Gordon WilliamsonAfrikakorps 1941–43 (Elite, 34)

I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in the German Afrika Korps (DAK or Deutsches Afrikakorps). In usual Osprey format this book provides a comprehensive yet detailed overview on the German Axis forces dispatched to North Africa to aid the Italians in their fight with the Allies throughout the early 1940's. This particular series (Osprey's Elite Series) focuses more on the men themselves with some very good info on the history, organization, and the uniforms of the Afrika Korps. If you are like me (a military history buff) and want more info on the Afrika Korps specifically, this book is an excellent place to start. I enjoy this book immensely and refer to it quite often. If you pair this book with another excellent Osprey book "Rommel's Afrika Korps Tobruk to El Alamein" from their popular Battle Orders series you will have a very complete resource on the German forces participating in the North Africa Campaign of WWII. I absolutly give this book 5 stars and when you consider the affordable price, these Osprey books are extremely hard to beat!

This volume contains a good overview of the units of the Deutsches Afrikakorps (DAK), their history and their uniforms. All German divisions sent to North Africa are covered as are the brigade and regimental units sent there, including the welter of units sent after the Alam Halfa battles and Operation Torch. Uniforms are well covered and well illustrated with photos as well as Ron Volstad's highly detailed paintings. This volume is a good place to start if you are interested in the DAK, especially if you are painting figures for modeling or wargaming. Certainly the 15th and 21st Panzer Divisions are covered as well as the 90th Light going on to the lesser well known units such as zBV288, the Brandenburgers, regiments of the HG division, and even more rarely discussed oddball units such as the 999th Afrika division, a penal unit sent to bolster the shrinking Tunisian bridgehead. This book is a more in depth companion to  The German Army 1939-45 (2) : North Africa & Balkans (Men-At-Arms Series, 316)  and was recently spun off into  Afrikakorps Soldier 1941-43 (Warrior 149) , also by Osprey, all of which offer great illustrations and in depth analysis for which Osprey is so well known.

Quality of the book was fine. However upon reading, I discovered that it seemed to be an older title under a newer cover. The art work By Ron Volstad was up to his usual excellent standards....it was a good read even if a bit "dated" by what I've seen in the "Elite "series. None the less a welcome addition to my collection.

Excellent Reference Material! An essential work for the A/K collector.

Great product

Good reference for students of the subject.

Not a milestone, but this little book would be a nice intro to the DAK. As always the illustrations by Volstad are very nice. Good buy.

Thank you!

Another good example of ospreys superior(in terms of overall out put) elite series. This edition includes some useful photographs of uniform items(as well as the usual paintings) which,if you are a uniform collector(like me),is a welcome addition.

Potential buyers take note, this book is printed on really poor quality paper. The BW images are very poor resolution (think home printer quality) and not very useful. Even the usually glossy colour illustrations are below the usual Osprey standard. I'd try and get an older copy if you wanted this title as I suspect the earlier ones were printed to a higher standard?

Great history book on WW2

Developed an interest in the North Africa campaign, particularly with uniforms and this book is a good starter for that.

Very good guide to uniforms and ranks. Real help to modellers