Scout’s Out - Robert Edwards

Tiitle: Scout’s Out

Author: Robert Edwards

Publisher: Stackpole Casemate

ISBN: 978-0-8117-1311-5

Hardcover

Year: 2013

Pages:

Photo’s: 500+ b/w

Robert Edwards has produced a broad-ranging synopsis of the German reconnaissance force of the Second World War. Knowledge, as any one will confirm, is power and the faster that it can be attained the more effectively it may be used to disrupt or undermine the plans of the enemy.  The German Army recognized the critical importance of this and placed special emphasis on the development of equipment and training to facilitate this area of expertise.

Scout’s Out starts with a history of the German Recce forces and their re-establishment during the interwar period. The reader is not only introduced to the methodology surrounding the doctrinal development of this element but also the iterations that the recce unit structure underwent as it developed. This is important because it shows how the Germans adapted their forces to meet not only the changing nature of their operational environment but also to accommodate the lessons learned as the war progressed.

The author spends a significant amount of the book discussing the equipment that the soldiers used to undertake their tasks. Again, one sees the significant amount of innovation and adaptability that the German forces used to increase their effectiveness. Certainly, the reader is left with a very high impression of the quality of German equipment. Included are colour templates of the different recce vehicles use throughout the war.

The book also discusses at length the operational history of the various Recce Units of the German Armoured Forces. As a reference and synopsis this is very useful. The book represents an excellent history and reference for these forces. The author is himself a retired Armoured Officer and brings a critical and knowledgeable eye to the subject.

This book represents an overview of these forces. It is not a combat history of any one unit but a comprehensive guide to the development, equipment tables, structure and rogue’s gallery of the units that undertook this vital task. Recce has always been a more independent arm of any armoured force with a fierce pride and professionalism. Edwards brings this out in his work. Replete with hundreds of photographs, a very high level of quality in the publication of the book, a clear and concise analysis of all aspects of the recce specialty; Edwards’ book is well worth the money and time to read and enjoy.

Counterinsurgency - David Kilcullen

Title: Counterinsurgency

Author: David Kilcullen

ISBN: 978-0-199-73749-9

Publisher: Oxford UP

Year: 2010

Softcover

Pages: 251

Photos/maps: 7/1

Those of you actively involved in counterinsurgency operations are most likely to have heard about David Kilcullen. Both an experienced operator (infantry in East Timor, Indonesia as well as tours in Iraq and Afghanistan) as well as a renowned student of the insurgent/terrorism ‘art’ he has, in this book, put together a practical and common sense approach to tackling the challenges of insurgency and terrorism (he clearly delineates between the two) in different environments.  The book is a compilation of articles and concept papers that he has drafted based on firsthand experience, immediate debriefs with those involved in conflict, follow-on interviews with combatants from both sides as well as a deep engagement with local civilians.

His first chapter covers the 28 articles or ‘rules of thumb’ that a counterinsurgent must remember to maintain effectiveness. Based, very  loosely, as a companion piece to the original 27 articles of TE Lawrence (of WW1 Arabic uprising fame), it is updated and adjusted to reflect the realities of the modern counterinsurgent battle space. Each article is also preceded by an explanatory introduction that sets the stage for the focus of the article and provides for the reader the context within which to approach it. His points are succinct and eminently relevant and logical.

His next chapter discusses the value and merit of metrics. He acknowledges the critical requirement of being able to measure success (or failure); however, he posits that the traditional methods of measurement are not relevant or accurate to the asymmetric conflicts that we are engaged in. For example, the traditional body counts or military accessibility levels into regions do not provide for accurate measurements of enemy capability. Rather, he suggests that a series of non-traditional metrics based upon the four ‘pillars’ of counterinsurgency (the population, the supported government, the security forces and the enemy forces) should be adopted. Examples that he provides are not exhaustive but do adjust the paradigm of the reader into a more correct avenue. Things such as: price of exotic vegetables, tax collection or participation in sponsored programs can act as indicators for population stability, Government Indicators: where officials sleep, capital flight, rate of budget execution; Security Forces: ratio of guilty to innocent detainees, ratio of kills to wounds/captures, night operations and, finally, Enemy Forces: Insurgents villages of origin, insurgent medical health, price of black market guns and ammunition and midlevel insurgent casualties.

