An introduction to German special operations in Africa during WW2

Discussion in 'North Africa & the Med' started by davidbfpo, Oct 25, 2021.

  1. davidbfpo

    davidbfpo Patron Patron

    Looking for something else in one of my irregular visits to the journal of the South African Military History Society I found this short transcript of a talk given in October 2012, by the historian Major Helmoed Römer-Heitman. Link: OCTOBER 2012 newsletter - Cape Town - South African Military History Society - Title page

    There are a small number of threads on the Brandenburgers, none cover Africa on a review. This is not an issue / theme I am familiar with. Though it does help to explain why protecting airfields and lines of communication remained necessary after the end of the North African campaign; which is how I found the article checking the site for references to Algeria.

     
  2. Andreas

    Andreas Working on two books

    von Koenen was in North Africa from October or November 1941 with his demi-company.

    http://rommelsriposte.com/2012/10/13/a-bit-of-detail-for-sonderverband-288/

    Article doesn't mention attempted sabotage of the coastal railway at the start of CRUSADER, with a German submarine landing a demolition party that was picked up by a South African patrol.

    I have come across instances where it is possible that Germans pretended to be British officers, misdirecting traffic. Or they could just have been clueless officers (insert "2nd Lt. and a map" joke here).

    There was a bit going on, but never at the scale the Empire forces put up, despite early attempts such as the trip down south in March 1941.

    The biggest raid was probably the Luftwaffe by Sonderkommand Blaich attack on Fort Lamy on Lake Chad, which was however itself the result of excellent deception by A Force.

    All the best

    Andreas
     
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  3. Orwell1984

    Orwell1984 Senior Member

  4. Lindele

    Lindele formerly HA96


    Thanks Andreas et all for this very interesting subject.
    Stefan.
     
  5. Andreas

    Andreas Working on two books

    Which one was that?

    All the best

    Andreas
     
  6. davidbfpo

    davidbfpo Patron Patron

    Orwell1984 referred to:
    I think desertstories.org was alive = as it was / is the email contact address for 'Tracks' in June 2021, about the LRDG and was published twice yearly. See: TRACKS - June 2021
    Or: Tracks - LRDG Magazine 2021 | Armorama™
     
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  7. Orwell1984

    Orwell1984 Senior Member

    That's excellent news.
    desertstories.org is only available using the wayback machine now:
    desertstories.org | E Force, Attack on Jalo

    I was looking forwards to this possible release:
    [​IMG]

    which I believe a certain poster may have been involved with ;)
    [​IMG]
     
  8. Andreas

    Andreas Working on two books

    As I am both the main author and the culprit for the delays, let me assure you the book will come out. We missed another self-imposed deadline (80th anniversary of CRUSADER), but an editor has been hired and paid, and this will happen. I am hoping to get the first half to the editor next month, and the second by January.

    It is likely to be self-published, but with good quality in mind (professional editing, index, paper quality, etc.). We haven't been able to find a publisher we cared for, so self-publishing was the only option.

    All the best

    Andreas
     
    Lindele likes this.
  9. Orwell1984

    Orwell1984 Senior Member

    Excellent news Andreas!
    You have sold one copy already
    Mark
     
  10. redtop

    redtop Well-Known Member

    The threat kept British forces alert.
    This from 5 RHA war diaries,
    upload_2021-10-25_15-5-1.png
     
  11. Andreas

    Andreas Working on two books

    Suspect this is rather against actual parachute raids?

    All the best

    Andreas
     
  12. Andreas

    Andreas Working on two books

    Awesome, you get the second copy, the first going to my cat who is the only other being interested in this! :D

    All the best

    Andreas
     
  13. davidbfpo

    davidbfpo Patron Patron

    Last edited: Oct 25, 2021
  14. davidbfpo

    davidbfpo Patron Patron

    A glider tailfin of a German DFS 230 assault glider, was found abandoned in Algeria between Sétif and Philippeville (now Skikda) at the end of December 1942. It ended up in the IWM North. From: 255's Trophies

    There is no clear link to the Brandenburgers though, it is a "might have been".

    Nor is this a link to them: A.D.R.A Royal italian air force commando Found as they attempted several raids on airfields, including three in Algeria, notably Biskra which I have been researching.
     
  15. alieneyes

    alieneyes Senior Member

    desertstories.org | Books
     
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