Descrizione

8vo., First Edition; original coloured pictorial wrappers, single fold, covers lightly creased by cross-folding else a very good, bright, clean copy. Considerably scarcer than its Second Army counterpart, this short and simple Order of Service carries on is front cover a host of coloured formation badges representing some of the most famous British and Allied units of WWII. They include Eighth Army, 78 Division, 2 Polish Corps, 10 Corps, 5 Corps, Canadian Corps, 30 Corps, 13 Corps, Airborne, 1 Division, 8 Armoured Division, 8 Indian Division, 1 Armoured Division, 10 Indian Division, 1 South African Division, 10 Armoured Division, 4 Indian Division, 7 Armoured Division, 5 Division, 5 Indian Division, 2 South African Division, 6 Armoured Division, Jugoslavs, 2 Greek Independent Brigade, Frimili Group, Cremona Group, Folgore Group, Jewish Brigade Group, Free French Brigade, 6 South African Armoured Division, 5 Polish Kresowa Division, 2 New Zealand Division, 56 Division, 44 Division, 46 Division, 5 Canadian Armoured Division, 50 Division, 1 Canadian Division, 1 Australian Division, 51 Division, 4 Division, 3 Carpathian Division. This striking montage serves to emphasise the wide variety of nationalities, types and backgrounds of the units under (primarily) Montgomery's command. A previous owner (possibly the original recipient) has inked in neatly the names of most of the units. Cole reproduces the front wrapper in his standard reference 'Heraldry in War' (plate facing p.120). VERY SCARCE IN THIS CONDITION.