In the following chapters he discusses the success of the Indonesian forces in suppressing the West Java insurgents in the late 1950’s and how the tactics used so successfully there were a failure when it came to East Timor (and why). This chapter is extremely interesting as it reinforces the importance of appreciating how there is no standard solution to an insurgency that can be applied universally. Changes in motivation, geography and technology (to name a few) can have profound effects upon the methodology best suited to countering it. The Indonesian example is particularly relevant when viewed from the perspective of the impact of world opinion on the activities of Indonesian security forces in East Temor mirroring the of ‘media’ and communication technology as a factor (both positive and negative) on operations.

He next discusses the environment within which insurgencies are able to flourish. He postulates that identifying regions as being pro-government or pro-insurgent is missing the fundamental truth that populations seek security, predictability and stability and they will follow whatever group or organization that can guarantee it locally. This is one of the main reasons for the frustrating tendency in Afghanistan for locals to ‘switch’ from government to Taliban and back. It is not loyalty; it is pragmatism that is their driving force. Thus it is that concurrent to an armed challenge of an insurgency, it is imperative that issues of poor governance, corruption and mismanagement amongst the governing body be addressed aggressively.

He concludes with an examination of the modern phenomenon of the global insurgency, its make-up, methods of operation, strengths and weaknesses.  Starting with an assessment of the differences between ’terrorism’ (seen today as synonymous with any act of violence against the government) and ‘insurgency’ he clearly delineates not only the difference between  two, but also, the forces behind them and the paradigm shift needed to address them effectively. He concludes with a discussion on the critical weaknesses of the global jihadist style movements and how best to exploit these weakness in the ‘competition for government’.

Kilcullen has a great wealth of experience to draw upon when contemplating these issues. There are those who would make the argument that much of what he writes is common sense and not new revelations. That may be; however, it is also true that while many of the successful techniques used against jihadist movements have been used in the past, it took much blood and treasure to begin applying the lessons of yesteryear. The shift in paradigm and approach to the modern global jihadist with its access to instantaneous communications requires not only a reinforcement of our previously learned but forgotten lessons, but  further enhancement to meet the unique challenges of today’s modern insurgent. Kilcullen’s book is an excellent place to further enhance that education.

The Sky Their Battlefield II - Trevor Henshaw

Original written by Chris Buckham. Published in the Journal of the RCAF.

Title: The Sky Their Battlefield II

Author: Trevor Henshaw

ISBN: 978-0-9929771-1-5

Publisher: Fetubi Books

Softcover

Pages: 406

Photos: 289

Historians undertake two main roles in the course of their studies, one is to gather first hand recollections, information and statistics and secondly, to take that information and interpret and recount it for future audiences. Henshaw has produced a reference work of enormous breadth and depth, cataloguing the losses, on all fronts, of the British Commonwealth airforces from 1912 until 1919, as well as United States casualties from 1916 onwards. 

The book is structured in a very logical way with an easy to follow layout, ensuring the reader can access whatever aspect of information that they are seeking quickly and efficiently. Commencing with a guide on how to follow the nomenclature of the book, he has incorporated in excess of 16,800 casualty (wounded, missing and killed) write-ups into the body of the book broken out by year, region and accident or combat. He has also referenced thousands of German records in order to confirm Allied losses.

Interspaced within the text is an ongoing narrative of significant events that add dimension to his work. It is very easy to view these losses in a very two dimensional way, especially given the common structure of presentation; however, Hernshaw has provided hundreds of photographs that clearly present the grim results of many an airman's dream. His interjections highlight interesting events within the chronological layout of the text; thus he identifies, as examples, new aircraft introductions , air lessons learned during the Ypres battles, Hindenburg line preparations, and a myriad of other information relating to the development, execution and challenges of aircraft design and combat. The central theme however, of recognition and identification of the fate of aircrews, remains the central focus throughout.

