I forgot to mention that autobiographical books about the desert war in German would also be acceptable to me.
-
-
Bringing this up again, looking for any advice on good Alamin/desert war autobiographies in German.
I received about 6 books about Alamin from Amazon, and am currently reading them.
One that is good so far, though in French, in Messmer's autobio: après tant de batailles. He was serving as an officer in the Legion's 13eme DBLE at the time.
JLComment
-
'Mark Of The Lion' by Kenneth Sandord. Deals with NZ double VC winner Charles Upham. Covers Crete then the early North African fighting up to Rewisat Ridge, just before El Aleimein. Quite a good account of fighting from the NZ perspective.Comment
-
This one.......Comment
-
Sorry, but it is really first hand accounts I am looking for. I find any text written by historians or journalists reather boring in comparison, and also often exagerated to incorrect in various ways.
I bought a book called "El Alamein, the story of the battle in the words of the soldiers" by John Saddler. I would NOT advise buying it. Firstly the font is miniscule and almost needs a magnifying glass to be read. I have never complained of a book's font before, but this one if really over the top. Second, it seems to be 80% in the words of the author, and only 20% in the soldier's words. The soldiers are quoted in a context that is difficult to understand: no name, unit, etc, provided within the text. And thirdly, it is actualy only about British soldiers.
I tried reading anyways, but didnt manage to get past the firts pages. The zero comments the book has on amazon seem to confirm my opinion.
JLComment
-
http://www.amazon.com/Rommel-Desert-...ds=with+rommelOriginally posted by Jean-Loup View PostComment
-
Bringing this back up to the top again as I am still looking for good army veteran autobiographies of all nations regarding the desert war from 1940 to 1942. Here are some of the books I have read or bought in the meantime, but I am still looking for more. Also acceptable are any DAK autobios in German:
-The reluctant volunteer by Peter Jones.
-El alamein to Zem Zem by Keith Douglas.
-Victor Gregg's book about the Rifle Battalion.
-Leaky's Luck.
-Caccia Dominioni's Alamein, an Italian story.
-The Rommel papers.
-Strecher Bearer, by Bob Hopper.
I still have not found an NZ or south African autobio about that campaign to read!
JLComment
-
Hi Jean Loup, how did you like Alamein to Zem Zem ? one of my favourite books.
The old classic Panzer Commander by Von Luck is worth reading, if you have not done so already.
The memoirs of Susan Travers are also an interesting read ("Tomorrow to be brave"), she served in the Foreign Legion in Africa, and was eventually awarded the Legion d'Honneur
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/obit...n-Travers.html
RegardsComment
-
Honnestly, I barely remember anything about "From El Alamein to Zem Zem". I remember Keith Douglas arrives on scene in very last days of the battle of Alamein, and then everything is highly confused. I would say it is one of the least interesting and comprehensible autobiographies I have read on the North African campaign, regardless of his status of poet.... or perhaps because of that status?
Caccia-Dominioni's "An Italian Story" or Ellis' "Once a Hussar" are of much greater quality IMO, to name only a couple.
I have just ordered about six "new" North Africa autobiographies, but will have to look into "Tomorrow to be brave" during the next amazon shopping spree.
JLComment
-
Noted. A shame you couldn't follow it. I will need to check those two out. Thanks.Comment
-
Any good suggestions for German (appart from Rommel and Schmidt's autobios), Australian, Indian or South African autibios about the war in North Africa in 1940-42?Comment
-
Refreshing this thread again to ask for any other ideas of North Africa 1940-42 related autobiographies of army veterans.
I have only managed to find one 9th Australian Division first hand account so far: "The Reluctant Volunteer". I am sure there must be other Australian soldiers who wrote their memoirs. In contrast I have found at least four or five NZ veteran autobiographies.
Also, any suggestions for Indian or south African accounts?
JLComment
-
"A Doctor at War"
The Story of Colonel Martin Herford
The Most Decorated Doctor of World War Two
by Matthew Hall
"With Rommel in the Desert"
Schmidt
the Aide de Camp for Rommel
I know Lucas has had a great read with many first person accounts on the
8th Army in Africa
Good Luck!Comment
-
I just ordered "Lucas" and have read Schmidt already.
Still hesitating with the doctor one, as it is written by a third person, and the amazon ratings are rather mixed.
What about some 9th Austrlian Division memoirs??
JLComment
-
Another one...
A war time book entitled " Mediterranean Sweep" had something with El Alemein.
I can find it in the library if you are interested. I have found some of the wartime
books to be biased.Comment
Comment