The toll exacted upon the British troops who fought in North Africa from 1940-42 was a heavy one. This novel follows the fortunes of the 3rd Droghedas, an armored regiment that has been in action in the desert from the beginning. As Rommel's Afrikakorps builds up, it is met again and again by such units until, under the strain of constant action, tiredness becomes weariness, weariness turns to exhaustion, every man living on his nerves and on his determination not to give up. And for too long there were no other men, no other armor, to take their place. This is a powerful and moving study of men called upon, by necessity, to do more than their simple duty, and a remarkable evocation of the mental processes that can lead men on even to suicidal heroism. In its portrayal of the fate of the hard-pressed professionals of an armored unit, it presents an extraordinarily vivid picture of the war in the Wester Desert, and of its contrasts—regular and conscript, soldier and civilian, desert and city, action and calm, friend and enemy.

'The battle scenes are first-rate. Heat and horror, cordite and khamsin, break-through and break-out, courage and the collapse of courage—all these are communicated with an admirable strength and authenticity.' Times Literary Supplement

'This is a splendid book, in which obviously the anecdotes of war are mixed with remembered incidents.' Daily Telegraph