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The Phantom Army of Alamein: How the Camouflage Unit and Operation Bertram Hoodwinked Rommel
Camouflage was one of the most surprising elements of the Battle of Alamein—the story is now told in full for the first time.
320 pages, Hardcover
First published October 11, 2012
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
March 21, 2014
The concept of this book is very interesting and the story of the "camofluers" is an important one that has been largely neglected. Whilst this is a readable book, and informative in many ways, it is let down by poor research in some areas. For example I have never heard of 437 RTR, the Royal Tank Unit, the Australian Royal Engineers, or 90th Light Panzer Division and that as good as the 6 per anti-tank gun was it was not comparable to the German 88! I take exception to the author stating in an early chapter that during WW1 the German March offensive was halted by the arrival of American troops. In a sentence he has practically ignored the huge importance of the role played by British and Australian troops during these desperate days of WW1.
Nonetheless despite my gripes it is still fills a gap in the history of the desert war and to that end its not a terrible book and does highlight some interesting aspects on the art of camouflage in the Western Deseret during WW2. In particular the setting up of dummy railheads and making the desalination plant at Tobruk look like it was bomb damaged. There are also some interesting contemporary illustrations of different camouflage technoques. It's ashame that the number of seemingly minor technicalities conspire to make this work not as good as good as it should be.
Nonetheless despite my gripes it is still fills a gap in the history of the desert war and to that end its not a terrible book and does highlight some interesting aspects on the art of camouflage in the Western Deseret during WW2. In particular the setting up of dummy railheads and making the desalination plant at Tobruk look like it was bomb damaged. There are also some interesting contemporary illustrations of different camouflage technoques. It's ashame that the number of seemingly minor technicalities conspire to make this work not as good as good as it should be.
March 9, 2022
In 1940 a group of artists, sculptors, film makers, theatre designers and set painters came together to form the Camouflage Unit.The unit then performed the biggest conjuring trick in military history.It was the biggest production of their lives.They were the Middle East Command Camouflage Directorate.They provided camouflage during the siege of Tobruk,a dummy railhead at Misheifa,and mainly Operation Bertram,the army-scale deception for the decisive Battle of Alamein in October 1942.These operations successfully diverted enemy attention from real targets to dummy ones,wasting enemy ammo,preserving vital resources,and confusing the enemy as to allied strength and intentions.
In North Africa and the Middle East,the desert terrain offered little opportunity for concealment.In 1941 the filmmaker Geoffrey Barkas was made Director of Camouflage at GHQ Cairo.Among the specially trained Royal Engineers,camouflage officers under his command were artists,zoologists,and theatre and film set designers.Creative improvisation remained key to their success.Camouflage officers involved in the defence of Tobruk thought up some of the most ingenious ruses.As the value of visual deception became clear,materials were manufactured in large numbers.Limited resources of men and equipment were boosted by phantom armies of dummy tanks,artillery and men,supported by dummy railheads and pipelines.In WWI,the use of aerial reconnaissance and the position and proximity of the opposing trenches on the Western Front made it easier to detect troops.Armies needed to find new ways to hide from,observe and deceive enemy forces.In 1915,the French Army became the first to create a dedicated camouflage unit.The word 'camouflage' came from the French verb 'to make up for the stage.'Its practitioners were known as camoufleurs.Sometimes being seen was necessary.Dazzle camouflage was ship camouflage credited to marine artist Norman Wilkinson.It consisted of complex patterns of geometric shapes in contrasting colours,interrupting and intersecting each other.The intention to dazzle was to make it difficult to estimate a target's range,speed and heading.
In North Africa and the Middle East,the desert terrain offered little opportunity for concealment.In 1941 the filmmaker Geoffrey Barkas was made Director of Camouflage at GHQ Cairo.Among the specially trained Royal Engineers,camouflage officers under his command were artists,zoologists,and theatre and film set designers.Creative improvisation remained key to their success.Camouflage officers involved in the defence of Tobruk thought up some of the most ingenious ruses.As the value of visual deception became clear,materials were manufactured in large numbers.Limited resources of men and equipment were boosted by phantom armies of dummy tanks,artillery and men,supported by dummy railheads and pipelines.In WWI,the use of aerial reconnaissance and the position and proximity of the opposing trenches on the Western Front made it easier to detect troops.Armies needed to find new ways to hide from,observe and deceive enemy forces.In 1915,the French Army became the first to create a dedicated camouflage unit.The word 'camouflage' came from the French verb 'to make up for the stage.'Its practitioners were known as camoufleurs.Sometimes being seen was necessary.Dazzle camouflage was ship camouflage credited to marine artist Norman Wilkinson.It consisted of complex patterns of geometric shapes in contrasting colours,interrupting and intersecting each other.The intention to dazzle was to make it difficult to estimate a target's range,speed and heading.
