The German Army 1939–45 (2): North Africa & Balkans

Osprey Men at Arms #316

by Nigel Thomas, Stephen Andrew (Illustrator)

Hitler first considered an invasion of Great Britain in autumn 1940, then scheduled Operation Barbarossa, the conquest of the European part of the Soviet Union, for May 1941. Anxious to emulate Hitler's successes, the Italian dictator Mussolini embarked upon unnecessary military adventures in North Africa and the Balkans, which forced Hitler's intervention, diverting and depleting precious German resources, and a six-week postponement of Barbarossa. In this second of four volumes [Men-at-Arms 311, 316, 326 & 330] on the German Army of the Second World War, Nigel Thomas examines the uniforms and insignia of the forces involved in North Africa and the Balkans.

Genres: Nonfiction, History, World War II, Germany, Military History, 20th Century

56 pages, Paperback

First published April 11, 1998