NAVAL INTELLIGENCE DIVISION. Algeria. [Cambridge University Press and Jarrold and Sons in Norwich for H.M. Stationery Office], February 1943- May 1944.
2 volumes, 8vo. Original cloth, spines and front covers lettered in gilt; pp. xi, 313; xiv, 500, highly illustrated with plates, fold-out maps, plans and panoramas, 4 folding maps in rear pockets; clotrh alittle spotted and darkened, internally clean and fresh, the lines This book is for official use of persons in H. M. Sevice only and must not be shown, or made available, to the Press or any member of the public on title-verso covered with later label reading This volume was produced and printed for official purposes during the war 1939/45; volume I withdrawn from Pembroke College, Cambridge, volume II from University College Library Aberystwyth.
First edition. B. R. 505 (Restricted) Geographical Handbook Series. - Probably one of the best-researched books of the time on the country. The volumes deal with the sociology, ethnography, industry, topography, commerce, in short, all aspects of Algeria and life in Algeria, including geology,and natural history. 'A series of intelligence handbooks produced during the First World War had proved valuable both during the conflict and as subsequent reference sources. Early in the Second World War the Director of Naval Intelligence ordered the preparation of a new and improved series to meet the requirements of the day. The Handbooks were designed to provide, in the words of the Preface, "for the use of Commanding Officers, information in a comprehensive and convenient form about countries which they may be called upon to visit, not only in war but in peace-time; secondly, to maintain the high standard of education in the Navy and, by supplying officers with material for lectures … to ensure for all ranks that visits to a new country shall be both interesting and profitable"' (Cambridge Archive Editions, who reproduce a few titles of the series, online).
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