March 28, 2022
A very interesting book...I had previously read references to a camouflage unit that operated during WWII and this book gives a comprehensive history of how camouflage was used in Northern Africa to deceive Rommel. It records the names and artistic histories of the many men who participated in the camouflage units and how their particular backgrounds served to create visual illusions for the enemy. It's pretty amazing to think about their large scale efforts to "hoodwink Rommel" and how convincing they were to the enemy.
February 25, 2023
I picked this up a while back now at a bookstore in Stratford, Ontario. Always like to have new WWII books on hand. Finally got to it! (See, I WILL read all the books...!)
I enjoyed this as it covered a fascinated topic within the war that doesn't get all the attention. And the North African War is the part of it I probably know least about. Best of all, this highlights ARTISTS! I loved learning about how various creatives contributed to the war effort. From painters to theatre artists (!) to filmmakers and more. Thank you for the spotlight.
I enjoyed this as it covered a fascinated topic within the war that doesn't get all the attention. And the North African War is the part of it I probably know least about. Best of all, this highlights ARTISTS! I loved learning about how various creatives contributed to the war effort. From painters to theatre artists (!) to filmmakers and more. Thank you for the spotlight.
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October 28, 2019Typos and grammatical mistakes really bug me. And there are a lot of them in this little book.
Also the main theme is very very specific, and the foreword and first chapter do reveal a lot - maybe too much - of what is going on in the rest of the book.
It's written well enough and features enough colorful characters to make it very readable, I wasn't tempted to put it away and never finish it, as happened a few times this year with other books.
Also the main theme is very very specific, and the foreword and first chapter do reveal a lot - maybe too much - of what is going on in the rest of the book.
It's written well enough and features enough colorful characters to make it very readable, I wasn't tempted to put it away and never finish it, as happened a few times this year with other books.
November 17, 2023
The story of artists, theatre techs and others who fooled the Nazis into losing El Alamein. Funny, and also shows that the macho history of Montgomery, Rommel needs rewriting. This book shows clearly that disinformation, and not tactical brilliance won the battle for North Africa.
June 1, 2017
A good, short history of the use of camouflage techniques in the Western Desert campaign, including how it helped the Commonwealth win the Battle of El Alamein.
July 10, 2015
An interesting intimate look at the camouflage work done in North Africa by the British during World War II. The book flows quite well, it's not overwhelmed with personages, and deals with the various schemes quite well. There are speculative parts of the book like suggesting that O'Connor would have defeated Rommel which detract from the work. There is also a section near the end that gets speculative about future applications of technology to the art of camouflage which breaks the narrative flow. Otherwise, quite an interesting and lovely work. It includes a good deal of the how as well as the who and why.
February 2, 2015
Superb retelling of one of WWII's most successful gambits - the fashioning of an enormous fake army that successfully hoodwinked one of the most efficient armies and generals of all times. Mr Stroud brings to life a cast of eccentric, larger than life characters who successfully carried off one of the most elaborate deceptions of all times in the harsh, unforgiving desert terrain... Along with this exploits, is an incisive account of the Desert War leading up to El Alamein and revealing portraits of Montgomery, Alexander, Auchinleck, Ritchie, and Rommel.
September 13, 2016
I thought I had already reviewed this, but apparently not! It was a good historical read, although at times and bit dry. Really interesting part of the war, how artists played a big part in one of the more important battles of the conflict. The characters are interesting, but not quite as interesting as your prototypical spies and war heroes. I'd still recommend it if you're into this type of book!
February 3, 2013
A solid historical companion to Ben Macintyre's "Operation Mincemeat", but I do find there isn't quite as much passion and investment by the author in this particular book. For sheer enjoyment, I prefer the intriguing & dramatic "Mincemeat". That said, Rick Stroud's work is the equal in historical scholarship.
February 22, 2016
Very engaging book highlighting the adaptations made to help win the desert war. Hosts a cast of intriguing characters. esy and entertaining to read.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews