Operation Victory. IN FULL THEMED MOROCCO

8vo., First Edition, on laid paper, with portrait frontispiece, 53 maps (the majority full-page) in the text, and front and rear endpaper maps; handsomely bound in full dark red crushed morocco, sides with gilt frame border, back with raised bands, second and fourth compartments lettered and ruled in gilt, all other compartments tooled in gilt with lions, crown and swords, gilt top, hand-made endpapers, ribbon marker, original backstrip mounted on new leaf at front, a most attractive copy ideal as a gift or for presentation. ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT BRITISH COMMAND MEMOIRS OF WWII. Chief of Staff to Montgomery for the latter half of the war, Francis de Guingand served first with Eighth Army (1942-1943) and subsequently with 21st Army Group (1944-1945) in one of the closest and most successful partnerships of the war. 'We were complete opposites; he [de Guingand] lived on his nerves and was highly strung; in ordinary life he liked wine, gambling and good food. Did these differences matter? I quickly decided they did not; indeed, differences were assets.' (Montgomery, Memoirs); he added later that he never regretted his decision. Given Monty's acerbic approach to soldiering, De Guingand's talents as a diplomat were nearly as important as his military skills. This was particularly true in relations with Eisenhower (who opined that De Guingand 'lived the code of the Allies'). Enser, p.475.