Pyramids and Fleshpots: The Egyptian, Senussi and Eastern Mediterranean Campaigns, 1914-16

By Stuart Hadaway

Pyramids and Fleshpots tells the true story of the experiences and achievements of British military personnel serving in Egypt in the First World War fighting a determined enemy to protect the Suez Canal – the lifeline of the Empire. The popular impression that the campaigns were merely a sideshow, with troops enjoying a holiday among the pyramids and the ‘fleshpots’ of Cairo, is far removed from the truth. Troops faced appalling heat, abrasive sand, poor rations and water shortages. In the desolation of the Western Desert they fought the Senussi, an Islamic sect supported by the Ottomans, in a reversal of Lawrence’s later work with the Arabs, while in the Sinai Desert they countered German-backed moves to dominate this strategically important area. Meanwhile, the Royal Navy fought to keep the supply lines to Gallipoli open, and keep men and materiel flowing to France from India, Australia and New Zealand. These arduous and hard-fought land, sea and air campaigns in Egypt, Libya and the Eastern Mediterranean are comprehensively covered by Stuart Hadaway in this groundbreaking analysis of an often overlooked theatre of war so vital to Britain’s empire.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Spellmount
• Release date: Oct 1, 2014
• ISBN: 9780750958080

Stuart Hadaway

Stuart Hadaway qualified as a museum curator in 2001 and worked in military museums at a local and national level until 2009 when he joined the Air Historical Branch (RAF) as Senior Researcher for the Official Historians of the Royal Air Force. His is currently the Research and Information Manager at the Branch, but his interest has always been in World War I and the Middle East. He has written seven books on military topics and runs the Egyptian Expeditionary Force in WWI Facebook group.

Reviews for Pyramids and Fleshpots

[jenianb · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

An excellent, and very readable, account of an important and overlooked campaign.I often find ground battles hard to follow. Whilst not perfect, Hadaway recounts the major battles of the campaign with concise clarity. Furthermore, he covers the essential behind the scenes story without getting too bogged down in politics.There are nine useful and informative Appendices, a Glossary, Bibliography/Sources and Index.A number of essential, and good, maps and a basic selection of photographs.A valuable addition to any WW1 library.