U. W. Evans

First off let me state that I bought this book because I am a collector. A collector of first-hand accounts from the Mesopotamian Campaign and of autobographies of Colonial India Army Generals. On both accounts, this book is rare. It was published at the end of WWII, but details the life of Brigadier General Evans, with particular focus on his early days in India with the Bengal Sappers and Miners, and (for what I bought it for) his experience at the surrender of Kut in WWI. I will give his recollections of life in India 3.5 stars, but his accounting of the siege and surrender of Kut I would give 2.5 stars. This is unfortunate. Evans had a great perspective as the GSO1 on Townsend's staff during the advance to Ctesiphon and on the retreat back to Kut. However, he offers just a cursory glimpse into the events leading up to the surrender. Later in the book he covers (again briefly) his captivity. After this, the book devolves into a series of unrelated, random thoughts. His position(s) over time afforded him a great vantage point (Chin-Lushai Campaign of 1889-1890 for starters). Likewise, it appears he was a frequent team-mate of Winston Churchill on the polo fields of india. Unfortunately this book only offers random glimpses into everything I mentioned previously.… (meer)