For those following along in reading An Army at Dawn I have found these to be helpful. I found myself getting confused as to the locations of Casablance, Oran, and Algiers. Atkinson skips around between then in the opening chapters, I think basing it on chronology, while later he goes geographically from east to west. Wikopedia has a good map that shows the relative landing areas.

Operation Torch

I also found myself getting a bit confused by the unit symbols. I think I'm used to larger scale forces where the division is listed on the symbol. For example the book would have a infantry unit, a box with an X in the middle, and two small lines above it, with a 2 on the left and a 1 on the right. I kept thinking that mean it was 2nd battalian 1st division. What it realy was showing was 2nd battalian 1st regiment.

In case you're interested here is a more comprensive breakdown of unit symbols than Atkinson gives.

Unit Map Symbols

Hope these help.

Good links, Rodger...
Thanks! Are we going to discuss the book chapter by chapter?
Gunny

Here is link to an excellent map site. I think maps 38-42 are what you guys are after. Sorry I am not in on the "Group Read" but I have reading to do for my class...

http://www.dean.usma.edu/history/web03/atlases/ww2%20europe/ww2%20europe%20war%20index.htm

Shaun

yes, that is the plan. We read a chapter, then discuss it for a week while we're reading the next chapter. It's fine if you want to read ahead, I already am, but you might want to scan through the chapter again while we're discussing it.

On another related topic not everybody is going to have the same edtion of the book. If for no other reason than some will have the hardcover, and others the paper back, not to mention those who are reading it in a translation. If anybody is going to post a specific passage it might not be enough to say, "on page 15..." You might need to also put in the chapter, section, and possibly the first line of the passage so we can find it.

Thanks Rodge...
Kinda' figured that was how we were to proceed with the group, but just like to keep all my tee's crossed and i's dotted, if you know what I mean...I've read the book before, and am again reading it now, and will probably re-read it AGAIN when we begin! Good book, good choice, good suggestion, Mr Rae.
Gunny

Hi guys,
It's me, VonCuda. I'm having to post under my sons callsign and account because after the server switch my password was lost and NO ONE will send me a new password! I'm really getting ticked off......

Anyway, I pulled my copy off the shelf and began to re-read it last night. Looking forward to the discussion.

VonCuda