Added to this publication is an Accident Addendum that outlines the fates of the 4,530 aircrew that were injured or killed in circumstances not directly related to enemy action. This is both very appropriate and informative as history tends to forget about those whose sacrifices resulted from old airframes, limited experience, poor air doctrine and a host of other 'behind the lines' reasons. Henshaw also incorporates those 'other rank' members who were lost but there is no known cause; their sacrifice is no less telling or significant. 

Another aspect of this work that lends weight and credence to it as an outstanding source for future historians is the analysis undertaken by the author of the information that he has gleaned from the official records. This represents the second phase of historical relevance: statistics are only as worthwhile as the interpretation of what they tell you. His evaluation and presentation in table form of the operational cause factors (ie bombing, strafing, reconnaissance etc) of loss is a goldmine of information in and of itself. His appendices include such components as: Western Front Losses 1914-1918 by Aircraft Type, Nature of Operations, Cost of Aircraft and Engines, AIR1 Casualties from Kew, RFC and RAF Roles of Honour and Analyses of Losses throughout the war from 1912-1919. Each of these is presented as useable raw data with emphasis placed upon key aspects and markers such as casualty rates by aircraft type. 

The amount of time and effort associated with researching and cataloguing the information within this book is staggering. The scope and depth of the analysis and the discussion of what the statistics amount to is second to none. Henshaw has provided for the reading public and the future historian, a treasure trove of information and a testament to the sacrifice of the personnel of the Royal Flying Corps, the Royal Air Force, Royal Naval Air Service, the Commonwealth air services and the nascent United States Airforce. One only begins to appreciate the vastness of the operations and the geographic scope of the undertaking when it is laid out for you in a format such as this. Henshaw is to be commended for producing a book of such richness and gravity.

Death of the Leaping Horseman - Jason Mark

The following review was written by Chris Buckham but has been published by War History Online Magazine. The e-mail for the editor is mark@warhistoryonline.com The website for the magazine is www.warhistoryonline.com.

 

Title: Death of the Leaping Horseman

Author: Jason Mark

ISBN: 978-0811714044

Publishers: Stackpole Books

Hardcover

Pages: 560

Photos/Maps: 100’s b/w//100’s 

The surrender of the German 6th Army following the battle of Stalingrad marked not only the end of the myth of German invincibility but also the demise of many noteworthy units of the German Army. This book is the story of the last six months of the storied 24th Panzer Division whose emblem, the leaping horseman, was representative of its roots as the 1^st Kavallerie Division. Written at the tactical level with forays into the operational for context, it traces day by day the advance of the 24th across the arid southern steppe of the Soviet Union during the summer of 1942 (Operation Blau) and culminates with the vicious fighting in the fall and early winter in the streets of Stalingrad.  

There are a number lessons that may be drawn from the German experience in Russia, encapsulated in the successes and lost opportunities of the 24th. Mark's provision of daily statistics of soldiers and officers killed and wounded as well as panzers available, booty collected and destroyed and the parade states of the Divisional sub-units shed a great deal of light upon the fortunes of the Germans. A very cursory analysis reveals the following: 

            A. The Germans were not able to make good their personnel losses as the campaign progressed and were forced into using rear echelon troops in combat roles. As an example the ration of strength of Panzer-Grenadier Regt 21 was normally 33 officers and 1342 soldiers, by 31 October it stood at 16 officers and 401 soldiers; 

            B. As the fighting intensified within the city of Stalingrad, panzers were more often being employed piecemeal in inappropriate street-fighting environs than in their traditional armoured punch role. This would suggest that the nature of the fighting was becoming more attritional which was completely contrary to the operational doctrine of the Germans; 

            C. The continued success of the Germans despite these handicaps would serve to reinforce the reputation of the depth of leadership well into the NCO levels; and 

            D. The inability of the Germans to exploit opportunities and to maintain momentum was due to a great extent, to continued failures in the logistical system to provide spares, sufficient ammunition and, above all, fuel in a timely manner . 

