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Osprey Essential Histories #48
The Second World War (4): The Mediterranean 1940–1945
This book explores the idea that the Mediterranean theater of the Second World War was the first truly modern war. It was a highly mobile conflict, in which logistics were a critical and often deciding factor, and from the very beginning a close relationship between the land, sea, and air elements was vital. Victory could not be achieved by either side unless the three services worked in intimate cooperation. Each side advanced and withdrew across 1,000 miles of desert until the Axis forces were decisively defeated at El Alamein in 1942.
96 pages, Paperback
First published February 19, 2003
About the author
Paul Collier
85 books437 followersPaul Collier, CBE is a Professor of Economics, Director for the Centre for the Study of African Economies at the University of Oxford and Fellow of St Antony's College. He is the author of The Plundered Planet; Wars, Guns, and Votes; and The Bottom Billion, winner of Estoril Distinguished Book Prize, the Arthur Ross Book Award, and the Lionel Gelber Prize.
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
July 18, 2017
The focus of this fourth volume (of six) in the Essential Histories covering World War II contains some of the most iconic and amazing events of the war. Unfortunately, the writing of Paul Collier appears rushed here and would have benefited from a critical read-through by an experienced editor. Lots of strange-seeming phrasing and incongruent sentence structure is distracting and stands out as atypical for the usually-precise series. This volume covers events in a large area, from Southern Europe, the Middle East, the Balkans, and Northern Africa. This is a lot of material for a single 96-page book, but Collier does a fair job of balancing depth with brevity. Some of the most interesting topics that he covered in depth were the political ramifications of these early battles, the emergence of Special Forces (Italian Frogmen, British Special Air Services) and undercover agents in war, Rommel and his Afrika Korps, the introduction of modern tank warfare (including the introduction of the U.S. Sherman and German Tiger tanks), the importance (and limitations) of Ultra intelligence for British command, and the defense of Malta against relentless Axis attack. Political ramifications of these battles were also discussed, including a lengthy expose on the impact of the War on the empires of France, Italy, and Britain. The outcome of Vichy France is detailed here and while fascinating, is terrible. The horror of erstwhile allies killing one another as the Royal Navy is being ordered to destroy French assets and soldiers is so tragic as to be almost unbelievable, leaving an ugly smear in the history books. The Portrait of a Soldier for this volume is about Charles Hazlitt Upham, a New Zealander double Victoria Cross winner with an incredible story. This was one of the best PoaS sections I’ve seen. Paul Collier ends this volume with a controversial-seeming statement about the end of the war and the creation of the state of Israel, calling the Zionist state a new check on Arab ambitions and stating that it is “ironic that in their own perverted way Hitler and the Nazis probably did more for Zionism that any Jewish leader.” My guess is that these sentiments are not well-received by many.
Image selection was well done, and includes a picture of Nazi soldiers raising their flag over an ancient monument in Greece, a picture showing the hanging bodies of Mussolini and his cohorts after their attempted escape, and numerous pictures of soldiers and equipment from the desert warfare of North Africa (similar to the excellent cover image). Unfortunately, the many battle maps present in this volume are without captions or explanations, seemingly by accident (other Essential Histories volumes do have map captions). Maybe an experienced interpreter of battle maps would be able to gather all the relevant information from the maps alone, but I think most people will be frustrated and confused as I was.
As far as Essential Histories goes, this one did not meet expectations. Content makes it worth reading, but this one unfortunately appears to have been rushed.
Image selection was well done, and includes a picture of Nazi soldiers raising their flag over an ancient monument in Greece, a picture showing the hanging bodies of Mussolini and his cohorts after their attempted escape, and numerous pictures of soldiers and equipment from the desert warfare of North Africa (similar to the excellent cover image). Unfortunately, the many battle maps present in this volume are without captions or explanations, seemingly by accident (other Essential Histories volumes do have map captions). Maybe an experienced interpreter of battle maps would be able to gather all the relevant information from the maps alone, but I think most people will be frustrated and confused as I was.
As far as Essential Histories goes, this one did not meet expectations. Content makes it worth reading, but this one unfortunately appears to have been rushed.
June 17, 2020
The Mediterranean area during the Second World War became part of the war zone when Mussolini declared war, believing that Hitler was close to victory. The British needed to protect their routes to the oil in the Middle East, and the Suez canal for their route to India.
Involving the British Empire (many Commonwealth soldiers were involved from Australia, New Zealand, South Africa & India), America, Italy and a reluctant Germany; this was the scene of the tank battles of Africa (Rommel v Montgomery and then Patton); convoys to North Africa & Egypt; and the siege of Malta.
The most interesting section of me, was the attack(s) on Malta and the exceptional bombardment from the Luftwaffe with more bombs being dropped on Malta than on London during the Blitz. For this the island was awarded the George Cross, whilst the Allies tried to get supplies through the Italian blockade.
Another good addition to the series, although for this one the maps are literally 'all over the place'. The maps for the Egyptian sections of the war are at the back with the conclusion! - Hence the 4* not 5* review.
Involving the British Empire (many Commonwealth soldiers were involved from Australia, New Zealand, South Africa & India), America, Italy and a reluctant Germany; this was the scene of the tank battles of Africa (Rommel v Montgomery and then Patton); convoys to North Africa & Egypt; and the siege of Malta.
The most interesting section of me, was the attack(s) on Malta and the exceptional bombardment from the Luftwaffe with more bombs being dropped on Malta than on London during the Blitz. For this the island was awarded the George Cross, whilst the Allies tried to get supplies through the Italian blockade.
Another good addition to the series, although for this one the maps are literally 'all over the place'. The maps for the Egyptian sections of the war are at the back with the conclusion! - Hence the 4* not 5* review.
December 31, 2022
Lot of information but very boring to read, unfortunately.
February 15, 2016
One of the best -- if not THE best -- of Osprey's essential histories series. Does an incredibly effective job in giving both the feel and important details on the operations and impact of world war II over an expanse stretching from Gibraltar to Iran. The skill and observational acumen are impressive. Interesting sections on the British/Italian battles in East Africa, the fighting in Syria and Iraq, and the tensions between Mussolini and Hitler stand out. Given the constraints of the series in pages (they all run about 90 pages), the only (very slight) wish is that this volume had included a little more detail about the Italian troubles with Greece. Overall, however, a very skilled little work. Highly recommended.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews