The Desert VCs

Extraordinary Valour in the North African Campaign in WWII

Nonfiction, History, Africa, Military, World War II
Cover of the book The Desert VCs by Brian  Best, Frontline Books
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Brian Best ISBN: 9781526721075
Publisher: Frontline Books Publication: February 28, 2018
Imprint: Frontline Books Language: English
Author: Brian Best
ISBN: 9781526721075
Publisher: Frontline Books
Publication: February 28, 2018
Imprint: Frontline Books
Language: English

It was not just the searing heat of the day, hot enough to boil an egg on the bonnet of a lorry, or the sand that nestled in every crevice of the body, or the shivering cold of the starlit nights, that the British and Commonwealth troops had to battle in the North African desert – it was also the tough and determined Axis forces under their brilliant leader, Erwin Rommel.

The actions which resulted in the awarding of twenty-nine VCs in the Desert War included that of stretcher bearer Private Anderson walking alone into the gunfire of the enemy to rescue wounded comrades, not once, but time and time again until he too was shot and killed. Lieutenant George Gunn, who, at Sidi Rezegh, found his troop of the Royal Horse Artillery facing the onslaught of sixty German tanks. One by one the guns were put out of action, the crews killed or wounded. Eventually, only one gun was left, manned by the twenty-nine-year-old lieutenant and his sergeant. Regardless of the odds, Gunn fought on until he too was killed, shot through the head.

The fighting in North Africa was not just in the harsh extremes of the rolling desert, but also the barren mountains of Tunisia, and the coastal strips of Libya. In every battle, every maneuver, the terrain was the limiting or enabling feature – and it was over that unforgiving ground that twenty-nine men distinguished themselves and were awarded the highest of all gallantry medals, the Victoria Cross.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

It was not just the searing heat of the day, hot enough to boil an egg on the bonnet of a lorry, or the sand that nestled in every crevice of the body, or the shivering cold of the starlit nights, that the British and Commonwealth troops had to battle in the North African desert – it was also the tough and determined Axis forces under their brilliant leader, Erwin Rommel.

The actions which resulted in the awarding of twenty-nine VCs in the Desert War included that of stretcher bearer Private Anderson walking alone into the gunfire of the enemy to rescue wounded comrades, not once, but time and time again until he too was shot and killed. Lieutenant George Gunn, who, at Sidi Rezegh, found his troop of the Royal Horse Artillery facing the onslaught of sixty German tanks. One by one the guns were put out of action, the crews killed or wounded. Eventually, only one gun was left, manned by the twenty-nine-year-old lieutenant and his sergeant. Regardless of the odds, Gunn fought on until he too was killed, shot through the head.

The fighting in North Africa was not just in the harsh extremes of the rolling desert, but also the barren mountains of Tunisia, and the coastal strips of Libya. In every battle, every maneuver, the terrain was the limiting or enabling feature – and it was over that unforgiving ground that twenty-nine men distinguished themselves and were awarded the highest of all gallantry medals, the Victoria Cross.

More books from Frontline Books

Cover of the book Hitler's Commanders by Brian  Best
Cover of the book Day Fighters in Defence of Reich by Brian  Best
Cover of the book The Charge of the Light Brigade by Brian  Best
Cover of the book War Birds by Brian  Best
Cover of the book Hitler’s Jet Plane by Brian  Best
Cover of the book SAS: With the Maquis in Action with the French Resistance by Brian  Best
Cover of the book The Forgotten VCs by Brian  Best
Cover of the book Man of War by Brian  Best
Cover of the book Wellington’s Voice by Brian  Best
Cover of the book HEINKEL He 111 by Brian  Best
Cover of the book Fighters Over Russia by Brian  Best
Cover of the book The Dunkirk Evacuation in 100 Objects by Brian  Best
Cover of the book SAS: Secret War in South East Asia by Brian  Best
Cover of the book My Life With Che by Brian  Best
Cover of the book The Anatomy of the Zulu Army by Brian  Best
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy