Hitler's Island War: The Men Who Fought for Leros

The Aegean island of Leros was the site of a pivotal battle in World War II, with over 1500 men losing their lives and hundreds more ending up in Prisoner-of-War camps. Julie Peakman's book brings to life the story of the men caught up in the battle, based on first-hand interviews and written accounts. It includes the preparations of the soldiers, the desperate hand-to-hand fighting, and the suffering endured from continual bombings. It also shows the extent of the men's despair at the allied surrender, the many subsequent daring escapes, and the terrible years of incarceration for those who were captured and imprisoned.

Format: Hardback
Length: 368 pages
Publication date: 05 December 2017
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC

The Aegean island of Leros, a strategic location during World War II, witnessed a pivotal battle in September 1943. The British, determined to retain control, faced a fierce resistance from the Axis forces. Over two months, nearly 1500 men lost their lives, and hundreds more were taken prisoner. Julie Peakman, a resident of Leros, has meticulously documented the battle through first-hand interviews and written accounts, including diaries, letters, and journals. She vividly recounts the preparations, the intense hand-to-hand combat, and the devastating bombings that characterized the battle. The book also highlights the despair of the soldiers as the Allied surrender was announced, the daring escapes that followed, and the harrowing years of imprisonment for those captured. Many of the battle's heart-rending accounts are presented here for the first time, offering a unique eyewitness perspective on this forgotten corner of World War II.

Weight: 612g
Dimension: 147 x 223 x 34 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781784532680