Desert Armour: Tank Warfare in North Africa: Gazala to Tunisia, 1942–43

Robert Forczyk covers the development of armoured warfare in North Africa from Rommel's Gazala offensive in 1942 through to the end of war in the desert in Tunisia in 1943. 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. Cover Half-title Title Copyright Dedication Contents Acknowledgements Introduction Chapter 1: Desert Interregnum The Afrika Korps Recovers, January 1942 All Quiet on the Gazala Front, February–April 1942 Chapter 2: The Road to Suez Gazala: The Clash of Armour, May 1942 Tobruk: Rommel’s Victory, June 1942 Ruweisat Ridge: The Breaking Point, July 1942 Chapter 3: Decision in the Desert The Changing of the Guard, August 1942 Gearing Up for the Main Events: September 1942 Lightfoot: October 1942 Supercharge: November 1942 Chapter 4: Broken Field Running The Race for Tunisia: November–December 1942 Stalemate in Tunisia: December 1942–January 1943 Kasserine Pass: February 1943 Chapter 5: Last Stand of the Afrika Korps Montgomery and Patton Strike: March 1943 Endgame: April–May 1943 In Retrospect Glossary Rank Table Appendices Appendix 1: Major Tank Deliveries to North Africa, 1942 Appendix 2: Tanks in North Africa, 1942–43 Appendix 2b: Penetration of Tank and Anti-tank Guns, 1940–43 Appendix 3: Orders of Battle for Armoured Units in North Africa, 1942–43 Bibliography Notes Index