Britain's Desert War in Egypt & Libya 1940-1942: 'The End of the Beginning'

by David Braddock

Overview

The desert war in Libya and Egypt between 1940 and 1942 has deservedly attracted the attention of many historians. Fought in an unforgiving yet strategically important landscape, the fortunes of the implacable opponents swung wildly. While best remembered for the duel between Montgomery’s Eighth Army and Rommel’s Afrika Korps and the iconic battle of El Alamein, this fine account describes that there was much more to the story than that.

In addition to the role of Imperial and Italian troops, the cast of characters included the controversial Auchinleck, the long-suffering Alexander and many other gifted commanders. Gazala, Bir Hakeim, Alam Halfa and Tobruk battles were among the many fiercely fought battles.

The two sides employed weapons that have passed into immortality; Germany’s Tiger and Panther tanks and lethal 88mm anti-tank gun. The Messerschmitt BF109 fighter locked horns with desert-modified Spitfires and Hurricanes.

The author highlights the vital roles of the Royal Navy, disrupting enemy supplies, and the Royal Air Force, which eventually gained command of the air.

For a concise account of this decisive campaign, David Braddock’s authoritative yet highly readable history is unlikely to be surpassed.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781526759788
Publisher:	Pen and Sword
Publication date:	08/29/2019
Pages:	240
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 1.00(d)

About the Author

David Braddock was educated at Dartford Grammar School in Kent and attended Birmingham University gaining a 1st Class Honours Degree (BA) and in 1950 became a Research Scholar. In 1953 he joined the Royal Air Force in 1953 as an Education Officer. Retiring in 1958 he joined the University of Southampton’s Adult Education Department.

Before retiring, he worked for the British Army preparing officers for the Staff College entrance examination. Among those he taught was General Sir Nick Carter KCB, CBE, DSO, the current Chief of the Defence Staff, who has written the Foreword to this edition.

In 2011 David was awarded the MBE for 40 years of voluntary service supporting educational development in Dorset. He lives near Weymouth.

Table of Contents

Foreword vii

Foreword to 2019 Edition viii

List of Maps ix

Introduction x

Chapter 1 The Strategic Background to the North African Campaigns, 1940-42 1

Chapter 2 The First British Offensive (1). Operation "Compass", the Battle of Sidi Barrani 7

Chapter 3 The First British Offensive (2). The Development of the Campaign after the Battle of Sidi Barrani 17

Chapter 4 The Advent of Rommel 29

Chapter 5 Rommel's First Offensive 35

Chapter 6 The Second British Offensive. Operation "Battleaxe" 47

Chapter 7 The Replacement of Wavell and the Preparation for Operation "Crusader" 57

Chapter 8 The Third British Offensive, Operation "Crusader" (1). The Opening Phase, 18th-23rd November, 1941 65

Chapter 9 Operation "Crusader" (2). The Second Phase, 24th-30th November, 1941 75

Chapter 10 Operation "Crusader" (3). Phases III & IV, 1st December, 194l-17th January, 1942 81

Chapter 11 Rommel's Second Offensive and the Retreat to Gazala 93

Chapter 12 The Lull, February to May 1942 105

Chapter 13 The Battles at Gazala (1). The Period of Planning and Preparation 109

Chapter 14 The Battles at Gazala (2). The Fighting south of Gazala and the Fall of Tobruk 117

Chapter 15 The Retreat to El Alamein 135

Chapter 16 The Fighting in the El Alamein Positions in July 1942 145

Chapter 17 The Arrival of Montgomery 153

Chapter 18 Montgomery's Doctrine of War and Command, and the Battle of Alam Haifa 157

Chapter 19 The Battle of El Alamein (1). The Plans 171

Chapter 20 The Battle of El Alamein (2). The Fighting 177

Chapter 21 Some Points for Further Consideration 191

Bibliography 197

Notes on Abbreviations 199

Comparative Chronology of the Desert Campaigns by Major H. C. H. Mead, M.A 201

Who's Who 213

Questions 219

Index 223

Editorial Reviews

"This is a very readable, single-volume account of the first years of the North African campaigns. It relates all the salient points of the fighting to the reader effectively, with an emphasis on the naval and air activities that supported the ground fighting; these important factors are often missing or underemphasized in other works. It is also well illustrated and contains simple, useful maps to help guide the reader through the action."

WWII History Magazine