Martin Koenigsberg's review of Italian Truck-Mounted Artillery In Action 4/5: If you like the Toyota "Technical" and the Vietnam Era Convoy gun trucks, then this book will be exactly your cup of tea. Ralph Riccio and Nicola Pignato are Squadron Signal Publications' Italian...

Just finished my 2nd Book Review of the Year! #WhatAreYouReading #BookReviews #20thCenturyHistory #MilitaryHistory #ItalianImperialHistory #ItalianHistory #BritishImperialHistory #DesertWar #NorthAfricanHistory #Trucks #Lorries #NaziHistory #HistBookChat
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🚨 THIS WEEK TO PATREON AND APPLE 🚨 Genius on the battlefield… disaster in the war room 🤯🪖
Peter Caddick-Adams dismantles the myth of Rommel the “strategic genius” and reveal the truth behind the Desert Fox 🦊

🎧 Out now! www.patreon.com/post...
#WWII #MilitaryHistory #Podcast #DesertWar

Field Marshal Montgomery with Generals; Lt Gen Neil Ritchie - Commander 12 Corps, Lt Gen Richard O'Connor - Commander 8 Corps, Maj Gen Douglas Graham - GOC 50th Northumbrian Division, Gen Miles Dempsey - Commander 2nd Army Maj Gen Gerald Lloyd-Verney - GOC 7th Armoured Division 28 September 1944 This is probably a status briefing at 12 Corps HQ with O'Connor in attendance on how to secure 30 Corps' flanks and proceed to advance up through the Netherlands. Thanks Alex 'Windy' Miller & Bo Fønss for their assistance Morris (Sgt) Photographer IWM B 10388 WWP-PD Facebook World War Pictures

This picture is a study in how the #desertwar was absolutely not a sideshow for British army leadership.

Of the six men pictured, one commanding an Army Group, one an Army, two a Corps and two a Division, only one had not seen service in the Middle East, Lloyd-Verney.

@alanallport.bsky.social

The Confused Arrival of 22 Armoured Brigade Background The repeat delays to the start of CRUSADER was quite unpalatable to Winston Churchill, who had sacked Wavell over his reluctance to move faster as much as over his failure in BATTLEAXE. …

On 2 October 1941, 22 Armoured Brigade arrived in Suez. The brigade would be thrown into battle with hardly any time to train and acclimatise, with predictable results.

#desertwar #ww2

‘D’ Squadron 7 R.T.R. at Tobruk Looking at this IWM picture, it shows a squadron of Matilda IIs. The caption says 12 September 1941 near Tobruk. The online history of 4 and 7 R.T.R. states that 4 R.T.R. only arrived in the fortre…

#OTD in 1941, British army PR took a rather fetching shot of the Matilda IIs of 'D' Squadron 7 R.T.R. in Tobruk. These tanks had spent almost the whole of the siege in the fortress, and were an instrumental part of the breakout.

#desertwar #ww2 #militaryhistory

Equipping a new army – M3 Stuart Tank Deliveries up to CRUSADER Background Operation CRUSADER saw the first use of an American-designed tank in battle, the M3 Stuart tank[1]. I have written about the experience with this tank in prior posts, at this link, and t…

In the last days of August 1941, 8 Hussars were exercising their new Stuart M3 tanks in the deserts of Egypt, in preparation for the autumn offensive against the Axis forces.

They would form 4 Armd Bde, together with 3 and RTR, all equipped with this new tank.

#WW2 #desertwar #tanks

Screenshot from T78-750 NARA, experience report from North Africa, mid-1941. "The focus of training thus must be directed to fighting the English Mark II. Effective defensive weapons against it are the 5cm AT gun as well as the Panzer III and IV with anti-tank and HE rounds (the latter having strong effect on nerves). Tanks must in this case, if possible, close to 200m distance of the English Mark II and then open fire. Another effective weapon of the English is the 4cm SP on truck mount (guns often camouflaged by cover until they open fire)."

