{"product_id":"desert-duel-matthew-wright-9780908318179","title":"Desert Duel: New Zealand's land war in North Africa, 1940-43","description":"For three years from 1940 the Second New Zealand Division, led by Lieutenant-General Sir Bernard Freyberg, fought in the North African desert against a combined German-Italian army and its formidable leader, Field-Marshal Erwin Rommel.Rommel regarded the Kiwis as the elite of the British army, and their General was officially classified as a 'dangerous opponent.' During the desperate months of mid-1942, the New Zealand Division was almost all that stood between Rommel and Egypt.It was a hard-fought campaign. Yet the North African campaign was also a human story. Ordinary New Zealanders from civilian walks of life - accountants, lawyers, plumbers, labourers, teachers, musicians, even politicians - found unexpected strength within themselves to meet the demands of the war.Their battlegrounds - Sidi Rezegh, Ruweisat Ridge, Mingar Qaim, El Alamein, Tebaga Gap and Takrouna - are also part of New Zealand's history. 'In the battle which is sure to come within a few days,  the] outcome depends almost entirely upon Freyburg's  sic] division and air support. New Zealand Division is by far the best fighting unit in the Middle East. Freyburg  sic] is a very great leader of men, possessed of tremendous courage and sound judgement.'- US Army Forces in Middle East, official report, 27 June 1942The New Zealanders...are trained and led by General Freyberg, a dangerous opponent. They are specialists in night fighting, they fight on a wide front, and...have learnt to follow up closely under the heavy artillery barrages which they use...They are also capable, in difficult country, of fighting without tank support...- German staff assessment of 2 NZ Division\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAuthor:\u003c\/b\u003e Matthew Wright\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eISBN-10:\u003c\/b\u003e 0908318170\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eISBN-13:\u003c\/b\u003e 9780908318179\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublisher:\u003c\/b\u003e Intruder Books\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eLanguage:\u003c\/b\u003e English\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublished:\u003c\/b\u003e 08\/15\/2018\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePages:\u003c\/b\u003e 142\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eFormat:\u003c\/b\u003e Paperback\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eWeight:\u003c\/b\u003e 0.44lbs\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eSize:\u003c\/b\u003e 9.00h x 6.00w x 0.30d","brand":"Matthew Wright","offers":[{"title":"Paperback","offer_id":43947472060671,"sku":"9780908318179","price":34.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0662\/2982\/9887\/products\/img_32642fec-7d72-4b1e-aaab-d78705e90293.jpg?v=1681518931","url":"https:\/\/www.whiterainbookhouse.com\/products\/desert-duel-matthew-wright-9780908318179","provider":"WR Book House","version":"1.0","type":"link"}