The war in the North African desert between 1940 and 1943 was one of manoeuvre, where the deployment of armoured and mechanised forces was vitally important. It was also the only theatre where for three years British and Commonwealth, and later US, troops were in constant contact with Axis forces.
This new study will cover the entire history of the campaign, from the initial Italian offensive and devastating British counterattack, the arrival of Rommel’s Panzergruppe Afrika spearheaded by the Deutsches Afrikakorps and the seesaw battles fought along the North African shore culminating in the British victory at El Alamein; it will then detail the Allied advance into Tunisia and the final defeat of the German and Italian armies.
It will examine the armoured forces, equipment, doctrine, training, logistics and operations carried out by both Allied and Axis forces throughout the period. Although the primary focus will be upon the brigade and regimental level of operations, tactical-level vignettes will also be featured throughout. Appendices will include topics such as tank data, tank deliveries in-theatre and orders of battle to give a complete picture of armoured warfare in the desert.