Mark has built a reputation for high quality writing and production in his books and this is no exception; copious maps detailing daily movements of the unit, extensive photographs providing visual accounts of written testimonies and a tight writing style that ensures the reader a clear appreciation of the Unit's efforts and challenges are provided throughout. There are some minor observations that I would make such as an overall photographic map of Stalingrad, scales for the individual maps and photographs of the conditions within the Krasny Oktyabr Steel factory would have assisted to better conceptualize the fighting for the reader. 

The author closes his work with a series of appendices that include: biographies of all of the officers of the 24th, a listing of all recipients of the Iron Cross decoration and above, a fascinating account of Panzer IV long-barrel '434's destruction of 11 Russian tanks in close quarter combat (complete with numerous photographs), an in-depth bibliography and a comprehensive listing of the commanders within the panzer division by unit; the appendices are a notable achievement in and of themselves. 

The quality of this book as a reference and a history is simply outstanding. Drawing upon interviews with survivors, firsthand written accounts, an in depth knowledge of the fighting and surviving operational records, Mark has created not just an operational/tactical history of the unit but a testament and a eulogy to the officers and soldiers, lost to history, who served, fought and died for each other and the honour of their Division. I highly recommend this book for anyone wishing to better appreciate the nature and conditions of the war in Russia and, more specifically, within Stalingrad.

At What Cost Sovereignty? - Dr Eric Lehre

This review was written by Chris Buckham and is published in the Canadian Naval review. Editor of the journal is Dr Ann Griffiths (Ann.Griffiths@Dal.Ca ). The website for the journal is: http://www.navalreview.ca/wpcontent/uploads/public/vol10num2/vol10num2book.pdf

 

Title: At What Cost Sovereignty?

Author: Dr Eric Lehre

ISBN: 978-1-896-44072-9

Publisher: Ctr/Foreign Policy Studies

Softcover

Pages: 405

 

Nation-states throughout history have made concerted efforts to define themselves in specific terms in order to ensure that they retain both a unique place within the international community and a common baseline within their nations from which to develop their culture. These efforts manifest themselves in many ways; military independence being one of them. However, as the cost of maintaining a military capable of standalone international operations has spun beyond the financial affordability for many states, coalitions and alliance-based operations and development have become the norm. With this evolution, the line between national independence and reliance has become progressively less clear.

Dr. Lerhe addresses this perception in his work looking at whether the advent of interoperability with the United States has or has not undermined Canada’s military and, by extension, national independence. The sensitivity most Canadians hold in this regard given Canada’s respective size and geographic location compared with the United States, makes this is a very relevant and timely topic of study.

There are several themes that permeate Lerhe’s work such as the traditional underlying suspicion of the military held by the Canadian media, intelligentsia and some Canadians, suspicion of the military’s relations with the government and civil society, and a willingness to perceive any action by the government as capitulating to diplomatic pressures from the United States. In this book, Lerhe examines a difficult subject because the discussion among Canadians on this topic is fraught with emotion and he challenges their perceptions with the facts as presented.

Lerhe commences his study with a look at a cross section of existing literature on what defines sovereignty (in itself a challenge). He then develops a matrix by which examples may be evaluated for their impact first upon internal and external levels of sovereignty and second by their impact within those two criteria. His method of evaluation, as much as possible, removes subjectivity from the equation and better allows for a factual, unbiased determination. Following an explanation of what the issue is and how he will approach it, he provides a comprehensive historical analysis of Canada’s military and governmental approach to interoperability from the turn of the 19 century to modern times. He then reviews the major works on the issues with a view towards establishing the breadth of academic, governmental and military opinion on the subject. In order to determine which (if any) of these views is correct he then evaluates a series of recent controversial issues surrounding the war in Afghanistan including: Canadian detainee policy; Canada’s decision relating to Operation Iraqi Freedom ; rejection from ISAF 2001-2002; Task Force 151; and Canada’s response to 9/11.

