Field of Fire: Diary of a Gunner Officer

Swaab, Jack

ISBN 10: 0750942754 / ISBN 13: 9780750942751

Published by The History Press, 2005

About this Item

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Bibliographic Details

• Title: Field of Fire: Diary of a Gunner Officer
• Publisher: The History Press
• Publication Date: 2005
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0750942754
• ISBN 13: 9780750942751
• Binding: Hardcover
• Condition: Used; Very Good

About this title

Synopsis

Jack Swaab joined the veteran 51st (Highland) Infantry Division on January 3rd, 1943. He kept a series of diaries over the following two and a half years, recording the combination of boredom and fear that characterizes active service. In mid-March 1943 he saw battle for the first time as Montgomery attacked the Mareth Line. In July that year Swaab took part in the Allied landings on Sicily, writing of the scorching humidity of the Sicilian summer. In May 1944 he records the restless time as his regiment prepared for the invasion of Normandy. In September 1944 Swaab's role changed dramatically, as he moved from commanding a troop to being a forward observation officer. His new position meant that he was working closely with the infantry in the front line. Swaab's first five months as a forward observation officer came to an abrupt end on February 13th, when he was wounded in the leg by shellfire. He was again selected for FOO duty during Operation 'Varsity', the Rhine crossing, in March 1945, and received the Military Cross.

About the Author

Jack Swaab enlisted in the Royal Artillery on 10th September 1939. He kept a war diary from December 1942 until August 1945, seeing action in Tunisia, Sicily and Italy before becoming a forward observation officer in the North West Europe campaign. He was mentioned in dispatches and awarded the Military Cross.