War in the Aegean The Campaign for the Eastern Mediterranean in World War II

by Smith, Peter C.,

• ISBN13: 9780811735193
• ISBN10: 0811735192
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2008-07-07
• Publisher: Stackpole Books

Summary

- First complete retelling of an important but little-known campaign - Eyewitness accounts from a colorful cast of German SS troops, British commandos, partisans, spies, Greek pirates, and more Both Winston Churchill and Adolf Hitler wanted the Aegean Sea in 1943. The British prime minister saw an opportunity to force neutral Turkey into the Allied camp and tie up German forces as the war in Europe gained speed, while the Nazi leader wanted to keep Turkey neutral and maintain Germany_s foothold in the Mediterranean and Greece. The conflict came to a head with British naval and amphibious assaults, primarily on the islands of Cos and Leros, and culminated in a German victory.

Author Biography

Peter C. Smith, author of numerous works of military history Edwin R. Walker, a World War II veteran, also cowrote Battles of the Malta Striking Forces

Table of Contents

Introduction to the 1974 Edition	p. vii
Introduction to the Revised American Edition	p. xi
Note on the Dodecanese Islands	p. xiii
A Lesson Learned?	p. 1
Strategy, Plans, and Preparations	p. 15
The Commitment Made	p. 31
Point and Counterpoint	p. 51
Cos Occupied	p. 67
Cos Overrun	p. 93
Simi Lost; Leros Reprieved	p. 131
"The Wine Dark Sea"	p. 151
Prelude to Disaster	p. 181
Battle in the Balance	p. 209
Typhoon Triumphant	p. 227
The End of the Campaign	p. 249
Epilogue	p. 255
Ships under Royal Navy Control	p. 271
British and Allied Ships Sunk and Damaged	p. 274
Store-Carrying to Leros by Submarines	p. 276
Allied Air Forces	p. 277
Order of Battle of X Fliegerkorps on September 30, 1943	p. 278
Air Attacks on Leros, September 26 to October 31	p. 280
Italian Army Units in Place on September 8, 1943	p. 281
Notes	p. 283
Glossary	p. 287
Bibliography	p. 289
Index	p. 291
Table of Contents provided by Ingram. All Rights Reserved.

Excerpts

* First complete retelling of an important but little-known campaign * Eyewitness accounts from a colorful cast of German SS troops, British commandos, partisans, spies, Greek pirates, and more Both Winston Churchill and Adolf Hitler wanted the Aegean Sea in 1943. The British prime minister saw an opportunity to force neutral Turkey into the Allied camp and tie up German forces as the war in Europe gained speed, while the Nazi leader wanted to keep Turkey neutral and maintain Germany's foothold in the Mediterranean and Greece. The conflict came to a head with British naval and amphibious assaults, primarily on the islands of Cos and Leros, and culminated in a German victory.