On the March, Libyan Desert 1941

Infantry of the Afrika Korps make their way across Cyrenaica in the Libyan desert in the early stage of the North African campaign; having arrived in February 1941 to bolster the weakened Italian forces in the region, the Afrika Korps would receive its first experience of desert warfare in Libya.

The relatively new M1940 olive green tropical tunic, breeches and pith helmet was worn with canvas-and-leather desert boots, but the long and arduous desert fighting over the next two years would lead to many variations and additions, such as bleached tunics.

In the background can be seen the Type 82 Kubelwagen (‘bucket car’) a light utility vehicle which was based on the popular Volkswagen Beetle. Seeing service throughout the war, its reliability and multi-purpose nature made it invaluable for the German war effort in North Africa.

By Ibrahim Zamir