Battleaxe Division: From Africa to Italy with the 78th Division 1942-45

by Ken Ford

The 78th Division was raised in 1942 specifically for the North African invasion. From the time that the Division landed at Algiers there were to be few easy days, and the campaigning through Tunisia, Sicily and Italy was a tale of bitterly fought actions in a harsh terrain against a skilful enemy. In its first year of action alone, the 78th Division suffered 10,000 casualties. Longstop Hill, Centuripe, Termoli, Cassino, the Gustav Line, the Argenta Gap; there was always one more river to cross, another defended mountain line to breach. Ken Ford brings out how quickly the Division developed its fighting power and shows how success resulted from an all-arms effort by infantry, armour, artillery, transport, and especially engineers. Yet it is the resilience and sacrifice of now vanished County infantry regiments that rightly form the core of the book. Using first hand accounts of men who actually fought with the 78th Division, and fully illustrated with photographs and maps, this is a fitting tribute to the soldiers of the Battleaxe Division.

Genres: World War II

288 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1999

Reviews

[James · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good read, lots of detail concerning the actions of the division, including the various acts of valour from individuals.
A much under-rated formation.