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Lilo wrote: "Thank you, Rick. I would have never guessed."

Because AR is always standing guard, I don't have to try to keep up to the minute on this thread--which is a good thing!

It's what I get paid to do :)

I'm going to read Monsoon victory by Gerald Hanley. Mr Hanley was a war correspondent and was in the modern terminology embedded with the 11th East African Division fighting in Burma. The division was primarily formed of black soldiers from Kenya, Uganda, Nyasaland, & Tanginika and Rhodesia. They gave great service and inspired great respect and loyalty from their white British officers as the african men were brave, strong and hard troops who took the war to the Japanese far from their homelands.

FM Bill Slim said of them "The 11th East African had, with the 5th Indian Division, the honour of achieving waht had up to then been considered impossible. It was thought no major formation could move or fight in the worst possible jungle country through the monsson. They did it".

The British 14th army in Burma is described as the forgotten army - the black africans and indian troops' are very often forgotten within that fine army too.

Geevee wrote: "I'm going to read Monsoon victory by Gerald Hanley. Mr Hanley was a war correspondent and was in the modern terminology embedded with the 11th East African Division fighting in Burma. The divisio..."

It looks good, Geevee. Your post reminded me that I had read:

A History of the King's African Rifles by Malcolm Page

I find fascinating the recruitment and service of colonial forces, especially by the British and French.

Thanks Manray9 I have added to my TBR and as it is now back in print I shall look to obtain a copy :)

Free French Forces in Italy, primarily the Moroccans, were guilty of horrendous war crimes aainst civilians, and were allowed to commit them under the direct knowledge and complicity og General Charles de "Fraud" Gaulle. US Gen Mark Clark wanted to court meartial them and their white French officers. For political reasons he was told to stand down. Just an FYI

Colin wrote: "Free French Forces in Italy, primarily the Moroccans, were guilty of horrendous war crimes aainst civilians, and were allowed to commit them under the direct knowledge and complicity og General Cha..."

I have read Italian accounts of the horrendous behavior of French African troops in Italy. They and their officers should have been prosecuted.

For those members who are going to join in the group theme read in November the thread is now open for comment/discussion:

/topic/show/...

For our new members here are the forthcoming theme reads in case anyone is interested in joining in:


January 2014 - Mediterranean Campaign (books covering any aspect of this campaign: land, air or sea)

March 2014 - Atlantic Ocean Campaign (books covering any aspect of this campaign: air or sea)

May 2014 - African Campaign (books covering any aspect of this campaign: land, air or sea)

I just got back from my book signing. I did sell several of my books,"From Shaniko to Pearl Harbor" but I could never make a living doing this. I am always happy to know that someone is reading my husband's views of the bombing of Pearl Harbor which he saw from the submarine dock. It is also interesting to read of the family who had lived there in Pearl City for 12 years before the bombing occurred.

'Aussie Rick' wrote: "For our new members here are the forthcoming theme reads in case anyone is interested in joining in:


January 2014 - Mediterranean Campaign (books covering any aspect of this campaign: land, air o..."

The book by Anne and I, The Star of Africa may be of interest to the group.

Thanks for posting the next group reads, Aussie Rick! I couldn't remember what was next. :-)

I am considering this for a January read:

Mussolini's Italy by
R. J. B. Bosworth.

or

Man Of Valour by Sir John Colville. Viscount Gort, after the fiasco in Belgium and France in 1940, went on to serve as Governor of Gibraltar and Governor of Malta -- that's the Med Theater tie-in. I owe this rec to GeeVee.

As you know I've read Man of Valour Manray9 and thought it very good.

If you choose to read Mussolini's Italy: Life Under the Dictatorship, 1915-1945 by R.J.B. Bosworth then let me know as I have it on my shelf and would be happy to join you (if you'd be fine with that).

In mentioning Mussolini have you read this Mussolini: A New Life by Nicholas Farrell I think you would enjoy it.

Geevee wrote: "As you know I've read Man of Valour Manray9 and thought it very good.

If you choose to read Mussolini's Italy: L..."</i>

I have not read Farrell's book. The daunting aspect of Bosworth is the 700 pages. I don't know if I can take that much Mussolini, but I do need a Duce update.

It was many years ago when I read:

[bookcover:Mussolini's Italy Mussolini's Italy by Max Gallo and

Duce! by Richard Collier.

Funny you say that as I also have Mr Bosworth's Mussolini and have shied away as it looks mighty heavy...I found Mr Farrell's very readable.

