Against all Odds

By Alex Kershaw

Against all Odds by Alex Kershaw follows the events of the European campaigns of the Second World War from a US perspective. Broken into four parts, the first covering North Africa, Sicily and Italy, the second covering France, the third Germany. The final part entitled ‘Peace’ focusses on the lives of the protagonists after the war and serves as a fitting conclusion. The book contains a few welcome full-page maps which help the reader to understand where and why the events of the book are taking place. The book is not an academic work outlining the strategy of these campaigns, focusing instead on the experiences of various individual soldiers within the war.

Almost like a film or TV series in structure, this well researched, referenced and historically accurate book focusses on the wartime experiences of four very different men. We are initially introduced to University of Alabama graduate and NFL player Maurice ‘Footsie’ Britt, who gives up his professional football career for a commission in the infantry. Lt Britt reads like a real-life Rambo figure. Initially placed as an officer in charge of an elite company, within the US 3rd Division, he is worried about winning the trust of his men. Britt soon addresses this anxiety by performing mind-blowing acts of courage time and time again. From charging machine gun nests in Africa, to throwing over 35 grenades in defence of a position in the battle of Anzio.

It is easy to get lost in the excitement of the nonchalant, vivid descriptions of the action as Lt Britt and company repeatedly rout the German forces. I found myself almost cheering them on as if I was watching a sports game. The reality of the situation these soldiers faced really hit home when eventually Lt Britt’s luck ran out and he suffered the loss of his right arm. This unexpected turn of events ended not only his war but any chance of returning to professional football, really driving home the human cost of war. Britt was not alone in his injuries either - the book reports that the battle for Italy had a 75% casualty rate – numbers which have seemed unfathomable since, perhaps until the recent conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East.

The stories of the other Medal of Honour winners are skilfully intertwined with both each other and the overarching narrative of the book. Pte Audie Murphy, a poor Texan who rose through the ranks to become a 1st LT and following the war a film star. Capt Keith Ware who became the only draftee to attain the rank of General, and finally privileged West Point drop out Michael Daly who enlisted as a private to prove his worth. The book artfully weaves the personal recollections of the soldiers with the world events happening at the time. For example, within one page Kershaw’s narrative flows effortlessly between soldiers using poker chips to barter for eggs, before explaining the US oppositions to the Torch landings, as a mechanism to further ‘Churchills imperialist aims.’

Against All Odds juxtaposes the selfless commitment and bravery of the soldiers often against the alleged ambitions and egos of some of the Allied generals. Whilst the race between Montgomery and Paton to be the first to Messina can be seen as a means of providing their troops with motivation and morale in the face of a deadly situation, I thought that Patton stopping Truscott short of Messina would be considered bad leadership today. Truscott was gifted a barrel of Cognac by Patton, whilst Patton received global media attention and recognition for liberating Messina.

This forms the basis for my single criticism of the book, that the narrative fails to depict the nuance of such situations and events. For example, soft power is often important in winning conflicts, and perhaps the propaganda victory of the easily recognisable figure of Patton rolling into Messina in his jeep was more important than whether the victory belonged to Truscott’s 3rd Division. Whilst I imagine that Truscott and the soldiers under his command may well have felt at the time that Patton stole their victory, was Patton’s decision motivated by ego, or strategy? Whilst sympathy is shown to some of the leaders, it portrays others such as Patton in a one-dimensional light which seems somewhat unfair at times.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book, not only was the content fantastically researched and the descriptions of the various campaigns visceral, but the book was also cleverly written. I felt consistently immersed in the events as they were happening particularly enjoying reading about the battle for Italy. In today’s world of media and sports celebrities, the word hero is often misappropriated. This book serves to highlight the real meaning of the word, whilst providing a new yard stick for the terms ‘selfless commitment’ and ‘courage’. I think this book is a must read for anyone in uniform, or those interested in the human face of war.

Reviewed by, SSgt (FofS) Oliver Mason.

Published by Dutton

ISBN 978-0593183748