The Story Of The French Foreign Legion by Edgar O’Ballance lands on the |> SALE <| shelves in my shop.
Purnell Book Services, 1961, Hardback in dust wrapper.
Illustrated by way of: Black & White Photographs; Black & White Drawings; Maps;
From the cover: The facts about the Foreign Legion are all too often obscured by the mists of romantic fiction. Major OBallance, whose Arab-Israeli War, 1948 was widely praised, offers an impartial view and demonstrates that the facts often put the fiction to shame.
The last in the long line of Grand Companies the mercenary soldiers who sold their swords to the highest bidder the Legion is perhaps the most famous and distinguished of them all. In Africa, Russia, Italy, Madagascar, Germany and Austria, legionnaires have fought and died. In Mexico, in support of Maximilian, they fought their most famous engagement; and in Indo-China, in the course of nine years fighting which culminated at Dien Bien Phu, over 10,000 legionnaires were killed. Major OBallances account of the Legion ends in 1960, when Algeria was still being torn and tormented by war, and men of many different nationalities were fighting on the French side.
The author has visited the Legion at headquarters and in the field. His study of it is based both on his own observation and discussions there and on his personal examination of the records held at Sidi-Bel-Abbes. For the military historian and general reader alike he has written a book of first-class interest and importance.
Very Good in Good Dust Wrapper. Unlaminated dust wrapper a little edgeworn and faded with heavier tanning to the spine. Top edge of the text block spotted. Previous owners’ inscription to the first blank. Text complete, clean and tight but a little age-tanned.
Black boards with Gilt titling to the Spine. 271 pages. Index. 8¾” x 5¾”.
This book will be eventually reach my delightful website…(added to my Military Army category.) but get 60% off buying from this very blog blog… Buy it now for just £2.60 + P&P! Of course, if you don’t like this one there are plenty more available here!
BookLovers of Bath 