Customer Reviews

Barefeet and Bandoliers: Wingate, Sandford, the Patriots and the Part They Played in the Liberation of Ethiopia

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This book is perhaps the best source of information for one interested in the part that Gideon Force, commanded by Orde Wingate, played in restoring the Emperor to his throne in Ethiopia. The only other book that is comparable is 'Im Wingate B'Kush' (With Wingate in Abyssinia) by Avraham Akavia, but to my knowledge the latter has not been translated from the original Hebrew. Shirreff turns a critical and fair eye toward the campaign, albeit with an eye toward correcting what he perceives as slights to the reputation of Daniel Sanford, whose participation in the campaign has not acheived the status of legend that Wingate's actions did. Regardless, while Shirreff seems on occasion to grant credit to Sanford at Wingate's expense, it is simply an attempt to demythologize the aura that surrounds the entire expedition and return of the Negus (emperor) to his throne. Certainly an essential work for one seeking to learn about the Ethiopian campaign of World War II. For a more general account of the North African campaigns, I would recommend W G F Jackson's 'The North African Campaign 1940-43' though it has relatively little on this subject.

A day by day, group by group look at this remarkable chapter of history and Wingate's role in it.