"Desert Warfare: German Experiences in World War II," an abridgment of a two-volume work that first appeared in 1952 was organized by Major General Alfred Toppe and written with the assistance of nine German commanders who served in North Africa, and the manuscript (translated by Mr. H. Hitman) represents a collaborative attempt to determine "as many factors as possible which exerted a determining influence on desert warfare." Issues addressed include planning, intelligence, logistics, and operations. Described and analyzed are the German order of battle, the major military engagements in North Africa, and the particular problems of terrain and climate in desert operations. Not unlike many of the U.S. units engaged in the war with Iraq, the Germans in North Africa learned about combat operations in the desert only after they arrived on the scene and confronted the desert on its own terms. For this reason alone, as well as for the insights it offers, "Desert Warfare" requires the serious consideration of those responsible for preparing the U.S. military for any future conflict in desert terrain.

Editor's note: This Special Study is an excerpt from "German Experiences in Desert Warfare During World War II, by Generalmajor Alfred Toppe and 9 others [et al.], 2 vols., 1952. These 2 vols. include 380 pages, 36 sketches, 15 maps, and 85 photographs . The original study was MS. no. P-129 in the Foreign Studies Series of the Historical Division, United States Army, Europe (now found in the National Archives). Mr. H. Heitman edited and translated the origin manuscript, which has been reformatted and edited, in part, by Combat Studies Institute editors.

Prior planning. Intelligence planning -- Operational planning -- Logistical planning / Operations. General description of the zone of operations -- Order of battle of army and Luftwaffe units -- Reasons for changes in organization and equipment -- Descriptions of the more important battles / Special factors. Dust -- Terrain -- Water -- Heat / Miscellaneous. Cartographic service -- Camouflage -- Evaluation of the enemy situation through aerial photographs -- Visibility at night -- Choice of camp sites -- Selection of battle sites -- Time of day selected for combat -- Influence of the desert climate on daily service routine -- Special problems of the technical services -- Influence of light, shade, and sandstorms on combat -- Influence of darkness on radio communications -- Wind -- Special equipment and procedures for aircraft crews -- Dry docks and port installations -- Reinforcement of sand surfaces for landings by amphibious craft -- Changes in ship loading and unloading procedures -- Materiel losses and replacement estimates for desert warfare -- Modifications in supply-dump procedures, especially for POL -- Diseases and insects in the desert -- Desert weather service / General remarks and experience. Special equipment for desert warfare -- Research and development possibilities for special desert equipment -- Unusual supply problems -- Nutrition -- Clothing -- Comparison with desert warfare in southern Russia -- Troop welfare in the desert.