GAVIN AT WAR

GAVIN AT WAR
Edited by Lewis Sorley.
Following his death in 1990, Gavin's family found a wartime journal amongst his belongings that he had never previously mentioned. It covers the period from 1943 as he left the US for North Africa and ends in 1945 in Berlin.
Only lightly edited, it is published here for the first time.

Often with huge gaps in days between entries, this was certainly no daily diary. When he did write, he was not afraid to be critical of fellow and senior officers and was quite open about his own feelings.
His post battle accounts and assessments were usually written weeks later and had allowed time for reflection. 

Through the introductions and the editor's comments it is clear just how much he cared for his men and just how much they admired and respected him back.
When parachuting he would be first out of the aircraft. When wounded soldiers were being treated he could be found talking to them, even holding their hand. He would also pay his respects to those men who had been killed.
How many commanding officers could say they did the same?
He also never refused, nor had any issues with the integration of black soldiers into his command. Something that could not be said of many other commanders, according to the book's editor.

Barring the odd exception, published diaries are not generally in my area of reading interest. However a chance to read the wartime thoughts of Jim Gavin has mostly proved to be a fascinating exercise. 

Published by Casemate Publishers, it is currently available in hardback and will also soon be available in paperback. 
I thank Script Books for this review copy. 

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