History Main / DesertWarfare

* Many of the pivotal battles of the [[UsefulNotes/TheIndoPakistanConflict 1965 Indo-Pak war]] were fought in the Athar desert of South Asia. This included the battle of Assal Uttar where a Pakistani armored thrust into Rajasthan India spectacularly failed, followed by a large tank battle at Phillora where an Indian armored thrust into Pakistan succeeded.

* Many of the pivotal battles of the [[UsefulNotes/TheIndiaPakistanConflict 1965 Indo-Pak war]] were fought in the Athar desert of South Asia. This included the battle of Assal Uttar where a Pakistani armored thrust into Rajasthan India spectacularly failed, followed by a large tank battle at Phillora where an Indian armored thrust into Pakistan succeeded.

* Many of the pivotal battles of the [[UsefulNotes/TheIndoPakistanComflict 1965 Indo-Pak war]] were fought in the Athar desert of South Asia. This included the battle of Assal Uttar where a Pakistani armored thrust into Rajasthan India spectacularly failed, followed by a large tank battle at Phillora where an Indian armored thrust into Pakistan succeeded.

Compare and contrast with the aforementioned UrbanWarfare, JungleWarfare, and WinterWarfare, where fighting takes place in cities, lush tropical rainforests and jungles, and in the snow, respectively. A lot of 2000s examples of Desert Warfare also overlap with UrbanWarfare, especially if the work is set during UsefulNotes/TheWarOnTerror.

* As shown in the page quote, in ''{{Literature/Dune}}'', House Atreides, and later the Fremen, make use of this, as the desert planet of Arrakis is utterly devoid of any water, and air power is risky due to the huge, deadly sandstorms. Desert power is achieved because the Fremen can ride on the great sand-worms instead, and are able to go anywhere they want because they know the desert, unlike the Harkonnen forces.

[[folder: Anime, Manga, & Light Novels]]

** ''Call of Duty 2: Big Red One'' covers Operation Torch and the Battle of Kasserine Pass.

These same soldiers also have to deal with constant supply issues in the absence of EasyLogistics, namely with ammunition, fuel, food, and most importantly, water. As mentioned above, tanks are now [[TankGoodness able to move freely and advance quickly]], and this can usually end up with a [[EpicTankOnTankAction massive tank battle]] taking place. Because of this, defending forces will usually set up AntiArmor defenses such as anti-tank artillery, ditches or land mines, usually with tsnks [[MobileShrubbery concealed with camouflage netting]]. While it is easy to lay land mines in the desert, the shifting sand dunes can cover the mines over time. Tank gunners may have trouble sighting their targets due to heat shimmer and mirages.

There are no civilians or buildings for miles on end, and so tanks are now given a free rein to advance wherever they please. There are downsides, though; moving tanks produce dust clouds that the enemy can spot. As well, unlike in European woodlands or UrbanWarfare, there's little cover and concealment for tanks, either from ground observers or aerial reconnaissance. [[note]] When tanks stop for the night in the desert or if they need repairs or maintenance, they need to be covered in camouflage netting and if possible, positioned in a low spot that hides the distinctive outline. Any night repairs should be done with shielding of lights and avoiding noise, to reduce the risk of giving away the position. In addition to trying to hide tanks, trucks, and equipment, commanders also try to deceive the enemy by building fake plywood tanks and using convoys to move around empty crates and barrels, in the hopes that reconnaissance will get confused about the actual position. [[/note]]If there are civilians, expect a HiddenElfVillage of tents and mud brick buildings near an oasis, or as 21st century works depict, in major cities or towns surrounded by desert.

There are no civilians or buildings for miles on end, and so tanks are now given a free rein to advance wherever they please. There are downsides, though; moving tanks produce dust clouds that the enemy can spot. As well, unlike in European woodlands or UrbanWarfare, there's little cover and concealment for tanks, either from ground observers or aerial reconnaissance. [[note]] When tanks stop for the night in the desert or if they need repairs or maintenance, they need to be covered in camouflage netting and if possible, positioned in a low spot that hides the distinctive outline. Any night repairs should be done with shielding of lights and avoiding noise, to reduce the risk of giving away the position. [[/note]]If there are civilians, expect a HiddenElfVillage of tents and mud brick buildings near an oasis, or as 21st century works depict, in major cities or towns surrounded by desert.

These same soldiers also have to deal with constant supply issues in the absence of EasyLogistics, namely with ammunition, fuel, food, and most importantly, water. As mentioned above, tanks are now [[TankGoodness able to move freely and advance quickly]], and this can usually end up with a [[EpicTankOnTankAction massive tank battle]] taking place. Because of this, defending forces will usually set up AntiArmor defenses such as anti-tank artillery, ditches or land mines, usually [[MobileShrubbery concealed with camouflage netting]]. While it is easy to lay land mines in the desert, the shifting sand dunes can cover the mines over time. Tank gunners may have trouble sighting their targets due to heat shimmer and mirages.

