Up For Grabs

by Max Hennessy

A fighting team with a very special difference...In times gone by, the looting didn’t start until the foe was vanquished! But in North Africa nobody bothered to hang around for the enemy to retreat.

With half of Egypt waiting open-armed for anything going, people stole whatever wasn’t screwed down – and flogged it on the Cairo black market. The British… The Italians… and Rommel’s Afrika they all used each other’s captured weapons, stores, vehicles – even their uniforms.

This is the enthralling story of an unlikely group of fighting men – the Desert Ratbags – a concert party stranded behind enemy lines. Their very special skills, from pilfering to stage performing, help them not only to survive, but also to see a little action for themselves.

An enthralling, suspenseful tale of WWII, perfect for fans of Alistair MacLean, David Black and Jack Higgins.

Praise for Max Hennessy‘Mr Harris is a master storyteller’ Sunday Mirror

280 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 17, 2020

About the author

Pseudonym of John Harris

Reviews

[Sam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Retreat leaves the four behind enemy lines with acting and only brazen moves keeping them alive

They were supposed to entertain the allied troops, but a fast Italian advance left then behind and every step was watched as they fought for survival with their wits, acting skills, Italian language skills, and outrageous behavior. Cairo and the safety of British lines seemed far away as they pilfered food and water from an unsuspecting enemy who was armed and dangerous.. Fascinating times and well worth the time.

[John Davies · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book ages ago, and had completely forgotten how good it is. A group of British Army entertainers end up caught behind the enemy lines along with a couple of others. Thanks to two of them speaking Italian like natives, they pretend they are part of the Italian Army, and slowly gather information to give to the British once they escape. Along the way, they end up stealing better vehicles, food, and other equipment, and sabotaging the Italian efforts in the area, helping to stop the Italian and German advance, and allowing the Allies to counter-attack.

[William Rowe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun story about a mixed up war

Stereotypical characters in North Africa 1940-41. The descriptions give a good feeling for the area that none of us will visit.

[M.G.Hanlon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun read

A follow in the series, not lively aesthetics but still a bit of action in entertaining fiction, not one if you have any historic knowledge oftheafricaxampaign

[Richard · Rating 4 out of 5]

An entertaining read written with a light touch.

[Mike Brannan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Madcap War

A fascinating madcap story illustrating the confusion of war in the desert. How a bunch of misfits managed to help themselves and the war effort. Very funny.