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Desert Diggers: Writings from a War Zone ‘Somewhere in the Middle East’ 1940-1942
Desert Diggers: Writings from a War Zone ‘Somewhere in the Middle East’ 1940-1942 draws upon hundreds of soldiers’ letters in a fresh and captivating narrative of the war in North Africa.
Desert Diggers follows the first men to volunteer after the outbreak of war in 1939, tracing their adventures in exotic ports before further training in Palestine. A hunger for action grew: ‘Most of the chaps are ... anxious to get into anything that looks like a fight’, one soldier wrote to his brother.
From Egypt, ‘the hottest and dustiest place on God's earth’ was the Diggers’ next destination and their ‘blooding’ in the battles for Bardia and Tobruk. After Rommel failed to storm Tobruk in April-May 1941, Nazi propaganda denigrated the garrison, ‘caught like rats in a trap’. Amid frequent bombing and shelling, Berlin’s scornful broadcasts were an unintended tonic. ‘Frequently we laughed and joked until the tears came into our eyes’, a Digger quipped.
From Tobruk, to the blunting of Rommel’s attacks at El Alamein, the price of victory was palpably high: ‘some of my best mates didn't come out of it’, lamented a lieutenant to his mother. Returning to Australia in 1943, some men maimed or traumatised, brought a further test for the Diggers ...
Told in the words of the men who served, Desert Diggers offers a new personal perspective on the Western Desert campaigns. With immediacy and raw emotion, these skilfully woven letters provide a remarkable and compelling account of the Australian experience of war.
Desert Diggers follows the first men to volunteer after the outbreak of war in 1939, tracing their adventures in exotic ports before further training in Palestine. A hunger for action grew: ‘Most of the chaps are ... anxious to get into anything that looks like a fight’, one soldier wrote to his brother.
From Egypt, ‘the hottest and dustiest place on God's earth’ was the Diggers’ next destination and their ‘blooding’ in the battles for Bardia and Tobruk. After Rommel failed to storm Tobruk in April-May 1941, Nazi propaganda denigrated the garrison, ‘caught like rats in a trap’. Amid frequent bombing and shelling, Berlin’s scornful broadcasts were an unintended tonic. ‘Frequently we laughed and joked until the tears came into our eyes’, a Digger quipped.
From Tobruk, to the blunting of Rommel’s attacks at El Alamein, the price of victory was palpably high: ‘some of my best mates didn't come out of it’, lamented a lieutenant to his mother. Returning to Australia in 1943, some men maimed or traumatised, brought a further test for the Diggers ...
Told in the words of the men who served, Desert Diggers offers a new personal perspective on the Western Desert campaigns. With immediacy and raw emotion, these skilfully woven letters provide a remarkable and compelling account of the Australian experience of war.
448 pages, Paperback
Published March 6, 2024
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
June 17, 2024
Letter writing is a lost art these days, but was once an important method of communication – especially during war. Desert Diggers features excerpts from Australian soldiers’ letters, weaved through a narrative of events that tell the story of Australia’s participation in the North African campaign during 1940-1942.
The infamous Rats of Tobruk are front and centre in this work, that also details the likes of El Alamein and Bardia, and follows soldiers from enlistment, to battles, and home again. Of course, not all came home, and the writing of these men features too. It was heartbreaking to learn that many, who endured the horrors of desert warfare, were later killed in the jungles of New Guinea. The futility of war featured throughout.
“As I sat on the edge of the trench in the cool stillness of the morning, I thought how foolish and futile war is, and almost felt like going out and appealing to both sides to stop the foolishness.” – Corporal Allan Richards.
The author made me feel like I was along for the ride with these lads. The use of their own words added a sense of realism, made people come alive, become more than names and numbers. Desert Diggers captured the Aussie character, our spirit and humour; traits often displayed best in our darkest, most challenging moments. There was so much camaraderie across these pages.
Books like these make you less inclined to complain about your own life. I was forever amazed at the humour and stoicism of our troops and will always remember the likes of part-Aboriginal, Private Edward ‘Ted’ Boxer, who lost his leg via anti-tank shell.
“His first reaction to what happened, was one of cold rage. Picking up his boot lying some yards away with the foot still in it, he waved it viciously at the enemy and tried to carry on, but soon had to pull out.”