 

In each case, Lerhe presents the background to the subject, how it affected Canadian decision-making and how the issue was perceived in the Canadian media and intelligentsia. Once this baseline has been established, Lerhe undertakes a detailed analysis of senior Canadian government and military decision-making, and the expectations and actions of US senior governmental leadership and diplomatic staff. He also examines what was made available to the media and public at the time, and the international conventions (i.e., the Geneva Convention) against which the decision-making was taken. Finally, he reviews the understanding and comprehension of these issues by contemporary academia and the media in their analysis and presentation of the subjects. He utilizes extensive interviewing of the key players involved, detailed review of previously classified diplomatic communiqués from all parties, and legal analysis of what Canada’s international obligations entail. And finally, he examines these findings against the control measures that he defined earlier in his book to determine the impact on sovereignty (both internal and external). Lerhe’s work is balanced and fair. He makes a concerted effort to acknowledge those who hold differing perspectives and, rather than dismissing them out of hand, he incorporates their opinions with a view to upholding or disproving them. I found his analysis to be comprehensive and based in fact drawn from first-hand sources. Where he must draw conclusion from conflicting perceptions he readily acknowledges this and does his utmost to retain his impartiality.

 

At What Cost Sovereignty is a fascinating read and a laudable study into the challenges that not only interoperability presents but also how preconceived notions, biases and perceptions of media and academia can affect opinion and policy. It is a very readable and engaging book and one that media, historians, government policy-makers and senior military personnel should study.

Barbarossa Through Soviet Eyes: The First 24 Hours - Artem Drabkin, Alexei Isaev

Title: Barbarossa Through Soviet Eyes: The First 24 Hours                                      

Author: Artem Drabkin, Alexei Isaev
ISBN: 978-1-84415-923-9
Publisher: Pen and Sword
Hardcover
Pages: 186
Photographs//maps: 129 b/w//3                                                         

22 June, 1941 is easily a day as important in the history of the Russian/Soviet peoples as Pearl Harbour is to the United States. Their societies were shocked, in disbelief, angry, resentful and in many cases pleased that the Germans had invaded.  What is oftentimes missing is a record of the reaction, the human face if you will, of the Soviet people as the German juggernaut swept over them. This is due to many things but mainly because of the closed and controlled nature of the Soviet Union post World War 2 and its reluctance to reveal anything that may be perceived as weakness. Thus a majority of the Eastern Front histories have been written and interpreted from a German perspective. This book represents an effort to rectify that imbalance and to add the voice of the Soviet soldier and civilian to the discussion.

Books originally in Russian sometimes lose a portion of their focus in translation and also are often in a style quite unique from traditional English writings; Drabkin’s book is no exception to this. The narrative is good but at times appears to flow off in directions that cause the reader to pause. Additionally, there are a significant number of instances where the author neglects to explain his point or perspective in adequate detail thus leaving the reader to wonder what was the intent.

Having said this however; there is much to compliment this book. Drabkin identifies early on that he initiated the book as a repository of the recollections of the generation that fought in the Great Patriotic War and he draws a great deal from the website ‘iremember.ru’ which he created as a central spot for veterans to have their stories preserved. While the book is quite short relative to the subject, he does give adequate balance to all of the elements, the rear echelon and the home front, in outlining experiences and recollections. He also spends a good deal of time on those aspects of the invasion that have received little to no coverage in contemporary history, specifically the actions of the Soviet navy in the Baltic and Black Sea.

Drabkin’s subjects range in age and responsibility (from, for example, children in the smallest villages far from the front to those with access to the inner sanctum of Stalin’s office) and it is very interesting to view the different perspectives and perceptions of that day. One is struck by the reliance people had on government radio and local newspapers for information, the confusion of the initial commands regarding response postures, the striking lack of initiative on the part of a significant number of commanders, and, in contrast, the bravery shown many who did assume the risk of independent response. It is also fascinating both the degree of shock and surprise felt by the Soviet people at being attacked by the Germans and the number of instances where Soviet soldiers were spontaneously attacked or impeded by Ukrainian, Polish, Baltic and other occupied peoples as they struggled to organize a response.

The book is a relatively quick read and, while it provides a strategic and operational context within which the recollections occur, there are better histories of Operation Barbarossa available for those seeking this information. Where it becomes much more worthwhile is the human face that it puts on the Soviet side of the conflict. Pen and Sword have published, as per, a quality book and the sources provided are a good lead for those looking at the Soviet side of the war.

Organisation Todt: From Autobahns to the Atlantic Wall - John Christopher

Title: Organisation Todt: From Autobahns to the Atlantic Wall

Author: John Christopher
ISBN: 978-1-4456-3856-0
Publisher: Amberley
Softcover
Pages: 255
Photographs/Maps: 71b/w//38 colour//5
Rating: 3.5/5

Christopher has reproduced an edited version of an intelligence report produced in March, 1945 for the benefit of Allied commanders. Organization Todt (OT) was the construction engineering arm of the German Government charged with both the planning and execution of all major construction projects throughout the Reich; at its height it comprised over 1.5 million personnel. It was an extremely effective organization, undertaking, in five years, the largest building program since the Roman Empire. The book is an outstanding reference for this institution but it is very dry in its presentation; nevertheless, a fascinating study of a little known but critical aspect of the Reich.  

The Illustrated History of World War 1 - Andrew Wiest

Title: The Illustrated History of World War 1

Author: Andrew Wiest
ISBN: 978-1-78274-137-4
Publisher: Amber
Hardcover
Pages: 256
Photographs/maps: 100’s
Rating 4/5
 
There are many publications about WW1 in this centenary year of its commencement. This book is a high quality publication that provides the reader with an excellent synopsis of the war in pictures and maps broken down by year. He incorporates all of the fronts, both air and sea actions as well as short biographies of all of the major political and military figures. The information presented is not new but many of the photographs I have not seen before. I enjoyed the layout, style and presentation immensely; a good book to pick up and put down at your leisure and worth the investment.

Legions of Rome - Stephen Dando-Collins

 Title: Legions of Rome

Author: Stephen Dando-Collins
ISBN: 978-1-84916-230-2
Hardcover
Pages: 608
Illustrations: 24 colour/numerous B/W, 13 maps
Publisher: Quercus Publishing

The Roman Empire lasted for one thousand years as a Republic and a Dictatorship. During that time the Army of Rome enforced both the will and law of Rome to the four corners of the Empire. The Legions were the hammer of the Senate and Emperor and they had a huge influence not only on external enemies but also on the government and leadership of the Empire. Over the course of the Empire’s existence, the Legions changed in terms of structure, equipment, training and numbers. Author Dando-Collins has put together a comprehensive guide and overview to the Legions: the men, their structure and the battles that shaped their development and the Empire.

Commencing with a look at the men who made up the Legions, he undertakes a substantive explanation of all aspects of the individual soldiers training, command structure, discipline, diet, musicians, weapons, equipment and recognition system. The degree of administrative sophistication that the army achieved was notable and was as much a source of its success as was its operational and tactical development. A Legionary could move between multiple Legions throughout his career and, regardless of where the Legion was raised or employed, would be able to instantly be familiar with the routine. The author has broken down the organization by subject and provides very manageable explanations relating to each of the subsets. This makes for a very clear understanding of the Roman administration system. Thus, for example, we are provided a with a detailed account of the recognition program of the Legions including what (in order of precedence) would be awarded, the criteria that needed to be met, the oversight and methodology by which awards were vetted and the benefits that were granted along with the award.

