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Osprey Campaign #410
East Africa Campaign 1940–41: The Battle for the Horn of Africa
A fascinating study of one of the often overlooked World War II campaigns as British/Commonwealth, Indigenous and Italian forces battled for control of the Horn of Africa.
In mid-1940, Italy's East African colonies posed a significant threat to the British Empire, and in particular to the flow of supplies through the Red Sea to Egypt. British High Command feared moves from Italian East Africa and so sent reinforcements to its positions in Kenya and Sudan. Thus began a series of clashes across East Africa, with the British attempting to keep the Italians isolated and unable to threaten British supply lines. In March 1941, British theatre commander General Archibald Wavell opted for a lightning campaign to eliminate the Italian threat for good. Italian military historian Pier Paolo Battistelli provides a fresh account of this campaign, from the initial Italian attacks to the Allied counter-offensive into Eritrea, Ethiopia and Italian Somaliland. Among the actions covered are Addis Ababa, Amba Alagi, Gondar, Tug Argan, and Keren.
This work presents an assessment of the forces involved of both sides, including Orde Wingate's Gideon force, pro-Selassié Ethiopian irregulars and Eritrean and Somalian troops, as well as Indian, South African, British and Italian regular forces. With colourful artwork, detailed maps and diagrams, this book highlights an overlooked World War II campaign and the bloody fight for the Horn of Africa.
In mid-1940, Italy's East African colonies posed a significant threat to the British Empire, and in particular to the flow of supplies through the Red Sea to Egypt. British High Command feared moves from Italian East Africa and so sent reinforcements to its positions in Kenya and Sudan. Thus began a series of clashes across East Africa, with the British attempting to keep the Italians isolated and unable to threaten British supply lines. In March 1941, British theatre commander General Archibald Wavell opted for a lightning campaign to eliminate the Italian threat for good. Italian military historian Pier Paolo Battistelli provides a fresh account of this campaign, from the initial Italian attacks to the Allied counter-offensive into Eritrea, Ethiopia and Italian Somaliland. Among the actions covered are Addis Ababa, Amba Alagi, Gondar, Tug Argan, and Keren.
This work presents an assessment of the forces involved of both sides, including Orde Wingate's Gideon force, pro-Selassié Ethiopian irregulars and Eritrean and Somalian troops, as well as Indian, South African, British and Italian regular forces. With colourful artwork, detailed maps and diagrams, this book highlights an overlooked World War II campaign and the bloody fight for the Horn of Africa.
- GenresMilitary History
96 pages, Paperback
First published December 19, 2024
About the author
Pier Paolo Battistelli
87 books6 followersPier Paolo Battistelli earned his PhD in Military History at the University of Padua. A scholar of German and Italian politics and strategy throughout World War II, he is active in Italy and abroad writing books and essays on military history subjects.
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
June 5, 2025
I figured that the book EAST AFRICA CAMPAIGN 1940-41would be a good follow up book to THE RAPE OF ETHIOPIA 1936. Although this campaign took place four short years later, a lot had changed.
Upon seeing Hitler overrunning France, Mussolini saw what he thought an ideal opportunity to share in the plunder. He therefore joined Hitler as an active ally by declaring war on Britain and France. Things didn't go as planned. For the loss of two aircraft the British carrier attack on the Italian fleet at Taranto caused heavy damage to several ships, the Italian invasion of southern France hardly got any where, the Regia Aeronautica made a poor showing in the Battle of Britain, and the Greeks humiliated the Italian invasion force coming against them. In Africa things were not much different.
Italy still had large forces in both North and East Africa. The Italians in Libya marched over the Egyptian border and then stopped instead of pressing on towards the Suez Canal. This would affect the decisions made by the British generals facing the conquerors of Ethiopia. In East Africa the Italians invaded British Somaliland. It was to be the only country, or territory, conquered by Italy during World War II. Instead of going onto the offensive into other British territory, or maybe attacking towards the Suez from the south, they went onto the defensive and handed the initiative to the British, which is a dangerous thing to do in war. This book tells the story of the British offensive to liberate all the territories held by Italy in East Africa.
The Fascist propaganda had promised the Italian soldiers that once they conquered Ethiopia that they would have choice land to grow crops. They never really got to do that as the British supplied Ethiopian freedom fighters began guerilla warfare in the hope of liberating their country. The British, outnumbered by the Italians, attacked and battle by battle, they rolled up the Italian defenses. It wasn't easy, and in some places the Italians put up a good fight, but it was only a matter of time before the inevitable Italian collapse.
