In 1942, Britain's 78th (Battleaxe) Division was the elite spearhead for the imminent invasion of North Africa. The 78th had been assembled in Scotland that same year and adopted the insignia of a yellow Crusader's battleaxe on a black background. In November 1942, the 78th landed in Algiers as part of "Operation Torch" and fought a series of crucial actions there and in Tunisia. During the winter of 1942/3, it was involved in some of the most gruelling and costly fighting of the war: actions at Tebourba and Longstop Hill became famous as battles of dogged resistance against the odds. The two VCs which were won in these firefights, together with another awarded later on the Gustav Line in Italy in 1944, show that the division was constantly in the thick of the action. This text offers an account of the exploits of the 78th Division. The author combines his own narrative with first-hand accounts from the soldiers who fought with the 78th. The book follows the division's move to Sicily in July 1943, through a landing in Italy and a hard slog up through to the north, crossing the heavily fortified River Sangro.
It also explores the final act for the 78th - the push into Austria to round up the German forces - and its final role as part of the Army of Occupation.
- ISBN10 0750918934
- ISBN13 9780750918930
- Publish Date 24 June 1999
- Publish Status Out of Print
- Out of Print 6 May 2011
- Publish Country GB
- Publisher The History Press Ltd
- Imprint Sutton Publishing Ltd
- Format Hardcover
- Pages 224
- Language English