Battle Leadership - Captain Adolf Von Schell

Title: Battle Leadership

Author: Captain Adolf Von Schell

ISBN: 978-1-62654-965-4

Softcover

Pages: 95

Publisher: Echo Point Books

Photos: 3 maps

Von Schell's work is a fascinating treatise on leadership under combat conditions. A veteran of the First World War, he fought throughout the conflict on all of the fronts from 1914 until the Armistice in 1918. Following the war he was retained in the German military and attended the Fort Benning Infantry School course, graduating in the Advanced Class of 1930-31. During his time there he was asked to provide his insights into the leader in a combat environment as the level of experience within the US Army was relatively small at the time. What resulted was an insightful series of short papers on varying facets of the impact of the combat environment on both the leader and the soldier.

He emphasizes throughout the fundamental differences between a peacetime training environment and the actual realities of combat. Thus, he stresses the absolute critical need for as much realism as possible when training. He also discusses the limitations that fighting places on one's ability to communicate and direct. Specifically, he talks about the need for the leader to both make and to seen to make decisions that meet the demands of the commanders intent - decentralized command.

He does not limit his scope to the leader, he also discusses the needs and challenges for the soldiers themselves. One of the areas that he places great deal of attention upon is the need to ensure that new soldiers are liberally intermixed with older veterans to both teach and steady them. Additionally, he discusses the critical need for soldiers to have faith in their chain of command thereby ensuring trust when things are at their most confusing.

While the book is short and obviously a product technologically of its period, the tenants presented by this combat leader are universal and timeless and more than worthy of study and reflection. Von Schell closes his lectures with an interesting discussion of the role of the German Army following the end of the war; its own challenges and rebirth, how it strove to meet the demands of the Versailles Treaty while concurrently being called upon by the German government to deal with the civil disturbances that convulsed the Nation and external invasions from Poland. The fact that it was able to successfully deal with these problems serves as both vindication and testament to the training and professionalism of its leadership. A fast and engaging read and very highly recommended for aspiring leaders at all levels of military and civilian command and management.

The Defence of Moscow 1941: The Northern Flank - Jack Radey and Charles Sharp

The information presented was written by Chris Buckham; however, it was published in Sabretache Journal. Therefore, the material is reproduced here by the author with the permission of the Journal. If you would like to republish this information or refer to excerpts please contact: Paul.Skrebels@unisa.edu.au  Website for the Journal is: http://www.mhsa.org.au/journal.html

 

Title: The Defence of Moscow 1941: The Northern Flank

Author: Jack Radey and Charles Sharp

Publisher: Pen ad Sword

ISBN: 978-1-78159-070-6

Pages: 278

Photographs: 20 b/w, 10 maps
​
 

The Battle of Kalinin has never received the degree of attention from history that it deserves. Serving as the first reverse of the Wehrmacht by the forces of the Soviet Union, it has traditionally been subsumed by the larger Battle for Moscow itself; from a strategic perspective, it represented a critical reversal to ultimate German success. Had the Wehrmacht succeeded in their plans to launch a pincer movement between Army Group North and Centre forces (thereby trapping six Soviet armies and the Novgorod Operational Group - a force numbering larger than the 600,000 taken at Vyazma) they would have succeeded in rendering an irrecoverable hole in the Soviet lines. As it was, German overestimation of their own capabilities and a gross underestimation of the state of the Russian forces facing them, a desperate and driven defence by scratch Soviet forces thrown into the fray, the weather and perhaps most significantly, a failure of the German logistical system all combined to undermine the German plans. 

 

The KTB (kriegstagebuch - daily combat report) of the 3rd Panzer Group clearly indicates that the German's had not planned or stockpiled fuel for operations past Vyazma. This is key to understanding why the Germans failed. All of the other aspects/influences upon the battle, while individually significant, would not have prevented the Germans from succeeding. The fundamental key to German success up to this point was decentralized control and speed. The ability to undermine Russian command and control and continuously stay ahead of their ability to effectively react was the cornerstone of German dominance. Once the Germans had outrun their logistical support lines, they enabled the Soviets time to consolidate forces and to mount an effective defence. Having said that, the authors acknowledge that all intelligence indicators for the Germans at this time seemed to point to a fundamental collapse in Russian defensive capability; this would explain why it was that they were willing to continue to extend their lines of advance despite a clearly recognized identified logistical risk.  

