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Desert Diggers: Writings From a War Zone 'Somewhere in the Middle East' 1940-1942

(Paperback)


Publishing Details

Full Title:

Desert Diggers: Writings From a War Zone 'Somewhere in the Middle East' 1940-1942

Contributors:
ISBN:

9781923004849

Publisher:

Big Sky Publishing

Imprint:

Big Sky Publishing

Publication Date:

6th March 2024

Country:

Australia

Classifications

Fiction/Non-fiction:

Non Fiction

Main Subject:
Other Subjects:

Modern warfare
General and world history

Physical Properties

Physical Format:

Paperback

Number of Pages:

448

Dimensions:

Width 153mm, Height 230mm

Description

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 volunteers, tracing their adventures in exotic ports before further training in Palestine. Travel was one compensation for a soldiers existence including the opportunity to visit biblical sites and take an obligatory snapshot on a camel. Men from the land found amusement in local farming practices dating back millennia, while entertainment was found in events inspired by home. With a surf club established on Gaza beach, enthusiastic Arab onlookers marveled at scenes reminiscent of a Bondi surf carnival. Similarly, Army engineers mapped out a track resembling Randwick for another Australian institution, the country race meet, run with silks worn by past Melbourne Cup winners.
A hunger for action grew. Most of the chaps are ... anxious to get into anything that looks like a fight, a soldier told his brother. 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. Honestly, I didnt think I could be so bloodthirsty, a private afterwards shared.After Rommel failed to storm Tobruk in April 1941, Nazi propaganda denigrated the garrison, caught like rats in a trap. Berlins scornful broadcasts, however, were an unintended tonic; Frequently we laughed and joked until the tears came into our eyes, a Rat of Tobruk penned.
Returning to Egypt in mid-1942, the Diggers were instrumental in blunting Rommels attacks at El Alamein. He tried out his tanks on us first and lost most of them. Then he tried infantry we cut them to pieces, a lieutenant told his mother. The price of victory, however, came high; My company was sadly knocked about, a farmer from country Victoria lamented, some of my best mates didn't come out of it.
The immediacy and raw emotion of the skillfully woven letters provides a fresh and compelling account of the Australian experience of war.

Author Bio

David Mitchelhill-Green began his career working abroad as a medical scientist in London. A love of history and photography led to globetrotting investigations for the UK magazine After the Battle. Several years living in Japan sparked an interest in the countrys feudal history and the co-authoring of Castles of the Samurai and Samurai Castles. Returning home to Australia, David resumed studies in military history.His books include Tobruk: Fiercely Stand or Fighting Fall, Air War Over North Africa, Fighting in Ukraine and Hitlers War in Africa. David won first prize for literature in the 2021 RAAF Heritage Awards. Living in Melbourne, he enjoys escaping into the Victorian High Country to write.

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