Overview

This is the next book in Osprey publications Battle order series, book number 20 titled Rommel's Afrika Korps - Truck to El Alarming. The book covers the complex and frequently changing organization and structure of the German forces in North Africa from there first deployment to the conclusion of the Battle of El Alamein. written and researched by Pier Paolo Battiselli

brief History

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 the whole of Libya. On the 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.

Inside the book

The book comes in Ospreys now standard format and size, with an orange band top and bottom of the front and rear cover to show it belongs in there battle series. The book runs to some 96 pages including 63 black/white photographs with explanations, organization charts and structure also include are colour maps showing the major battle of North Africa.

The book is broken down to what i would call 12 logical chapters

Introduction
Combat mission
Preparation for war:doctrine and training.
Unit organisation.
Tatics.
Weapons and equipment
Command, control, communications and intelligence C3I).
Unit status.
Lessons.
Lessons learned.
Bibliography.
and finally Abbreviations, Glossary and an Index.

Each chapter covers in quite some detail the information and book use the charts and maps to help highlight the text. The pictures are well dispersed through out the book so that you don't get bogged down in the text whilst you read with each picture having its own caption to help explain it.

My thoughts

I must to admit that i generally like the style in which osprey produce there books, i enjoy reading them and whilst there is plenty of well researched information with in there pages. Not at any time did i never feel that i was being overwhelmed with information whilst reading this book but there was more than enough to keep me reading till the end. When i was first asked to review it i was a little unsure as i knew nothing really about the North African Campaign, now having read through the book a couple of times I'm interested to find out more certainly from the allied view of the campaign.

There is more than enough information with in 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 even if the North African campaign is not really your interest, you will enjoy. Certainly a recommended read.
Now where did I leave that sand.