by Peter Ewer
Melbourne: Scribe/Chicago: Independent Publishers Group, 2009. Pp. xi, 419.
Illus., maps, notes, biblio., index. $33.95 paper. ISBN: 978-1-921-37275-9.
Forgotten ANZACs
is the story of the "second" ANZAC (Australian-New Zealand Army Corps), which fought in Greece during the Spring of 1941.
In the process of telling this story, however, Ewer, an official with the Department of Justice of Victoria, who has written several other books on Australian history and society, also gives us a very good overall look at what is one of the most neglected campaigns of the Second World War. While obviously focused on the ANZACs, Ewer manages to make sure the reader see the campaign from Greek, Italian, British, and German perspectives, as well as that of Australians and New Zealanders who fought in it, and how actions on several fronts fit together to create a disastrous outcome for the Allied cause. He analyzes the actions and decisions of the
participants, scattering praise and criticism pretty even-handedly.
Forgotten ANZACs
is an important read for anyone interested in the war in Europe and an essential one for students of the Mediterranean theater.
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