The following U.S. observer's comments on British forces in the Middle East during WWII was published in Tactical and Technical Trends, No. 14, Dec. 17, 1942. [DISCLAIMER: The following text is taken from the U.S. War Department publication Tactical and Technical Trends. As with all wartime intelligence information, data may be incomplete or inaccurate. No attempt has been made to update or correct the text. Any views or opinions expressed do not necessarily represent those of the website.]

FACTORS RESPONSIBLE FOR BRITISH VICTORY IN MIDDLE EAST A U.S. observer, thoroughly acquainted with the operations in the Middle East, has concluded that the following factors were mainly responsible for the recent British victory in this theater: (a) definite superiority over enemy in fire power and personnel; (b) coordination of action by all arms; (c) determined generalship; (d) careful planning and diligent training; (e) elaborate measures to insure deception; and (f) complete enforcement of security precautions. Most of these factors could be called the essentials of any successful offensive, but some are peculiarly related to past performances in this theater. The changes made in the British high command undoubtedly had much to do with the success of the British offensive. The primary effect of the change in leadership was a change in tactical doctrines. With regard to the measures takes to secure deception, it might be pointed out that this went far beyond the usual feint in one sector followed by the major thrust in another. The lack of natural cover on the desert battleground has caused both sides to resort to extensive use of camouflage. In this particular operation, camouflage played a very important role. British tanks were camouflaged as trucks, and complete dummy armored brigades were spotted over the desert. Certain other factors were deemed to have been contributory to the British success, such as: heavy and effective use of artillery; concentration of armored strength; deliberate choice of limited objectives; and clearing of minefields in the rear after the initial breakthrough.

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