THE NORTH AFRICAN CAMPAIGN 1940-43

Official History of the Indian Armed Forces in the Second World War 1939-45 Campaigns in the Western Theatre

von India Ministry of Defence

658 Seiten, Taschenbuch

Kurzbeschreibung des Verlags

With British success in North Africa against the Italians, the German General Rommel landed at Tripoli in March 1941 and counter-attacked with the advanced party of his legendary Afrika Korps. With bold action, surprise and deception, by April 1941, Afrika Corps was on the border of Egypt. Initially, the 3rd Indian Motor Brigade slowed the advance of the Axis powers and allowed the occupation of Tobruk, which, as a stubborn thorn in the side of the Axis, continued to be an obstacle for a free approach to the Nile valley in Egypt. Rommel then defeated the British Commonwealth offensive called 'Battle Axe'. Accounts of the fluidity, ebb and flow, and chaos of the battles are detailed in the book. It was like a pendulum or game of see-saw of forces moving east and west and then reversing direction. These operations lasted for over two years with the sterling performance of the 4th Indian Infantry Division (5, 7, 11 Indian Infantry Brigades), 3rd Indian Motor Brigade later joined by the 5th Indian Infantry Division (9, 10 and 29 Indian Infantry Brigades), and the 10th Indian Division which had earlier operated in Iraq. The British Eighth Army under Auchinleck in 'Operation Crusader' nearly got destroyed with bold counterattacks by Rommel, including innovative use of 88mm ack ack guns in an anti-tank role. It is here that Rommel famously remarked: "I get better information of my troops from the wireless intercepts of the enemy than from my own staff". Rommel was unstoppable. The battles at Sidi Razeg, final capture of Tobruk, and abandonment of Gazala by the British (called the 'Gazala gallop') or withdrawal of the British till El Alamein where at Alam Halfa Rommel got overstretched, are well-known milestones.Finally, General Montgomery's breakthrough after massing material superiority and pursuit after the second battle of El Alamein of October 1942 is a well-studied set piece battle of break-in and attrition in history. The 8th Army's capture of Tripoli in January 1943 and its subsequent advance to the frontiers of Tunisia completed the conquest of Italian North Africa. The final defeat of the Germans in North Africa came at Mareth and in Tunisia.After the end of World War II, the Government of India formed a Historical Division in the Ministry of Defence. This office was tasked to produce History of the Second World War, with special reference to the part played by soldiers of the British Indian Army.This monumental multi volume work covers all aspects of India's contribution to the Allied cause between 1939 and 1945. The narrative is packed with a huge amount of information regarding even the smallest fighting, logistical and medical units and sib-units, and yet it remains eminently readable throughout.Based on the official war diaries, reports and other documents held by the Division, as well as in consultation with a few actual participants, the History of WW II was prepared and published in the 1950s

• Reihe: No Series Linked
• Themen: Geschichte und Archäologie Geschichte Militärgeschichte
• ISBN: 9781474539043
• Sprache: Englisch
• Erscheinungsdatum: 04.01.2024
• Größe: 254 x 178 mm
• Verlag: Naval & Military Press