Harkaway's Sixth Column

by Max Hennessy

One brave task force will take on an army.It is the summer of 1940 – and Italian forces have entered British Somaliland. While this invasion is in progress, a small party of British soldiers is on its way to destroy a supply dump in the desert hills.

Strafed by Italian planes, the young lieutenant in command is killed – leaving behind four non-commissioned soldiers and the civilian driver. Cut off behind enemy lines – their radio dead, their chances of escape few – they decide to utilise the arms dump and fight a daring rearguard.

Led by the mysterious Corporal Harkaway, and aided by local warring tribes, they create an extraordinary fighting unit whose skill and ferocity will play havoc with the enemy.

An extraordinary tale of WWII, of a rogue unit versus seemingly insurmountable odds, ideal for fans of Alistair MacLean, Jack Higgins and David Black.

Genres: Historical Fiction

305 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 17, 2020

About the author

Pseudonym of John Harris

Reviews

[JD · Rating 3 out of 5]

The clever title, the setting of the book and the cover with the Rolls Royce Armored Car on it (though in the end there was not one in the story), had me hooked to read this. Unfortunately the book itself was a bit disappointing for me. Though the setting is great and the historical accuracy of the author is pretty much spot on, the whole storyline becomes a bit disjointed and some of the timing in it is a bit off. The characters are also well rounded, though the main character, George Harkaway, is a bit of an odd one. He is bloody minded and self-centered and uses all the other characters in the book to get what he wants, and just when you think he will change and learn from his mistakes, he just goes back to being all those things again. This is the second World War 2 novel I have read of the author, but will not read another one as his style is not to my liking.

[Jon Nelson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very good reading.

I enjoyed reading this novel. I got confused many times with the names of the different tribes, but was able to make sense of the story. I was in the Gulf region, Ethiopia, Egypt and Israel so I understand the wind and dirt. We had to put special filters in the exterior fan rooms and change them daily, and that was at sea. Not a choice area until you get used to it.

[David Murphy · Rating 3 out of 5]

It’s a novel

Don’t look for any historical significance in this book, it’s a novel and that’s not what I thought I was getting into.

[Sam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Superb, fast, and unexpected action led by audacity and courage..

An outstanding sense of the times when overwhelming and cruel Italian forces in Ethiopia and surrounding countries began to face modern armies rather than disorganized locals armed with swords, spears and revenge for the mustard gas, aerial attacks, machine gun strafing, artillery, and armored cars. A modern army showed no mercy against horsemen carrying curved swords and single-shot rifles from a forgotten era. As the fortunes of war begin to shift, a tiny band of abandoned British soldiers assumes control, organizes and equips the local tribesmen, and leads them to a very hard won victory. A fascinating tale of a remarkable time and well worth the time.

[Ian Howarth · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book is a product of its time, which I found less than enjoyable. The author’s casual approach to his heroes’ atrocities was distasteful, especially when he presented far lesser atrocities from his antiheroes as unforgivable. The main character was unrealistic, and the female lead was appallingly portrayed to modern eyes. Admittedly the main character was shown as flawed and showed some self-realisation at the end, but most of his actions were those I’d expect of an impetuous 14 year old rather than a grown man aspiring to senior leadership.

[Richard · Rating 4 out of 5]

A book that covers a part of the WW2 that isn't often mentioned has the potential to attract my interest and this doesn't disappoint. Not only is the stage interesting, but also the story and characters leap out of the page. Well written and embroidered with human interest makes this the sort of book a reader looks forward to reading.

[Robert W Jenkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Always a Good Read

Max Hennessy is one of my favorite authors. His characters are always filled out. There are frequently turns in a direction unexpected. Historical accuracy is always there or he explains where he has departed from fact for reasons of story development.

[Christopher David Van-Hilton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely Brilliant

I could not stop reading this book, once I had started. The story was well thought out and the characters came alive. I look forward to reading book 2 of the series

[Dave Hammett · Rating 4 out of 5]

Different

Very good but much !ore complicated than the usual war novel. Good characters that you like and not like at the same time.

[Mr D Frost · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not very good

This book would be good to read if you were on a long boring journey and wanted something to help you sleep

[Mike Brannan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Unique war

Interesting story out of east Africa in WW2, places often ignored by many are the setting for brutal warfare. Fascinating story.

[Don Brenner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting read.

This story is about 4 men and one woman who were caught behind enemy lines during the withdrawal from British Somalia. It describes how they become a resistance fighting force that is surprisingly successful.

[Viva · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book reminds me most of Wilbur Smith's Cry Wolf and in some ways better. Spoilers ahead.

The setting is WW2 British Somaliland. A few British soldiers have been sent to blow up an arms and food cache up in the hills while the rest of the British escape to the sea. But on the way there, they are shot up by a couple of Italian airplanes and the commanding officer is killed. The 4 who are left are: a South African civilian driver, Kom-Kom; Tully a communications specialist, Gooch, an armorer and Harkaway, the NCO.

Due to the speed of the retreat, they are now cut off. But there are food and weapons at the cache and decided to stay there for a time. They trade some arms to the locals for water and news. After awhile they decide to raid the Italians for petrol. On another raid they accidentally meet a British missionary woman Bronwen (nick-named Danny) who decides to throw in her lot with them and together they take the war to the Italian units stationed there.

Their attacks gain momentum as the Italians are thrown back on all fronts including East Africa. More tribes join Harkaway and he becomes more ambitious with captured weapons and bigger attacks. He comes to the attention of the resurgent British forces in E. Africa who then decide to recognize and help him.

Harkaway is revealed to be a disgraced former officer from a military family who tries to redeem his name by joining as a private under a fake name. This also explains his zeal in attacking the Italians and trying to make a name for himself.

However, the more successful he becomes, the more self-absorbed he becomes. He risks more and more lives in his quest and many tribesmen die in his attacks. He becomes uncaring towards his fellow Brits and eventually Danny (who has developed a relationship with him) leaves. But he doesn't care anymore. He has in essence become an anti-hero.

And this is the biggest difference between this book and Cry Wolf. CW is the formulaic plotline with disparate characters coming together to defeat the enemy, two of them falling in love and the other sacrificing himself, a total feel good story with extra saccharine. With this book, Hennessy isn't afraid to throw the usual plot away halfway through and the hero becomes the anti-hero and for this I respect and congratulate him. No one (or not many people) can say they finished the book with a warm fuzzy feeling, but for Hennessy's bravery I give this book 5 stars.