The Desert Rats

by Robin Neillands

Of all the units that marched with the Desert Army, none was more famous than the 7th Aroured Division, the most renowned British fighting force of World War 'The Desert Rats'. This Division fought in all the great battles of the Desert War - at Sidi Rezegh against the full might of Rommel's Afrika Korps; at Alamein, Tripoll and Tunis. And when the Axis was pushed out of Africa they moved on to Italy, France, Belgium and finally, triumphantly, to Berlin itself, the heart of the Nazi empire. This book tells the story of the Desert Rats largely in the words of the soldiers themselves. From commanding general to tank gunner, artillery man and most junior squaddie, these men bring history to life in all its horror and glory.

Genres: World War II, War, Military History, Military Fiction, History

304 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1991

About the author

Robin Hunter Neillands was a British writer known for his works on travel and military history. A former Royal Marine who served in Cyprus and the Middle East, he later became a prolific author, publishing under multiple pen names. His military histories, often featuring firsthand accounts from veterans, challenged revisionist narratives, particularly regarding Bernard Montgomery, the Dieppe Raid, and the Allied bombing campaign in World War II. Neillands also authored numerous travel books inspired by his extensive journeys across Europe. His works, both popular and scholarly, earned him a nomination for the Royal United Services Institute’s Military Literature Award.