Fighting Highlanders! : the History of the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders by Major Patrick J. R. Mileham - 1993

Arms and Armour Press, London, 1993. First Edition. Hardcover (Original Cloth). Near Fine Condition/Near Fine. Jacket illustrations: (front) - 'The Thin Red Line', the 93rd Highlanders at Balaclava, by Robert Gibb; (back, top) - uniforms of the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders 1881, by Richard Simkin; (back, below) - 'Hill 282, Korea' by Peter Archer. Field Marshal Montgomery gave high praise to the wartime exploits of one of the most colourful regiments in the British Army: 'This is a wonderful story, for it shows what the British soldier can do when properly led and how he responds to a challenge.' He referred to the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders. Mention of the 'Thin Red Line' and 'Crater' immediately identify this fine regiment, for few others have ever caught the public imagination more surely than they. Nowhere is the strength of the British regimental system more vividly displayed in both war and peace than in their exploits. Originally amalgamated in 1881, the Regiment continued to show a remarkable distinction both internally between battalions and externally as part of the fabric of British military history over two centuries - the capture of the Cape; the battles of the Peninsular War; New Orleans; Balaclava; the relief of Lucknow; the Western Front in the First World War; Malaya, North Africa, Italy and Europe in the Second World War; plus operations in Korea, Borneo and Aden, and peace-keeping duties in Northern Ireland. The Regiment's dramatic story is faithfully recorded in this book, both in its historical sweep as well as in the detail. Space is given to description of battles, individual heroism and collective courage as well as to the great physical and mental stamina required to overcome the arduous nature of campaigning, its frustration and failures. When threatened with disbandment in the 1970s, the 'Argylls' raised more than a million signatures in protest - and survived. While the British Army is again facing cuts and a radical change of role, the 'Argylls' seem fit to thrive well into the future. Such fierce regimental pride and the unity of individuals together in a first-rate military organization continues to be needed for whatever tasks the new British Army is called upon to fulfil. This book, the first full-length history of the 'Argylls' to be published, goes far in showing where that strength lies. Montgomery's words provide a fitting tribute: 'Their greatness is a measure ... of national character.' Size: Octavo (standard book size). 188 pages. Binding is tight, covers and spine fully intact. in archive acetate film protection. Dust Jacket un-clipped. Gilt titles spine. maroon cloth; illustrated by b/w. drawings, maps & photo's.. Includes bibliography & index. Quantity Available: 1. Shipped Weight: Under 1 kilo. Category: Military & Warfare; Military History; Army History; Regimental Histories; Scotland; History. ISBN: 1854091417. ISBN/EAN: 9781854091413. Inventory No: 3238. . 9781854091413