This is an auction for BREAKOUT AT MINQAR QAIM: NORTH AFRICA 1942 by Colin Cameron.

"The artillery battle at Minqar Qaim on 27 June and subsequent break out during the very early morning of 28 June 1942, is regarded as one of the New Zealand Division's best actions in World War II. Currently (1994) the official Australian position is that the atrocities which reportedly occurred there were caused by New Zealand troops. It is doubtful now if any of these claims can be fully substantiated, except perhaps in the case of Minqar Qaim. During the breakout, at the time of Mersa Matruh, frenzied New Zealand troops bayoneted wounded and surrendering Germans. Frenzied and burst are emotive words. They need a full and proper context. A similar accusation was echoed in 2004 by Sir Max Hastings in his 'Introduction to Armageddon: The Battle for Germany 1944-45'. There is a growing assertiveness in Germany about the war crimes of Allies. The author shares the view of German historians, such as Georg Friedrich, that the British and Americans should more honestly confront their undoubted lapses, some of them serious. Nevertheless no one was ever called to account, though the episode is well documented. This book presents the available facts with the intention of allowing the reader to make his or her own judgement. Hindsight, some sixty years after the event, may be conducive to scholarly as well as popular analysis but it must also take into account the passion of the moment and the culture of the time. Despite the calls for peace, the 1930s and 1940s were decades of extreme violence world-wide. The action at Minqar Qaim needs to be viewed in that context."

Large format paperback 2006.

243 pages.

Near new condition.

The cost of shipping is $4.95.

There is of course no charge for shipping if you collect this book from my shop in Palmerston North following the auction.

Payment within seven days, please.