'Richly impressive, hard to surpass' William Boyd 'A notable account of an epic human experience' Max Hastings 'James Holland brings every inch of this battle vividly to life' History Revealed 'This excellent bookThe Savage Storm reinforces Holland's reputation as certainly the busiest and probably the most popular military historian of the second world war working today' Spectator 'A must for anyone wanting to better understand the brutal campaign thoroughly deserves a place on the bookshelf' Soldier Magazine With the invasion of France the following year taking shape, and hot on the heels of victory in Sicily, the Allies crossed into Southern Italy in September 1943. They expected to drive the Axis forces north and be in Rome by Christmas. And although Italy surrendered, the German forces resisted fiercely and the swift hoped-for victory descended into one of the most brutal battles of the war. Even though shipping and materiel were already being safeguarded for the D-Day landings,