In mid-1941, the tactical suggestion on how to deal with the Matilda II was to rush it with Zergs, errr, Panzers.

I'm sure this suggestion was loved by the Panzer crews.

Translation in ALT.

#WW2 #desertwar #militaryhistory @cedricmas.bsky.social @curatorian.bsky.social @motheroftanks.bsky.social

Depicts unidentified Australian soldiers standing with a Bren gun mounted on a tripod for anti-aircraft defence in the Western Desert during the North African campaign. Hele was serving as a private in the AIF, when in January 1941 he was commissioned in the field by General Blamey and given the task of depicting the activities of Australians in North Africa. His appointment was made official in October 1941. From June 1943 until the end of the Second World War Hele worked in a number of locations in Northern Australia and New Guinea, holding his commission until 1947. Hele was again commissioned an official war artist , with the rank of Major, during the Korean War. From 1953 he executed a number of portrait and painting commissions for the Australian War Memorial and in 1969 was awarded a CBE for his services to art. AWM Accession Number ART22868 Collection type Art Measurement framed: 83.7 x 73.8 cm Object type Painting Physical description oil on canvas on cardboard Maker Hele, Ivor Place made North Africa: Western Desert, Western Desert (Egypt), Mersa Matruh Date made 1941 Conflict Second World War, 1939-1945

Today’s favourite #warart

“Anti-aircraft defences, Marsa Matruh” (1941)

#desertwar #ww2 #militaryhistory

@karljames1945.bsky.social @thehistoryguy.bsky.social @alanallport.bsky.social @cedricmas.bsky.social

Happy ‘End of the 1st Battle of El Alamein’ day to all who celebrate.

Which, I suppose, includes both Rommel and Auchinleck, as they would have been happy as Larry that this shitshow was over.

@alanallport.bsky.social @karljames1945.bsky.social @cedricmas.bsky.social

#ww2 #milhist #desertwar

1st Carabinieri Parachute Battalion in North Africa 1941 Background The Royal Carbineers (Carabinieri Reale) are a paramilitary police force under the direction of the Italian Ministry of Defense (see also this link). They have posts in all Italian citie…

On 18 July 1941, the #carabinieri #parachute battalion landed in Tripoli. It would be employed in rear area security in the Jebel Akhdar until December 1941 when it was decimated by 4 Indian Division at Eluet el Asel.

#WW2 #desertwar @cedricmas.bsky.social

Organizational Chart of the Axis' troops in Cyrenaica from July 1941 (Source: “Le Operazioni in Africa Settentrionale Vol. II - Tobruk” M. Montanari, Stato Maggiore Dell'Esercito - Ufficio Storico)

...Now the roles reversed. In Spain, when Bastico wanted to do something, he would invoke the Duce's orders as a last resort against Franco; similarly, when Rommel wanted to do something, he would point out the Führer's orders against Bastico and Gambara.» (E. Canevari) 2/2🧵 #ww2 #wwII #desertwar

Editorial Note – Numbering/Naming Corps and Units Background On Twitter I came across a popular historian’s hot take regarding the correct approach to identifying Corps in publications, claiming that the reason why historians use Roman numer…

As today is for some reason I don't understand the best day in terms of visits to The Crusader Project since 30 Corps Gate on the other site, here's that banger again, for nostalgia.

@rgpoulussen.bsky.social @vickersmg.bsky.social @cedricmas.bsky.social @alliedarmour.bsky.social #WW2 #desertwar

1st Carabinieri Parachute Battalion in North Africa 1941 Background The Royal Carbineers (Carabinieri Reale) are a paramilitary police force under the direction of the Italian Ministry of Defense (see also this link). They have posts in all Italian citie…

#OTD in 1942 the Italian army formed two mobile sections from the remnants of the Carabinieri Parachute Battalion which had been destroyed in the Jebel Akhdar in December 1941. One ended up at Alamein, the other one fought the Germans after the armistice.

