Stewart Mitchell

This is the inspiring story of two Gordon Highlanders Territorial Army battalions which saw action in some of the Second World War’s fiercest battles. After evacuation from Dunkirk, 6th Gordons fought in Tunisia in 1943, leading to the German surrender in North Africa. Following a spell in Iraq, the 1st London Scottish fought in Sicily and then the Battle of Monte Cassino where Private George Mitchell won his posthumous Victoria Cross, the most prestigious of the numerous gallantry awards to the men of both battalions. In January 1944, the 6th Gordons were the first British battalion ashore at Anzio. While the landing was unopposed, the Germans mounted devastating counter-attacks but, despite almost 400 killed, wounded and captured, the Battalion heroically held on. The 1st London Scottish arrived to fight alongside their Regimental ‘brethren’ suffering equally heavy devastating casualties. After the break-out, the Gordons pipe band led the liberation parade in Rome. Both battalions went on to fight up through Italy to smash the Gothic Line and eventual victory.

During the German May 1940 offensive, the 51st (Highland) Division, including the 1st and 5th Battalions Gordon Highlanders, became separated from the British Expeditionary Force. After a heroic stand at St Valery-en-Caux the Division surrendered when fog thwarted efforts to evacuate them. Within days, scores of Gordons had escaped and were on the run through Nazi-occupied France. Many reached Britain after feats of great courage and tenacity, including recapture and imprisonment often in atrocious conditions in France, Spain or North Africa. Those imprisoned in Eastern Europe were forced to work in coal and salt mines, quarries, factories and farms. Some died through unsafe conditions or the brutality of their captors. Others escaped, on occasion fighting with distinction alongside Resistance forces. Many had to endure the brutal 1945 winter march away from the advancing Allies before their eventual liberation. This superbly researched book contains many inspiring stories that deserve and merit reading.

2nd Battalion, Gordon Highlanders was posted to Singapore in 1937 with their families. When the Japanese invaded Malaya in December 1941, the Battalion fought bravely until the surrender of Singapore on 14 February 1942. Those who were not killed became POWs. Of the 1000 men involved initially, over 400 had died by their liberation in summer 1945. Despite the diverse background of the members of the Battalion, all were bound by close regimental spirit. As POWs, all suffered hard labour, starvation, brutality and tropical diseases. Rank was no protection from death. After initial incarceration in Singapore the Gordons were dispersed to work on the famous Thai-Burma railway, in the mines of Taiwan and Japan and on other slave labour projects. Conditions defy modern comprehension. Others died trapped in hell-ships torpedoed by allied submarines. The author has researched the plight of these extraordinary men, so many of whom never saw their native Scotland again. Despite the grim conditions, he captures the strong collective regimental spirit and the humour and cooperation that saved so many who would have otherwise have perished - as many did. This is an inspiring tale of courage and survival against appalling odds.

Alonzo Delano's California Correspondence is a collection of letters written by Alonzo Delano during his travels in California in the mid-19th century. Delano was a journalist, humorist, and traveler who journeyed to California in search of gold in 1849. He eventually settled in the state and wrote extensively about his experiences there. The letters in this collection provide a firsthand account of life in California during the Gold Rush era, including descriptions of the landscape, the people, and the challenges of living in a new and rapidly changing society. Delano's writing is witty and engaging, and he offers insights into the social and cultural dynamics of the time. This book is a valuable resource for historians and anyone interested in the history of California and the American West. It provides a unique perspective on a pivotal moment in American history and offers a glimpse into the life of a colorful and fascinating character. Additional Illustrator Is Harry O. Diamond. Additional Contributors Are Michael Harrington And Marion Tinling. Being Letters Hitherto Uncollected From The Ottawa, Illinois, Free Trader And The New Orleans True Delta, 1849-1852. This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the old original and may contain some imperfections such as library marks and notations. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions, that are true to their original work.