Sicily '43: A Times Book of the Year

The author records accounts from all parties involved in the conflict. He obviously researched this very thoroughly & has written a very informative & interesting account of the whole operation.

James Holland has produced another excellent account of a pivotal campaign of WWII.Written in his very readable style he covers the subject from the level of high command to the experiences of those at the sharp end and on both sides.First class and highly recommended.

James Holland has deployed his usual skill and expertise to produce a compelling account of the Allied invasion of Sicily in 1943, a strangely neglected part of the preparations for the eventual invasion of mainland Europe, particularly the Normandy landings. The many individual accounts from those who were there and played their part in the bloody encounters with Italian and - especially - German defenders are woven into a fluent narrative that explores more than the usual headlines of tough fighting in the south-east and east of Sicily with Patton’s lightning flanking manoeuvres around the west and north of the island. What stands out is the way in which what is often dismissed as a sideshow and a brief strategic victory was in reality resolved into countless highly contested tactical actions, many at platoon and company level, in which the Wehrmacht deployed its commanding skills of defence and managed retreat.The ability of the defenders to withdraw in good order, particularly over the Straits of Messina stands as a testament to their fighting ability. The way in which the citizen armies of the Allies were able to prosecute their more cautious and resource intensive tactics should not reduce our admiration of their steadfast resolve in taking on and defeating the Wehrmacht in what is rightly regarded as the most difficult of offensives - dislodging highly trained and motivated defenders in terrain that always and remorselessly favoured the defenders. A couple of poorly researched references to HMS Tartar, a Tribal class destroyer, that would have been massively over gunned with the armament that Holland equips her with sit uneasily in a book that is otherwise a highly informative read. The only other significant criticism is one that this book shares with others in the same genre - there is much to be said for including maps within the text at the point operations in the areas in question are being described. It would also be helpful if towns or other physical features that are described in the text were included on the maps.Other readers may be struck by the way in which some of the lessons from the naval and airborne landings were incorporated in the D day preparations whilst others seem to have been ignored. Standing out in the latter category is the absolute priority to deploy airborne forces - in reality often the best trained and motivated troops - with something approaching precision if the best is to be made of their unique capabilities.

War is a terrible thing, it's no good for anyone...James Holland captures the hardships and sacrifices that both sides endured in the battle for Sicily. He transports you to the battle field and you can feel the anquish, determination,and heroism they must have gone through and I really felt for those combatants on both sides, the story that Holland describes is vivid and factual and captures the moment,a very good read. I just feel for the young men who sacrificed everything for this generation who don't appriciate what they have.

A well research and written book by this author. All books I have by him are very informative, easy to read and well written.

My one grandfather fought in Sicily in WW2 (Allied side), so I'm gathering information about the campaign to eventually write an essay about his involvement.

Well written, detailed And comprehensive account of tge invasion of Sicily

I have now read several of James Holland's books and have enjoyed every one of them - his prose and focus on personal histories brings each period of the war to life in a completely refreshing way that puts the reader right there in the action and decision-making. Excellent

You can't go wrong with this author! Never been disappointed in his books each gets better and better!!

Lots of detail from personal histories, I particularly enjoyed following Farley Mowat and the Hasty P's up though the mountainous terrain.

Excellent narrative writing and well researched. It brings the operation to life with all its complexities and challenges. He doesn't let leaders off the hook for mistakes but still presents them as human beings under immense pressure. Highly reccomend

Causa desgosto vem uma população pobre e atrasada submetida à guerra moderna, mecanizada e impiedosa. Fica patente que os Aliados e os "aliados" alemães não nutriam nenhum sentimento humanitário pelos italianos, iludidos por promessas de grandeza antiga.

Detaljerad beskrivning av de allierades invasion av Sicilien. Inte alls så lättsnutet som man kan tro av den gängse historiebeskrivningen.