Kenneth M Jones

This book, the first of a on military vehicle camouflage and markings, covers the vehicles used by the Germans in North Africa.
The Deutsches Korps were part of Panzer Armee Afrika, and consisted of the 21st and 15th Panzer Divisions. Although the African campaign held interest for Hitler, it was a bitterly fought contest with the Germans and Italians, against the British and Commonwealth Forces.
The Germans used 'standard' equipment In addition to as rnuch captured rnaterial as they could muster in Africa, which they finished in a of colour schemes. An aim common to both sides was an attempt to imitate the desert sand and mud and produce a camouflage as close to total concealment as possible.
This book shows with colour drawings, photographs and line artwork, a broad selection of the colours and markings used in this theatre rnakinq it of interest to AFV modellers and enthusiasts equally.… (més)

Allthough the campaign against the Italians in North Africa did not actually commence until war was officially declared against Italy on loth June 1940, Britain had und ertaken the task of building up a size able force in North Africa from the early thirties. This formation became entitled "The Mobile Force" - which was euphemistically dubbed "The Immobile Farce" - and was formed on the 17th of September, 1938 from elements of the Cairo Cavalry Brigade. This new formation had varied equipment and very few tanks; those on strength were mainly light tanks armed only with heavy and medium calibre machine guns, for which ammunition was in short supply. [...]… (més)

It can safely be said that Hitler and his OKH (Oberkommando des Heeresl grossly underestimated the strength of the Soviet Armywhendr awing upplans for the invasion of Russia under the code name 'Barbarossa'. A confident Hitler endorsed Directive ordering 146 divisions, comprising seven armies and four panzer groups with 3,580 armoured and 600,000 o ther vehicles, and 7,184 guns to attack across a wide front at 03.15 hours on the morning of 1941. The German force was deployed in three elements, Army Gr oups, North, Centre and South.
The initial attacks rook the Red Army by surprise. The Northern Group thrust over 40 miles into Russian Territory; within 36 hours the Germans had taken over 300,000 Soviet prisoners and captured alargeamount of Soviet vehicles, many of which were in running order and were impressed into German service. By the 9th of July the Germans were crossing the Ovina and Dniepr rivers and two days later, Army Group South were within 10 miles of Kiev. July tfith saw the Germans of Army Group Centre at Smolensk, but strong Soviet co unter attacks and stiff opposition held them away from the city interior. [...]… (més)