THE BALKANS 1940-41 (VOLUME 1)

◗ Pier Battistelli ◗ Osprey (2021) ◗ £15.99 ◗ 96 pages (softback) ◗ ISBN:9781472842572 ◗ ospreypublishing.com

The Greco-italian War is probably one of the least analysed conflicts of WWII, and this Osprey is a welcome addition. It follows the usual Campaign series format of political/ strategic background; opposing forces, commanders and plans; the campaign; and a brief guide to the battlefields today.

The author has set himself a strong challenge, and the style tends to be a long run through lists of corps and division offensives; a greater tactical leavening would have made for easier reading. The text is supported by some rather cluttered maps – it might have been better to have fewer placenames? In part the style is due to the nature of the conflict, which was mainly an infantryman’s war, bedevilled by rough terrain and climate, and poor logistics. The Greeks were more flexible in switching units between commands; the Italians had an undertrained officer corps with very little empathy with their troops, plus a fractious High Command.

Volume II, presumably covering the dramatic Commonwealth and Greek rearguard actions against the German battlegroups, should be a more natural mix of strategy and tactics for the wargamer.

Chris Jarvis