Rare, Inscribed, Used Field Service Pocket Book, Battle of Kalamata 1941 Greece, WWII Military History

Description

This rare and original WWII Field Service Pocket Book (1938 edition) is an exceptional historical artifact, used in 

the Battle of Kalamata, Greece, in April 1941. The volume is personally inscribed “Dandis, Calamata 29-4-1941” in ink 

— a direct link to one of the final battles fought on mainland Greece between the Allied and German forces.

Details:

• Title: Field Service Pocket Book

• Publisher: His Majesty’s Stationary Office

• Printed in Australia, 1940

• Format: Red leather folder, 17 cm × 12 cm

• Includes multiple pamphlets (Nos. 1–13) and appendices covering all aspects of field operations: Pamphlet No 1 (Glossary of Military Terms and Organization in the Field) 1940,  Pamphlet No 2 (Orders and Intercommunication) 1939, Pamphlet No 3 (Intelligence-Information and Security) 1939,  Pamphlet No 4 (Field Engineering) 1939, Pamphlet No 5 (Billets, Camps and Bivouacs, Camp Cooking and Water Arrangements) 1939, Pamphlet No 6 (Mechanized Movement by Road) 1939,  Pamphlet No 7 (Movement by Sea, Rail and Air) 1939,  Pamphlet No 8 (Protection against Gas) 1939, Pamphlet Nr. 9 (Supply and Replenishment of Material in the Field) 1939, Pamphlet No 10 (Medical Services) 1939,  Pamphlet No 11 (Discipline, Office Work and Burial Parties) 1939, Pamphlet Nr. 12 (Miscellaneous Tables and Data) 1939,  Pamphlet 13 (Notes for Staff Officers) 1940, Specimen Standing Orders for Protection against Gas and Air Raids in Billets, Camps and Bivouacs for all Headquarters and Units Australian Military Forces 1939, Notes on the Administration of Discipline on War Service Part I + II 1939, Australian Military Forces – The Erection, Care and Preservation of Tents (Australia) 1940.

• Features original folding maps, charts, and tables

• Condition: Good vintage condition with age-related wear consistent with field use

Historical Context – Battle of Kalamata (April 28, 1941):

The Battle of Kalamata marked the final stand of Allied forces on mainland Greece during WWII. As German divisions advanced rapidly, thousands of British, Australian, New Zealand, and Cypriot troops gathered in Kalamata awaiting evacuation to Crete. Over 7,000 were captured after fierce fighting. Survivors later described Kalamata as “worse than Dunkirk” due to the scale of losses and lack of rescue options.

This authenticated, inscribed Field Service Book is a unique primary artifact from that campaign — a tangible witness to one of the lesser-known but most dramatic retreats of WWII.

Shipping:
Securely packaged and shipped with tracking in protective wrapping for safe delivery.