WORLD WAR II - SECOND ARMY An Account of the Operations of Second Army in Europe 1944-1945... Compiled by Headquarters Second Army, 3 vol. (including map case), FIRST EDITION, NUMBER 10 OF APPROXIMATELY 48 COPIES MARKED 'SECRET', INSCRIBED BY LT. GENERAL MILES DEMPSEY 'to General Sir Richard O'Connor - who led 8 Corps to victory. M. C. Dempsey', foreword by Lieut.-General Sir Miles C. Dempsey, 18 photographic illustrations on 15 sheets (some folding), numerous colour maps, many folding, including 16 only (of 18, missing nos. 8 and 16) with tabs loose as issued in the separate case, illustrations and diagrams, publisher's red morocco, upper covers titled in gilt with blue and white emblem of the Second Army, and stamped with name of 'Lt-General Sir Richard N. O'Connor, KCB, DSO, MC', a few abrasions, folio (332 x 215mm.), Compiled by Headquarters Second Army, [August 1945] Footnotes: ONE OF APPROXIMATELY 48 COPIES, WITH A DISTINGUISHED PROVENANCE. Marked 'Secret' and one of only approximately 48 copies printed this is the premier source material for the ground campaign in Europe during the Second World War. The work was compiled by Second Army Headquarters Staff on the instruction of Lieut.-General Sir Miles Dempsey, just after the end of the war whilst memories were fresh ('the staff officers were available, and the orders, instructions and other documents readily accessible', Foreword). It includes details of Belsen Concentration Camp, and casualty statistics. Jisc Library Hub lists only the Imperial War Museum copy (no. 37); others are located at the Joint Services Command and Staff College and the Soldiers of Gloucestershire Museum, whilst the National Archives and Wellcome Institute have only volumes one and two respectively. Provenance: Sir Richard N. O'Connor (1889-1981), gilt stamped name on each volume, and inscription to him from Dempsey. O'Connor had an enormously successful army career in both the first and second world wars. Having served in Egypt and Italy, in January 1944 he 'assumed command of the 8th corps, which landed in Normandy at the end of June. There it was involved in major battles intended to achieve a break-out, known as operations Epsom and Goodwood. The corps was then switched to the western end of Second Army's sector, and, from 28 July to 4 August, drove a deep wedge south to Vire, as the Americans broke out into Brittany' (ODNB). This lot is subject to the following lot symbols: • • Zero rated for VAT, no VAT will be added to the Hammer Price or the Buyer's Premium. For further information on this lot please visit Bonhams.com For further information about this lot please visit the lot listing