From the publisher,
The war in the North African desert was pure mechanized warfare, and in many respects the most technologically advanced theatre of World War II. It was also the only theatre where for three years British and Commonwealth, and later US, troops were in constant contact with Axis forces.
World War II best-selling author Robert Forczyk explores the second half of the history of the campaign, from the Gazala offensive in May 1942 that drove the British forces all the way back to the Egyptian frontier and led to the fall of Tobruk, through the pivotal battles of El Alamein, and the final Allied victory in Tunisia. He examines the armoured forces, equipment, doctrine, training, logistics and operations employed by both Allied and Axis forces throughout the period, focusing especially on the brigade and regimental level of operations.
Fully illustrated throughout with photographs, profile artwork and maps, and featuring tactical-level vignettes and appendices analysing tank data, tank deliveries in-theatre and orders of battle, this book goes back to the sources to provide a new study of armoured warfare in the desert.
Table of Contents(Subject to confirmation)
Introduction
Chapter 1: Armoured Operations in 1942
Chapter 2: The Afrika Korps Recovers, January 1942
Chapter 3: All Quiet on the Gazala Front, February-April 1942
Chapter 4: Gazala: The Clash of Armour, May 1942
Chapter 5: Tobruk: Rommel's Victory, June 1942
Chapter 6: Ruweisat Ridge: The Breaking Point, July 1942
Chapter 7: The Changing of the Guard, August 1942
Chapter 8: Gearing up for the main events: September 1942
Chapter 9: Lightfoot: October 1942
Chapter 10: Supercharge: November 1942
Chapter 11: The race for Tunisia: November-December 1942
Chapter 12: Armoured Operations in 1943
Chapter 13: Stalemate in Tunisia: December 1942 – January 1943
Chapter 14: Kasserine Pass: February 1943
Chapter 15: Montgomery and Patton Strike: March 1943
Chapter 16: Endgame: April-May 1943
Chapter 17: In Retrospect
Glossary
Rank Table
Bibliography
Endnotes
Index
Review,
It took me a month to read this, for no particular reason, but it is a good, well written, analysis of tank warfare in North Africa, Galaza to Tunisia 1942-42. There is little new here, being the author's take on the subject, which is well reasoned, even handed, and supported with good references, images, and maps.
British generals come in for some harsh criticism, mostly around incompetence and dithering; whereas as Germans (Rommel) were over ambitious, to their (his) detriment.
There is some analysis of the logistics of the battles, for both sides, and how logistics win wars, the Germans and Italians being picked off crossing the Med by a capable and willing Allied side, and being overextended by a margin in the deserts of northern Africa.
The narrative follows a logical sequence, focuses on the major battles of the theater, includes all the relevant players on both sides, and looks at the features of the opposing sides' armor: for example, Tiger, Panzer IV, Grant, Valentine, among others. There are some good color profiles, complete with explanations, and some commentary.
As seen in the contents above, the book covers a lot in less than 400 pages, without getting too bogged down in detail on any one subject, or going off on a tangent.
Easily recommended, this is a great 'one book' read to understand tank warfare in North Africa 1942-43, which, while not a long period, is very involved and was pivotal to the larger war effort.