A Battle Too Far: The True Story of Rifleman Henry Taylor

On September 1, 1945, a battalion of the Kings African Rifles (KAR) was waiting to disarm a group of soldiers who had just disembarked from a ship in Port Said. The soldiers were under arrest and escorted to Khartoum, where they would contemplate their mutiny for two years. The book "A Battle Too Far" is based on the diaries and recollections of Rifleman Henry Taylor, 6923581, late 7th Battalion The Rifle Brigade (1st Battalion London Rifle Brigade). Henry's war began in October 1942 and continued almost non-stop for the next three years. From El Alamein to Tunisia, he fought with the 8th Army as they pushed Rommel back to the sea.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 192 pages
Publication date: 01 August 2022
Publisher: Pen & Sword Books Ltd

On September 1st, 1945, as the ship sailed into Alex, the dockside buzzed with activity. The captain had radioed ahead, and a battalion of the Kings African Rifles (KAR) awaited to disarm the passengers upon their disembarkation. All these KAR soldiers stood at attention, following the orders of a staff officer who informed them that they would be placed under arrest and escorted to Khartoum. There, they would spend two years contemplating their mutiny.

While our battalion remained armed, the sound of weapon cocking greeted the officer's threat. A lone voice asked, "And who will escort the darkies?" All our officers stood powerless, as we had the advantage over the KAR soldiers. All that was needed was for someone to pull the trigger.

"A Battle Too Far" is the true story of Rifleman Henry Taylor, 6923581, late 7th Battalion, The Rifle Brigade (1st Battalion London Rifle Brigade), based on his diaries and recollections as recounted to his son Lawrence. The Foreword is written by Lt-Gen Sir Christopher Wallace, Chairman of The Royal Green Jackets (Rifles) Museum in Winchester.

Henry's war commenced in October 1942, with the commencement of the 2nd Battle of El Alamein. It lasted almost non-stop for the next three years. From El Alamein to Tunisia, he fought alongside the 8th Army, ultimately pushing Rommel back to the sea. Initially, they expected to return to Britain in preparation for D-Day, the last-minute plans changed, and they were ordered to Italy instead.

Upon their arrival in Italy, they found themselves engaged in fierce battles, fighting for every inch of land against determined and well-dug-in defenders. The conditions often resembled the trenches of World War I. Despite enduring some of the heaviest fighting of the war, their campaigns were forgotten as the world focused on the D-Day invasion and labeled them as D-Day Dodgers.

As Europe celebrated VE Day, Henry's war continued. They raced to capture the German stronghold of Monte Cassino, hoping to break the enemy's offensive. However, the battle was intense, and the casualties were high. Henry himself witnessed the horrors of war, including the destruction and loss of life.

In conclusion, "A Battle Too Far" is a powerful and poignant account of Rifleman Henry Taylor's experiences during World War II. It sheds light on the sacrifices and hardships endured by soldiers on both sides of the conflict and highlights the forgotten campaigns of those who fought in Italy. The book is a testament to the bravery and resilience of the human spirit in the face of adversity.

Weight: 340g
Dimension: 155 x 234 x 31 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781399074742