Hi guys, just a small collection of out of print, perhaps forgotten, novels of World War 2 written by British authors The Cauldron by Zeno (1968) Taken from the authors own experiences, 'The Cauldron' is a graphic, intense and violent novel that traces the story of the 50 or so men of a British Pathfinder Platoon as they take part in the battle of Arnhem in 1944. The book begins on a peaceful, sunlight airfield in England at the start of the battle and ends nine days later at its conclusion. This book recieved critical acclaim and was hailed as one of the greatest books to come out of the Second World War, however it does contain some similarties to Sven Hassel. 'The Cauldron' though does contain strong passages and good, strong characters, but as the men of the platoon find themselves trapped in Arnhem and come face to face with the grim realities of the frontline it never is a case of if death does come, but how it comes. 'The Cauldron' won the Arthur Koestler prize for prison literature. The Four Sergeants by Zeno (1977) A hand picked platoon are detailed to drop behind enemy lines and blow up a bridge to cut off a formidible German force. Equally graphic and bloody as 'The Cauldron', and again taken from the experiences of the author, but 'The Four Sergeants' is also a testament to the bravery of the Austrian, German and other Europeans who served in the 1st Airborne Division and with the author under false names. All of these were Jews. Zeno, whose real name was Gerald Theodore La Marque, was a veteran of the 1st Airborne Division and wrote around 5 books, nearly all of which he wrote whilst serving a 10 year prison stretch for homicide in London. His other books are Grab, Play Dirty (filmed) and Life. The Sands of Valour by Geoffrey Wagner (1967) A really good and insightful story about the fighting men of a British armoured regiment during the African Campaign from 1941 - 42. This book has some really good, good, strong life like characterisation, but with a book that stands at over 400 pages it is hard to get into at first, but does kick off half way through and is an accurate portrayal of the North African campaign. Geoffrey Wagner fought in an armoured unit in the desert during the 40s. From the City from the Plough by Alexander Baron (1947) Traces the story of the men of the ficticious 5th Wessex Battalion from their training in the south of England to their bloody battles in Normandy. A forgotten classic of the Second World War, you feel a great understanding and love for the many characters who, when death does come, you care personally for their loss. A cross between the film 'The Way Ahead' and in some ways 'The Naked and the Dead' by Norman Mailer. Warriors of the Working Day by Peter Elstob (1960) Warriors of the Working Day recieved critical acclaim upon publication, was used widely at the Royal Military Academy at Sandhurst to illustrate life in a tank during wartime, and was translated into several languages and sold well over 250,000 copies. It is a detailed novel that depicts the life of ordinary men as they fight across North West Europe. Taken from the authors experience during his time in the RTR. Will add some more in the next couple of days, Cheers
Bomber by Len Deighton (1978) Definately not a forgotten book, but sadly out of print. A real hard hitting novel of the life and death of ordinary people, German and British, caught up in an RAF bombing raid. Capturing a single day in 1943 the novel begins with the planning of the bombing raid, switching periodically from the young, apprehensive bomber crews to the ordinary townsfolk of a small town in Germany, and concludes after the bombing, giving a small and shattering account of those who have survived. Also worth mentioning is the equally powerful 3 hour radio broadcast 'Bomber', based on the novel and was aired in 1995. Tramp in Armour by Colin Forbes (1971) Written by the master of suspense himself, 'Tramp in Armour' is one of the author's best novels that tells the exciting and often brutal story of a British tank crew trapped behind enemy lines, and their desperate attempt to reach the French coast. Along the way they encounter an array of corageous French locals, bloody skirmishes and the ocassional dive bombing. The book really climaxes in the final 50 pages, and for fans of Sven Hassel and real boys own adventure, this is for you. Easter Day, 1941 by G.F. Borden (1987) Written by an American rather than British, focused on a small band of British soldiers led by a battle hardened American, a vetreran of the Spanish Civil War, 'Easter Day, 1941' traces the story of these men in their captured Italian tank as they attempt to reach Tobruk, trapped behind enemy lines. A really tense and exciting book, well paced and, though not for everybody, has a lot more to it than your average ww2 thriller. The Killing Ground by Elleston Trevor (1956) Long out of print but another classic of men at war, and another novel focusing on the men of an armoured unit, 'The Killing Ground' follows the fortunes of a small group of men from the Normandy Landings through to its bloody finale in the Falaise Gap. The novel stands nearly 400 pages, and recieved huge acclaim during its release. A classic of men at war from the author of 'The Flight of the Phoenix', and a former flight engineer in the RAF who saw active service with Bomber Command during world war 2. The Siege, a story from Kohima by Arthur Campbell (1956) A sadly forgotten yet remarkable and touching book of the battle of Kohima. This novel is based very closely on fact, and was the first book of any kind to document one of most barbaric and bestial sieges involving British soldiers in history. Documenting a number of characters and their encounters, including one such character named as 'The Man in the Hole', 'The Siege, a story from Kohima' is one of the most touching and insightful books to have come out of the war.
