This is an even-handed, meticulously documented, and absorbing examination of the conquest of Sicily in 1943. For the first time the major military commanders who would lead the Allied victory in Europe were together.

Maps on lining papers. Includes index.

Part I :The road to Sicily : Casablanca -- Tunisia : the testing ground -- Part II : Planning Operation Husky : -- “A dog’s breakfast’ -- The hero of Alamein -- Montgomery takes charge -- ‘An old man of about 60’ -- The invasion plan -- Internecine quarrels -- Part III : Point/counterpoint : -- Operation Mincemeat -- A difference of opinion -- Part IV : Invasion : -- The ‘flying coffins’ -- Invaders from the sky -- The Eighth Army assault -- The Seventh Army landings -- The D-Day counterattacks -- D+1: the crucial day -- The Axis on the defensive -- The great boundary line dispute -- Alexander: the Great Enigma -- Part V : The Battle for Sicily : -- The bridge over the Simeto -- The first battle for Primosole Bridge -- Stalemate -- The left hook -- The Palermo venture -- Exit Mussolini -- Part IV : The race for Messina : -- All roads lead to Messina -- The battle for Troina -- Days of triumph and folly -- The great escape -- Bitter victory.