Battle of Britain Voices - Jonathon Reeves

This review has been published in Soldier Magazine

Title: Battle of Britain Voices

Author: Jonathon Reeves

ISBN: 978-1-4456-4264-2

Publisher: Amberley Books

Year: 2015

Hardcover

Pages: 477

Photos: 154

 

Voices is an excellent descriptor for this book as it is a series of vignettes relating the stories of the men who fought as pilots in the Battle of Britain. As the veterans of this war rapidly ‘Go West’, these type of books serve as the repositories of their memories and legacies. This style of book may be read and put down without loss of storyline or place; each chapter is its own unique story. Well edited and presented, it flows well and covers the gambit from training to flying, combat to play and youthful exuberance to thoughtful insight. A window into a vanishing world.

Germany Ascendant: The Eastern Front 1915 - Prit Buttar

This review has been published in Soldier Magazine.

 

Title: Germany Ascendant: The Eastern Front 1915

Author: Prit Buttar

ISBN: 978-1-4728-0795-3

Publisher: Osprey Publishing

Year: 2015

Hardcover

Pages: 448

Photos/maps: 30/20

 

Buttar’s book is a comprehensive study of the horrors of the Eastern Front as the First World War settled into its second year. One is struck by the wanton loss of life, the vast difference in strategic vision and the huge gaps in the quality of training and leadership. Despite some minor editorial issues and maps that could have been of a higher quality given the complexity of the operations, his book reads very well and is a balanced account of the challenges of allied operations, grand strategy and above all else, the valour of the soldiers themselves. His narrative is full of excellent lessons for the commanders of today.

The Indian Army and the End of the Raj - Daniel Marston

This review has been submitted to War History Online Magazine.

Title: The Indian Army and the End of the Raj

Author: Daniel Marston

ISBN: 978-0-521-89975-8

Publisher: Cambridge UP

Year: 2014

Hardcover

Pages: 386

Photographs/maps: 12/5

Intratheatre civil conflict, with its roots in religion, tribalism or ethnic differences, represents some of the most brutal and savage of conflicts. When initiated by political forces seeking advantage over adversaries it quickly transcends control or reason and reveals the most base of human behaviours. The period covered by Marston in his analysis of the Indian Army (IA), 1945-1947, represents a perfect storm of challenge when internal and external pressures exerted upon the Indian Army were such that it should have collapsed; that it didn't is testament to the esprit-des-corps and leadership of the force. Marston's book looks at the pressures exerted upon the IA and how it was able to continue to effectively carry out its duties despite the challenges that it faced.

Commencing with a look at the operations of the IA during the Second World War, the effects of the dramatic expansion from a few hundred thousand to over 2.5 million soldiers by war's end, the struggles with the defeats in Burma, the enhanced professionalism of the IA in the latter years of the War, the effect of the Indian National Army  and the role that the Muslim Brotherhood and National Congress had on the morale and effectiveness of the IA, Marston paints a picture of an army professionalized and tempered in the crucible of conflict. He also presents a comprehensive picture of the domestic environment within the Raj's India as internal communal pressures intensified.

1946 witnessed the beginnings of the period of the trials for the IA as storm clouds gathered over the subcontinent and the Government of the Raj struggled with a British foreign policy that appeared  to be at odds with itself (use of the IA for re-imposition of Colonial rule on behalf of European allies while concurrently initiating and accelerating the process of withdrawal from India). Additionally, the IA was subject to domestic pressure as it rapidly demobilized to a peacetime strength of approximately 450,000, undertook rapid Indianization as British Officers retired or were demobilized,  maintained its role as the "Sword of the Raj" the impartial maintainer of domestic harmony in the face of a rapidly deteriorating internal security situation and dealt with an unclear future for its members as Britain and the Indian domestic leadership struggled to find a way ahead.

Marston's analysis continued into 1947 as a timeline for partition and the establishment of two distinct countries was announced. The IA was further stressed by ongoing political machinations by the rival parties, ongoing Indianization far faster than the British commanders in the Raj's army recommended, the enhanced capability of the insurgents through the involvement of demobilized Indian soldiers in communal violence, the effective collapse of the police and the Civil Service and the announcement of a three month time frame for dividing the army into two distinct entities. Yet, despite all of this, it continued to effectively undertake its tasks assigned by the Raj with a minimum of internal dissent. Marston's approach of drawing upon multiple primary and secondary sources paints a very comprehensive and balanced picture for the reader that further reinforces the stunning accomplishments of the IA given its environment.

A key strength of this work is the authors in depth analysis of why the IA was able to maintain cohesion when faced with literally years of combat and a domestic situation that easily would have broken most militaries. He focuses his assessment primarily on the following areas:

1. The proactive and structured Indianization of the IA during the period leading up to and during the Second World War by the British leadership. This was critical as it provided the Indian leadership of the Army with both the depth and cross section of commanders needed to not only effectively command but also to overcome racial and religious divide. The British and Indians promoted on merit and proven competence and maintained mixed units that had hundreds of years of history. Thus individuals came to see themselves as The Guides or a Rajputana Rifle as opposed to Sikh, Muslim or Hindu.

2. The effect of the war and shared experiences in developing a deep sense of esprit-des-corps, confidence and trust in leadership that transcended communal differences.

3. A conscious effort by the British to keep the IA free from political influence and outside of the decision making infighting that plagued the civilian leadership landscape. It was continuously reinforced that the IA was above politics and that it served the government in power. The ability of the IA to maintain its discipline and professionalism reinforced a sense of not only pride but disdain for the civilians who were undertaking civil disobedience. This was further enhanced as they watched the police and civil service collapse. The IA came to view itself as a bulwark against absolute anarchy and a complete breakdown of civil society (this especially when they witnessed the degree of violence and brutality around them).

4. A decision by the British to further expand the traditional recruiting grounds of the IA in order to ensure a more balanced force that better reflected the cross section of race and class from across India. Thus did the IA promote better understanding and appreciation of India's 'cultures'.

Marston's work is eminently readable and presents a very clear analysis of what strengths the Army of the Raj was able to draw upon to overcome civil  and political disorder. His use of a myriad of primary sources further reinforces his thesis and position. His is not a study of the individual soldier but their reminisces and that of their peers and commanders are the basis upon which the work is built. Any Army, be it Yugoslavian, Soviet, Canadian, Iraqi or Mexican may be faced at some point with having to engage in internal stabilization operations that may very well result in its partition. There are many lessons to be gleaned from the experiences of the Army of the Raj in the closing days of the British mandate. Marston's book is an outstanding work and deserves the closest of review.

Our Last Best Chance - King Abdullah II of Jordan

Title: Our Last Best Chance

Author: King Abdullah II of Jordan

ISBN: 978-0-141-04879-6

Publisher: Penguin

Year: 2012

Softcover

Pages: 346

Photographs/maps: 39 b/w

The Kingdom of Jordan stands as a bastion of stability in a very unstable neighbourhood. That it has been able to maintain internal order and good governance despite poverty, a massive refugee challenge and a region wracked by sectarian and religious violence is a testament to its benign leadership and a moderate and balanced approach by government. The role of the Royal family in Jordan has been instrumental in the maintenance of this stability.

King Abdullah came to the throne unexpectedly upon the death of his father King Hussein in 1999. Since then he has dealt with the second Iraq War and its regional fallout, the Arab Spring, the world economic crisis of the late 2000’s, War in Syria, the ongoing Palestinian/Israeli issue and the challenge of the international perception of Islam with the rise of ISIL. His book is a reflection of his thoughts and vision of how these and other issues are being met, the challenges associated with each both regionally and internationally and what may be done to address them.

His book is a balanced and thoughtful assessment of the root causes of these issues and the role that Jordan and the international community must play in addressing them. He does not shy away from forthright criticism of all parties and the continuing narrow mindedness of the actions of individuals and states. He is particularly critical of the Israeli approach to the issue of the Palestinians; his observations however, are not simply rhetoric and bombast but measured and reflect a position based upon contemplation and experience.

His work provides an excellent insight into the realities of Arab politics: the challenges of tribalism, individuality, religion and economic disparity. His is a world where coups and the threat of political violence is a very strong reality. He outlines his efforts to improve education and the access of all to the benefits of the global economy while recognizing the history and culture of the Arab community. It is a fascinating view of the interface between politics, the integrated role of religion in all aspects of society and the lingering traditions of the Arab people relating to the role of tribes, women and honour.

King Abdullah has a foot in each camp. He brings to his book his insights into the Arab mind tempered with his exposure and understanding of the Western world. His is a benign and moderate leadership whose success is reflected in the stability of Jordan. His book represents the thoughts and contemplation's of an experienced and respected Arabic leader. They are not couched in religious rhetoric but are presented in a very readable and logical fashion. It is evident that he has thought long and deeply on these issues and that he holds very strong opinions and beliefs. This is a book well worth reading and one that, it is hoped, will be followed by further writings on the subsequent events since its publication in 2012.  

Marshall KK Rokossovsky: The Red Army’s Gentleman Commander - Dr Boris Sokolov

This review has been submitted to the Canadian Army Journal

Title: Marshall KK Rokossovsky: The Red Army’s Gentleman Commander

Author: Dr Boris Sokolov

ISBN: 978-1-909982-10-9

Publisher: Helion Publishing

Year: 2015

Hardcover

Pages: 493

Photographs/Maps: 23/11

History is replete with biographies of US, Canadian, British and German Commanders from the Second World War; however, there is a marked lack of in-depth commander studies from the Russian perspective that have not been skewed through the Soviet lens. Marshall Rokossovsky is a case in point. One of the finest Commanders of the Second World War, a Pole who considered himself to be Russian but was never truly trusted or accepted by either, a Bolshevik, victim of Stalin’s purges and a cavalryman who began his military career in 1916, Rokossovsky life and career represented a microcosm of the potential, good and bad of the Soviet Union. A humble yet driven commander he lacked a formal higher education but was an avid student of the martial arts. He was deeply involved throughout the Barbarossa Campaign commencing as a Corps Commander in June, 1941, ending as a Front Commander in 1945 and ended his career as the Chief Inspector of the Soviet Army and Deputy Minister of Defense.

Sokolov is very upfront that he holds Rokossovsky in the highest regard as both an Officer and a man. Alone amongst the Marshall’s he did not resort to threats or intimidation nor did he directly order the execution of any subordinates. He was a driven Commander who held the lives of his soldiers in the highest regard. Nevertheless, the author is balanced in his appraisal of the Marshall and does not hesitate to highlight areas of weakness as well as strength. His assessment of Rokossovsky as a strategist and maneuver warfare specialist clearly identifies that, while competent, he was not a master of his craft; rather his strength lay in his leadership and motivation of his soldiers and officers, the drawing upon their skill sets and his willingness to accept risk and make decisions.

There was not a great deal of source material available for this book left by Rokossovsky, therefore, Sokolov drew upon primary sources in the Russian archives, recollections of former subordinates and colleagues as well as family members and histories. The material reflects the challenges of separating the chaff and wheat in terms of the written recollections of the Soviet era. Typical of this period was a tendency of commanders to modify their reports to place them in a better light. Sokolov has done an excellent job at identifying instances of this and using alternate sources to draw attention to these inconsistencies. He has provided insight into his subject’s strengths and weaknesses through an in depth analysis of the challenges that Rokossovsky faced during his career. Consistent throughout were four themes: his love of family, his struggle with Polish/Russian identity, his loyalty and responsibility to the soldiers under his command and his avoidance of any criticism of Stalin despite his horrible experiences at Stalin’s direction.

Stuart Britton once again has provided an excellent translation from the original Russian and Helion, the publisher, has produced a book of the highest quality. Sokolov deserves high praise for his work and the attention that he has brought to a little known but superb Russian Commander. His writing style is quite different from traditional Western authors as it reverts periodically to an almost spoken text; however this only requires getting used to and does not take away from the quality of the research. He also provides a selected bibliography, unfortunately for the Western reader it primarily refers to Russian sources. A very interesting and engaging read.