One thing I found interesting was that in some places the Italians requested the British to hurry up and take certain objectives such as towns. What they were afraid of was the Ethiopians carrying out reprisals on Italian civilians. Looting too was widespread.
Another thing I thought curious was the Italians requesting the honors of war when they surrendered. Basically what that means is the surrendering troops march out as if on parade with their flags flying, past their conquerors who are lined up as if they are receiving foreign dignitaries. I believe the British General Lord Cornwallis did this when he surrendered Yorktown to General Washington in 1781. The reason I thought this was curious was while the Italians thought the Ethiopians mere savages not deserving of any respect, they thought they should be treated better by other Europeans. You know, it was kind of funny that both European armies relied heavily on 'native' soldiers to fight their wars.
Like other books in this series it is packed full of maps, photos and color plates. It does bother me that some of the maps were spread over two pages because important points of interest are thus hidden in the spine of the book. Another peeve I have is when a blow by blow account is given of battles and campaigns but places mentioned are not on the maps provided. There are times when the names of such places have changed over the years which makes finding them even more difficult.
While I respect the labor of the author to tell this story in such detail, it makes for dry reading at times, even for me. Most would be bored, but serious students would treasure this book. I am only giving it 3 stars but it earned a place on my bookshelf!
Upon seeing Hitler overrunning France, Mussolini saw what he thought an ideal opportunity to share in the plunder. He therefore joined Hitler as an active ally by declaring war on Britain and France. Things didn't go as planned. For the loss of two aircraft the British carrier attack on the Italian fleet at Taranto caused heavy damage to several ships, the Italian invasion of southern France hardly got any where, the Regia Aeronautica made a poor showing in the Battle of Britain, and the Greeks humiliated the Italian invasion force coming against them. In Africa things were not much different.
Italy still had large forces in both North and East Africa. The Italians in Libya marched over the Egyptian border and then stopped instead of pressing on towards the Suez Canal. This would affect the decisions made by the British generals facing the conquerors of Ethiopia. In East Africa the Italians invaded British Somaliland. It was to be the only country, or territory, conquered by Italy during World War II. Instead of going onto the offensive into other British territory, or maybe attacking towards the Suez from the south, they went onto the defensive and handed the initiative to the British, which is a dangerous thing to do in war. This book tells the story of the British offensive to liberate all the territories held by Italy in East Africa.
The Fascist propaganda had promised the Italian soldiers that once they conquered Ethiopia that they would have choice land to grow crops. They never really got to do that as the British supplied Ethiopian freedom fighters began guerilla warfare in the hope of liberating their country. The British, outnumbered by the Italians, attacked and battle by battle, they rolled up the Italian defenses. It wasn't easy, and in some places the Italians put up a good fight, but it was only a matter of time before the inevitable Italian collapse.
One thing I found interesting was that in some places the Italians requested the British to hurry up and take certain objectives such as towns. What they were afraid of was the Ethiopians carrying out reprisals on Italian civilians. Looting too was widespread.
Another thing I thought curious was the Italians requesting the honors of war when they surrendered. Basically what that means is the surrendering troops march out as if on parade with their flags flying, past their conquerors who are lined up as if they are receiving foreign dignitaries. I believe the British General Lord Cornwallis did this when he surrendered Yorktown to General Washington in 1781. The reason I thought this was curious was while the Italians thought the Ethiopians mere savages not deserving of any respect, they thought they should be treated better by other Europeans. You know, it was kind of funny that both European armies relied heavily on 'native' soldiers to fight their wars.
Like other books in this series it is packed full of maps, photos and color plates. It does bother me that some of the maps were spread over two pages because important points of interest are thus hidden in the spine of the book. Another peeve I have is when a blow by blow account is given of battles and campaigns but places mentioned are not on the maps provided. There are times when the names of such places have changed over the years which makes finding them even more difficult.
While I respect the labor of the author to tell this story in such detail, it makes for dry reading at times, even for me. Most would be bored, but serious students would treasure this book. I am only giving it 3 stars but it earned a place on my bookshelf!
