THE BATTLE FOR ROME by Jackson, Maj. Gen. W.G.F

New York 1969, Scribner's, first US printing, hard bound in dust jacket, , VG/VG condition, ( price clipped ), 6x9, 224 pages, numerous illus & maps, appendices, index. ............................................................ The capture of Rome on June 4 1944, was the climax of Operation "Diadem," the Allies' greatest single triumph of the Italian campaign. Not only were the German loth and 14th Armies routed, but, even more important, Alexander achieved the basic aim of holding as many as 26 German divisions away from "Overlord," the Allied landing in Normandy. Ironically, it was its very success that resulted in "Diadem's" being overshadowed by the cross-Channel operation............................................................... Yet, the battle for Rome was one of the most outstanding strategic and tactical successes of the Second World War. The problems of Allied coordination were as difficult as the mountainous terrain of southern Italy. In addition to the inherent differences between the British and American points of view, expressed vividly by the controversial commander of the American Fifth Army; Mark Clark, there were the other contingents to consider: the Canadians, New Zealanders, Indians and the French Expeditionary Force under the intensely patriotic General Juin. It was only thanks to the general ship of Alexander and the genius of his Chief of Staff, General Harding, that these forces were deployed to the best advantage. In particular full use was made of the Allied command of the air. Otherwise the brilliant resistance of the German armies under Kesselring would surely have brought the Allied advance to a standstill.............................................. The drama of the campaign is highlighted by the action photographs and the author's numerous sketch-maps. Major General W. G. F. Jackson, who fought throughout the "Diadem" offensive, is the author of the most complete and authoritative study of the Italian campaign, The Battle for Italy.