Overview

A meticulous illustrated examination of Operation Avalanche, the highly contested British and US invasion of the Italian mainland. In mid-September 1943, as the opening move of the Allied campaign to liberate the mainland of Italy, an Anglo-American invasion force landed on the beaches of the Gulf of Salerno, only a few dozen miles to the south of Naples. Italy had just surrendered, and the soldiers in the landing craft prayed that the invasion would be unopposed. It was not to be. The Germans had seized control of the Italian-built beach defences, and were ready and waiting. The ferocious ten-day battle at Salerno was eventually decided by a combination of Allied reinforcements, and secondary landings in support of the beleaguered Salerno bridgehead. Using documentary records, memoirs and eyewitness accounts from all sides, Angus Konstam recreates the battle day by day, hour by hour. His methodically researched account offers a fresh perspective on a decisive battle that has largely been neglected by British and American historians.

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9781780962498

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Reviews

Author Angus Konstam does a masterful job of telling the tale of hopes, incompetence, bravery and eventual Allied success. Though greatly outnumbered, the Germans did quite well in slowing down and nearly defeating the landing. This is all enhanced by some great period photos from both sides and the art work of Mark Stille. As is typical of the series, we are provided with some great campaign maps and information on visiting this area today. Overall, it is a fascinating read of this important operation and one that I can easily recommend to you. - Scott Van Aken, www.modelingmadness.com (July 2013) This is a concise account of a battle that remians controversial. The author describes, and the book illustrates, the different phases of the action. while skirting the disputes that still surround some of the Allied generals. For those unfamiliar with the campaign, or for those intrested in a bried introduction, it is recommended. - The Coast Defense Journal (August 2013)

Author Angus Konstam does a masterful job of telling the tale of hopes, incompetence, bravery and eventual Allied success. Though greatly outnumbered, the Germans did quite well in slowing down and nearly defeating the landing. This is all enhanced by some great period photos from both sides and the art work of Mark Stille. As is typical of the series, we are provided with some great campaign maps and information on visiting this area today. Overall, it is a fascinating read of this important operation and one that I can easily recommend to you. - Scott Van Aken, www.modelingmadness.com (July 2013)

Author Information

Angus Konstam hails from the Orkney Islands, and is the author of over 50 books, 30 of which are published by Osprey. This acclaimed and widely published author has written several books on piracy, including The History of Pirates, and Blackbeard: America's Most Notorious Pirate. A former naval officer and museum professional, he worked as the Curator of Weapons at the Tower of London and as the Chief Curator of the Mel Fisher Maritime Museum in Key West, Florida. He now works as a full-time author and historian, and lives in Edinburgh, Scotland. Steve Noon was born in Kent, UK, and attended art college in Cornwall. He’s had a life-long passion for illustration, and since 1985 has worked as a professional artist. He has provided award-winning illustrations for the publishers Dorling Kindersley, where his interest in historical illustration began. Steve has illustrated over 30 books for Osprey.

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