 

The authors have done an admirable job of tracing the battle as it unfolded over the period 7 to 25 October. Emphasis and perspective is given equally to both parties as the Russians and Germans grappled with the rapidly changing situation. It is fascinating to witness the degree of confusion emanating from HQ’s as intelligence analysts and commanders struggled to stay ahead of the unfolding tactical situation. The difference in the doctrinal nature of German decentralized and Soviet centralized command concepts manifested themselves in the ability of the Germans to continue to advance in spite of crippling logistical shortages and the Soviets throwing Brigades into battle with no operational picture whatsoever. 

 

The authors have provided extensive end notes and detailed orders of battle outlining all of the units engaged in operations during the Battle of Kalinin. Additionally, both Soviet and German orders and reports relating to the operation are reproduced verbatim with individual evaluation by the authors. It is very enlightening and sobering to read about individual German soldiers holding signs on the sides of the road asking for a trade: 10 litres of spirits for 1 loaf of bread (and this when they were still advancing). 

This book reads extremely well and is a very noteworthy evaluation of a little known aspect of the drive on and the defence of Moscow. It also represents a fitting testament to the competency of the individual fighting soldier at the tactical level on both sides. It is also an extremely interesting study on the critical role that logistics plays in defining the line between success and failure. A great book, very highly recommended.

Into Oblivion - Jason D Mark

The information presented was written by Chris Buckham; however, it was published in The Canadian Army Journal. Therefore, the material is reproduced here by the author with the permission of the journal. If you would like to republish this information or refer to excerpts please contact the Editor Canadian Army Journal (ANDREW.GODEFROY@forces.gc.ca). Website for the Journal is: http://www.army.forces.gc.ca/caj/default-eng.asp?view=more

 

Title: Into Oblivion: Kharkov to Stalingrad: The Story of Pionier-Bataillon 305

Author: Jason D. Mark
Publisher: Leaping Horseman Books
ISBN: 978-0-9922749-0-0
Pages: 611
Photographs: 334 b/w, 50 maps

The art of creating engaging history is a rare gift. It requires the author to present the material of the past in such a way as to capture the imagination and interest of a reader with little to no connection with the period in question. Jason Mark has once again risen to the challenge and surpassed the mark with his book ‘Into Oblivion’.

 

This unit, Pionier-Battalion (P-B) 305, part of the 305^th “Bodensee” Infantry Division, was not exceptional, it was not elite nor was it key to a particular victory. It was made up of soldiers that were serving occupation duty in France when transferred to the Eastern Front in 1942. Like any unit, it had stronger and weaker members, the vast majority being average (although I would submit that any soldier engaged in fighting in WW2 was anything but average).

Mark has seamlessly interwoven a tactical, very personal story of the 305^th P-B within an operational and strategic context; thus the reader is much better able to conceptualize what is being experienced by the soldiers. This ‘living history’ stems from many first hand sources but, primarily, the personal notes and photographs of Oberleutnant Grimm a veteran of the 305^th P-B and survivor of not just the war, but heavy combat during the Battle of Stalingrad (he was furloughed on 14 Nov and could not rejoin his unit afterward) and the remainder of the war.  

The maps and photographs correspond closely to the narrative and provide in-depth visual references for the reader. One begins to appreciate the excessive toll that the eastern front took on soldiers, horses and equipment as, for example, marching 12 km’s took eight hours in the clinging mud. Additionally, the description of the effort required by the pioniers to destroy a single T-34 (before the advent of the panzerfaust) is terrifying; reinforcing the accomplishment relating to the award of the Tank Destruction Badge. 

Mark augments his narrative with numerous foot and end notes that add depth and dimension to the story. Additionally, he includes, as appendices, listings of individual biographies of the officers of the battalion, staffing rosters and iron crosses awarded and an in-depth bibliography. He also closes off the history of the Battalion with detailed descriptions of the post-Stalingrad experiences of the survivors (of which there were six from the Battalion); it is both sobering and sad.  

What is also fascinating about the nature of this narrative is the insight it provides into the German tactical and operational doctrine. How units interacted between themselves, degrees of interoperability between the Luftwaffe (Air Force) and the Army, the expectation/training for tactical command and the relationship between the officers and senior NCO’s is all discussed through the lens of the correspondence of the soldiers themselves as well as through unit histories and battle reports. Also, the reader comes to appreciate the changes in Russian tactics in 1942 and the challenges that it presented the German High Command as they strove to develop plans to counter the Russian retreats and the soldiers as they exhausted themselves (and their logistics) trying to keep in contact. 

