Oh, What a Lovely War! (Hellgate Memories World War II) [Paperback]

Stanley Swift (Author), Evelyn Luscher (Editor)

Book Description

Series: Hellgate Memories World War II | Publication Date: February 1, 1999

An intensely moving and personal story by Stanley Swift, one of Field Marshall Montgomery's famous Desert Rats, recounting battles fought in a variety of landscapes, including the African desert. Provides a moving and authentic account of his march through Normandy, Belgium, Holland, and finally Berlin, in 1945.

The Seventh Armoured Division, also known as the Desert Rats, began in the deserts of North Africa. The dividion was a fighting regiment, fueled by its success and untouched by its early misfortune. Under the command of Field Marshal Montgomery, the division successfully marched through Normandy starting in 1944 and then on to Belgium, Holland, andfinally to Berlin in 1945.

After the war, Stanley Swift rarely spoke of his experiences. Years later, he was persuaded to record his memories. As he spoke into a recorder, it became apparent he had a unique story to tell. This is his story - one you will not easily forget.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Stanley Swift was born in Nottingham, England, and at the age of 18 moved with his family to Burton Joyce, a village six miles distant.

He enlisted as a private in the Royal Horse Artillery in the British army in early 1940. He fought in many countries from North Africa through Italy and from the beaches of Normandy, France, through Belgium and Holland to Berlin, Germany. He died in April 1996 at the age of 81.

Product Details

• Paperback: 100 pages
• Publisher: Hellgate Press (February 1, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1555715028
• ISBN-13: 978-1555715021
• Product Dimensions: 10.1 x 7.6 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,017,960 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars WORLD WAR II - A British soldier's memoir - 1940-1945, May 15, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Oh, What a Lovely War! (Hellgate Memories World War II) (Paperback)

Add another facet to the World War II retrospectives ('The Greatest Generation' Brokaw, 'Saving Pvt. Ryan' Spielberg). Now, indefatigable British soldier Stanley Swift, member of the famed 'Desert Rats' under Field Marshal Montgomery, puts a human face on HIS war that sometimes criss-crossed beleagured paths of American and other Allied troops. 'Oh, What a Lovely War! mirrors Pvt. Swift's unforgettable innermost thoughts and feelings of his life in battle, long surpressed by a self-imposed half century of silence. You'll chuckle, laugh and shed tears following the strictly British account of his 'adventures' as a recruit in training during the 1940 London blitz and assignment to the Royal Horse Artillery, Seventh Armoured Division. Then it was on to historic desert battles with Nazi General Rommel's forces in north Africa, through Italy to the Normandy beaches in France, and more combat across Belgium and Holland to final victory in Berlin in 1945. It is his sister, Evelyn Swift Luscher, a Sacramento, California, author, who gives poignant voice to her brother's memoir through her dedicated transcribing and editing of his many irreplaceable audio tapes. Stanley Swift died in April, 1996, in Nottingham, England, at the age of 81. I liked the book because it told so much we never know from history books and evoked so many emotions. Everybody should know what war REALLY is. Truly, an excellent read. Elaine Adams California Writer's Club Sacramento, CA.