Both the Axis and the United Nations have been gradually altering their regular organizations to conform to the conditions of the desert. Armored units can carry the fight to the enemy; infantry units, if well balanced, have been able to defend themselves against tank attacks from any direction or against simultaneous attacks from various directions. The traditional infantry-artillery team is able to assume only a defensive role. Independence from the regular supply echelons means greater mobility. Armored units carry more supplies than was contemplated by peacetime training; 7 days' supply is advocated by many officers, and the Germans are said to carry 14. Each unit sent into the desert needs to be as self-sustaining as possible. These are merely some of the factors which must be considered in forming any organization for desert warfare. Well-balanced, closely coordinated teams of armored forces, infantry, field artillery, engineers, antiaircraft, and air forces have been the organizations which have achieved the best results in desert fighting.

Figure 1.--Map of the Libyan theater