Nighttime conditions in North Africa during World War 2
- Admiral Bloonbeard
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Nighttime conditions in North Africa during World War 2
The Northern African desert is famous for being hot and often the hot weather is a popular part of pop culture depictions of the North African theater. However at night, the desert gets cold. How did fighting conditions feel like at night in North Africa?
Re: Nighttime conditions in North Africa during World War 2
Hi,
My father was in North Africa. He did not like to talk about the war, but did say he was never hotter --or colder--than when in Africa.
This coming from a man who worked as a baker in his post war years.
Regards,
RandJS
My father was in North Africa. He did not like to talk about the war, but did say he was never hotter --or colder--than when in Africa.
This coming from a man who worked as a baker in his post war years.
Regards,
RandJS
- Admiral Bloonbeard
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Re: Nighttime conditions in North Africa during World War 2
There was very little fighting at night.Admiral Bloonbeard wrote: ↑30 Sep 2021, 22:38The Northern African desert is famous for being hot and often the hot weather is a popular part of pop culture depictions of the North African theater. However at night, the desert gets cold. How did fighting conditions feel like at night in North Africa?
The enemy had superiority in numbers, his tanks were more heavily armoured, they had larger calibre guns with nearly twice the effective range of ours, and their telescopes were superior. 5 RTR 19/11/41
The CRUSADER Project - The Winter Battle 1941/42
The CRUSADER Project - The Winter Battle 1941/42
Re: Nighttime conditions in North Africa during World War 2
Hello Admiral Bloonbeard,
Sorry for late reply, I missed your post. My father was in US Army.
Regards,
RandJS
Sorry for late reply, I missed your post. My father was in US Army.
Regards,
RandJS
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Re: Nighttime conditions in North Africa during World War 2
Apart from Alamein, wadi Akarit, Mareth etc.Urmel wrote: ↑01 Oct 2021, 13:02There was very little fighting at night.Admiral Bloonbeard wrote: ↑30 Sep 2021, 22:38The Northern African desert is famous for being hot and often the hot weather is a popular part of pop culture depictions of the North African theater. However at night, the desert gets cold. How did fighting conditions feel like at night in North Africa?
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Re: Nighttime conditions in North Africa during World War 2
There were night attacks during major operations. NZ troops bayonetted German wounded during night ops claiming handicap since they couldn't see and had to be sure that they weren't fired on from behind.Urmel wrote: ↑01 Oct 2021, 13:02There was very little fighting at night.Admiral Bloonbeard wrote: ↑30 Sep 2021, 22:38The Northern African desert is famous for being hot and often the hot weather is a popular part of pop culture depictions of the North African theater. However at night, the desert gets cold. How did fighting conditions feel like at night in North Africa?
Cheers
Sandeep
Re: Nighttime conditions in North Africa during World War 2
It's easy to get fixated on the outliers because they are so well described.Richard Sands wrote: ↑11 Oct 2021, 08:53Apart from Alamein, wadi Akarit, Mareth etc.Urmel wrote: ↑01 Oct 2021, 13:02There was very little fighting at night.Admiral Bloonbeard wrote: ↑30 Sep 2021, 22:38The Northern African desert is famous for being hot and often the hot weather is a popular part of pop culture depictions of the North African theater. However at night, the desert gets cold. How did fighting conditions feel like at night in North Africa?
The enemy had superiority in numbers, his tanks were more heavily armoured, they had larger calibre guns with nearly twice the effective range of ours, and their telescopes were superior. 5 RTR 19/11/41
The CRUSADER Project - The Winter Battle 1941/42
The CRUSADER Project - The Winter Battle 1941/42
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Re: Nighttime conditions in North Africa during World War 2
Which 'Outliers' are those?
Re: Nighttime conditions in North Africa during World War 2
The outlier operations that happened at night.
The enemy had superiority in numbers, his tanks were more heavily armoured, they had larger calibre guns with nearly twice the effective range of ours, and their telescopes were superior. 5 RTR 19/11/41
The CRUSADER Project - The Winter Battle 1941/42
The CRUSADER Project - The Winter Battle 1941/42
Re: Nighttime conditions in North Africa during World War 2
Apart from the decivisve battle of El Alamein.Urmel wrote: ↑01 Oct 2021, 13:02There was very little fighting at night.Admiral Bloonbeard wrote: ↑30 Sep 2021, 22:38The Northern African desert is famous for being hot and often the hot weather is a popular part of pop culture depictions of the North African theater. However at night, the desert gets cold. How did fighting conditions feel like at night in North Africa?
[youtube]https://youtu.be/KvFNJprNZpc?t=1575[/youtube]
In one of Montgomery's test exercises for his Vth Corps in winter 1940-41 he wanted to see if an infantry division could be used by night to carry put the kind of move an armloured diviison might carry out by day. The exercise took plaxce in Hampshire and Wiltshire and was given a desert setting. Maps were issued which did not show roads or woodland.
Re: Nighttime conditions in North Africa during World War 2
Horses and Zebras.
The enemy had superiority in numbers, his tanks were more heavily armoured, they had larger calibre guns with nearly twice the effective range of ours, and their telescopes were superior. 5 RTR 19/11/41
The CRUSADER Project - The Winter Battle 1941/42
The CRUSADER Project - The Winter Battle 1941/42
Re: Nighttime conditions in North Africa during World War 2
It isn't a question of the actual temperature, it is a question of the difference of temperature between night and day. Cold at night in NA might be bloody balmy temp wise, in the 70º-80ºsF. If you are outside for days/weeks in daytime temps of 100º+F and the nighttime drops to 70ºF, you are cold. Your body becomes accustomed the higher daytime temp, so a 30-40º drop at night is cold. If you are near the coast, you get the moist air from the Med. which dampens the air. If in the winter the daytime temps are only in the 70ºF and they drop to 50ºF at night, you are cold.Admiral Bloonbeard wrote: ↑30 Sep 2021, 22:38The Northern African desert is famous for being hot and often the hot weather is a popular part of pop culture depictions of the North African theater. However at night, the desert gets cold. How did fighting conditions feel like at night in North Africa?
Add in not getting enough to eat, not enough sleep (because you are cold among other reasons), possibly being dehydrated, and the drop makes your feel even colder. Add in wind to wick away your body heat...
That is why you see all those pictures of soldiers wearing overcoats in the desert. Been there, done that. I slept in a sleeping bag during the summer in the desert.
Pista! Jeff
Last edited by jwsleser on 13 Oct 2021, 14:24, edited 1 time in total.
Jeff Leser
Infantrymen of the Air
Infantrymen of the Air
- John Hilly
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Re: Nighttime conditions in North Africa during World War 2
"Die Blechtrommel trommelt noch!"