While the desert environment is brutal on soldiers, it is also hard on vehicles, weapons and equipment. Tank and half-track engines and hydraulics get overheated. The soft, shifting sand can bog down heavy vehicles. Sand and dust work their way into mechanisms, damaging tracked vehicle sprockets, guns, computer equipment and radios. The heat reduces the lifespan of rubber tires, gaskets and seals. Sand sticks to helicopters and the underside of armored vehicles, adding weight if its not removed regularly. Missile guide rails on launchers can get clogged by sand.

Nineteenth and early 20th century settings may depict [[BleakBorderBase isolated forts]] in the desert. Don't let the walls of the fort lull you into thinking the heroes are safe. Resupplying the fort with water, food and ammunition will be hard. In ancient settings, or settings that don't involve tanks, cavalry charges, usually on horse or camel, but occasionally on chariot, are also common.

Fictional stories that depict desert fighters in loose, long clothing, headscarves, and dark glasses or goggles are TruthInTelevision. These items protect against blistering heat, blowing sand, and blinding sun.

Compare and contrast with the aforementioned UrbanWarfare, JungleWarfare, and WinterWarfare, where fighting takes place in cities, lush tropical rainforests and jungles, and in the snow, respectively. A lot of recent examples of Desert Warfare also overlap with the first one, especially if the work is set during UsefulNotes/TheWarOnTerror.

There are no civilians or buildings for miles on end, and so tanks are now given a free rein to advance wherever they please. There are downsides, though; moving tanks produce dust clouds that the enemy can spot. As well, unlike in European woodlands or UrbanWarfare, there's little cover and concealment for tanks, either from ground observers or aerial reconnaissance. [[note]] When tanks stop for the night in the desert or if they need repairs or maintenance, they need to be coveredin camouflage netting and if possible, positioned in a low spot that hides the distinctive outline. Any night repairs should be done with shielding of lights and avoiding noise, to reduce the risk of giving away the position. [[/note]]If there are civilians, expect a HiddenElfVillage of tents and mud brick buildings near an oasis, or as 21st century works depict, in major cities or towns surrounded by desert.

There are no civilians or buildings for miles on end, and so tanks are now given a free rein to advance wherever they please. There are downsides, though; moving tanks produce dust clouds that the enemy can spot. As well, unlike in European woodlands, there's little cover and concealment for tanks, either from ground observers or aerial reconnaissance. If there are civilians, expect a HiddenElfVillage near an oasis, or as later works depict, in major cities surrounded by desert.

In ancient settings, or settings that don't involve tanks, cavalry charges, usually on horse or camel, but occasionally on chariot, are also common.

Desert Warfare is ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin, a trope that involves fighting that takes place in a desert. In contrast to JungleWarfare and UrbanWarfare, where fighting takes place mostly in close-quarters, Desert Warfare is a new story altogether. In this kind of scenario, expect [[ElitesAreMoreGlamorous elite soldiers]] trained in fighting in the desert performing long range patrols, usually on specialized tracked or half-tracked vehicles, but also on foot on certain occasions. Given the vast area that soldiers are patrolling and the lack of landmarks, a clichéd scene is an officer peering through binoculars and puzzling over a map.

Commanders may have more soldiers out of the action due to desert conditions than due to bullet wounds. The sun causes heat exhaustion, sunburn, and fatigue. The wind and the sand it carries blister and burn skin and eyes. The glare strains the eyes and the howling wind tires the ears. The heat and lack of water cause dehydration. With the heat and dust, along with the lack of access to bathing, even a tiny cut can lead to a serious infection. Local fauna include scorpions, snakes, feral dogs (carrying rabies) and rats (spreading disease). In addition to heat stroke and dehydration, soldiers face malaria, typhus, and other diseases.

While the desert environment is brutal on soldiers, it is also hard on vehicles, weapons and equipment. Tank and half-track engines and hydraulics get overheated. The soft, shifting sand can bog down heavy vehicles. Sand and dust work their way into mechanisms, damaging tracked vehicle sprockets, guns, computer equipment and radios. The heat reduces the lifespan of tires, gaskets and seals. Sand sticks to helicopters and the underside of armored vehicles, adding weight if its not removed regularly. Missile guide rails on launchers can get clogged by sand.

These same soldiers also have to deal with constant supply issues in the absence of EasyLogistics, namely with ammunition, fuel, food, and most importantly, water. As mentioned above, tanks are now [[TankGoodness able to move freely and advance quickly]], and this can usually end up with a [[EpicTankOnTankAction massive tank battle]] taking place. Because of this, defending forces will usually set up AntiArmor defenses such as anti-tank artillery, ditches or land mines, usually [[MobileShrubbery concealed with camouflage netting]]. While it is easy to lay lamd mines in the desert, the shifting sand dunes can cover the mines over time.

