Atlas

The maps are full size and faithful to the original cartography in all respects, allowing the reader to follow the Second World War in the Western Theatre, its battles, campaigns, assaults, skirmishes and retreats, as the fighting and its various phases developed month by month, and year by year. This is a very impressive map collection that should be part of every serious military scholar's collectionThis is the scope of this atlas.CAMPAIGN IN WESTERN ASIACampaign in Western Asia describes the operations the operations conducted by the Indian troops in Iraq. Syria and Iran to stem the tide of German advance, which at one stage even threatened the Indian borders. Even after the Axis threat had been contained Indian forces continued to garrison the area to facilitate the transport of necessary war material to Russia. This in the way greatly helped the Russian war effort, which finally resulted in the defeat of Germans.THE NORTH AFRICAN CAMPAIGN 1940-43The North African Campaign 1940-43 covers the operations conducted on the northern coast of Africa and the desert lands to the west of Egypt. In this theatre, India was saddled with the responsibility to defend Egypt. More than two Indian divisions were involved in the fighting in Africa, over the territory expanding from Egypt to Tunis. The theatre remained active from 1940 to 1943 and finally witnessed the end of Italian and German aggression.THE CAMPAIGN IN ITALY 1943-45The Campaign in Italy focuses on Allied efforts to drive Italy out of the war, defeat the German forces there and to push up through the Italian peninsula to threaten the German underbelly. The three Indian divisions participated in this Allied effort. They distinguished themselves in the battles of Sangaro, Cassino, the Liri Valley, the Gothic Line and many more engagements.EAST AFRICAN CAMPAIGN 1940-41This covers the role of Indian armed forces in East Africa, the region covering Eritrea and Ethiopia. General Wavell, Commander in Chief of Middle East Command, mounted an invasion of Libya and, in spite of superior Italian strength, two divisions pushed the Italians back in North Africa to Benghazi, of which the battle of Sidi Barani is well known.It was then decided to undertake a campaign in East Africa. The plan eventually culminated in a pincer from Nairobi in Kenya in the south and Khartoum in the north. The main task of the Indian divisions was to open the route to Massawa and drive the Italians out of Eritrea. Important battles were the capture of Keren and the move to Asmara and beyond. This remarkable achievement by the Indian divisions led to the final victory in East Africa and freeing of the Red Sea and Indian Ocean from any threat.THE MAPS.