This book is a thought provoking and humbling expose on the experiences of war from the very 'coalface' of conflict. The author has presented his subject as they would have wanted it; in their own words without embellishment. He has framed their experiences into the greater canvas of the war in 1942 in southern Russia, leading up to and including the conflagration that was Stalingrad. For the historian, professional or casual, this book is a vital addition to anyone’s library. 

 

 

In the Mind's Eye: The Blinded Veteran's of St Dunstan's - David Castelton

Title: In the Mind's Eye: The Blinded Veteran's of St Dunstan's

Author: David Castelton

ISBN: 978-1-78159-347-9

Hardcover

Pages: 175

Publisher: Pen and Sword

Photo's: 30 b/w

 

The tragedy of war manifests itself in many ways but one of the most devastating and isolating for the soldier has to be the loss of sight; for many the primary interaction with the world around them. David Castelton has written a gripping account of how the right man in the right place resulted in a profound paradigm shift for both the victim soldiers and the society around them regarding the very nature of blindness and its limitations. The story of Arthur Pearson (himself blind) and his success at creating a rehabilitation program for victims of war blindness is a testament to the quality and vision of the man; and his legacy continues today as the Blind Veteran's UK charity. Well written and researched and worthy of a read.

 

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

The War of the Three Gods - Peter Crawford

Title: The War of the Three Gods 

Author: Peter Crawford

ISBN: 978-1-84884-618-0

Hardcover

Pages: 256

Publisher: Pen and Sword

Photos: 25 // 44 maps

 

Peter Crawford has produced an outstanding work looking at a subject that has not been investigated in a great deal of depth, namely the impact of the ongoing conflict between the empires of Eastern Rome and Persia. Specifically, how the fighting weakened both to the point where the forces of Islam were able to take full advantage of the power vacuum and rise to dominance. Tracing the intricacies of Eastern warfare and politics from the sixth century to the mid-seventh century, Crawford traces the decline of the traditional powers and the rise of a religiously based successor. Drawing upon a plethora of primary and secondary source material he has crafted an eminently readable and enjoyable book. 
 
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

Imperial General: The Remarkable Career of Petellius Cerialis - Philip Matyszak

The information presented was written by Chris Buckham; however, it was published in Ancient Warfare 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: Dirk van Gorp (editor@medieval-warfare.com).  Website for the Magazine is: www.karwansaraypublishers.com/‎

Title: Imperial General: The Remarkable Career of Petellius Cerialis

Author: Philip Matyszak
ISBN: 978-1-848841-192
Hardcover
Pages: 188
Illustrations: 15 B/W, 3 maps
Publisher: Pen and Sword Publishing

                There are a number of historical figures that are readily recognizable to the modern day reader; Julius Caesar, Cleopatra and Alexander the Great all fall into this category. Petellius Cerialis is not one of them; however, he lived during one of the most unstable and exciting times of the Roman Empire and was in the right place at the right time to play a crucial, albeit understated, role in its eventual successful outcome. Records found from the Roman period in question provide historians with a plethora of information relating to the life and work of Cerialis. It is very unique to have this degree of detail relating to a historical figure and the author, Matyszak, has done an admirable job of bringing the character to life.

                In order to place the narrative in context Matyszak has structured his book in such a way that the reader is able to appreciate the political, societal, historical and economic factors that led up to the events within which Cerialis played such a central role. His ability to highlight and explain key aspects of Roman history and society (for example the emphasis/high regard placed upon the successful military/politician) is central to the accessibility of this book to the population at large. His writing is both clear and direct which makes for an entertaining and engaging read. Matyszak style is also hallmarked by his ability to weave seamlessly between the strategic (ie Roman empire at large) picture with the tactical level. This is particularly beneficial due to the degree of complexity involved with the year 69 AD “The Year of the Four Emperors”. 

He also personalizes the narrative with a dry somewhat cynical wit. An outstanding example of this was his reference to a conversation between the senator Seneca and the Emperor Nero as the latter was descending into isolation and paranoia. In a classic example of understatement Seneca advises Nero: “no matter how many you kill, you can’t kill your successor”. The author salts his book with numerous examples of this style of commentary.