#WW2 #desertwar

@cedricmas.bsky.social

Late July 1941 in the sky over Cyrenaica From July 1941 onwards, the British supply operation at Tobruk was greatly facilitated by the use of the fast minelayers HMS Abdiel and HMS Latona and eight LCT tank landing crafts, operating…

British tank landing crafts (LCTs) clash with Italian naval units and the Italian-German air forces: two rammings in a day 💥 🛥️ buff.ly/he1hObF #ww2 #wwII #desertwar #northafrica #navalhistory #aviationhistory

BW picture from the desert war. A Crusader Mk. I tank that has seen better days, surrounded by six German soldiers, some of whom seem to be mechanics based on their coveralls. Undated but likely from after BATTLEAXE as two soldiers are wearing summer shorts. The tank has fairly discernible Caunter camouflage on the turret. Source: Axis History Forum

Interesting picture of a Crusader Mk. I under new management. If you press me I am going with BATTLEAXE on this one.

Very interesting to see the scale of the tank against the soldiers.

#WW2 #desertwar #afrikakorps #militaryhistory

@robertglennie.bsky.social @cedricmas.bsky.social

New Article – Cape Spada II I have been again been privileged in that the Australian Naval History Society’s Naval Historical Review has agreed to publish the second of two articles on the Battle of Cape Spade, 19 July 1940 (…

#OTD in 1940 the Italian light cruiser Inc Bartolomeo Colleoni entered Augusta harbour on Sicily for the last time, returning from a North Africa convoy escort as part of the IIa Divisione.

The next move would take the two cruisers of the division to North Africa.

#navalhistory #ww2 #desertwar

First Attempts on Tobruk – April 1941 Background 14 April 1941 marked the nadir of the history of M.G.Batl.8 or short ‘MG8’[1] in North Africa, when it lost its commanding officer, Lt.Col. Ponath, and several hundred men during a faile…

#OTD in 1941 the late Cpl. Edmondson, 2 AIF, was awarded his #victoriacross for the action of 13 April 1941, during the so-called 'Easter Battle'.

#WW2 #desertwar

@cedricmas.bsky.social @karljames1945.bsky.social @alanallport.bsky.social @ubiquevir.bsky.social

The Roatta mission (June 1941) One of the darkest figures in the Regio Esercito is sent to Cyrenaica to "fix" the Italian command and verify its relations with the Germans.

The "conformist" Mario Roatta and the "Spanish Mafia" attempt to take over the Axis Command in North Africa buff.ly/dDlUJSq #WW2 #WWII #desertwar #Rommel #regioesercito #fascism

The Tobruk Run – Loss of HMS Auckland 24 June 1941 Introduction The Tobruk Run (colloquially known as the “Tobruk Ferry”) was a series of convoy and naval supply operations that operated with some interruptions from April to December 1941, and whic…

#OTD in 1941 sloop HMS Auckland sank with the loss of 38 men NW off Gambut while escorting the small tanker Pass of Balmaha to Tobruk.

The 'Tobruk Run' had claimed another victim.

@alanallport.bsky.social @marcusfaulkner.bsky.social @cedricmas.bsky.social

#WW2 #navalhistory #desertwar

Everyone: North Africa didn't really matter, the Germans were totally focused on invading the Soviet Union, what a sideshow, ugh...

The Germans: One in eight of our tanks will go to North Africa.

#WW2 #desertwar

@alanallport.bsky.social @cedricmas.bsky.social

12th Field Company War Diary (16 June) #OTD 1941 Operation Battleaxe Following the recent failure of Operation Brevity (15-16 May 1941), at which the 12th Field Company RE were present, Operation …12th Field Company War Diary (16 June) #OTD 1941…

Happy 84 years and 2 days since BATTLEAXE failed to all who celebrate.

#WW2 #desertwar

@ubiquevir.bsky.social
@cedricmas.bsky.social
@alanallport.bsky.social

Paolo Caccia Dominioni - Letter to Montgomery Written at Alamein. Hill 33. June 20th, 1962.

