Title: Tunisian battle
First published: 1943
Description: "This is a very complete authoritative story of the First Army and their American comrades in Tunisia by John D'Arcy-Dawson, War Correspondent with Kemsley's Newspapers. He was with our troops at the front from the Battle of Tebourba, through the triumph of Tunis until the last shot was fired at Bou Fischa. It is a very personal account of the triumphs and difficulties which were the lot of our First Army by a man who fought through the last war from Gallipoli onwards. The author only twice left the front during the campaign, once to fly to the memorable Casablanca Conference when his plane was nearly shot down over Spanish Morocco ; once to Algiers for interviews with General Giraud, Mr. Robert Murphy, American Consul General and other Chiefs of the Administration. This latter trip gave him a particularly intimate picture of the principal personalities and of the then confused political situation with its background of intrigue.^

^Throughout the book descriptions of scenery and poeple, ancient cities and the ruins of older civilisations, give a most fascinating background to the hard realities of Battle. For the first time the background stories are given of the glorious achievements by British arms at Tebourba, Thala, Fondouk, Tangoucha, the heights above Medjez el Bab and the battles for Longstop Hill, to mention only a few of the principal actions. Both British and American tank battles are vividly described and the author makes pertinent observations on the development of tank tactics and weapons. He tells of the transformation that took place when the 6th Armoured Division were issued with modern American tanks ; the magnificent use to which they were put at Fondouk, and their triumph at Hamman-Lif which latter victory evoked the admiration of captured Panzer Generals.^

^Amongst the numerous personalities which cross the pages are intimate pictures of General Sir Harold Alexander, General Sir Kenneth Anderson and other British and American Generals whom the author frequently met on the battlefield. John D'Arcy-Dawon knew and visited constantly every yard of the front from the sea at Cap Serrat to the edge of the desert at El Guettar, often travelling 200 miles a day to get eye-witness stories. He wert with the Commandos on a raid into enemy territory and gives a most graphic description of this experience. He felt that the discomforts and dangers of the whole campaign were well repaid when finally he had the thrill of entering Tunis with the first tanks." --Jacket flap.
Subjects: Campaigns, English Personal narratives, Personal narratives, English, World War, 1939-1945
Places: Tunisia
LC classification: D766.99.T8 D3