'Aussie Rick'’s Comments (group member since Jun 12, 2009)

'Aussie Rick'’s comments from the THE WORLD WAR TWO GROUP group.

Jonny wrote: ""The Real Cruel Sea'; I was going to make a post on Woodman's recounting of the epic of the San Demetrio, but this one strikes me as more representative of the quiet heroism of our 'merchies'There..."

Pretty sad story there Jonny, thanks for posting those details. Those in the Merchant navy deserve better recognition.

Thanks for posting the details on those new books Jerome, I am sure they will interest a number of group members.

More new and interesting books being mentioned, thanks :)

Geevee wrote: "I've just finished this. I enjoyed it a great deal.

[book:Mussolini's War: Fascist Italy from Triumph to Co..."

Excellent review Geevee, thanks for sharing your thoughts with the group. I better try and get around to reading my copy soon :)

Thanks for posting those details Jerome.

happy wrote: "I'm currently reading



It's on the six months leading up to D-Day from the German Perspective (mainly Rommel's)

It is literally a d..."

I've got a copy of that book Happy that I purchased a few years back and I am very keen to read it, just other stuff seems to get in the way :)

Glad to hear its shaping up to a 4+ star read. Keep us all posted.

"Pendulum of War: The Three Battles of El Alamein" - Details on the efforts of allied artillery during the final battle at El Alamein:

"Dawn on 4 November saw the 7th Argylls attack Tel el Aqqaqir. Unlike the Gordons the previous evening, the Argylls had the support of seven regiments of field artillery on a frontage of just 600 yards. The advance was unopposed but eight men were killed and 23 wounded by 'drop shorts' from some of the supporting artillery. These 'drop shorts' were due not only to the extreme fatigue of the gunners but also to the fact that many of the field gun barrels were worn out. This was the last bombardment fired by Eight Army's artillery during the battle. The 7th Medium Regiment noted, 'We have fired 22,000 rds of ammn since the battle began.' In 12 days of battle, the artillery had fired more than one million rounds of 25-pounder ammunition. On the 30th Corps front, each 25-pounder gun had fired an average of 1,909 rounds per gun. These astonishing figures gives some idea of the crushing weight of support that the artillery gave to the units in the front line. the physical demands on the gunners had been enormous but Eight Army's artillery fire had done much to determine the outcome of the battle."

Account of Artillery at El Alamein:
https://51hd.co.uk/accounts/el_alamei...

The role of Artillery at 2nd Alamein (podcast):
https://theprinciplesofwar.com/podcas...

"Pendulum of War: The Three Battles of El Alamein" - The near obsolete Valentine tanks provided excellent support for the Australian infantry during numerous German counter-attacks:

"The Valentines reached these positions not long before the Pfeiffer Battlegroup began its attack. Although seriously outmatched, the Valentine crews knew that they had to hold their positions to protect the Australian infantry. The anti-tank guns of the 298th Anti-Tank Battery, which were deployed along the railway embankment, added their fire to support the beleaguered Valentines. Although outranged and outgunned, the Valentine crews held their ground and employed their hull-down positions to best advantage. Although the German tanks were able to knock out many of the Valentines, several panzers were also hit and set on fire. Shocked by the unexpectedly fierce resistance, the remainder of the German battlegroup withdrew."

And again later:

"Just two hours later, the Pfeiffer Battlegroup spearheaded yet another attack. It carefully worked its way around the Australian positions and took up hull-down positions around the high ground to the north of the road. The German infantry made no headway against the Australian defences and suffered once again from the pounding of concentrated artillery fire. The Valentines kept up the unequal contest and managed to destroy five or six of the panzers before the rest withdrew. After a day of intense fighting 40th Royal Tank Regiment was finally ordered to withdraw. Twenty-one Valentines were left behind as shattered wrecks, yet the regiment had held off every German tank attack and protected the Australian infantry. The historian of the 2/48th Battalion remarked that 'the courage of these men made their action one of the most magnificent of the war'. There had been no repeat of the bitter debacles of July. The tanks, infantry, artillery and anti-tank guns of 9th Australian Division worked together as a team."

Pendulum of War: Three Battles at El Alamein by Niall J.A. Barr

Manray9 wrote: "I read that under this title:

[book:A Question of Honor: The Kosciuszko Squadron: Forgotten Heroe..."

