Readers of this Author’s Eighth Army’s Greatest Victories (shortly to appear as a Penguin paperback) will welcome this latest work covering the difficult early period of what was to become one of the most illustrious formations in British military history. Born from the Western Desert force, the Eighth Army was beset with command, equipment and morale problems before it emerged to enjoy glory. The book recounts the events of the first year of Eighth Army’s existence when it enjoyed the advantages of superior numbers, superior tanks (contrary to legend), superior Intelligence and the support of a more effective air force. Despite these benefits and the undoubted valour of its soldiers, however, it suffered a series of defeats or, even more disheartening, successes which brought no lasting benefit. The book describes these events and explains the reasons with authority.