Overview

A riveting new account of the long-overlooked achievement of British-led forces who, against all odds, scored the first major Allied victory of the Second World War Surprisingly neglected in accounts of Allied wartime triumphs, in 1941 British and Commonwealth forces completed a stunning and important victory in East Africa against an overwhelmingly superior Italian opponent. A hastily formed British-led force, never larger than 70,000 strong, advanced along two fronts to defeat nearly 300,000 Italian and colonial troops. This compelling book draws on an array of previously unseen documents to provide both a detailed campaign history and a fresh appreciation of the first significant Allied success of the war.   Andrew Stewart investigates such topics as Britain’s African wartime strategy; how the fighting forces were assembled (most from British colonies, none from the U.S.); General Archibald Wavell’s command abilities and his difficult relationship with Winston Churchill; the resolute Italian defense at Keren, one of the most bitterly fought battles of the entire war; the legacy of the campaign in East Africa; and much more.

Full Product Details

9780300208559

Table of Contents

Reviews

The First Victory is that rarity of military history: groundbreaking research combined with first-rate narrative skills. The critical neglect suffered by the East Africa campaign in volumes of popular history is now significantly redresssed. -Steve Donoghue, Open Letters -- Steve Donoghue * Open Letters * A riveting new account of the long-overlooked achievement of British-led forces who, against all odds, scored the major Allied victory of the Second World War... draws on an array of previously unseen documents to provide both a detailed campaign history and a fresh appreciation of the first significant Allied success of the war. -Andrew Stewart, Army Rumour Service -- Andrew Stewart * Army Rumour Service * Clear exposition based on exhaustive research and informed judgment. . . . [An] excellent contribution to World War II historiography. -Martin Rubin, Washington Times -- Martin Rubin * Washington Times *

A riveting new account of the long-overlooked achievement of British-led forces who, against all odds, scored the major Allied victory of the Second World War... draws on an array of previously unseen documents to provide both a detailed campaign history and a fresh appreciation of the first significant Allied success of the war. -Andrew Stewart, Army Rumour Service -- Andrew Stewart Army Rumour Service Clear exposition based on exhaustive research and informed judgment ... Mr. Stewart's achievement in his excellent contribution to World War II historiography is to have redressed [an] imbalance by giving this remarkable episode some long overdue attention. -Martin Rubin, Washington Times -- Martin Rubin Washington Times

A riveting new account of the long-overlooked achievement of British-led forces who, against all odds, scored the major Allied victory of the Second World War... draws on an array of previously unseen documents to provide both a detailed campaign history and a fresh appreciation of the first significant Allied success of the war. -Andrew Stewart, Army Rumour Service -- Andrew Stewart Army Rumour Service

Author Information

Andrew Stewart is reader in the defence studies department of King’s College London, and codirector of the King’s Second World War Research Group. He lives in Oxford, UK.

Tab Content 6

Customer Reviews

Recent Reviews

Countries Available