{"title":"Books by Anthony Rogers","description":null,"products":[{"product_id":"9781472835116","title":"Kos and Leros 1943","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eAn illustrated account of the disastrous British-led effort to occupy the Dodecanese in autumn 1943, as Winston Churchill attempted to secure the Aegean islands in the wake of the Italian armistice.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe occupation was a gamble intended to increase pressure against Germany and at the same time possibly provide encouragement for Turkey to join the Allies. Spearheaded by the Special Boat Squadron and the Long Range Desert Group, garrison troops were deployed to the Italian-occupied Dodecanese, but they were too late to prevent the Germans from taking control of the key island of Rhodes and its all-important airfields.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAn all-out German offensive followed. Air force and naval units supported a series of assaults by infantry and paratroopers, including specialist forces of the Division Brandenburg. Within three months, only Castelorizzo was still in British hands. Rhodes, Kos and Leros remained under German occupation until May 1945 and the end of the war in Europe.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe Dodecanese would be Adolf Hitler’s last enduring victory – and the last enduring British-led defeat.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Gardners","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":56300133613941,"sku":"9781472835116","price":16.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0612\/7193\/3106\/files\/9781472835116_e061e65c-5286-4ebe-a751-2b587cc8a6d8.jpg?v=1786020669"},{"product_id":"9781472848901","title":"Battle of Malta","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eA detailed, illustrated exploration of the land, sea and air units that defended Malta, and the repeated Axis attempts to bring the crucial Allied island fortress to its knees.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eOn 11 June 1940, the British crown colony of Malta – which dominated the central Mediterranean and all-important sea routes to and from North Africa – was bombed for the first time by aircraft of the Italian Regia Aeronautica. The Italians were joined in their efforts by the German Luftwaffe in January 1941. Malta was effectively beleaguered for nearly two and a half years, dependent for survival on naval supply convoys and reliant for defence on often-outnumbered fighter aircraft and anti-aircraft guns. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAnthony Rogers provides a retelling of these events, drawing on accounts from both sides. This work features carefully selected photographic images, some previously unpublished. Seven specially commissioned colour maps explore the strategic situation in the Mediterranean in this period, the military sectors into which Malta's defence was divided, and German minelaying operations around the island. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe three stunning battle scene artworks and 3D bird's-eye views show key events from the battle, including the 26 July 1941 German attack on the Grand Harbour, and the major Luftwaffe raid 21 March 1942.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Gardners","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":56300145017205,"sku":"9781472848901","price":15.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0612\/7193\/3106\/files\/9781472848901_1901cf73-40fa-442b-92ac-aabd22697598.jpg?v=1786020902"},{"product_id":"9781784384593","title":"Siege of Malta 1940-42","description":"For nearly two and a half years, from June 1940 until late 1942, Malta was subjected to one Axis air raid after another.   The Mediterranean island was effectively beleaguered, reliant for defence on anti-aircraft guns and often-outnumbered fighter aircraft and dependent for survival on naval supply convoys.   The Axis attempted to bomb and starve Malta into submission, attacking ports, military and industrial areas, leading to Malta becoming one of the most intensively bombed areas of the Second World War, with well over 3000 alerts before the end of hostilities.   But against the odds, and at heavy cost, Malta was held. Malta was vital to Allied success in North Africa, dominating Axis supply routes to the region. It was a remarkable, intense campaign, a crucial turning point in the Second World War, and one of the Allies' greatest tactical and strategic victories.   This is an account of that desperate time, as witnessed by those who were there and illustrated by their wartime photographs. Included is a special colour section focusing on reminders of the battle in a series of more recent images.","brand":"Gardners","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":56305006018933,"sku":"9781784384593","price":14.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0612\/7193\/3106\/files\/9781784384593_5e246761-2fd8-4c1c-ba8b-e581133f1295.jpg?v=1786025471"},{"product_id":"9781784381882","title":"Air Battle of Malta","description":"\u003cp\u003eIn the Second World War, Malta was subjected to continual air attacks during a siege lasting nearly two and a half years. This is part of that story, from the early days in June 1940, when only a few Gladiator biplanes were available to combat Italian bombers and fighters, to the intervention of the Luftwaffe and the tenuous defence by outclassed Hurricanes, culminating in the desperate months of fighting following the arrival on Malta of the first Spitfires in March 1942.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eOf more than 1,000 aircraft destroyed during the battle, many fell into the Mediterranean or were written off in landing, and at least 200 crashed among the Maltese Islands.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis book documents all known aircraft crashes that occurred in and around Malta and Gozo during 1940-42, describing in detail the circumstances of each loss and what became of the pilot or crew, including some who even today are officially listed as missing. The immediacy of eyewitness accounts from both sides provide a fascinating perspective of an epic battle - much of the material is previously unpublished, not least the narratives by those who were there.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eMeticulously researched ... not only documents the location of all known air crashes - Allied and Axis - that occurred in and around the Maltese Islands ... but also tells the often fascinating story of each and every one ...