Geevee wrote: "Funny you say that as I also have Mr Bosworth's Mussolini and have shied away as it looks mighty heavy...I found Mr Farrell's very readable."

Collier's bio was very good. I just added the dustjacket photo to the GR entry.

I just added it to my TBR! :)

Geevee wrote: "I just added it to my TBR! :)"

I have spent the last two hours entering or updating GR entries for the many issues of Ballantine Books' "Illustrated History of the Violent Century" series. Many of the entries lacked cover photos. They were published as inexpensive and well-done (if cheaply produced) books by prominent authors such as John Keegan, Mike Calvert, Ian Hogg, A. J. Barker and others. Too bad they don't put out a new series like that now days.

I loved collecting the Ballantine series on WW2, sadly I gave them all away when I joined the army.

I'm thinking of reading this book below for the next theme read but I know I will get side tracked between now and then and most likely read something totally different :)

by Peter Caddick-Adams

'Aussie Rick' wrote: "I loved collecting the Ballantine series on WW2, sadly I gave them all away when I joined the army.

I thinking of reading this book below for the next theme read but I know I will get side tracked..."

I have kept about 35 or so of the Ballatine series, although they have not stood the test of time -- the pages are disintegrating, covers peeling and bindings unglued.

I know all about being sidetracked. It happens to my reading plans often.

I think that is what turned me towards always buying hardbacks as I got older and of course when I had more money in my wallet!

Thinking about the Mediterranean theater theme for January, I remembered the book below which was purchased about five years ago and promptly forgotten. I know little about the Italian army and their efforts in the war.

Iron Hulls, Iron Hearts by Ian W. Walker.

Also I have this yet to read:

Empire on the Adriatic by H. James Burgwyn.

I've got that first book Manray9 yet to read myself! I've been interested in the second book for some time but have not purchased a copy yet so if you read it I would be most interested in your views.

'Aussie Rick' wrote: "I've got that first book Manray9 yet to read myself! I've been interested in the second book for some time but have not purchased a copy yet so if you read it I would be most interested in your views."

I will probably change my mind five times before Jan.

I know the problem, I suffer from it as well :)

'Aussie Rick' wrote: "I know the problem, I suffer from it as well :)"

The Italians don't get much respect for their WW II operations. They appear as "punching bags" for the Greeks, Brits, Americans and other -- then they switched sides, again! I have read several accounts of the British East African campaign, which freed Somalia and Ethiopia, and the Italian defense is credible under hopeless circumstances. The Brits thought rather highly of the Duke of Aosta's leadership in Ethiopia.

Totally agree with your there Manray9. I have always thought that the Italian forces suffered under grave disadvantages with the standard of their weapons, equipment and training, especially in Russia. One book that I really enjoyed on Italian forces during WW2 was this historical novel which was based on the author's own experience during WW2:

by Eugenio Corti

'Aussie Rick' wrote: "Totally agree with your there Manray9. I have always thought that the Italian forces suffered under grave disadvantages with the standard of their weapons, equipment and training, especially in Rus..."

I have not read it, but have a copy of his

The Last Soldiers of the King.

I have read:

The Volga Rises in Europe by Curzio Malaparte

I must confess to having copies of both those books but of course unread!

I was slightly disappointed in this book as I was hoping for more information on their combat operations on the Eastern Front:

by Hope Hamilton

Manray9 wrote: "'Aussie Rick' wrote: "I know the problem, I suffer from it as well :)"

The Italians don't get much respect for their WW II operations. They appear as "punching bags" for the Greeks, Brits, Americ..."

I think their air force gets maligned as well in that regardless of aircraft (some reasonable, some poor) the courage and skill displayed by Italian aircrew was high, as indeed was that of the navy too - who with better command and co-op with Germany should have added great weight to the Axis capability and threat.

Geevee wrote: "Manray9 wrote: "'Aussie Rick' wrote: "I know the problem, I suffer from it as well :)"

The Italians don't get much respect for their WW II operations. They appear as "punching bags" for the Greek..."

I have read a good deal about Malta during the siege and the Italian air forces gets some respect for their ops there. Their navy was crippled by fuel shortages and a lack of will by senior leadership -- although the underwater chariots scored a few telling blows.

'Aussie Rick' wrote: "I must confess to having copies of both those books but of course unread!

I was slightly disappointed in this book as I was hoping for more information on their combat operations on the Eastern Fr..."

