The Watery Maze: The story of Combined Operations

During Britain's "darkest hour," in 1940, extraordinary measures were necessary for survival. This bleak period of defense against the Axis led to the formation of Combined Operations, a semi-independent unit composed of admirals, generals, and air marshals. It became Britain's offensive team which, in the end, was instrumental in the successful invasions of North Africa, Sicily, and Normandy. Here is the complete story of the creation of that unit, beginning with a series of daring raids on the coasts of Norway, France, Africa, and Madagascar. These raids often resulted in great loss of life, but the lessons they taught the command led to dramatic successes. Combined Operations grew up with the war and played a part in the ultimate Allied victory in Europe and also in the Suez campaign of 1956. In writing THE WATERY MAZE, the author, Bernard Fergusson, a former Director of Combined Operations, has drawn heavily on the official records, and conducted scores of personal interviews. To this research he has added his own experience as a staff officer with the unit. The result is a comprehensive and objective history that demonstrates the human element in the trials and errors of war. Photographs of battle action, and map illustrations of raids and major landings, complement descriptions of how each battle was planned and how it subsequently unfolded. Appendixes, listing operation code names, objectives, abbreviations, and short titles, provide a wealth of reference material for the reader. The author has also portrayed many great wartime figures-Churchill, Mountbatten, Eisenhower, Montgomery, Tedder, King, and Marshall-and the part they played in Combined Operations. He has given the story a personal touch by showing the interaction between these personalities as they planned the battles that took the Allies back to the European continent. Written with care and candor, THE WATERY MAZE is of special interest to students of World War Two and carries dramatic impact for everyone interested in that period of military history.

Bernard Fergusson
Hardcover with d/w 445pp Collins 1961 1st Ed

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