Rommel's Afrika Korps: Tobruk to El Alamein

(Paperback)

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In 1940 a British offensive in the Western Desert provoked a major Italian military disaster. By early February 1941 the whole of Cyrenaica had been lost, and German help became necessary to avoid the loss of all of Libya. On 14 February 1941 the first echelons of German troops hurriedly arrived at the port of Tripoli, starting the 27-month German engagement in Northern Africa. This book covers the complex and oft-changing organisation and structure of German forces in North Africa from their first deployment through to the conclusion of the battle of El Alamein, an engagement that irrevocably changed the strategic situation in the Western Desert.

Reviews

"[One of many] outstanding coverages in-depth military holdings will welcome." --Bookwatch

"This book is a compact guide to the German divisions that saw combat in 1941 and 1942 between Tobruk and El Alamein. It covers the Korps' combat mission; organization; training and doctrine; tactics; weapons and equipment; and command, control, communications, and intelligence; unit status (manpower and equipment numbers and losses), and lessons learned. The addition of excellent photos, maps, and charts, a bibliography, and glossary help make this a tremendous resource, packing much information in its 96 pages." --Thomas R. Kailbourn, Military Trader Magazine

"There is more than enough information within the 96 pages to keep modellers and historians interested, and the pictures have certainly given me plenty to think about regarding some Dioramas. All in all a well thought out and written book which...you will enjoy. Certainly a recommended read." --Keith Forsyth, Armorama (September 2006)

"The author does a superlative job of giving us this overview into the operation and tactics of the Afrika Korps during its most successful period of time... Throughout the book there are outstanding unit organizational charts, maps of various battles and superb period photographs. In all, another great book in Osprey's quite popular Battle Orders series and one that I can highly recommend." --Scott Van Aken, modelingmadness.com

"If you have even the remotest interest in the theater of operations at that time, this book is for you. Highly recommended." --Frank De Sisto, missing-lynx.com

Author Bio

Pier Paolo Battistelli earned his PhD in military history at the University of Padua. A scholar of German and Italian politics and strategy throughout World War II, he is a freelance writer on historical subjects and has worked with several Italian publishers and institutions.