Strange Defeat - Marc Bloch

Title: Strange Defeat

Author: Marc Bloch

ISBN: 978-8-087-83083-3

Publisher: Important Books

Year: 2013

Softcover

Pages: 133

Photographs/maps: 0

Between July and August 1940, Captain Marc Bloch, a fuel services officer in the French Army, drafted his testament of the cause of the French defeat at the hands of the German Wehrmacht. Bloch had seen active service in the trenches during the First World War and was a historian/professor during the interwar years. His service in the Second World War was undertaken at both operational and Army level HQ's where he was privy to the workings of the highest level of French Army command. With ample military experience and the eye of a professional historian, he was able to to discern much in the confusion that he witnessed around him.

His book is a poignant and insightful analysis of why the French Army and, by extension, the French Government and people were so thoroughly and soundly beaten when all of the potential existed for French victory. He addresses multiple aspects of the French armed forces and French society for, as he points out, there was no one issue but a combination thereof, that brought the house of cards down. He readily acknowledges that he did not have ready access to the 'behind the scenes' machinations of decision making but he did have a keen eye and a myriad of experience that gives his analysis validity and credibility.

He is both relentless and balanced in his exposure of the flaws that plagued the French leadership and HQ; he spares no level of command, but it is evident that his purpose is not to discredit on a personal level but to reveal on a professional level. His observations cross the spectrum of what today would be called the 'J-Staff'; some of his more telling observations follow:

1. Communication: A lack of common operating picture within the HQ's and a failure to pass information to the levels where it was needed in a timely manner. Also a tendency to hoard information;

2. Administration vs Operations: Administration trumped operational decision making. An emphasis on process as opposed to results. 

3. Hubris: An assumption of superiority and a failure to emphasize continuous learning. A failure to appreciate the changes that technology had brought to the battlefield and a reliance upon the "way it has always been done'.

4. Education: A failure to adapt and to take advantage of the opportunities to adjust and develop doctrine before the conflict started (the Germans used blitzkrieg techniques in Poland but the French ignored the lessons to be learned despite an 8 month gap between Poland and France).

5. Command: An inability of the commanders to adjust to the dynamic environment of modern operations as a result of experience, training and paradigm shortfalls. Bloch quotes a corps commander to Gen Blanchard (commander of the 1st Army): "Do what you want Mon General but do something!"; stated in Bloch's presence.

6. National Expectations/institutions: A rise amongst the population of a level of expectation for self (as opposed to national) service exacerbated by both government and media playing off political and economic fault lines resulting in stagnation and a psychological 'softening' of the population. A diminishment of critical thinking within scientific and centres of higher education.

These represent a few of the myriad of observations raised by Bloch. Unlike historians writing on the collapse of France in the past tense, Bloch's work is based on experience and having lived the drama. His comments are based upon his personal experiences and views. Bloch's work is a challenge to France to take a hard, unvarnished look at its performance in the war. Unfortunately, many of his views are prevalent in the military's and societies of today including a tendency to emphasize a success without recognizing where significant weaknesses existed. His narrative lacks perhaps some of the 'finishing' of a modern author's work but his points are clear and devastating; our modern institutions and commands ignore his lessons at their peril.

Mussonlini’s Death March: Eyewitness Accounts of Italian Soldiers on the Eastern Front - Nuto Revelli

This review was submitted to Army History Magazine.

Title: Mussonlini’s Death March: Eyewitness Accounts of Italian Soldiers on the Eastern Front

Author: Nuto Revelli

ISBN: 978-0-7006-1908-5

Hardcover

Pages: 540

Illustrations: 2 maps

Publisher: University of Kansas Press

                When one considers the war on the Eastern Front, it is very easy to fall into the trap of assuming that the war was exclusively between the Germans and Soviets (with a smattering of other nations). This is far from the truth; other nations provided significant forces operating under their own command and control, to the struggles in the East. The Italians provided an expeditionary army known as ARMIR (Italian Army in Russia and later the Italian 8^th Army) consisting of a total of approximately 230,000 men. A vast majority of them (150,000) operated along the Don River and were thus overwhelmed by the Russian Operation Uranus (the code name for the overall operation in Stalingrad) in Dec 1942; of this total the Italians suffered 85,000 dead or missing and 27,000 wounded or frostbitten. An additional tragedy for the Italian servicemen was that, following the end of the war 10,000 prisoners were returned in either 1945 or 1946 by the Soviets (even though Italy had surrendered in 1943).

