Recommended books on Italy campaign

Looking for recommendations for the best overall book on the Italian campaign...something that covers the whole campaign and isn't too biased or focused on one perspective or one armies experience.
Thanks!

 

Could start here
Page 2879 | Supplement 38937, 12 June 1950 | London Gazette | The Gazette

97 pages if you download it.

 

Very extensive list here on Frank’s (member “Minden1759”) site here, both on the Regiments and Corps involved in Italy plus on the campaign in general - well worth a look.

www.cassinobattlefields.co.uk - cassinobattlefields - FAQs & Reading List

 

Frank seems to have forgotten John Ellis's book: Cassino The Hollow Victory. First printed in 1984 on his general reading list. I cant vouch for any of the others of Ellis's that are on the list. I'm guessing its the same chap? For those that have not read Richard Lamb's War in Italy 1939-1945, then I would strongly say its worth buying. I had it on my shelf for some years collecting dust before I picked it off the shelf one weekend, and read the most of it in a few days and (I've since read it again). Has for any books by that biased Martin Blumenson, then who knows what I'd use the paper for. That is any ones guess. Below are the Sources & Bibliography from Ellis's book.

Has can be seen, there is nothing he has not read. I still maintain that this book is the most detailed that will ever be written on the four battles of Cassino. I'm sure others will say otherwise.



He's read much of the British War Diaries, and does not think much of
them of which I agree with him that in most diaries that I've read. I'm no
expert, and never will be. More time for the French below.


If only I could get my hands on the above? That would be fab!



Regards,
Stu.

Edit. Gary Tankard, when are you going to France to copy the war diaries? Or, do you know of a link?

 

It depends upon what you want to know about WW2 in Italy. The list on Frank's site is impressive but it reflects the problem. Most of the British Commonwealth forces fought alongside the Eighth Army with the exception of the British 1st Infantry Division who most of the time from Anzio and afterwards fought with the Americans on the Western side of the country.
In between them was 13 Corps consisting of British Commonwealth Forces. It will be difficult to find a book that adequately covers both British and American Advances up the Country.
During this time Italy was involved in a civil war, particularly in the North. Some fought alongside the Allies, some alongside the Germans and others as partisans between each other.
Do you have specific needs to research such as relatives or are you seeking academic advice.

 

I assume from the original poster that they want a high-level overview of the campaign. I doubt that recommending them regimental books will give them the overall perspective they requested.

Whether such a book exists or not is another question! People being what they are, and thus writers writing for a local audience, maybe it would require at least two books, one for the British+Commonwealth perspective and one for the American.

Robin Neilland's "Eighth Army" covers Sicily and Italy at a high level in 150 pages so it has to be possible...

PS I thought that maybe Rich Atkinson's "The Day of Battle" might give a good account of American Fifth Army - I think I've read it but it's a bit of a blur? - but the cover says 1943-44 so it can't be the whole campaign.

 

Thanks to all, Chris is correct, I was looking for a good "overview". I have ordered Tug of War as a starting point.
Cheers, Clint

 

Probably off theme. I do recommend 'Target Italy: The Secret War Against Mussolini, 1940-1943; The Official History of SOE Operations in Fascist Italy' by Roderick Bailey. Published in 2014, in hardback. Sadly, a tale of failures and a very capable opponent.

It is available quite cheap on bookseller sites and is well reviewed on this one: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Target-Secret-Against-Mussolini-1940-1943/dp/0571299180

 

"Ever your own, Johnnie, Italy and Sicily 1943-45" available through Lulu, and Amazon https://www.amazon.co.uk/Ever-Johnnie-Sicily-Italy-1943-45/dp/1326598929 is a personal account told through letters and diaries, together with a researched commentary of the 76thHAA regiment's campaign from landing in Sicily to VE day in northern Italy.

 

Talking of books from www.lulu.com . I can think of two books that must have a mention. Sorry, if I've mentioned these two books before ( of which I've yet to buy the remaining books) that this author has on this website. I will not mention a name.

ISBN 978-1-4092-1542-4 The Arezzo Massacres A Tuscan Tragedy First Edition 2005, Second 2008, and Third 2013.
ISBN 978-1-291-11052-4 The Bridge at Allerona 2018. A excellent book. Remembering the men on the train & their families.

Regards,
Stu.

 

I like 'Italy's Sorrow' from James Holland, although it covers only one year (May 1944- May 1945) but all nations. Then of course, only the Canadian experience would be the books by Marc Zuehlke.

 

Never.

I have no intention of learning the language of England's most ancient enemy.

 

Thanks Stu for plugging my books.

For the others see my website.

Janet Kinrade Dethick

(Correct link edited in.)


My latest is coming out on 31August

https://austinmacauley.com/book/some-corner-foreign-field
It deals with deaths behind the lines in Italy.

 

Gary.

I always thought that that was the Scots.

Regards

Frank

 

I must admit when I read it my pride was a little dented

 

Hi Janet.

No problem at all. The two that I've got at the moment are rather good and they are cheap to boot and I don't need to say anymore. Long may you carry on doing many more. Hope you are both doing well? It must be rather hot in Italy at the moment stating the obvious. Rather you than me for living in that lovely Country when its b..... hot.

I must buy some more.

Thanks for the link.

Regards,
Stu.

 

Janet,

something is wrong with your website. It may be at my end? Its saying error. The second link is fine.

Can you email it me off the board please?

Thanks.
Stu.

 

I'm getting an error too

 

Its just the link on here that it doesn't work, the other search engines pick her website up. There is an i missing in kinrade in the link.

 

Sorry folks - here is the correct version:

http://janetkinradedethick.weebly.com

At the moment Stu we are in Corsica and daytime temperatures are still in the low thirties. We get used to the heat and adjust our daily routine accordingly.

It's the cold winters that are the problem - as with the Irish Brigade in the Abruzzi and all the poor devils on the Gothic Line. A reduction of central heating temperatures to19 degrees could well be on the cards.

Janet