It was interesting to learn about frontline souvenirs (like deactivated hand grenades made into eggcups) and German propaganda leaflets; a source of comedy for troops and prized items to send home. I was also amazed to learn of Field Marshal Montgomery’s time living in my state of Tasmania!
Some of the most touching letters were those written home to families of fallen mates, outlining their bravery. It was an emotional read – best demonstrated by an Australian’s account of a Scottish piper playing comrades into battle, marching into the carnage, unwavering in his performance.
“His legs had been sliced off below the knees by shrapnel. Two of our stretcher bearers raced to pick him up, but he waved them back. Then he recovered his pipes and started to play a famous Highland tune. The music gradually diminished in volume.”
Despite harrowing first-hand accounts, it took me a while to get into this. The regular quoting of soldiers often broke the rhythm of flow and narrative, but this was only a minor issue.
Desert Diggers is a meticulously researched book and powerful read, filled with the voices of those who were there. With many of that heroic generation now sadly gone, it’s more important than ever their sacrifices are remembered.
Many thanks to Big Sky Publishing for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
The infamous Rats of Tobruk are front and centre in this work, that also details the likes of El Alamein and Bardia, and follows soldiers from enlistment, to battles, and home again. Of course, not all came home, and the writing of these men features too. It was heartbreaking to learn that many, who endured the horrors of desert warfare, were later killed in the jungles of New Guinea. The futility of war featured throughout.
“As I sat on the edge of the trench in the cool stillness of the morning, I thought how foolish and futile war is, and almost felt like going out and appealing to both sides to stop the foolishness.” – Corporal Allan Richards.
The author made me feel like I was along for the ride with these lads. The use of their own words added a sense of realism, made people come alive, become more than names and numbers. Desert Diggers captured the Aussie character, our spirit and humour; traits often displayed best in our darkest, most challenging moments. There was so much camaraderie across these pages.
Books like these make you less inclined to complain about your own life. I was forever amazed at the humour and stoicism of our troops and will always remember the likes of part-Aboriginal, Private Edward ‘Ted’ Boxer, who lost his leg via anti-tank shell.
“His first reaction to what happened, was one of cold rage. Picking up his boot lying some yards away with the foot still in it, he waved it viciously at the enemy and tried to carry on, but soon had to pull out.”
It was interesting to learn about frontline souvenirs (like deactivated hand grenades made into eggcups) and German propaganda leaflets; a source of comedy for troops and prized items to send home. I was also amazed to learn of Field Marshal Montgomery’s time living in my state of Tasmania!
Some of the most touching letters were those written home to families of fallen mates, outlining their bravery. It was an emotional read – best demonstrated by an Australian’s account of a Scottish piper playing comrades into battle, marching into the carnage, unwavering in his performance.
“His legs had been sliced off below the knees by shrapnel. Two of our stretcher bearers raced to pick him up, but he waved them back. Then he recovered his pipes and started to play a famous Highland tune. The music gradually diminished in volume.”
Despite harrowing first-hand accounts, it took me a while to get into this. The regular quoting of soldiers often broke the rhythm of flow and narrative, but this was only a minor issue.
Desert Diggers is a meticulously researched book and powerful read, filled with the voices of those who were there. With many of that heroic generation now sadly gone, it’s more important than ever their sacrifices are remembered.
Many thanks to Big Sky Publishing for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
March 28, 2024
In the books destined for repeated reads, 'Desert Diggers' by David Mitchellhill-Green firmly earns its place alongside some of my favourite titles like James Hurst's 'Game to the Last', Craig Deayton's 'Battle Scarred' and David Coombes' 'Crossing The Wire'. Mitchellhill-Green's narrative seamlessly blends personal accounts from soldiers' letters and diaries with meticulously researched historical facts, immersing readers into the reality of the battlefield. It's a journey from home to the front lines and back again, a poignant odyssey illuminated by the resilience and courage of those who lived it. Despite the often-grim backdrop, the book's blend of research, analysis, and gripping storytelling makes it an utterly captivating read. 'Desert Diggers' stands as a testament to the bravery and sacrifice of remarkable men, and Mitchellhill-Green's superb effort ensures their stories will echo through the ages.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews