"An Improvised War: The Abyssinian Campaign of 1940-1941" Topic

Hello guys!

I added this book to my Christmas list, and I think it might have arrived today in the post (but of course I'm not allowed to look…).

I know little to nothing about the East African theatre of the war and was looking for a good overview, with potential scenario inspiration for either Blitzkrieg Commander (battalion level) or to branch out into a new ruleset for smaller scale; I've been thinking for sometime of snatching a copy of Too Fat Lardies IABSM for company-level actions.

Has anyone come across this book, any opinions on the content? And any complementary reading on this obscure campaign?

Thanks,

Fletch

Hi,

It must be 20 years since I read that book. It's a great book, and (when I read it) was one of the few available about that particular campaign.
There is an H.M.S.O. publication that crops up on eBay quite often – that's useful too. Sadly I can't quite recall the title. I have a copy somewhere… in a pile of boxes… doubtless buried away…

You'll enjoy the book. It's a good 'un.

Regards,

Geoff

Well, you're in luck. Too Fat Lardies have done a game suppliment specifically for East Africa called Call This A Ruddy Picnic
link

It gives you 23 scenarios from the intial actions between the Italians & pre-surrender French, all they way to the end of the campaign. The battles include Italian, British, Indian, South African, enlisted African from both sides & even some irregular cavalry. It also includes a mini-suppliment for the air war in East Africa for use with their Bag the Hun rules.

As for other documents, the suppliment as good bibliography of other books & websites. Also check this website
link
& search for "east africa". There are 2 available. They are written by the commanders & give more of an operational view of the campaign, so maybe not great for getting scenario ideas, but certainly good for flavor.

Another vote for this book, it's been in my collection for twenty years or so also and I think it a very nicely detailed little effort!

TMP bug instance; deleted. MH

A good thing to look for is an author who considers the perspectives of both sides; check the bibliography for this.

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BTW, Frank Chadwick's "Benghazi Handicap" book on the early North African campaign contains detailed Italian (also British and German) OB information (at the level of a 1-to-5-figure-ratio ruleset, not company-level), some of which may be transferable to Abyssinia.

A review is here: link
The book is available here: link

MH

Have the book, I remember it a a great. You'll enjoy the detail.

Don