I totally agree with your view on Sacrifice on the steppe. I was surprised how quickly the combat operations end and it seemed to me a good portion of the book is describing a retreat and life as prisoner of war in a POW camp. While interesting topics to some people, not exactly what I bought and read the book for in my situation. I probably should have looked around for a better book on their military operations (assuming their are some)

Totally agree with you there Jonathan! I'm still looking for a good, detailed book covering the Italian forces on the Eastern Front, specifically their combat operations. I am hoping this book may offer something substantial in that regard:

by Nuto Revelli

I have another thought for a January Mediterranean theater book. I've had this book on my shelf for 8-10 years:

Harold MacMillan, Vol. 1 by Alistair Horne.

I admire both Horne and MacMillan. Since MacMillan served as Churchill's Resident Minister in the Mediterranean from '42-'45, that's the Med tie-in. It is an "authorized" biography, which lends a bit to skepticism to my view of the book.

In some of the books I have read of late on Eden and Heath and one by Dominic Sandbrook he comes out as highly political and scheming, not hugely loyal to those who had served or supported him (a surprise to me given his military service and understanding of comradeship), vain and not as unflabbable in private as his public persona suggested; yet a good servant in government ministries and his first term as PM was relatively successful.

Geevee wrote: "In some of the books I have read of late on Eden and Heath and one by Dominic Sandbrook he comes out as highly political and scheming, not hugely loyal to those who had served or supported him (a s..."

Well, he WAS a politician. Unless they are different in the UK now, "highly political and scheming, not hugely loyal to those who had served or supported him" sounds typical.

Tis true he was and a consummate one but I highlighted this, perhaps poorly or too briefly above, as the view of him then and still to some extent today is of an affable Edwardian gentleman of impeccable manners who in his later career was a fatherly figure of an unflappable nature.
He played a part and very well too, as he was good at appearing disinterested in larger things which belied a determined, ambitious and vain personality that harboured a different approach or behavior below the surface. I liked his describing the resignation of his treasury team as a little local difficult.

My favourite anecdote of Macmillan is his banging his show at Khrushchev at the UN.

I see Eden - whom I rate as a fine politician from that era too, especially as Churchill's Foreign Sec - as showing more loyalty, which it might be argued shaped the circumstances for his very late successor-ship to Churchill, and also affected or influenced his decision making on Suez and the eventual downfall in his own flawed premiership.

Geevee wrote: "Tis true he was and a consummate one but I highlighted this, perhaps poorly or too briefly above, as the view of him then and still to some extent today is of an affable Edwardian gentleman of impe..."

Your comments make him sound interesting.

Now it must be who is the politician Manray9 ;)

BTW have you read this on Macmillan, which is supposed to be good too: Supermac: The Life of Harold Macmillan by D.R. Thorpe

I have it on my TBR and his book on Eden which I am reading is good as well.

Geevee wrote: "Now it must be who is the politician Manray9 ;)"

Interesting, but perhaps not likeable. Some said similar things about FDR.

Geevee wrote: "BTW have you read this on Macmillan, which is supposed to be good too: Supermac: The Life of Harold Macmillan by [author:D...."

Have not read it. As I said, the Horne MacMillan bio has been hanging around my house for years.

I should be embarrassed at the number of books I’ve purchased years ago and then forgotten. Today I rediscovered --

War in Italy, 1943-1945 by Richard Lamb

It looks like a good candidate for the January Med Theater theme.

Don't be embarrassed Manray9, just join the club!

Looks like an excellent title for the January group read. I thought I had a copy of the book but instead found this unread title in my library:

by Thomas R. Brooks

Oops, went digging around and found these two and I think I've read one but not the other:


by Eric Morris

by Dominick Graham

'Aussie Rick' wrote: "Oops, went digging around and found these two and I think I've read one but not the other:


by Eric Morris

[bookco..."

I'm sure to scare up a few more too.

Don't look too hard, you might be shocked in what you find :)

Manray9 wrote: "I should be embarrassed at the number of books I’ve purchased years ago and then forgotten. Today I rediscovered --

War in Italy, 1943-1..."

No need to be embarrassed as Rick says Manray9 it's all part of the addiction...

Geevee wrote: "Manray9 wrote: "I should be embarrassed at the number of books I’ve purchased years ago and then forgotten. Today I rediscovered --

War ..."

My mother used to bother me all the time about the number of books I bought. One day, I replied, "Mom, I could be addicted to heroin and not books." She never bothered me about my book buying again.