Hi guys Just to quickly say that while I have written a synopsis and a few reviews, some of these books are extremely hard to get hold of and a few I have, sadly, not read (yet!) Some of these I don't think you can get these on Amazon, and a lot of been out of print for over 30 - 40 years. Cheers
I enjoyed Bomber very much - it was well written and, like one of the other books you mentioned, the deaths of some of the characters does bring sadness. I didn't know about the radio broadcast - is that available as an audio book ?
Amazon.co.uk: Bomber (BBC Radio Collection): Tom Baker,Frank Windsor,Samuel West,Emma Chambers,Jack Shepherd: Books Hope is helps fsbof
Thanks, definitely interested in a few of those. It's been a while since I read fiction instead of the history books of WWII - probably nice for a change
I checked Amazon.com here in the US, and they carry it through various other dealers. So, I might give that a whirl . . . Thanks !
Interesting posts , thanks for the ideas. if have noted the names and if I ever come accross one of these I may give it a try.
The Big Pick Up by Elleston Trevor (1950) The novel that inspired the classic British film 'Dunkirk', Elleston Trevor's epic charts the fate of a small group of British soldiers trying to reach the safety of Dunkirk. Another timeless classic from the prolific author of 'The Quiller Memorandum' Decoy by Dudley Pope (1983) Written by an author of swashbuckling fame, Decoy is the exciting World War 2 adventure story that tells the tale of a young Lieutenant and a daring band of men who, as apparent shipwreck survivors, seize a German U Boat and capture the enigma machine. Stirring stuff! Remind you of anything? Piece of Cake by Derek Robinson (1970) Full of dark, witty humour this famous (yet sadly again out of print) monster of a book is a look at the life of a British fighter squadron from the start of the war through to the Battle of Britain. A well written novel that blew apart the myth of the 'chivalrous knights of the sky' mentality of post war WW2 films. From the author of the equally compelling Goshhawk Squadron and a Damned Good Show. Piece of Cake was also filmed.
I just realized that a local used bookstore near me has a hardcover edition of Len Deighton's Bomber for US $16.00. *runs to buy the book* Didn't know this was out of print. I've heard lots of good stuff about this novel. Can't wait to pick it up! Incidentally, a local Book Dispensary had an old HC edition of The Rommel Papers that I picked up for less than $20 - I've had good luck with the older ww2 titles as of late!
Hello Paige: I'm sending this msg to you bc I read some of your posts on the WWII Forums abt out-of-print WW2 novels. I have been looking for one that I read when I was a kid some 40 years ago or so. I don't remember anything about the author's name or title of the book, which I know doesn't help. But it was about a British tank crew in North Africa. As the book starts, the crew is just regaining consciousness after a bomb hit their tank. At first, they think their commander, whose name I believe was Algie, is dead. They later realize he's alive but badly wounded. In the meantime, they have adventures behind German lines. Their tank gets picked up by a German vehicle and hauled to a base. They wind up overpowering some of the Germans and finding a way to wreak havoc behind German lines. That's about all I can remember. Do you have any idea about the title of this book? If you do and can reply to my e-mail at swhit6@hotmail.com, I would appreciate it very much. The same goes for anyone else who might read this post. Thanx for your time. Best regards--Steve Whitworth
Colin forbes wrote tramp in armour and the book is set in France 1940 with a British tank stuck behind German lines sgt cobb is a main character.
Have a copy of bomber sitting on book shelf. Brought it years ago. Never read it, thanks for reminder Ill read it now. If this is difficult to get hold of, then Im willing to part with it in say a week for free if anyone wants it.