A polemical, rhetorical, sad, interesting and at times amusing pamphlet. Written by someone who spent 14 years digging up bodies on the battlefield of El Alamein. alfredodallolio.substack.com/p/paolo-cacc... #WW2 #desertwar #WWII #northafrica

When a picture tells us something An analysis of a Bundesarchiv picture of Naples harbour tank loading in June 1941.

#OTD in 1941 the first replacement tanks for the #afrikakorps were waiting to be shipped to Africa in the port of Naples.

#WW2 #desertwar #tanks

@cedricmas.bsky.social @dr-robonator.bsky.social @robertglennie.bsky.social

General Alfred Gause with an Italian and a German officer

OTD June 10, 1941, Gen. Alfred Gause arrived in North Africa as director of a newly established Liaison Staff of the OKW at the Italian Command. The aim was to «achieve a more effective collaboration». It was a team of 43 officers, 20 civil servants, 46 NCOs and 110 men. 1/5🧵 #WW2 #WWII #desertwar

1st Carabinieri Parachute Battalion in North Africa 1941 Background The Royal Carbineers (Carabinieri Reale) are a paramilitary police force under the direction of the Italian Ministry of Defense (see also this link). They have posts in all Italian citie…

#OTD in 1941 the #carabinieri #parachute battalion received orders to deploy to Italian North Africa. The unit would see its first and last combat in Operation CRUSADER where they won a battle honour at Eluet el Asel in the Jebel Akhbar.

#ww2 #desertwar

@cedricmas.bsky.social

Operation Brevity (May 15-16, 1941) A defensive success for the Axis which bears the signature of von Herff and Montemurro

Why was the defence of the Italian units against the Matildas so effective during Brevity, while the same cannot be said to have occurred during Compass? Let's try to answer the question reading the Italian accounts of the battle at the border: buff.ly/bsGfNSF #WW2 #desertwar #rommel #WWII

Book Review – To the Last Round Five Stars out of Five – Buy ‘F’ sub section, ‘D’ Troop, 426 Battery, in their gun pit in the desert at Bir Mentischa, Tobruk, October – December 1941. From left…

#OTD in 1942 the South Notts Hussars were overrun in the Cauldron on the Gazala Line. @peterhart.bsky.social has written an excellent oral history of the regiment.

The podcast following the regiment is also well worth your time.

#WW2 #desertwar

@cedricmas.bsky.social @alanallport.bsky.social

First time unlucky – the loss of Iride 22 August 1940 Background As we are getting closer to the date of the most successful commando raid in World War 2, the attack by the Regia Marina’s Xa MAS Flotilla on Alexandria harbour, a short reminder that th…

A little known by highly impactful attack in 1940, preventing a much earlier attack on Alexandria, with Swordfish sinking a submarine tender and a special forces submarine. #navalhistory #ww2 #desertwar @cedricmas.bsky.social rommelsriposte.com/2020/12/18/f...

Lieutenant McGinlay’s DSO Background D Squadron 7 R.T.R. served in Tobruk for almost the entirety of the siege, providing invaluable armour support to 9 Australian Infantry Division. It was heavily engaged, under command of…

On 29 May 2942 Captain McGinlay of D Sqn 7 RTR was awarded a bar to his MC for his actions at Pt. 209 outside Tobruk. His previous award was originally a DSO recommendation, which was downgraded.

@alanallport.bsky.social @cedricmas.bsky.social

#WW2 #desertwar #tankwar

For you the war is over – 1946 Memoir of the Desert While not strictly related to CRUSADER, this was something I could not pass up. Jim Heriott over on WW2talk posted pictures of this self-published memoir from 1946, and and it would be criminal to …

On 4 June 1942 2/Lt Horner of 72 Field Regiment was captured in the 150 Bde box on the Gazala line. His beautifully illustrated memoir of his time in the desert can be found here.

@cedricmas.bsky.social @alanallport.bsky.social

#WW2 #desertwar #eightharmy