Desert War

Nick Charles · Feb 27, 2006

Anybody know of any good movies and books about the British in Nort Arfica. I want to study the uniforms and gear since I live in the desert. I just got the Desert Fox, it was ok but more about Rommel.

Feraud · Feb 27, 2006

Website - Long Range Desert Group.
Films - The Desert Rats (not English troops but might be worth a watch) and/or Sahara.

It's a start.

Mojave Jack · Feb 27, 2006

Nick Charles said:
Anybody know of any good movies and books about the British in Nort Arfica. I want to study the uniforms and gear since I live in the desert. I just got the Desert Fox, it was ok but more about Rommel.

Hey, Nick,

We'll get along just fine, you and I! The desert war is one of my absolute favorite topics!

The easiest thing here is to refer you to the LRDG Preservation Society Reference Page. A great place to start with a list of about 117 titles.

One of the first books I would recommend getting is the Imperial War Museum Book of the Desert War. It has a great overview of the entire campaign, and a lot of good pictures. For uniforms in particular Khaki Drill and Jungle Green: British Tropical Uniforms 1939-1945 is outstanding for it's great full color pics, though it is a bit limited on descriptions and specs. There are many, many more, of course, but these are great references.

Another fun read is The Lost Oasis, which tells the story of Ralph Bagnold and other important explorers in the Libyan Desert between the world wars, and discusses the roots of the LRDG. Really sets up the stage for the desert war.

Feraud · Feb 27, 2006

Mojave Jack said:
Another fun read is The Lost Oasis, which tells the story of Ralph Bagnold and other important explorers in the Libyan Desert between the world wars, and discusses the roots of the LRDG. Really sets up the stage for the desert war.

A great read! After that go for Long Range Desert Group by Shaw. It talks a bit about gear but will add to your overall knowledge of this fascinating field you have begun to study.

Salv · Feb 27, 2006

I've recently read:

Alamein by John Bierman and Colin Smith which covers the British campaign from June 1940, when Mussolini declared war on Great Britain, up to May 1943 when the Axis surrendered at Tunis; and
Together We Stand by James Holland, which covers the campaign from May 1942, and the defeat of the British Eighth Army at Gazala, to the Axis surrender in 1943. This book covers the joint Allied campaign, rather than just the British effort.

Both are excellent reads, with lots of personal testimonies from men (and in Together We Stand a few women) from both sides; both also have several pages of photos. Of the two I'd recommend Together We Stand first as it goes into more detail about all the branches of the services that were involved, including the Allied air forces and navies and not just the armies. It also has some fascinating background information, detailing the political manoeuvering that went on between the British and Americans.

Baggers · Feb 27, 2006

Did someone say Desert War?

An excellent start to the discussion gentlemen. I can't recommend Saul Kelly's "The Lost Oasis" or Kennedy Shaw's book any higher. If I may add to the list:

"Bearded Brigands," edited by Brendan O'Carroll. Diaries of a NZ LRDG trooper

"LRDG Rhodesia," by Jonathan Pittaway & Craig Fourie. The exploits of Rhodesians in the LRDG

"Fighting With Popski's Private Army," by Park Yunnie. The history of No.1 Demolition Squadron Middle East, another of the "private armies' that got its start in the desert.

"Desert Explorer," by Peter Clayton. A Biography of Colonel P.A. Clayton DSO, MBE, FRGS, FRCS, FGS, authored by his son.

"Operation Compass," by Jon Latimer

"Tobruk, The Great Siege Reassessed," by Frank Harrison

"El Alamein," by Field Marshall Lord Carver

"The End of the Beginning - From the Siege of Malta to the Allied Victory at El Alamein," by Tim Clayton & Phil Craig

And finally,
"Desert War," by Alan Moorhead

As for film, try these. All British made:

"Nine Men," starring Jack Lambert and Gordon Jackson, 1943
"The Way Ahead," starring David Niven, 1944
"Ice Cold in Alex," starring John Mills, 1958
"Sea of Sand," starring Richard Attenborough, 1959(?)

The last one is extremely rare. It deals with the LRDG, and W.B. Kennedy Shaw is listed as it's technical advisor. If you can find this one, you'll be in posession of a treasure.

These should keep you busy for a while!

Cheers!

Nick Charles · Feb 27, 2006

Thanks guys. It's been a while since I've seen you on Jack. The LRDG logo is actually what got me on this line of Desert Warfare. I love the scorpion logo. I was hoping you would chime in.

Zemke Fan · Feb 27, 2006

I am at a client meeting and so can't get to my...

library at the moment, but there are a LOT of great references out there. I am personally interested in the 57th Fighter Group. My recollection of the LAST book I bought was "Desert Eagles," but don't hold me to it... I'm two martinis to the wind!!

