Defeat into Victory

Field Marshal William Slim stands alongside Montgomery as the outstanding British field commander of World War II. This book is his account of 14th Army (the 'Forgotten Army' and the Burma campaign: a story of retreat, attrition and final hard-fought victory over the Japanese. Told by a commander always at the centre of events, this is a narrative which captures both the high drama and the harsh reality of war. Churchill had initially opposed Slim's appointment to command 14th Army, considering him a 'sepoy general' (Slim had made his military home in the 6th Gurkhas). However this personal account of the campaign, Defeat into Victory, will long endure as a military classic. It is modestly written, but reveals the humanity of this truly great soldier, as well as his professional ability - both qualities that explain why his men loved him as much as they did.