The Battle of The Peaks and Longstop Hill, Tunisia, April-May 1943 - Ian Mitchell

This review has been submitted to British Army Review.

Title: The Battle of The Peaks and Longstop Hill, Tunisia, April-May 1943 

Author: Ian Mitchell
ISBN: 978-1-911628-93-4
Publisher: Helion
Year: 2019
Hardcover
Pages: 352
Photos/Maps: 26/15 

With the passage of time, historical recollection tends to focus upon key events and battles (Kursk, El Alamein, D-Day etc) while the smaller ones recede into the reminiscences of those who were there; ultimately to be lost. This is not to suggest that these battles are any less important or key to those soldiers who fought and died in them. It is for this fact that books, such as the authors, are so important in keeping the memory alive of these events for future generations. 

The Peaks and Long Stop Hill were key engagements in the overall Allied strategy of driving the Afrika Korps into an untenable operational position; ultimately resulting in its surrender. A relatively small engagement involving combined infantry and armoured units, the book relates the challenges of operations against dug in, experienced Afrika Korps troops occupying the high ground. Presented in articulate and engaging prose, the author approaches the narrative of the operations holistically, incorporating the efforts of the logisticians and support troops as well as the combat troops involved. It is refreshing to see this emphasis as, all too often, exclusive attention is given to the combat and little or none to the support elements. This provides the reader a deeper appreciation of the difficulties associated with combined arms operations and planning in relatively austere environments. 

Mitchell endeavours to situate the operation in the wider context of the Battle for Africa which had been raging for over two years by this point. This ‘big hand/small map’ inclusion is important in that it shines a light upon the importance of evicting the Germans from their positions in forwarding the Allied strategy. Provided along with the narrative are a series of modern day colour pictures of the region which provide excellent perspective of the operational environment. Additionally, a series of very high quality maps serve to track each of the significant elements of the battles as they unfolded. Combined with the numerous first hand accounts included in the text from all ranks and both sides, these provide the reader with a much better appreciation of what the troops endured and overcame. 

The detail and analysis provided by the author of the individual unit and Brigades actions is very noteworthy as his discussion of the German defensive efforts. The narrative structure of the book and presentation of the planning methodologies (and what influenced the decision making) is really quite superb. Mitchell closes his work with a comprehensive listing of his source material as well as the locations from which he was able to obtain them. Helion, as always, has provided an absolutely first rate publication. This is an excellent work of research and presentation and a very worthy addition to anyone’s library.

Five Days From Defeat - Walter Reid

This review submitted to British Army Review.

Title: Five Days From Defeat

Author: Walter Reid

ISBN: 978-1-78027-490-4

Publisher: Birlinn Books

Year: 2017

Hardcover

Pages: 256

Photos/Maps: 19/2

Following the commencement of the massive German offensive in March, 1918, the Allies were rocked back on their heels as the front was ripped open and the British 5^th Army collapsed in disarray. Popular history suggests that Field Marshall Douglas Haig, commander of the British and Commonwealth forces, was instrumental in coordinating the Allied response; maintaining his composure while those around him lost theirs. In fact, to read his biographies and memoires, one could very easily believe that he was the driving force behind the concept and implementation of the Joint Command structure that the Allies ultimately adopted under French leadership.

Reid’s intent is to provide a counterpoint to much of the narrative pertaining to the British role in the last year of the war. To that extent, he has approached his study in a very structured manner; breaking the discussion into pre-1918, the period of the Spring Offensive, the Five Days and the last 100 Days. Why this is important is that enables the reader to understand both the military and political standings and motivations of the three major players (France, Great Britain and Germany) leading into the final push. Reid has done a commendable job at setting the stage for the drama of the Spring Offensive by shining a light onto the difficult relationship between Haig and George (the British PM). Haig comes across as a very egotistical Commander and was a key impediment to any form of change in the Command relationships between the Allies. Additionally, Reid clearly shows that, in the eyes of the British public, he was also seen as the lynchpin holding the West together.

He then goes on to break down the five critical days of the Spring Offensive and the reactions of the various national players. Extensive analysis of primary source documentation reveals significant disconnect between the accepted British (read Haig) inspired history and what the documents tell us. Haig, far from the decisive unflustered Commander that he wishes to be remembered as, was, in fact, very much prepared to retreat along the British lines of communications to the French ports in anticipation of evacuating the Army. In his defence, the Germans had shattered the 5^th Army and was collapsing the 3^rd and he did have orders to protect the last Army that Britain could effectively provide. Nevertheless as Reid has suggested very convincingly, much of what occurred as a result of the Spring Offensive happened around and in spite of Haig, not because of him.

Reid’s book is an interesting analysis of the relative state of the commanders of the three major powers. It sheds light on the role of the media in developing and maintaining both a perception of individuals as well as being a tool in the challenge of civil/military relations within the British hierarchy at this time. His discussion of the efforts of the civilian governments (especially amongst the British) to wrest back control of the war from the Generals is a telling example of the failure of clear delineations of responsibility. A very interesting read and a worthwhile addition to any library or collection.