Eighth Army Britains most famous field army of the twentieth century landed in Italy in September 1943 & fought continously until the defeat of the Germans in early-May 1945. This book studies the experience of Eighth Army in the Italian campaign examining how a force accustomed to the open spaces of North Africa adjusted to the difficult terrain of Italy where fighting became much more a matter for the infantry than for the armour. It also compares the qualities of the commanders of Eighth Army in Italy: Montgomery; Leese & finally Mc Creery. The book uses official records at various levels personal accounts
- some never before published
- & published material to present a picture of an army that although defined as British was one of the wars most cosmopolitan formations. Its soldiers came from the UK Canada India Ireland Nepal New Zealand Poland & South Africa as well as from Palestine
- the Jewish Brigade
- & from Italy itself.