Commanders may have more soldiers out of the action due to desert conditions than due to wounds. The sun causes heat exhaustion, sunburn, and fatigue. The wind and the sand it carries blister and burn skin and eyes. The glare strains the eyes and the howling wind tires the ears. The heat and lack of water cause dehydration. Local fauna include scorpions, snakes, feral dogs (carrying rabies) and rats (spreading disease). In addition to heat stroke and dehydration, soldiers face malaria, typhus, and other diseases.

While the desert environment is brutal on soldiers, it is also hard on vehicles, weapons and equipment. Tank and half-track engines and hydraulics get overheated. The soft, shifting sand can bog down heavy vehicles. Sand and dust work their way into mechanisms, damaging tracked vehicle sprockets, guns, computer equipment and radios. Sand sticks to helicopters and the underside of armored vehicles, adding weight if its not removed regularly. Missiles guide rails on launchers can get clogged by sand.

While the desert environment is brutal on soldiers, it is also hard on vehicles and equipment. Tank and half-track engines and hydraulics get overheated. The soft, shifting sand can bog down vehicles. Sand and dust work their way into mechanisms, damaging delicate parts.

So you have a ThirstyDesert. The heat, blinding glare, and lack of water at in and of itself is already an inconvenience for anyone [[CrossingTheDesert going through it]], but soldiers trekking through one in the middle of a war, now have an additional threat, in this case an enemy force that they must fight. But that isn't the end of their problems. Any warring faction now has to deal with shortages of water and fuel supply, two things that, when crossing through the desert, are a matter of life and death.

So you have a ThirstyDesert. The heat, blinding glare, and lack of water at in and of itself is already an inconvenience for anyone [[CrossingTheDesert going through it]], but soldiers trekking through one in the middle of a war, now have an additional threat, in this case an enemy force that they must fight. But that isn't the end of their problems. Any warring faction now has to deal with shortages of water and fuel supply, two things that, when crossing through the desert, are a matter of life and death. There are no civilians for miles on end, and so tanks are now given a free rein to advance wherever they please. When there are civilians, expect a HiddenElfVillage near an oasis, or as later works depict, in major cities surrounded by desert.

These same soldiers also have to deal with constant supply issues in the absence of EasyLogistics, namely with ammunition, fuel, food, and most importantly, water. As mentioned above, tanks are now [[TankGoodness able to move freely and advance quickly]], and this can usually end up with a [[EpicTankOnTankAction massive tank battle]] taking place. Because of this, defending forces will usually set up AntiArmor defenses such as anti-tank artillery or land mines, usually [[MobileShrubbery concealed with camouflage netting]].

So you have a ThirstyDesert. That in and of itself is already an inconvenience for anyone [[CrossingTheDesert going through it]], but for any soldiers trekking through one in the middle of a war, they now have an additional threat, in this case an enemy force that they must fight. But that isn't the end of their problems. Any warring faction now has to deal with shortages of water and fuel supply, two things that, when crossing through the desert, are a matter of life and death. On a positive note is that there are no civilians for miles on end, and that tanks are now given a free rein to advance straight through wherever they please. When there are civilians, expect a HiddenElfVillage near an oasis, or as later works depict, in major cities surrounded by desert.

Desert Warfare is ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin, a trope that involves fighting that takes place in a desert. In contrast to JungleWarfare and UrbanWarfare, where fighting takes place mostly in close-quarters, Desert Warfare is a new story altogether. In this kind of scenario, expect [[ElitesAreMoreGlamorous elite soldiers]] trained in fighting in the desert performing long range patrols, usually on specialized vehicles, but also on foot on certain occasions. These same soldiers also have to deal with constant supply issues in the absence of EasyLogistics, namely with ammunition, fuel, and most importantly, water. As mentioned above, tanks are now [[TankGoodness able to move freely and advance quickly]], and this can usually end up with a [[EpicTankOnTankAction massive tank battle]] taking place. Because of this, defending forces will usually set up AntiArmor defenses such as anti-tank artillery or land mines, usually [[MobileShrubbery concealed with camouflage netting]]. In ancient settings, or settings that don't involve tanks, cavalry charges, usually on horse or camel, but occasionally on chariot, are also common.

Compare and contrast with the aforementioned UrbanWarfare, JungleWarfare, and WinterWarfare, where fighting takes place in cities, lush tropical rainforests and jungles, and in the snow, respectively. Interestingly, a lot of recent examples of Desert Warfare also overlap with the first one, especially if the work is set during UsefulNotes/TheWarOnTerror.

* ''VideoGame/BlackMesa'', being a FanRemake of ''Half-Life'', features intense combat between the Hazardous Environment Combat Unit of the US Marine Corps fighting against the Xen Invasion and the Black Mesa Science Team simultaneously. This fighting is most evident in ''Surface Tension'', where the Marines call in air, artillery, and armored support against the now-reinforced Xen invaders who have themselves brought in heavy units in the form of Gargantuas, Alien Grunts, and Manta Ray craft. Much like in the original, the HECU are eventually forced to retreat from Black Mesa after taking heavy casualties, with air and artillery strikes then directed against the facility.