                Following the cessation of hostilities, Italy succumbed to a significant amount of internal upheaval as it struggled to emerge from the shadow of fascism and the extensive amount of destruction wrought by the war. Central to this were the struggles between the supporters of communism and capitalism. Veterans were therefore treated with varying degrees of disdain depending upon who they were dealing with in government.

Nuto Revelli was a veteran of the Eastern front; a veteran who escaped capture by the Russians and became a partisan following Italy’s surrender. A resident of the Cuneo region of Northwestern Italy, he was a member of the elite Alpini; divisions trained for conflict in the rugged mountains of Italy’s northern border. He became a professional historian after the war and decided that the story of Italy’s efforts, as related by the soldiers that fought, was lacking. He therefore interviewed 43 veterans of his region, all having experienced combat on the Eastern front and transcribed their stories verbatim. Originally collected and printed in Italian in 1966, the text has been translated by John Penuel for a reissue in English for the first time.

                There are a number of lessons which may be gleaned from the writings provided and it must be emphasized that the texts are all from the perspective of, for the most part, private and junior NCO soldiers (there are two officers, a lieutenant and a captain also included). They therefore did not have access to high level planning, strategy or visibility. Thus their views are quite narrow in keeping with what they were exposed to; but very telling in what they recall and what was of significance to them:

1.       Logistics at most levels of engagement were disastrous. Soldiers did not receive proper food or clothing to the point where, even within the Italian peninsula, there were still multiple cases of having to ‘live off of the land’. Uniforms and footwear were inadequate for conditions and were of poor quality. Mail delivery was inadequate and unreliable. The entire logistics system of the Italian military appears (from the perspective of the soldiers involved) to have been extremely tenuous and quickly failed under the pressure of the Russian campaign.

2.       Utilization of the forces in question was inappropriate. The divisions of the Alpini were trained and equipped to operate in mountainous conditions, not as general infantry. Thus their equipment (ie mountain artillery), training and expertise was not only misapplied but inadequate to deal with the equipment and numbers of the Soviet forces facing them.

3.       Leadership was found wanting within the Italian military as was training. As a general rule, officers did not mix with the soldiers and information regarding locations, destinations and conditions were withheld from the troops. Thus they lacked not only situational awareness but trust in their chains of command.  

4.       There was significant animosity and mistrust between the Germans and the Italians even during the period that they were allies. This perception of being the weaker of the allies and the condescension with which the Germans treated them did not promote harmony or develop common goals and visions. The Italian perception as they deployed for Russia was that Germany will have taken care of a vast majority of the fighting.

5.       Transport was very poor for the Italians. The Germans had requested “truck transported” units. The Italians provided “truck transportable” units meaning that they were trained to move by vehicle but had no integral transport equipment. This resulted in long marches, frostbite and soldiers that were both exhausted and suffering from terrible morale.

6.       Post war Italy was more interested in moving forward then caring for their injured, repatriating soldiers. The soldiers were eligible for multiple war pensions but the process and timeline set up by the government to have them actioned was so convoluted and inefficient that many were still not receiving money ten years following their return.

This is not an easy book to read. Notwithstanding the impact of the raw testimony from the survivors that, in itself, strains one’s ability to comprehend, the reader certainly feels the extent of the resignation to their individual fates. They have lost the passions of youth and have been crushed by fate and circumstance.

This book is also very difficult to read because of the style of the presentation. Because the testimony of the veterans is presented verbatim with very little editing, it is at times hard to follow and understand. This style is a two edged sword as it presents with deep legitimacy but also, lacking in context, it can be somewhat confusing.

Overall, this is a very moving work to the sacrifices of the Italian soldier on the Eastern front. It does not look at strategy or operational success and failure; it serves merely as a medium by which the soldier can tell his story. It provides very interesting insight into the experiences of these men in captivity and their reception upon repatriation and, additionally, what they anticipated going into Russia. The production value of the book is high and the translation from Italian very good. It is a work that should be read in conjunction with an operational history of the Italian Expeditionary Army in order to assist with context.