Nick Charles · Mar 1, 2006

Mojave, Do you have a desert gear outfit that you wear often, other than the picture in the pith helmut in another thread? I was thinking of some khaki riging breeches and field boots. How about gear?

How about you Baggers or Zemke?

macawber · Mar 1, 2006

Desert Rats

I saw this film many years ago and enjoyed it very much, I don't think you would be dissapointed. Although they were not British they were Australian, their gear would suit desert areas.

Alan Eardley · Mar 1, 2006

Ah...the favourite books and films of my youth.

Sea of Sand was my favourite.

I was lucky in that as a boy I was able to hear at first hand stories by 8th Army and Operation Torch veterans.

Robert C · Mar 1, 2006

Desert Air Force At War

I've got a copy of Desert Air Force At War. Great photos of pilot and airman uniforms in North Africa. The book also describes the lack of standardized clothing among the men of the desert air force. Quite interesting reading and wonderful reference photos. You can probably find the book real cheap thru Amazon.com.

Robert C

Mojave Jack · Mar 2, 2006

Nick Charles said:
Mojave, Do you have a desert gear outfit that you wear often, other than the picture in the pith helmut in another thread? I was thinking of some khaki riging breeches and field boots. How about gear?

How about you Baggers or Zemke?

Nick, thanks for the welcome back! Actually, I've been so swamped with coursework that I've pretty much been a recluse since the winter quarter started. Working full time and taking a full course load is pretty much wearing me out!

I wear my Orvis bush jacket literally every day. I also really like my canvas boots from Palladium, though they are getting a bit threadbare. They are variously called Israeli commando boots and French Foreign Legion boots, but they are great in the summer. I'm sure it's the same for everyone in the desert, but if I don't wear at least chukka-height boots I end up dumping sand and rocks out of my shoes all day long.

My wife has pretty much forbidden me to buy any more khaki shirts, especially anything with epaulets, though that is a rule I regularly ignore! Although I have a lot of British Colonial-esque stuff, most of it is contemporary, like Orvis and Cabela's. I would wear my WPG aertex shirt a lot more often becasue I like the weight and the pullover style, but the cuffs are sewn awkwardly so I don't wear it as often as I'd like to.

I really like the J. Peterman Victoria Falls jacket that Matt and Baggers have picked up, too.

BellyTank · Mar 4, 2006

Don't forget "Ice Cold in Alex"-

http://images.google.dk/images?hl=da&q=Ice Cold in Alex&btnG=Søg&sa=N&tab=wi

I'm into the WW2-esque khaki-wear too. I like the German uniforms mostly- more tan-ish and mustard-ish.
B
T

Story · May 25, 2010

Troopers relive terrors of Tobruk
http://www.dispatch.co.za/article.aspx?id=401864

&
http://www.dispatch.co.za/article.aspx?id=401865

as well as

Paying tribute to Batswana WWII veterans
http://www.mmegi.bw/index.php?sid=6&aid=2349&dir=2010/May/Friday14

Phantomfixer · May 25, 2010

you guys forgot The Rat Patrol. One of the most factual shows on television. Right next to Hogan's Heroes.

Smithy · May 25, 2010

Although the original query for books and movies was from 4 years ago I thought I'd post these here for posterity's sake.

Alan Moorehead's African Trilogy is simply brilliant and well worth picking up. And for a visual record Time Life's "The War in the Desert" is excellent too.

For the LRDG, "The Kiwi Scorpions" is hard to beat, it's also full of some amazing photos.

I also have my great uncle's letters from his time fighting in the Western Desert and for me (obviously) they are simply the best read.

Davep · May 25, 2010

And when you collect some of this fine gear, come out to a Desert Battle
http://picasaweb.google.com/442ndrct/DesertBattle2010

Sgt Brown · May 26, 2010

Been mentioned above how rare the movie "Sea of Sand" is. Well, this guy has 36 copies of the film for sale. I just bought one.

http://tinyurl.com/2clkc8t

Tom

filfoster · May 27, 2010

Just Deserts

Baggers said:
An excellent start to the discussion gentlemen. I can't recommend Saul Kelly's "The Lost Oasis" or Kennedy Shaw's book any higher. If I may add to the list:

And finally,
"Desert War," by Alan Moorhead
As for film, try these. All British made:

"
Cheers!

I took too long to complete reading Moorhead's book but really enjoyed it. A very personal memoir and an interesting perspective-a front line reporter. He gets about outside the desert theatre too, and adds that perspective. This book somehow made it all seem more 'real' to me.

Desert War

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