C.J.C. Molony

The prose is livelier than in the previous books in this series, and there is an unaccustomed thread detailing some of the difficulties of the ordinary servicemen. This is an improvement. The maps are high quality as usual, and the photography appears to have been dropped from this volume at least. This volume will appear in three parts, as there is a great deal more on the minutiae of the Air War, and the support and supply services also have more coverage than I am used to in this series. The detailed debate on the wisdom of the "Anvil" landings in southern France is included. A good read, and the intention is to cover the final two phases of the war in the following parts? of this volume. i think they just could have said that there was going to be a volume VI, VII, and VIII, but perhaps there was some byzantine budget fiddling going on?… (más)

This Volume covers the Med from July, 1943 to April 1944. We follow the British Forces from Sicily to the line of Monte Cassino to Pescara on the Italian Mainland, the "Gustav Line". The coverage is as full as possible, with valuable information on the German's resistance, and the inter-allied difference of opinion on the value of "Anvil" the landing in the South of France in August 1944. The other topics include the Anzio landing, with its limited success, and whether a different commander (say Dawley instead of Lucas) would have made a great difference in result.
The British view that the Allies paid for the Anvil landings with the prospect of greater success in South East Europe is explored quite fully. I think they were correct, and the idea that Iron Curtain might have had a different shape had the Mediterranean strategy been more fully explored is worthy of discussion.
the Air War is followed quite well, as are naval activities, and the special forces' work in Yugoslavia. Well worth the reading and the map coverage is exemplary.… (más)