THE BROKEN PLUME: A PLATOON COMMANDER'S STORY, 1940-45. by Craig, Norman - 1982

London: Imperial War Museum, 1982. 191 pp, 8vo (8 3/4" H). Monotone drawings by Charles Freeman, b&w photographs, maps. "The author's experiences as a platoon commander in the Second World War were shared by many others but few published accounts capture so faithfully the particular flavour of that conflict or the impact of battle on the individual soldier. Norman Craig was a conscript, commissioned after a year in the ranks. He served in three infantry regiments: the Welch in the United Kingdom; the Royal Sussex in the Western Desert, and Iraq and Persia; and the East Surreys in Italy. He saw action at El Alamein and in northern Italy where, only a fortnight before the end of the war in Europe, he was wounded. Between these spells of fighting he was concerned with the routine of soldiering - training, parades, courses, inspections and regimental chores - which occupied the greater part of of a subaltern's time. Norman Craig writes perceptively and with unusual candour about his war service. His book is both a personal record of considerable human interest and a significant addition to the literature of the Second World War." Minor wrinkling at top/bottom of spine. Dust jacket has minor edge wear/wrinkling, minor soiling on front flap.. Hard Cover. Very Good+/Very Good+. Illus. by Charles Freeman drawings..