None Bolder: The History of the 51st (Highland) Division in the Second World War

A history of probably the most famous British infantry division of the Second World War,51st (Highland) Division, formed from battalions of the Scottish Highland regiments, which fought in France, in North Africa, Sicily, the Normandy landings and the subsequent campaign through France, into the Low Countries and finally, into Germany. The Division was part of the pre-war Territorial Army and included nine battalions of TA soldiers as well as artillery, engineers, medics and other support units. In the campaign of 1940 the Highland Division served under French command and most of the Division was forced to surrender to Erwin Rommel at St Valery. Reformed in Britain the Highland Division was sent to North Africa in time to take a major part in the Battle of El Alamein. Following the North African and Sicilian campaigns, the Division returned to Britain to prepare for the invasion of France. The Highlanders fought in Normandy and took part in the break-out battles, serving under First Canadian Army. Units of the Division were the first Allied soldiers to enter Germany. The Division also provided the first British troops to land on the far bank of the Rhine in March 1945.

Richard Doherty
Hardcover 272 pages 2006