\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis engagingly-written tome details the various crashes in chronological order, and includes in its appendices a table containing all the details of each crash, full endnote references and a properly compiled index, making it a valuable work of reference. - NICK STROUD - THE AVIATION HISTORIAN Unbiased, poignant, tragic - but also humorous - account of events during [the] air battles over Malta. - LUKE VINCENTI - THE SUNDAY TIMES OF MALTA Compelling and utterly fascinating. - JAMES HOLLAND Excellent. - FLYPAST Recommended. - AVIATION HISTORY\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Gardners","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":56305200365941,"sku":"9781784381882","price":25.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0612\/7193\/3106\/files\/9781784381882_94dec73c-4f25-4374-b65c-cfde3f01a039.jpg?v=1786025453"},{"product_id":"9781805002000","title":"Leros and the Aegean","description":"In autumn 1943, the Dodecanese in the eastern Aegean was the setting for a series of German air-sea landings, something not normally associated with the Wehrmacht. Under heavy fire, landing craft ferried to shore German infantry and, more than two years after sustaining frightful losses in Crete, Fallschirmjäger were deployed in their intended role, parachuting on to the islands of Kos, Astipalaea and Leros.Both sides relied on aircraft and naval units, as well as conventional and unconventional ground forces. German paratroopers were drawn from the Luftwaffe and the special operations Division ‘Brandenburg’, which also fielded coastal raiders and assault troops. The Allies had on call 234 Infantry Brigade together with supporting units; a battalion of The Parachute Regiment, and Raiding Forces, which included the Long Range Desert Group, Special Boat Squadron, Commandos and Ieros Lohos (Greek Sacred Squadron).Two months of conflict would culminate in a five-day battle for possession of Leros, which ended with the surrender of the British-led garrison on 16 November 1943. The island of Samos was taken without a struggle a few days later.Unlike Operation Market Garden and the disaster of Arnhem one year later, the Aegean was first and foremost a British venture. As such, it may be considered the last irredeemable British defeat. For the Germans, the Aegean was a welcome reversal of recent setbacks and a final, but ultimately pointless, decisive victory: With the exception of Kastellorizo, key islands would remain under German occupation until May 1945.","brand":"Gardners","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":56369227923829,"sku":"9781805002000","price":16.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0612\/7193\/3106\/files\/9781805002000_70a9c794-83a7-4da0-8682-7f010b1a7b21.jpg?v=1786027865"},{"product_id":"9781805001225","title":"X2 Patrol","description":"'An extraordinary personal account of the LRDG commander of a Rhodesian Patrol on Leros. A poignant and gripping read.' — Brendan O’Carroll, author of The Long Range Desert Group in the Aegean'Tony Rogers consistently reveals new material regarding WW2 operations, in this case with the captivating account of an LRDG hero.' — Ex-Lance-corporal X, QGM, author of The SAS and LRDG Roll of Honour, 1941–47John Olivey, an officer in the Long Range Desert Group, saw action in the Western Desert, where he was awarded the Military Cross; he fought in the Dodecanese, for which he was decorated a second time; and saw active service on mainland Greece, and in Istria.In autumn 1943, he was deployed to the Aegean and in October tasked with leading ‘Olforce’ in an ill-conceived operation to take the island of Levitha. Of some fifty LRDG, he was one of only seven to avoid capture. During the battle for Leros in November, he commanded X2 Patrol at Clidi, a key hilltop position. After British forces on Leros capitulated, Olivey was taken prisoner.While being marched through Athens with hundreds of other prisoners of war, he escaped. Aided by local residents, Olivey remained in hiding in German-occupied Athens. It would be more than four months before he was at last able to return to Allied territory. During this time, he wrote a compelling, brutally honest and often amusing personal account, describing his involvement in what was an eventful and momentous chapter in the history of the LRDG. This is his story.","brand":"Gardners","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":56420445684085,"sku":"9781805001225","price":25.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0612\/7193\/3106\/files\/9781805001225_3ca798c7-c470-400d-a16d-3796d9e38edb.jpg?v=1786027854"},{"product_id":"long-range-desert-group","title":"The Long Range Desert Group","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eAn  account \u003c\/b\u003e\u003cb\u003e of the Long Range Desert Group's \u003c\/b\u003e\u003cb\u003eoverlooked \u003c\/b\u003e\u003cb\u003eexploits\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cb\u003e in the last 18 months of World War II.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eFormed in 1940, the LRDG is best known for operating behind the lines during the North African campaign. However, it also saw service elsewhere. After having survived a disastrous British-led effort to secure the Aegean in autumn 1943, the LRDG deployed in 1944 to southern Europe and the Balkans. In the European Theatre, the LRDG would be part of a major Allied effort to support local Partisans, being tasked with coast and road watches, intelligence gathering, ambushing enemy forces and generally disrupting enemy lines of communication.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eDrawing on unit war diaries and the narratives of those who were there, this is the previously untold story of the LRDG in the final 18 months of the war in Europe, with detailed accounts of behind-the-lines operations in Italy, Albania, Yugoslavia, Greece and Istria.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Gardners","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":57504995475829,"sku":"9781472876287","price":22.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0612\/7193\/3106\/files\/9781472876287.jpg?v=1786953915"}],"url":"https:\/\/backstory.london\/collections\/author-anthony-rogers.oembed","provider":"Backstory","version":"1.0","type":"link"}