A good book on the subject MR9! Highly recommended.

I watched that last year, it's titled "Hurricane" over here. I hope you enjoyed it Mike.

I am sure you can find lots of books on the subject for further reading :)

I've never subscribed Mike. I used to have a few military magazine subscriptions but let them all drop in favour of books :)

"Pendulum of War: The Three Battles of El Alamein" - The author had this to say about the famous action at 'Snipe':

"Eventually, after spending the evening fearing that the position would finally be overrun by German infantry, the battalion pulled out, taking one six-pounder and the breechblocks of all the other guns back with them. 2nd Rifle Brigade and 239th Anti-tank Battery had just fought one of the most celebrated anti-tank actions of the war. During one day of constant danger and exertion, they had destroyed at least 32 enemy tanks and knocked out 15 to 20 more, which were later recovered, at a cost of 14 killed, 44 wounded and one missing. Briggs, Lumsden and Montgomery were naturally delighted. The action at 'Snipe' is generally viewed as an heroic action by a single battalion nut, although 2nd Rifle Brigade was isolated, it did not fight alone. The panzers had already been attacked from the air by the time they reached them. In fact, though it might have been impolitic to note it at the time, 2nd Rifle Brigade had just fought a very successful 'battlegroup' action along the lines that the 'old' Eighth Army had developed during July. 'Snipe' was simply the brightest and best example of Eighth Army's now fully developed method of anti-tank defence, the same as had been used by Robcol on 2 July, 433rd Battery on 16th July and 1st Rifle Brigade at Alam Halfa. None of this should detract from the remarkable performance of the battalion, or course; the entire combat on 27 October demonstrated that Eighth Army was now able to outfight its opponent."

Ordeal at Outpost Snipe: Defiant Stand at El Alamein:
https://warfarehistorynetwork.com/art...

Two excellent books at great prices, thanks for the heads-up Mike.

Good point Mike, he was pretty old for an infantry soldier.

"Pendulum of War: The Three Battles of El Alamein" - Back with the Australians of the 2/48th Infantry Battalion, who are still attacking the German and Italian defensive positions:

" ... During this fighting, when the company was held up, Private Percy Gratwick charged an enemy machine-gun post and killed its crew. He then ran forward again and killed a mortar crew before himself being killed by machine-gun fire. Gratwick's action enabled the company to consolidate its position and won him a posthumous Victoria Cross."

Private Percy Gratwick V.C.:
https://anzacportal.dva.gov.au/biogra...

"Pendulum of War: The Three Battles of El Alamein" - The 51st (Highland) during Operation Lightfoot:

"In the northern lane, 5th Black Watch reached the red line at midnight after taking 'Montrose' under intense machine-gun fire. The unit suffered heavy casualties and piper Duncan McIntyre died while playing the regimental march 'Hieland Laddie'. He was found the next morning with his pipes still under his arm and his fingers 'rigid on the chanter'."

Duncan McIntyre and El Alamein:
https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-x...

Amputation by a clasp knife - yikes - that would have hurt!

Jonny wrote: "I'd read the first volume of Clay back in 2001 or 02. If you'll forgive the analogy, Terraine blows Clay clean out of the water. At my most charitable, Clay proved to be an excellent cure for insom..."

Jonny :)

"Pendulum of War: The Three Battles of El Alamein" - I've read about this before but it's still amazing to read these numbers again:

"The German engineers had recent experience of how difficult it could be to gap minefields under fire. To this end, Colonel Hecker, the Panzerarmee's Chief Engineer, had overseen the laying of 445,358 mines. German and Italian engineers laid 249,849 anti-tank mines and 14,509 anti-personnel mines from 5 July to 20 October while 181,000 mines in captured British minefields around Deir el Shein and Bab el Qattara were incorporated into the defences. A further 180,000 British mines from captured dumps had been relaid along the front. No other army had incorporated so many mines into its defence up to this point in the war."

Cairo seeks international help to clear millions of land mines:
https://www.al-monitor.com/originals/...

Jonny wrote: ""Business In Great Waters" - that's a 5 star read right there, even if it did take the best part of a year to read. Although in fairness I'm a bit gutted it's finished. The slightly longer version ..."

Really glad to hear you enjoyed the book, an oldier but a goodie!