personalities of the commanders and someThis was a good, workmanlike account of Fighter Command during WW2. It gives a general overview, mentions the personalities of the commanders and some of their conflicts with each other. Much mention is made of individual pilots, but not much narrative to flesh out the bones of their exploits. A bit more detail of the types of missions flown, daily routines and challenges of the personnel would have made it much more interesting. saving graces though, are numerous first hand accounts of individual events, and plenty of cracking pictures. In all, a god book, but could have been better. Read during the 75th anniversary of the Battle of Britain, my timing isn't always that good....more
This is the story of Arthur Dodd, a British POW who was sent to Auschwitz. It is almost certain that his POW status and nationality saved his life. ThThis is the story of Arthur Dodd, a British POW who was sent to Auschwitz. It is almost certain that his POW status and nationality saved his life. There are also accounts at the end of the book of other POW's who had similar experiences. An absorbing, interesting book....more
An excellent addition to the armchair General's library. This is a good collection of essays about the larger campaigns in world war 2, and picking ovAn excellent addition to the armchair General's library. This is a good collection of essays about the larger campaigns in world war 2, and picking over old bones with a view to what might have gone wrong. Thanks to the benefits of the retrospectoscope, we can all have done things better. An interesting take on what did happen, and what might have been done differently. It is noteworthy that Burma didn't get mentioned, wonder why....more
This is a very readable history of the Falklands war, as told by a reporter who was there. From his embedded viewpoint, it is of course told from a BrThis is a very readable history of the Falklands war, as told by a reporter who was there. From his embedded viewpoint, it is of course told from a British point of view, although due credit is paid to the Argentinians, who created several sticky moments against what was a premier league military machine. If there is one book to read about the Falklands, this is probably it....more
This is an excellent book that will tell you all you need to know about the dams raid. The planes, the men, the reasons behind the raid, it's all hereThis is an excellent book that will tell you all you need to know about the dams raid. The planes, the men, the reasons behind the raid, it's all here. Very well researched an put together, as well as a cameo role for Bomber Harris' abrasive nature when it came to his crews, whom he valued more highly than one would have thought. ...more
This book is an excellent history of Eisenhower, portraying him as a cool, unassuming but steady leader. Just what you wanted in world war 2 to keep PThis book is an excellent history of Eisenhower, portraying him as a cool, unassuming but steady leader. Just what you wanted in world war 2 to keep Patton and Montgomery on side, and even more so in the hysteria afterwards with people like Curtis LeMay in charge of the US nuclear bomber fleet. Certainly the right man at the right time....more
A workman like account of the development of fortification through time. The modern era account focused a lot of Sweden, not sure why, but there you gA workman like account of the development of fortification through time. The modern era account focused a lot of Sweden, not sure why, but there you go. If you like your forts and castles, worth a read....more
A very enjoyable book, worked in with first-hand testimonies from the soldiers who were there. This follows a group of soldiers through training and iA very enjoyable book, worked in with first-hand testimonies from the soldiers who were there. This follows a group of soldiers through training and into the battles of north west Europe. This story could be told about units in almost any army that fought in World War 2, but the coming together of individuals and their shared experiences is what makes this a compelling read....more
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