The Book is written mainly in the first person with Andrew Gibson Watt acting as editor and commentator. Alistair Timpson was a member of the LRDG from the beginning to the end of the unit's history and the narrative mainly concerns the operations he was personally involved in. Timpson describes the times that the LRDG used Ford 4x4 trucks and then the replacement Chevrolets and captured vehicles and weapons. This is a superb addition to anyone's library and great reference to one of the pioneering unit of the Special Forces. Highly reccomended.

Adrian Cowdry from Military Modelcraft International

Though not as well known as that other special forces unit born of the North African campaign, the SAS, the Long Range Desert Group proved an invaluable source of intelligence on the movements of Rommel's Afrika Korps and its Italian allies between 1940 and 1943. Operating deep behind enemy lines, the men of the LRDG were experts in desert survival and navigation. Operating in small groups, they were the eyes of the Eighth Army, observing and reporting on enemy troop movements, attacking airfields and supply dumps, and transporting other special forces and agents through the vast expanses of the desert. Alastair Timpson served as second-in-command, and later as commander, of "G" Patrol, LRDG. His memoir is a fascinating and revealing account of the activities and exploits of one such unit; a story of courage, determination and endurance against the odds.

Roger Fielding

In Rommel's Backyard delineates the meticulously-kept record of the author's journey into the Long Range Desert Group, via the Scots Guard. Belonging to the era whereby young men, such as himself, were already acutely aware of unpleasantry and discomfort; and, in addition, having experience of regular absenteeism from their homes, the almost immediate transition from school to serving on the front lines was made quite effortlessly by the majority at this time. Timpson was indeed one of these, who despite the numerous daring and dangerous roles he took on e.g. reporting enemy advances, destroying their aircraft, and aiding special forces to accomplish their preconditioned goals; managed to infiltrate behind enemy lines. This real-life adventure is presented whole-heartedly, yet modestly, by its narrator; since, he never viewed the diary as being of anything out of the ordinary. His son, nevertheless, had the record brought to life after his death: a real treat for those interested in the history of the period, and an epic tale of adventures involving conflicts fought and triumphed.

Jeff Bond

In Rommel's Backyard describes the threefold roles of the LDRG, all of which involved daring, dash and incredible feats of endurance and navigation deep behind enemy lines. They were the eyes and ears of the Eighth Army, road-watching and reporting enemy movement; they destroyed enemy aircraft, supply dumps an vehicles; and transported other special forces and agents to their objectives.

reenacting ww2

What separates In Rommel's Backyard from other military books of its type is that this is one man's account of his own duties and experiences during World War II, and most notably, that it was written purely as personal memoir with no intent to publish almost adds an extra layer of integrity and gritty realism to this read. The piece has remained true to Alastair Timpson's original documents but the editor has attempted where necessary to respectfully mould the narrative into more digestible form for the reader. What results is a meticulous yet strangely emotionless account of the brave efforts of the Long Range Desert Group. Timpson's words, as group commander, are strictly a clinical record of his unit's experiences as they endured the deserts 'behind enemy lines', and his modesty in not letting his own emotions (of which there must have been plenty) interfere with the facts serves to pour cold realism on events often over-seasoned with drama and evocativeness. Indeed the style of these writings merely reflects the personality of the man; efficient. This is not to underestimate the brave efforts of the LRDG however; in the memoirs we are given fascinating insight into how Timpson and his men navigated grueling desert crossings and reported enemy movements whilst destroying enemy aircraft and vehicles for good measure. That the author just 'doesn't make a fuss about it' is testament to his character and his legacy is a real-life adventure for us all to enjoy.

Carl (customer review)

Alastair Timpson belonged to that generation of young men who were propelled straight from public school into the dangers of WWII. He found his way into the Long Range Desert Group, a special force unit. They were the eyes and ears of the British Army, road-watching and reporting enemy movement; they destroyed enemy aircraft, supply dumps and vehicles, and transported other special forces and agents to their objects. His story involves daring, dash and incredible feats of endurance and navigation deep behind enemy lines.

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