The little-known WWII story of the salvage engineers whose daring and heroism helped the Allies win back North Africa, by the author of The Far Shore. By the time America joined World War II, Edward Ellsberg had already earned his place as one of the world’s great marine salvage engineers, and his bestselling accounts of raising doomed submarines and histories of classic diving operations had … diving operations had made him a literary star. With America’s entry into the war, Ellsberg returned to active duty with no easy assignment: clearing the vital port at Massawa, Eritrea, with no men, no equipment, and no budget.
No Banners, No Bugles picks up with Ellsberg stationed at Oran, Algeria, an important Mediterranean harbor as the Allies prepare for Operation Torch, the fight to reclaim North Africa from the Axis powers. Following his success at Massawa, Ellsberg must sort out the disorganized mess left by the Vichy French and find a way to open the port, though his flagging health proves to be a dangerous obstacle. As General Eisenhower’s chief of salvage in the Mediterranean, Ellsberg needs to clear harbors all across North Africa. No Banners, No Bugles is the riveting story of how Ellsberg the miracle worker tackled his greatest mission yet.
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Reveals a side of warfare little attention has been paid to. It’s not just the front line battles that win wars but the nuts and bolts of what keeps an army supplied with the tools to succeed.
I did not know this story and learned a great deal. This one is worth the time.
An older book, apparently written a few years after WWII ended. Good, if plain writing. The style shows the period in which it was written but detracts nothing from the account.
Worth reading for those interested in some of the more obscure parts of the history of WWII.
Ending just ends, otherwise a very interesting read on a segment of WWII you don’t often see.
Good for history buffs. Its a true story.
I’m grateful that this history is written. Battles of WWII are well documented but so little is known of the efforts made to support the troops. This is great reading as well.
A+ about a little known part of WW ll
Very informative. Gives great insight into some of the politics of the different factions at work in the Allied leadership in North Africa in WWII and how it negatively impacted the ability of the troops to do their job. Also gives a blow by blow description of some of the recovery and salvage operations undertaken to facilitate the invasions of …
I enjoy personal accounts from soldiers and sailors as a way to understand something that I’ve never experienced. Ellsberg’s memoir is well written and interesting. And, I learned about an important military activity that I’d never heard of before. The Allied victory in World War II depended on success in a vast number of activities. Each one may …
Dealt with a subject I knew nothing about and found it extremely well written as well as informative. Would recommend it highly.
I have read a fair amount of WWII history but literally never given a thought to the salvage work that the Navy did to keep harbors open and save damaged ships. This book is fascinating! There were so many ways to serve, and Edward Ellsburg’s service as a salvage officer was extraordinary.
Great first persons view about a little known segment of WW2 addressing the clearing and recovery of sunken and very damaged ships.
Excellent first hand history of the salvage crews that cleared harbors, rescued ships, and dry docks during WW II
This was one incredible man, and an amazing story. He was number one in his class at the U.S. NAVAL ACADEMY AND THAT BRILLIANCE CAME THRU IN THE BOOK WHERE HE RAN A UNILATERAL operation raising our sunken ships in WWII. What a guy and what a great story.
Great documentary regarding WWII salvage engineering. Includes the messy relations of the US, England, and the French militaries. Details the limited resources, and scrounging methods required under emergency conditions. How creative solutions had to contrived with limited equipment, talent, and manpower. Well written.
An informative book about Operation Torch and the importance of clearing the Harbors of North Africa to help the war effort.
I say inspirational because the book’s main characters are marine salvage engineers working in the North African ports during WWII. In spite of little to no equipment, they were tasked with keeping the ports open – most were strewn with torpedoed and bombed ships – and rescuing other ships that had been attacked. They received little credit and …
Excellent book written by the man who actually did the work of clearing harbors in North Africa during World War II,gritty and realistic without any window dressing or chest thumping.
Great book, well written. Ellsberg reminds me of my dad – yu can’t cry overs spilled milk. No matter what the difficult he just reaccesses the situation and keeps on plugging. Very pragmatic an practical in the approach to salvage obstacles.
Well written opened my eyes to salvage engineering. I would strongly recommend reading it.