77) Tobruk by Peter FitzSimons the story of the garrison at the Libyan port of Tobruk in North Africa pitting British and Australian forces against the famed Afrika Korps led by legendary German General Erwin Rommel. It’s defence was key to keeping Germany from reaching Egypt and the vital Suez Canal and from there the rich oil fields of the Middle East. It is here that the first Victoria Cross (equivalent to the Medal of Honor) for an Australian in WWII would be awarded. This interweaves stories from both sides of the siege as well as stories from the families of the men fighting there giving it a unique voice. Bonus points too for the fact that a forward was written by Manfred Rommel, the only son of the famed Desert Fox.
78) Requiem for Battleship Yamato by Yoshida Mitsuru the battleship Yamato (as well as sister ship Mushashi) was the largest battleship to ever be used in conflict dwarfing the battleships before her and serving as the flagship for Admiral Yamamoto during the Battle of Midway. Her sinking in the Battle of Okinawa signalled the end of not only the Japanese navy in WWII, but also the battleship as being the crown jewel of a naval battlegroup. The author was a young ensign on board Yamato during her last sortie and would survive her sinking and so provides an interesting perspective and one that is rarely read about mixing it with the human cost of war.
Last edited by Crazy_Babe; 11/20/21 04:34 PM.