Another worthy achievement of Matyszak’s work is the manner in which he provides ancillary information to the reader that adds depth to the storyline. Thus, when he discusses the engagements between Roman and ‘Barbarians’ he outlines how the Romans ensured local/tactical superiority through their fighting style versus that of the adversary. Due to the German/Celtic style of fighting (primarily utilizing a five foot slashing sword) they required greater individual room for maneuver than the Romans with their stabbing swords (the gladius). Therefore, the Romans were able to maintain a frontage superiority of 5 soldiers to 3. Also, the title Imperial General refers to the change in dynamic between the Roman Generals of the Republic who would strive for personal advancement to Consul of the Senate through military success, and the Generals of the Empire who’s success was focused on gaining Imperial favour.

The complexity of the relationship between the Army and the political arm of the Roman administration and the degree of which the Army had come to see itself as the final arbiter of who would become (and remain) the Emperor is a major theme throughout Matyszak’s book. Cerialis’ challenge and response, as an Imperial General, when faced with disgruntled Rhine Legions in Gaul and the demoralized Legions in Britain is a fascinating study of leadership under adverse conditions. Once Matyszak has painted the ‘big hand/small map’ picture, he is able to focus his attention on the career of Cerialis. His deep involvement in the initial response to the rebellion of Boudica in Britain and in the re-establishment of central command to the Rhine legions were both highlights of Cerialis’ career. Through his focus on Cerialis, the author provides a riveting, in-depth analysis of the tangled relationships that existed between Rome and her Generals.
 

This book is an extremely readable analysis of Rome during a period of instability and internal strife. Matyszak has done a commendable job at unraveling the complexities of this period and highlighting the role of Cerialis in the success and re-establishment of stability within the Empire. Anyone, professional historian, those with a casual interest in Roman Imperial intrigue or those looking for an interesting read will all be satisfied with this book. I certainly was.   

Panzer Warfare on the Eastern Front - Hans Schaufler

Title: Panzer Warfare on the Eastern Front

Author: Hans Schaufler
ISBN: 978-1-781-59005-8
Hardcover
Pages: 341
Publisher: Pen and Sword
Photos: 77 b/w//4 maps

Hans Schaufler has not so much written a book as gathered an anthology of the experiences of his  fellow panzer soldiers into a time capsule of Eastern Front operations. Focussing on five panzer divisions: 4th, 9th, 11th, 16th and the 18th he has made a concerted effort to provide a medium whereby the voice of history may be passed on by those who actually experienced it. One of the interesting and unique aspects of his narrative is the fact that the author really does take a very hands off approach, to the point where there is no introduction or conclusion, nor is there any commentary by him of the inputs of the soldiers and officers who have contributed. His editorial input is limited to ensuring the narrative follows a definite timeline and that the stories make grammatical sense. Additionally, he provides appendices of the order of battle's of the five panzer divisions and a rank equivalency chart.

Not only has the author gathered the narratives, but he is also a contributor himself having served with the 4th Panzer-Division. This style of storytelling provides for the reader a sense of authenticity that is lacking from the traditional historical work. This generation is quickly passing into history themselves and with them, the personal aspect of an experience that may only be passed on by someone who has 'lived' it themselves.

This work is not a study of grand strategic plans, or dramatic operational pincer movements, it does not glorify nor denigrate war and it is not a justification for what occurred during those tumultuous years. What it does do is provide short snippets that relate the reminisces  of a soldier within a squad or a platoon of events that were memorable to him. The stories are exciting, tragic, funny, ridiculous or surreal, but all are honest and genuine. Whether relating the experiences of a young Oberwachmeister finding himself having to fight off wolves from the back of a Russian panje wagon while on patrol in the dead of winter, a Gefreiter telling of a hopeless panzer crew and their disastrous training display in front of the divisional commander or of the Oberstleutnant operations officer of the 16 Panzer Division recreating the daily logs of the unit that were destroyed following its surrender at Stalingrad from memory following 13 years of captivity, these stories resonate with life. When looking at themes that may be found throughout the book, I noted that regardless of the nature of the story been recounted, the underlying loyalty and comradeship between the landser never wavered and was always viewed as a source of strength and courage.

The quality of the book itself is good however, the photo's are of a lower production value. One can certainly see the changes and the consistency in the recollections as the chapters flow from the initial invasion in 1941 through to the disintegration and chaos of the last months of the war. Overall, I would highly recommend this work as a critical testament to the drama, farce and terror faced and overcome by soldiers of any nation but, in this particular case, Germany.