"Recommend some sources for a total WWII newbie" Topic

Normally, I game Vietnam and early 80s NATO v WarPac, but the ridiculous affordability of O8's 3mm has induced me to begin a long coveted project – Western Desert 1940-41. That being said, I know very little about the organization of the British, Italian, and German forces involved. I need to start with the basics, such as how many tanks formed a platoon, etc. Can anyone recommend some good Internet sources? While I'm pretty well informed on modern forces, the nuts and bolts of WWII forces are a mystery to me. Thanks all!

For Western Desert the absolute best place to start is Frank Chadwick's Benghazi Handicap. Although its a supplement for Command Decision, it's the best single source for TOE information on the British, German, and especially Italian armies there is.

Now you make me have to go back and looks at all the threads and posts I made LOL. Rrobert

This is a good online start,
Battalion Organisation during the Second World War
bayonetstrength.150m.com
bayonetstrength.me.uk
link

You didn't list US organizations but here is a good one just in case,

US Infantry Division
Organization Charts
link

Although not an online source, you may wish to have a look at Greene and Massignanis 'Rommels North African Campaign' which covers all the participants including the often neglected Italians.

And if you want a history and general overview, Alan Mooreheads 'African Trilogy'.

Although it's old, Featherstone's "Tank Battles in Miniature" for North Africa remains an excellent source. Second-hand copies of the out-of-print original are not excessively priced, but even cheaper is the History of Wargaming reprint by John Curry.

All the best,

John.

Second John D. Salt's recommendation.

Regards,

J. P. Kelly

commandosupremo.com for all things Italian and WWII.

You might look up the national WWII museum to see what other stuff they may have. Not sure but I think the Western Desert Campaign may still be a work in process for them.

@ancientsgamer: that link seems to lead to an ad page. Dead link?

So, after rooting around on the Internet, I'm confused. For something as simple as "How many tanks in an Italian platoon?" I find some sources say 4 including the command tank and others say 5 including the command tank.

HistoryPhD

Try this for Italian organisation. Look about half way down for the OOB of an armoured battalion following the reorganisation in early 1941.

link

Five tanks per platoon.

The next site is in German but great for what are known as KStN (war establishment of German army units)

wwiidaybyday.com

"The Nafziger Collection of Orders of Battle

The Nafziger Collection contains orders of battle from 1600 to 1945 with over 7000 individual pdf files. It began with the author's interest in Napoleonic Wars, and steadily grew to other areas because of the gaming public's interest in these highly detailed historical orders of battle. Sources range from published works to actual archival documents, which represent the largest single source. Nearly all orders of battle break down to the regimental level. The availability of strength figures and artillery equipment varies from period to period."
cgsc.edu/carl/nafziger.asp
cgsc.edu/CARL/nafziger

Thanks everybody!!