War & Escape - 20th Century | Archive | Voyager Rare Books Maps & Prints

Triumph in the West [WWII] – The War Diaries of Field Marshal Viscount Alanbrooke – Arthur Bryant.

The first edition published by Collins, London in 1959. Thick octavo, 576 pages, frontispiece of Alanbrooke, map in text and differing end-paper maps.

A strange thing now, the detailed war diary. It all seems to be inaccurately dealt with on Twitter or Fritter or whatever now. How can you reflect on that?

Sir Arthur Bryant spent a long time going through Alanbrooke’s meticulous, in the moment, diaries. The result is something special. When Voyager first picked up this book there was a struggle to put it down. Not only the easy and honest style of the narrative but on reading one feeling the frustrations and irritations of the sometimes-irrational behaviour of the Political leaders.

This is 1943-1946 and Alanbrooke is promoted to Field Marshall. A major re-organisation of the top ranks takes place in preparation for operation Overlord. Eisenhower gets his man [Monty], and a re-shuffle takes place with chopping and changing to the very last moment. Resolute Alanbrooke works tirelessly and at one time seemed to be crossing Europe and North Africa continuously by plane – and still made it to the War Office. He had Churchill’s ear – Churchill much admired but inclined to make deals to please and change his mind often.

Alanbrooke a War Diary Like No Other.

$40.00

Updating cart…

German WWII – Signal / Flash Lamp / Daimon 2201

This lamp was made for the German military during WWII by Daimon GMBH of Cologne [Koln]. Pressed tinplate design, robust, with a simple switching mechanism to release a button for Morse Code. Articulated stand at rear which would double as a loop for a belt for handy carry.

No battery supplied with sale but this simple design works and would be hard to destroy.

Military signals flash-light from WWII- German Design.

$60.00

Updating cart…

The Man With the Donkey – John Simpson Kirkpatrick – The Good Samaritan of Gallipoli – Sir Irving Benson.

Published by Hodder in 1965. Octavo, 95 pages, illustrated from period photographs. Ownership signature on front end paper, otherwise a very good copy.

For those that know of this native of the North East of England and later Australia and want to know more then this is the book. What a hero … few have put themselves so constantly in danger to save their wounded compatriots than The Man With the Donkey. Inspirational read

Read this and you will never complain again!.

$25.00

Updating cart…

The Intelligence and Deception of the D-Day Landings – J Haswell

Published by Batsford, London in 1979. Larger squarish octavo, 208 pages, illustrated from the period of the “event” and a good double page sketch map of the goings on … very good if not better condition.

The D-day Landings probably the most complex exercise ever attempted. Not only was the depth of the intelligence gathering of a new level so also was the deception planning – an element that may have been the overriding factor.

The definitive book if you are interested in Military History and this military operation, of June 4th 1944, which thankfully changed the course of WWII.

D-Day a day that changed the course of history – fully explained.

$30.00

Updating cart…

The Autobiography of “Evans of the Broke” [Or Teddy Evans Polar Explorer] – Admiral Lord Mountevans

And boldly on the dust jacket – Second in Command of Scott’s Last Polar Expedition – Commander in Chief of the Royal Australian Navy and Africa Station and perhaps the Greatest British Naval Adventurer – the first tow fact the third and final rather bold for an autobiography.

This edition published in 1952 by Hutchinson, the first 1946. Octavo, 250 pages, nicely illustrated from period photographs including his polar period. Super copy in a very good jacket.

A determined chap as one could imagine – history has spoilt the Scott / Evans relationship throwing up some unsavoury thoughts from the pair that flow both ways. One day the parrot on the perch the next the feather duster!

The reference to Broke may confuse – he was far from being short of a bob – HMS Broke, his command during WWI, sunk five German destroyers. His time as leader of the Australian Squadron is of significance.

Teddy Evans eked out an eventful life

$40.00

Updating cart…

WWI Copper Flask in Original Bespoke Leather Carrying Case [Super Condition] – Captain McCracken

Captain Kenneth Mills McCracken was a member of the Royal Field Artillery attached to the Royal Flying Corps. His service record covered the entire of WWI 1914-1918 so likely one of the few that survived his dangerous role.

Born in 1895 and from Newcastle-Upon Tyne he was a medical student at Edinburgh University when World War One broke out.

The Royal Flying Corp was the air arm of the British Army at the start of the war and it was not until 1918 that it merged with the Royal Naval Air Service to become the Royal Air Force.

McCracken’s record shows that he was skilled in artillery observation; so, he was likely an aerial observer or photographer. At the beginning of the war their photographic efforts were very primitive almost hopeless until 1915. By 1918 they could make decent images from 15,000 feet and had a team of 3,000 people analysing the results. The Royal Flying Corp didn’t get into aerial combat until the later part of the war.

The item is in great condition. The full leather casing is 25cm by 10cm, stitching perfect – nicely embossed with McCracken’s details. The copper thermos has a ding but is a solid actually useable item. The screw on top is undamaged and goes on and off easily.

Special WWI Item in great condition with interesting provenance

$290.00

Updating cart…

War & Escape – 20th Century

Triumph in the West [WWII] – The War Diaries of Field Marshal Viscount Alanbrooke – Arthur Bryant.

German WWII – Signal / Flash Lamp / Daimon 2201

The Man With the Donkey – John Simpson Kirkpatrick – The Good Samaritan of Gallipoli – Sir Irving Benson.

The Intelligence and Deception of the D-Day Landings – J Haswell

The Autobiography of “Evans of the Broke” [Or Teddy Evans Polar Explorer] – Admiral Lord Mountevans

WWI Copper Flask in Original Bespoke Leather Carrying Case [Super Condition] – Captain McCracken

Product Categories