Description

A fascinating insight into the dangers and difficulties of operating within the desert terrain

From 1940 to 1943 North Africa saw the first major desert campaign by modern mechanised armies. The British, Italians, German Afrika Korps and US Army all addressed and learned from the special problems human, logistical, mechanical and tactical of the desert environment, most significantly fighting in a terrain empty of resources and offering little chance of concealment.

In this compact yet detailed volume, Paddy Griffith traces the fast-learned development in armour, artillery and infantry tactics in this exceptional arena. Featuring illustrations throughout, the book explores major engagements in the North African theatre, which involved some of the greatest tacticians of World War II in one of the pivotal theatres.

Table of Contents

INTRODUCTION
LESSONS OF OPERATION 'CRUSADER', WINTER 1941/2
LESSONS OF GAZALA, SPRING 1942
LESSONS OF FIRST ALAMEIN: successes of British artillery, minefields and infantry night attacks – failure of German high-risk tank tactics
MONTGOMERY: successes of Alam el Halfa and Second Alamein – new equipment and strength
TUNISIA: ARRIVAL OF US ARMY: early failures, tactical lessons and later successes – failure of German Tiger tanks

Product details

Published Jan 20 2013
Format Ebook (PDF)
Edition 1st
Extent 64
ISBN 9781472800985
Imprint Osprey Publishing
Illustrations 50 b/w
Series Elite
Short code ELI 162
Publisher Bloomsbury Publishing

About the contributors

Author

Paddy Griffith

Paddy Griffith is a freelance military historian b…

Illustrator

Adam Hook

Adam Hook studied graphic design, and began his wo…

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