Desert War Ebook
The Battle of Sidi Rezegh
Peter Cox
Sir Geoffrey Cox described Sidi Rezegh, fought during Operation Crusader in Libya over November and December 1941, as ‘the forgotten battle of the Desert War’. The objective of Crusader was to retake Cyrenaica, the eastern region of Libya, and ultimately drive the Italians and Germans out of North Africa. The campaign also involved British and South African troops, and did achieve the badly needed relief of Tobruk.
Despite the New Zealand Division’s major role, and the importance of this campaign in achieving British victory in North Africa, it has largely been neglected by historians, failing to receive as much attention as Crete, El Alamein or Cassino. Yet more New Zealand soldiers were killed or taken prisoner during Crusader than in any other campaign fought by ‘the Div’ during the war.
Peter Cox, whose father fought at Sidi Rezegh, draws on his experience of twice visiting the battlefield to tell the story of this complex and costly campaign. He sets the scene for the fighting in Libya, describes the unforgiving and inhospitable desert landscape, follows the stages of the action itself and recounts the often moving and heroic stories of the New Zealanders who fought there. Many never returned home.
This is both a very accessible account of a significant New Zealand contribution to World War II and a tribute to the thousands of men who took part in this punishing battle.
Specifications: ebook | 240 pages
MEDIA:
Matthew Wright's Review on NZ Books Quarterly 2015
Peter Cox has "pitched his material at the general reader - the practical audience of any author - offering a clear, unpretentious and competent narrative with many new eyewitness accounts that he researched for the book. This is where his account shines ... Cox hits the mark with his breakdown of the battle. This is no mean feat."
The Weekend Herald, July 2015
"Peter Cox has written a detailed account…fascinating for anyone with a family connection."
New Zealand Listener, June 2015
"a lucid, well-researched study of the conflict and those who fought in it..."
Northland Age, June 2015
"Peter Cox has done a very good job of righting the wrong of allowing Sidi Rezegh to slip into obscurity. The descendants of those who fought there, particularly, should read this book, and wonder anew at the courage of their forebears."
Radio New Zealand National - Nine to Noon, 20 May 2015
"Comprehensive book about the battle ... Nailed it on the head in what happened in the battles ... bringing it to life."
New Zealand Titles
