Journey Towards Christmas
CONTENTS
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CONTENTS
| Page | ||
| FOREWORD | ix | |
| 1 | DESIGN FOR A UNIT | 1 |
| Mobilisation—Training in New Zealand—Embarkation and voyage—Arrival at Port Tewfik. | ||
| 2 | HOW TO SEE EGYPT ON A POUND A WEEK | 15 |
| Maadi Camp—Cairo—Advanced training—Transport is issued—Duties in Cairo Sub-area—Ferry service—A Section at El Daba—Desert training. | ||
| 3 | MEETING AT AMIRIYA | 27 |
| (1) Birth of a Happy Section. C Section at Burnham—The Bombay incident—Arrival in Egypt. | ||
| (2) Working for Wavell. A Section in the Desert—Italian prisoners—Christmas—Move to Helwan—C Section at Gebel Ruzza—Speculations. | ||
| (3) Diversion to a Dragon-Slaying. B Section in England—Leave, work, and training—The Battle of Britain—Voyage to Egypt—The unit at Amiriya. | ||
| 4 | PICNIC BEFORE A THUNDERSTORM | 51 |
| Piræus and Athens—First impressions—Journey north—The unit starts work—Back to Larissa—Salvage—Stukas and Messerschmitts—First casualties. | ||
| 5 | THE THUNDERSTORM | 65 |
| Withdrawing troops—A bad day—Thermopylæ—Hiding from Stukas—Destruction of transport—With the 6th Brigade. | ||
| 6 | WITHDRAWAL FROM GREECE | 86 |
| Anzac Day—Kea Island—Detachment at Nauplion—Back through Athens—Corinth and Tripolis—Capture at Kalamata—The last ship. |
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| 7 | ISLAND INTERLUDE | 103 |
| Arrival in Crete—Drivers as infantry—Winning the toss—Back to Egypt. | ||
| 8 | MURDER ON THE OLD HOOK | 112 |
| Crown and Anchor—Reorganisation and leave—Move to the Desert—At Fuka. | ||
| 9 | FOX IN THE FOWL RUN | 121 |
| Across the frontier—Chased by tanks—Travelling with Rommel—Sidi Azeiz. | ||
| 10 | THURSDAY, FRIDAY, AND SATURDAY | 155 |
| Sidi Azeiz overrun—A long chase—Through the corridor to Tobruk. | ||
| 11 | PRISON AND THE MUSHROOM COUNTRY | 172 |
| Wharfingers in Tobruk—Back to Fuka—Prisoners at Bardia—Christmas—A Section in Cyrenaica—Reunion at Maadi. | ||
| 12 | SYRIA | 198 |
| Reorganisation—Move to Syria—Work and training—Fraternisation and the Flag—Back to Egypt. | ||
| 13 | WHILE SHEPHEARD'S WATCHED | 221 |
| Carrying the 20th Battalion—Surrounded—Minqar Qaim—Stuka time—A Section returns. | ||
| 14 | A STUDY IN DISCOMFORT | 246 |
| Flies—Heat—Work—Leave—The barrage begins. | ||
| 15 | OUT OF THE SLOUGH | 263 |
| Battle of Alamein—Waiting to advance—Out of Egypt—Halt at Bardia. |
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| 16 | JOURNEY WITH HALTS | 273 |
| Rest and training—El Agheila—On to Tripoli. | ||
| 17 | FEEDING A CATERPILLAR | 285 |
| Work at the docks. | ||
| 18 | THE END OF THE FIRST HALF | 291 |
| Medenine—Gabes—Sfax—Sousse—Back to Maadi. | ||
| 19 | DISSECTION OF AN UNDERBELLY | 310 |
| (1) The Sangro. Voyage to Italy—The unblown bridge—Over the Sangro—Mud and Christmas—Move to Fifth Army front. | ||
| (2) Apollyon in the Path. Cassino—Work—Fire at the Ammunition Point. | ||
| (3) And So To Rome. Isernia and San Agapito—Hove Dump—An Italian day—Forward to Rome—Narni—The next move. | ||
| 20 | THROUGH THE VINEYARDS | 359 |
| Before Florence—No. 1 Platoon with 26th Battalion—Move to the Adriatic—Winter. | ||
| 21 | THE MAIALE'S CASA | 378 |
| Rest and training—Albacina. | ||
| 22 | WHITE CHRISTMAS | 387 |
| Billets at Forli—Road-building under fire—The Jeep Platoon—Christmas—Back at Albacina. | ||
| 23 | ‘THY CHASE HAD A BEAST IN VIEW’ | 405 |
| (1) The Rivers. Senio—Santerno—Sillaro—Po. | ||
| (2) Drive to a Cricket Match. Padua and Venice—A night battle—Arrival at Ronchi—The end of the chase. |
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| 24 | ‘… AND THE REAR PARTY WILL CLEAN UP.’ | 444 |
| Unit at Villa Vicentina—Trouble with Tito—Leave unlimited—Move to Trasimene—Disbanded. | ||
| Roll of Honour | 459 | |
| Honours and Awards | 460 | |
| Commanding Officers | 461 |
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