PRIVATE ARMY

First edition, first printing. Signed by the author. Original brown cloth with gilt titles to the spine and a gilt motif to the upper board, in dustwrapper. Top edge brown. Complete with four fold-out maps throughout the book. Illustrated throughout with black and white photographs. A very good copy, the binding square and clean, a little cracked to the inner front hinge but holding firm, the spine a little faded. The contents are clean and bright throughout, the maps intact and in fine condition. Complete with the rubbed and nicked dustwrapper which has a fold down the centre of the spine and is a little toned and dusty to the spine and flap edges. Not price clipped (16s net to the bottom of the front flap).

Inscribed by the author in blue ink to the front free endpaper "from Popski [underlined] / London May 1950". Private Army is Peniakoff's account of the Second World War, in which he established and lead the No. 1 Long Range Demolition Squadron which become known and Popski's Private Army. The highly successful unit operated with small numbers of men working behind enemy lines in the Middle East and Italy. Peniakoff was eventually promoted to Lieutenant Colonel and was awarded the Military Cross.