Following this, a section devoted to the structure and operational doctrine of the Legions themselves was presented. The method of numerical designation, organization, command and control, battle doctrine, origin of Legionary Emblems, march and camp discipline. What I particularly enjoyed about this section was the detailed history of each individual Legion outlining its creation, regions of employment, significant positive and negative events in the history of the Legion and notable commanders. The reader begins to truly appreciate the complexity and longevity of the Roman army and its subcomponents. Additionally, Dando-Collins outlines the method by which the Roman machine was controlled from the center through “The Palatium”. One does not often hear about this administrative structure which was the interface between the Senate and Emperor and the employment of the Legions themselves. Another area that the author expands upon is the way in which the Romans maintained a strategic reserve of trained soldiers through the Evocati system which represented a pool of retired legionaries which could be recalled to duty in times of emergency.

The author rounds out his study of the Legions with a comprehensive summary of significant engagements involving the army commencing in 29 BC and running through to the fall of Rome in 410 AD. Closing out this study is an evaluation/discussion of the cause of the decline in the lethality of the Legions as fighting units and, with this decline, the gradual diminishment of the Empire itself. What is extremely interesting throughout this period is the degree to which the Roman Legions were willing to fight each other as readily as external enemies of the Empire. Not only does this speak to the command relationships within the Army and Empire, but it also draws attention to the self-imposed drain on manpower due to injury and death from these engagements. Conversely, it also sheds light on the depth and resiliency of the Legion system; very few Empires could afford the bleeding that Roman soldiers and generals imposed upon themselves.

This book is of outstanding quality and is excellent as an introduction for those trying to understand the Legions and their role within the Empire. Dando-Collins provides a comprehensive bibliography for additional investigation that the reader may wish to undertake. I recommend this book for both its relevance as an overview and its readability.      

               

 

United States vs German Equipment 1945 - Uwe Feist

The information presented was written by Chris Buckham; however, it was published in Soldier Magazine. Therefore, the material is reproduced here by the author with the permission of the magazine. If you would like to republish this information or refer to excerpts please contact the Assistant Editor Soldier Magazine (rclark@soldiermagazine.co.uk). Website for the Magazine is: http://www.army.mod.uk/soldier-magazine/soldier-magazine.aspx

Title: United States vs German Equipment 1945

Author: Uwe Feist
ISBN: 978-0-8117-1314-6
Hardcover
Pages: 312
Publisher: Stackpole Books
Photo's: multiple b/w and colour
Rating: 4.5/5

 

Following awareness of ongoing complaints from US soldiers regarding the quality of their equipment when compared with that of the Germans, Gen Eisenhower ordered that a comprehensive investigation of said claims be made and the results reported back to him. This book is a verbatim reproduction of that report from March,1945. Replete with numerous accompanying photos, it covers everything from tank vs panzer to shelter halves, rations, personnel weapons and helmets. This is an excellent source document for both the casual and professional historian who is interested whether or not the Germans had consistently better equipment in terms of quality, but were beaten by quantity. I particularly enjoyed this high quality publication.

The Encyclopedia of Warfare - Multiple Authors, Foreword by Dennis Showalter

The information presented was written by Chris Buckham; however, it was published in Soldier Magazine. Therefore, the material is reproduced here by the author with the permission of the magazine. If you would like to republish this information or refer to excerpts please contact the Assistant Editor Soldier Magazine (rclark@soldiermagazine.co.uk). Website for the Magazine is: http://www.army.mod.uk/soldier-magazine/soldier-magazine.aspx

Title: The Encyclopedia of Warfare

Author: Multiple Authors, Foreword by Dennis Showalter

ISBN: 978-1-78274-023-0

Hardcover

Pages: 1024

Publisher: Amber Books

Photos: 100’s maps

Rating: 4/5

 

As a reference guide to international conflict, this book has few equals. Drawing upon the collective knowledge of multiple historians, it summarizes over five thousand different battles ranging from the earliest recorded fights of the ancient world up to engagements in Iraq and Afghanistan. The book is written in chronological order by period with each subsection broken out by consecutive year. This makes for very easy reading and research. Additionally, for the more significant engagements, coloured maps are included. Each battle may be taken in context with others or read in isolation with equal effect; an excellent reference text encompassing a daunting period.