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FOREWORD |
ix |
1 |
DESIGN FOR A UNIT |
1 |
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Mobilisation—Training in New Zealand—Embarkation and voyage—Arrival at Port Tewfik. |
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2 |
HOW TO SEE EGYPT ON A POUND A WEEK |
15 |
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Maadi Camp—
Cairo—Advanced training—Transport is issued—Duties in Cairo Sub-area—Ferry service—A Section at
El Daba—Desert training. |
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3 |
MEETING AT AMIRIYA |
27 |
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(1)
Birth of a Happy Section. C Section at
Burnham—The Bombay incident—Arrival in Egypt. |
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(2)
Working for Wavell. A Section in the Desert—Italian prisoners—Christmas—Move to
Helwan—C Section at Gebel Ruzza—Speculations. |
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(3)
Diversion to a Dragon-Slaying. B Section in England—Leave, work, and training—The Battle of
Britain—Voyage to Egypt—The unit at
Amiriya. |
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4 |
PICNIC BEFORE A THUNDERSTORM |
51 |
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Piræus and
Athens—First impressions—Journey north—The unit starts work—Back to
Larissa—Salvage—Stukas and Messerschmitts—First casualties. |
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5 |
THE THUNDERSTORM |
65 |
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Withdrawing troops—A bad day—Thermopylæ—Hiding from Stukas—Destruction of transport—With the 6th Brigade. |
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6 |
WITHDRAWAL FROM GREECE |
86 |
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Anzac Day—
Kea Island—Detachment at
Nauplion—Back through
Athens—
Corinth and
Tripolis—Capture at
Kalamata—The last ship. |
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7 |
ISLAND INTERLUDE |
103 |
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Arrival in
Crete—Drivers as infantry—Winning the toss—Back to Egypt. |
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8 |
MURDER ON THE OLD HOOK |
112 |
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Crown and Anchor—Reorganisation and leave—Move to the Desert—At Fuka. |
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9 |
FOX IN THE FOWL RUN |
121 |
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Across the frontier—Chased by tanks—Travelling with Rommel—
Sidi Azeiz. |
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10 |
THURSDAY, FRIDAY, AND SATURDAY |
155 |
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Sidi Azeiz overrun—A long chase—Through the corridor to
Tobruk. |
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11 |
PRISON AND THE MUSHROOM COUNTRY |
172 |
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Wharfingers in
Tobruk—Back to
Fuka—Prisoners at
Bardia—Christmas—A Section in
Cyrenaica—Reunion at
Maadi. |
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12 |
SYRIA |
198 |
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Reorganisation—Move to
Syria—Work and training—Fraternisation and the Flag—Back to Egypt. |
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13 |
WHILE SHEPHEARD'S WATCHED |
221 |
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Carrying the 20th Battalion—Surrounded—
Minqar Qaim—Stuka time—A Section returns. |
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14 |
A STUDY IN DISCOMFORT |
246 |
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Flies—Heat—Work—Leave—The barrage begins. |
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15 |
OUT OF THE SLOUGH |
263 |
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Battle of
Alamein—Waiting to advance—Out of Egypt—Halt at
Bardia. |
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16 |
JOURNEY WITH HALTS |
273 |
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Rest and training—
El Agheila—On to
Tripoli. |
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17 |
FEEDING A CATERPILLAR |
285 |
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Work at the docks. |
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18 |
THE END OF THE FIRST HALF |
291 |
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Medenine—
Gabes—
Sfax—
Sousse—Back to
Maadi. |
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19 |
DISSECTION OF AN UNDERBELLY |
310 |
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(1)
The Sangro. Voyage to
Italy—The unblown bridge—Over the
Sangro—Mud and Christmas—Move to Fifth Army front. |
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(2)
Apollyon in the Path.
Cassino—Work—Fire at the Ammunition Point. |
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(3)
And So To Rome.
Isernia and San Agapito—
Hove Dump—An Italian day—Forward to Rome—
Narni—The next move. |
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20 |
THROUGH THE VINEYARDS |
359 |
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Before Florence—No. 1 Platoon with 26th Battalion—Move to the Adriatic—Winter. |
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21 |
THE
MAIALE'S
CASA |
378 |
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Rest and training—Albacina. |
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22 |
WHITE CHRISTMAS |
387 |
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Billets at
Forli—Road-building under fire—The Jeep Platoon—Christmas—Back at Albacina. |
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23 |
‘THY CHASE HAD A BEAST IN VIEW’ |
405 |
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(1)
The Rivers.
Senio—
Santerno—Sillaro—Po. |
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(2)
Drive to a Cricket Match.
Padua and
Venice—A night battle—Arrival at
Ronchi—The end of the chase. |
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24 |
‘… AND THE REAR PARTY WILL CLEAN UP.’ |
444 |
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Unit at
Villa Vicentina—Trouble with Tito—Leave unlimited—Move to Trasimene—Disbanded. |
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Roll of Honour |
459 |
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Honours and Awards |
460 |
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Commanding Officers |
461 |