by Brendan O’Carroll.
Hardback (7.0×10.0 inches). 241 pages. 2026.
Subtitle: The Story of PoW Trooper Mick Holland of the Long Range Desert Group and His Nine Escape Attempts
Most of the book covers Long Range Desert Group (LRDG) operations, which included Horace Thomas Richard Holland, known as Mick. He was captured after the Barce Raid and “held” as a POW for two and a half years. I put “held” in quotes because it seems he spent more time roaming around outside of POW camps than inside. He eventually ended up in Germany, until the end of the war.
Being fluent in Italian and German and sent to Italy as a POW, he was able to pass for an Italian until re-captured…again and again. He seemed to have a penchant for visiting various cities and even joined a guerrilla group against the
Germans for a while.
His autobiographical account (p172-234) forms the mainstay of his nine escape attempts. He notes extensive help from Italian farmers in evading Italian pursuits.
The book contains 229 black and white photos, nine black and white illustrations, and six black and white maps.
It’s a heckuva story.
Enjoyed it.
— Reviewed by Russ Lockwood
