Bonking on the battlefield: Rogue Male

I really enjoyed this book - it's a different kind of world war II memoir from the papers of Major Geoffrey Gordon Creed. The major was awarded both the DSO and MC (Distinguished Service Order and the Military Cross)for his service in the second world war.

It really is a great story of a man who won the Military Cross on his first day in action and went on to participate in some jaw dropping missions. He served with the division that was the forerunner of the feared SAS, and just to add spice to the story he womanised his way across Europe and beyond.

Author, Roger Field was given the task of whipping the short memoir of Major Gordon Creed into some sort of shape, and he's done a great job in creating a readable narrative. He also adds footnotes which directs the reader to various newspaper articles and other books which add credence to the events described.

As soon as the reader gets into the first chapter, the book hooks like the best work of fiction. And the major comes out as a cross between James Bond and Harry Flashman. And the most amazing thing of all is that this is all true. The real strength here is that the Major was frankly honest about himself - admitting that he enjoyed women and was, in his own words, an insufferable cad. He is equally frank about his drinking. There's some fascinating detail on the various campaigns the major was involved in and I found the section detailing his exploits in Greece to be particularly rewarding.

It's tally ho and drop your knickers for this world war II story with a difference.