The Mareth Line 1943 Book Review
By David L. Veres
| Date of Review | February 2013 | Title | The Mareth Line 1943 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Author | Ken Ford | Publisher | Osprey Publishing |
| Published | 2012 | ISBN | 9781780960937 |
| Format | 96 pages, softbound | MSRP (USD) | $21.95 |
Review
Subtitled "The end in Africa", The Mareth Line 1943 – latest in Osprey's acclaimed "Campaign" series – recaps the collapse of Axis forces in Tunisia.
And what an informative introduction it is. After a convenient conspectus with chronology, the aftermath of two November 1942 events – El Alamein and Operation Torch – consume the book's first half. Contents capably course through opposing armies, orders of battle and plans before reaching the Mareth Line itself.
The flawed French fortifications failed to impress Germany's ailing Rommel. He inflicted an embarrassing defeat on green US forces at Kasserine Pass in Feb 1943. But the Desert Fox feared flanking maneuvers by Montgomery's pursuing Eighth Army. And that set the stage for the last major set-piece battle of WWII North Africa.
Photos, extended captions, maps, charts and sidebars augment this useful little book. Steve Noon's stunning paintings brilliantly capture the conflict. And a selective bibliography and index complete contents.
I enjoyed The Mareth Line 1943. Read it with Osprey's equally interesting Kasserine Pass 1943 (Campaign 152).
Recommended.
My sincere thanks to Osprey Publishing for this review sample!