Intelligence
An instrumental work on the history of wartime intelligence, Hans OttoBehrendt's book Rommel's Intelligence in the Desert Campaign deals with anarrow but tumultuous and pivotal period during World War Two. Focusingmainly on Rommel's intelligence campaign, as the title suggests, Behrendt'sbook tackles the tactics of military signals intelligence as well as itslimitations. The time period in question is 1941 through 1943, and thegeographic locale in Northern Africa. The author was a key intelligenceofficer in the German Afrika Korps and the bulk of the book comprises hispersonal experiences and perspectives regarding German intelligence ingeneral and Rommel's in specific. However, Behrendt's work is well-documented, well-researched, and well-organized; it is not simply a memoirand is not overly laden with sentimentality. In spite of the author'sobvious admiration for the personage of General Erwin Rommel, Rommel'sIntelligence in the Desert Campaign remains a key primary source for allscholars and laypersons interested in military history. The 250-page-plus book comprises six succinct and informativechapters, plus appendices, sources used and cited, and an index. As the
Again, Behrendt'sperspective is German but it offers all readers a clear picture of thecircumstances under which intelligence officers and other militaryofficials worked. Complete with sourcesand bibliography, Hans-Otto Behrendt's Rommel's Intelligence in the DesertCampaign is an indispensable book for interested readers, militaryhistorians, and scholars. "The Difficulties of Gaining Intelligence During the Retreat" aredealt with in Chapter Five. Rather, the book addresses directly thespecific role that signals intelligence played in the two year NorthAfrican campaign that engaged German, Italian, and British troops. The author also summarizes his feelings andfindings about Rommel here and in the first Appendix he includes text froma signal that Rommel sent to Hitler admitting defeat. Furthermore,the author chronicles the considerations and implications of the Germanintervention there. Behrendt speaks of the means by which theBritish used signals interceptions and captured documents to mount theirattacks on the German forces and how these attacks undermined German power. Here, Behrendt also discusses the difficulties that theGermans encountered in forming an alliance with the Italians. Scholars will find much material with whichto work in compiling accurate and comprehensive historiographies ofrelevant military history. The author briefly takes into account the unique cultural and geographicfeatures that Northern Africa (Cyrenaica, now part of Libya). This chapteris a necessary predecessor for the bulk of the book that deals specificallywith intelligence, as it provides a backdrop to the people, places, andcircumstances of this two-year war campaign, at least from the Germanperspective. The authorparticularly notes the hardships and peculiarities associated with desertwarfare and notes how geography, climate, and culture affected theaccumulation and dissemination of intelligence. Behrendt relies on British prisoner of war (POW)accounts, captured British documents, and other sources for his research. The author also publishes interceptedcommunications and reports as well as maps delineating enemy plans.
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Acceptance Essays
