Condition: Good solid copy all round
Format: Hardcover with DJ
Published: 1975 (Purnell & Sons)
Pages: 340
ISBN: 36000282X
South African Forces World War II Volume 5
The establishing, equipping and training of an armoured division for war cannot be anything but a long and thorough process if its units are to measure up to the stringent requirements of an efficient fighting formation. Where battle experience can he added to such preparation, a first-class combat division will result, and so the 6th South African Armoured Division proved during the Italian Campaign, where it was one of the finest and, at times, one of the most cosmopolitan and most powerful of all Allied divisions in 8th Army or 5th US Army.
Thus, Victory in Italy tells authoritatively, accurately, and for the first time against the background of wider events, the full story not only of South African units of 6th SA Armoured Division but also of 24 Guards Brigade, 4/13 Frontier Force Rifles of the Indian Army, American and other units who were proud to serve under Maj-Gen Evered Pooles command on the long, bitter road from the final Battle of Cassino in May 1944 to the German capitulation in Italy a year later. The achievements of South African Engineers and other services, whose contribution to Allied success in Italy was immense, are also recorded in this fine narrative by an author who is not only already well known as a military historian but also familiar with Italy in general and with the scenes of battle where the South Africans and their British, Indian and American fellows-in-arms so distinguished themselves.
Many of the men whose fortitude and courage are here enshrined are the authors own contemporaries and friends, and even former enemies have willingly helped to make this story worthy of those without whose sacrifice we may not have had preserved for us the liberty to enjoy and commemorate their victory.
Copiously illustrated with photographs taken at the time of the fighting, and with maps specially drawn by the author, Victory in Italy is the fifth volume in the series South African Forces World War II. It is not only the detailed record of action by a superbly trained division of volunteer soldiers but also a stirring tale of the endurance, tenacity and courage of thousands of men flung by the fortunes of war into extreme danger in circumstances of which they had had no previous experience.
Versatility, adaptability and admirable physical fitness combined with their training to crown their efforts with the success which forms a fitting conclusion to their final year of battle in World War II.