February 14, 2025
If the Fascist Italians had been planning a war against the biggest Empire of their time in the 1930s, they would have been building up their strength in the horn of Africa - developing their Somaliland and Ethiopian colonies as offensive bases for the Italian Air force and Navies. These Italian possessions could have been centers for further aggression- thorns in the side of the Allies and vanguards of a new Fascist Age to enlighten Africa. But of course the decision to go to war with Britain and her Empire and Commonwealth was made haphazardly- a rush to get in at the Kill of the French as they fell in 1940- and no preparations of any kind was made. Instead, 1940 found the Italians barely in control of their relatively new Empire, and certainly not producing surplus crops or other resources that could sustain a long war. Pier Paolo Battistelli, a historian with a focus on Italian and 1940s Military topics tells us the tale of a few early successes- and then a sure albeit slow, Allied victory. It's an important part of WWII- but one usually overshadowed by more famous struggles further north in Africa.
The Italian Navy was caught unprepared- and did not have anything like enough forces in the area to fight the Royal Navy- nor could the Mediterranean Fleet support or reinforce them. There was no land bridge unless they conquered one to Libya - nor did the Regia Aeronautica , the Italian air force , have enough lift capacity to form any sort of air supply bridge. Thus the Brits were able to gather stray units from around the Empire- largely East and West African regiments, South African forces, and Raj Indian divisions that could do the heavy lifting. Fighting in very difficult rocky mountainous areas, these Allied forces learned their craft here- units that would go on to fight the DAK, the Germans in Italy and the Japanese in Burma. This book uses the typical Osprey approach, combining narrative prose, photos, graphs , maps and diagrams to teach the reader the material. I learned a lot about this campaign - and I am ready to learn more- the sign of a good book to me.
The adult themes here are political and logistical, so this is a good read for the Junior Reader over about 11/12 years. For the Gamer/Modeler/Military Enthusiast , this is a great introduction to another front where you can use your Italians and British Desert forces. There are a lot of Indian troops, Black African troops from West and East Africa (Ghana, Nigeria, Uganda, Tanzania and Kenya), South Africa's Pre-Apartheid Army, Brits, and even Belgian Congo Force Publique to model and game. The Italians fielded a lot of independent Colonial Askari Battalions and indigenous auxiliary bands of Cavalry, so lots of interesting units- and some of them change sides as the tables turn- it's an interesting front to read about. The Modeler will get a lot of diorama and build ideas- but may need another photo source. The Military Enthusiast gets a corner of WWII explained quite ably- both its tactical and strategic implications for the wider war. The general audience reader will enjoy the read- especially how so many disparate peoples came together to fight fascism and win.
The Italian Navy was caught unprepared- and did not have anything like enough forces in the area to fight the Royal Navy- nor could the Mediterranean Fleet support or reinforce them. There was no land bridge unless they conquered one to Libya - nor did the Regia Aeronautica , the Italian air force , have enough lift capacity to form any sort of air supply bridge. Thus the Brits were able to gather stray units from around the Empire- largely East and West African regiments, South African forces, and Raj Indian divisions that could do the heavy lifting. Fighting in very difficult rocky mountainous areas, these Allied forces learned their craft here- units that would go on to fight the DAK, the Germans in Italy and the Japanese in Burma. This book uses the typical Osprey approach, combining narrative prose, photos, graphs , maps and diagrams to teach the reader the material. I learned a lot about this campaign - and I am ready to learn more- the sign of a good book to me.
The adult themes here are political and logistical, so this is a good read for the Junior Reader over about 11/12 years. For the Gamer/Modeler/Military Enthusiast , this is a great introduction to another front where you can use your Italians and British Desert forces. There are a lot of Indian troops, Black African troops from West and East Africa (Ghana, Nigeria, Uganda, Tanzania and Kenya), South Africa's Pre-Apartheid Army, Brits, and even Belgian Congo Force Publique to model and game. The Italians fielded a lot of independent Colonial Askari Battalions and indigenous auxiliary bands of Cavalry, so lots of interesting units- and some of them change sides as the tables turn- it's an interesting front to read about. The Modeler will get a lot of diorama and build ideas- but may need another photo source. The Military Enthusiast gets a corner of WWII explained quite ably- both its tactical and strategic implications for the wider war. The general audience reader will enjoy the read- especially how so many disparate peoples came together to fight fascism and win.
March 4, 2026
A useful account of an early campaign in WW2 that I certainly knew next to nothing about. Given the limited amount of space to tell the story, it is a rather dry account, but enlivened with the artwork, maps, plans and photographs that you expect from Osprey. Usefully, it puts into context one of the chapters in Bill Slim's excellent 'Unofficial History', the battle for Gallabat in November 1940 when he was a 'lowly' brigade commander.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews