Achtung Panzer

Review written by Pewpewchewchew [Sun Mar 24, 2013 5:10 am]
Published in 1937, Heinz Guderian sets the stage for the Blitzkrieg inside this book.Achtung Panzer is Heinz Guderian's account of WWI and the development of the tank. Heniz starts off by explaining the course of the first world war to give the audience an understanding of why Calvary and warfare must be changed. Heniz gives a insightful account of WWI, the interwar development of the tank and the theory of maneuver warfare in 1937. Similar to B.H Liddell Hart's book Strategy, things start off v... Read More

Panzer Commander

Review written by Pewpewchewchew [Sun Mar 24, 2013 4:55 am]
Panzer commander is the memoirs of Hans Von Luck, who saw all action on fronts participated by the Germans in WWII. Hans gives us an in depth look at his personal experiences during the war. While there is little tactical and strategical insight within his memoirs, Hans delivers a fantastic recollection of the bits and bobs of his life.For the aspiring tacticians and strategists  I wouldn't recommend this book, simply because there is very little to be gained here. Hans does not make an act... Read More

Operation Snow

Review written by David Galster [Tue Dec 25, 2012 1:54 am]
This is the story about Harry Dexter White, an American economist who gained a position in the FDR's Treasury Department as chief monetary expert. As a communist sympathizer, he sought to give aid to the Soviet Union, and acted as a spy. Encouraged by Soviet spy Vitalii Pavlov, White pursued provocation of war between the US and Japan, to allow the Soviets to use all their forces against Germany. Ultimately, White authored a 1941 peace proposal that was so insulting and ridiculous that Japan cou... Read More

Patton's Vanguard: The United States Army Fourth Armored Division

Review written by David Galster [Tue Sep 18, 2012 2:12 am]
This book portrays the exploits of Patton's "crack" 4th Armored Division, from its creation, subsequent combat operations starting in Normandy, through the harrowing combat leading to Bastogne. It is an excellent account of armored combat, and is very readable. It provides a good description of the battles and movements. The author conveys the big picture to help the reader understand why the division attacked in certain directions. Each chapter is loaded with small unit actions that portray&nbs... Read More

From Normandy to the Ruhr

Review written by David Galster [Sat Sep 15, 2012 8:51 pm]
  The 116. Panzer Division fought exclusively on the Western Front in the campaigns of Normandy, Falaise Pocket, Aachen, Hurtgen Forest, Ardennes, Rhineland, and the Ruhr Pocket. Operations Officer, Heinz Gunther Guderian, was uniquely situated to tell the story beginning with background on the 16. Panzergrenadier Division in Russia, and the formation of the 116. Panzer, "Windhund," Division in spring 1944. He was present in all subsequent combat actions.  As the son of Generalober... Read More

With the Old Breed: At Peleliu and Okinawa

Review written by Kool Kat [Thu Feb 23, 2012 5:11 pm]  3 comments
With the Old Breed by E. B. Sledge ranks as one of the top autobiographical accounts of the American Marines in the Pacific during World War II. The Pacific, a 10-part mini-series, from the creators of “Band of Brothers,” that tells the intertwined stories of three Marines fighting the Japanese in the Pacific during World War II, is based on this novel.    With the Old Breed follows the exploits of E. B. Sledge (Sledgehammer), a private in Company K, 3rd Battalion, 5th Ma... Read More

The Forgotten Soldier

Review written by Kool Kat [Sat Jan 07, 2012 3:52 pm]
I first read The Forgotten Soldier by Guy Sajer,  over thirty years ago, and the horrific and brutal depictions of battle, suffering, and death experienced by the German soldier on the Eastern Front in World War II, still remain with me today.   While there has been controversy over the authenticity of Sajer’s account, and even if Sajer was an actual soldier in the Gross Deutschland Division, there is no mistaking that the author has captured the raw psychological and physical... Read More

The Canadian Battlefields in Normandy: A visitor's guide

Review written by GreginVan [Wed Aug 31, 2011 6:17 pm]
A detailed summary with amazing maps and OOB's of the Canadian effort in Normandy covering the period June 5 to August 21st.  Hundreds of photo's comparing 1944 versus 2008 images.  Includes historicial summaries of The bridgehead battles, Carpiquet and Caen, Verrieres Ridge (goodwood, Atlanic and Spring), Totalize, and Tractable.   Details on each battle also provides a tour itinerary for visitors to Normandy.  A detailed suggested Reading list is included.  This i... Read More

The Guns of Normandy

Review written by GreginVan [Mon Aug 15, 2011 3:17 am]
The Guns of Normandy puts the reader in the front lines of this horrific battle. In the most graphic and authentic detail, it brings to life every aspect of a soldier’s existence, from the mortal terror of impending destruction, to the unending fatigue, to the giddy exhilaration at finding oneself still, inexplicably, alive.The story of this crucial battle opens in England, as the 4th Field Regiment receives news that something big is happening in France and that after long years of traini... Read More

One Hundred Days: The Memoirs of the Falklands Battle Group Commander

Review written by vyshka [Sun Jan 16, 2011 5:29 am]
A while back I finished reading Admiral Sandy Woodward’s book covering the operations in the South Atlantic. It is one of the better military memoirs I have read, and did a great job of providing insight into just how difficult an operation it was to take back the Falklands. In addition to fighting the Argentinians, they were in a race with Mother Nature as winter was fast approaching in the Southern hemisphere. My guess is that General Galtieri thought the British wouldn’t be able t... Read More

The Key to the Bulge: The Battle for Losheimergraben

Review written by Charlie-66 [Mon Jul 19, 2010 7:37 pm]
This is one of the best, most enjoyable, military history books I’ve ever read. The focus of the book is the events in the sector of the 394th Regiment of the U.S. 99th Infantry Division during the first few days of the battle of the Bulge. As the subtitle suggests, the book recounts operations in the area in the vicinity of the crossroads village of Losheimergraben and the fighting that took place as German Infantry units tried to capture this crossroads and open the way for the armored u... Read More

Infantry attacks

Review written by Vesku [Sat Jul 03, 2010 8:26 pm]
The book was first published in Germany 1937 as an instruction for infantry tactics, teaching material for Wehrmacht. It describes in detail almost every major battle Rommel took part during WWI, first in the West which later became trench warfare then against Romania and finally fighting the Italians. Each chapter describes one battle ending in observations, what you can learn from the fighting. There’s a small sketch from each battle, which makes it much easier to follow the actions of t... Read More

Washington's Crossing

Review written by Charlie-66 [Wed May 12, 2010 5:38 pm]  One comment
I’ll speak for myself, but I believe the description fits many others, when I say that the American Revolutionary War has always bored the heck out of me. When compared to the size and scope of WWII on the Eastern Front, or the drama of the Allied invasion of Normandy, the events of the revolution haven’t excited much interest in me. A growing awareness of my limited knowledge of these events has caused me to dip my toe in the water and buy several books on the subject. I’d lik... Read More

It Never Snows in September: The German View of Market-Garden and the Battle of Arnhem September 1944

Review written by Foul. [Frid Apr 30, 2010 11:16 pm]  One comment
This is probably the best account of the German side of Operation Market Garden in English. The author, a British Parachute regiment officer, used German sources while he was based in Germany to find out what happened from the other side of the hill. It is a fascinating account and dispels some of the myths about the battle, especially the controversy over whether there were really two full panzer divisions in the area when the Operation took place. He uses German ration returns and maintenance ... Read More

A History Of The Peninsular War

Review written by Foul. [Mon Aug 31, 2009 10:55 am]
In a work spanning almost 30 years, the 7 volumes of this work are the definitive English language reference on the Peninsular War, and nobody can call themselves a serious student of this era without having read this series.   Virtually all of the political, military, and economic issues related to the campaigns are presented in these volumes. Every major battle is described in minute detail by Oman. He personally traveled to virtually every battlefield in Spain and Portugal to bett... Read More

Decision In Normandy

Review written by Antoni Chmielowski  [Sat Aug 01, 2009 1:50 pm]  2 comments
This excellent book, by one of the best WW2 authors, deals with Montgomery`s campaign in Normandy, from D Day to the Falaise Gap. It shows how battles such as GOODWOOD and EPSOM, where not the successes that Montgomery claimed that they were, and how some of the Allied Commanders such as Lt Gen BUCKNALL, commander of the British XXX Corps were not up to the job, and as we all know in real life, he was promoted in excess of his ability.The book, including photo`s, maps and appendix is 5... Read More

Monte Cassino

Review written by Antoni Chmielowski  [Sat Aug 01, 2009 1:47 pm]
This book deals with the eventual success of the Allied assault against Monte Cassino.   Most people will associate the battle of Monte Cassino with the heroic assault of the Polish 2nd Corps to take the monastery of St Benedict.  However, the real heroes were the French Expeditionary Corps, under the command of General Juin.  His troops were the first to get a significant victory against the Germans, despite the fact that the terrain favored the German defenders and these ... Read More

The Most Dangerous Enemy - A History of The Battle of Britain

Review written by Mr Yormsha (FGM) [Sat Aug 01, 2009 1:42 pm]  One comment
  Already hailed as the standard work, whose comprehensiveness is unlikely to be surpassed, The Most Dangerous enemy is a magnificently authoritative history of the British battle that most galvanises the imagination and symbolises the destiny of a nation. But in rigorously re-investigating every aspect of the Battle of Britain - and above all the traditional version of Britain’s victory as a ‘close run thing’, Stephen Bungay tells a story full of surprises…(Has a... Read More

The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich

Review written by Bootie [Sat Aug 01, 2009 1:38 pm]  One comment
I have recently finished this fascinating and in depth book. At a staggering count of over 1500 pages it has taken me quite a while to get through. I picked it up at a second hand book store but will now strive to buy a hardback edition for my collection as it is a book I would gladly sit down and go through again and again. It charts the origins of Hitler from his earliest days all the way through to his suicide in 1945.  It offers also an interesting glimpse of all of his cronies i... Read More

Panzer Leader

Review written by Antoni Chmielowski  [Sat Aug 01, 2009 1:34 pm]  2 comments
This book (first published in 1952) deals with his part in the pivotal battles of WW2.It is interesting (if slightly biased) as it is his biography!The book has been translated from German into English and is therefore accurate. When you read the book, you realize how much of a military idiot Hitler was, and how even his brilliant generals became blinded by him. If Hitler had left his generals to do the planning, then the whole of World history may have been so different. The book is 528 pages l... Read More

At Dawn We Slept -The Untold Story of Pearl Harbour

Review written by Antoni Chmielowski  [Sat Aug 01, 2009 1:28 pm]
This is an excellent 889 page book (including index and appendix) which details the origin of the idea of the Pearl Harbour attack, as well the actual attack and the aftermath. It shows how ingenious the Japanese were in adapting their torpedoes to work in the shallow depths of Pearl Harbour, as well as adapting the 16-inch battleship shells to use as armour piercing bombs. The book clearly shows how the various branches of the US military did not communicate with each other, and worse how the... Read More

Symbol of Courage

Review written by Antoni Chmielowski  [Wed Jul 22, 2009 10:04 pm]
This is a book close to my heart - it’s all about some of the winners of the United Kingdoms highest medal – the Victoria Cross. It covers all the actions during which the medal was awarded, from the Crimean War to the current situation in Iraq, where Pt. Johnson Beharry became the latest winner of the Victoria Cross, and the last living winner since 1965. There are now only 12 living winners of the Victoria Cross.The book is 690 pages long (including appendices) and also includes 3 ... Read More

Biggest Brother: The Story of Major Dick Winters

Review written by Weasel [Wed Jul 22, 2009 10:00 pm]
Biggest Brother is the story of Major Richard Winters, who became famous from the HBO miniseries “Band of Brothers”. This book dispels a few myths that were created in the series, while also providing a glimpse into the pre and post war years of Richard Winters.There were two areas in the book that stood out the most against the HBO series. The first is when the scattered troops of Easy Company ambush two horse drawn wagons on June 6th. In the series Lieutenant Winters leads this sma... Read More

A Writer At War

Review written by MGK(FGM) [Tue Jul 21, 2009 11:13 pm]  One comment
Wassilij Grossman Russian Poet and writer volunteered for the army when the Germans invaded in 1941 and spent more than three years as a special correspondent at the front for the army newspaper Red Star. He was on front with common soldiers and his diaries are chronicles of life and fight free from propaganda. There are a lot of action and "normal" soldiers life observations. He was not cold observer but he was man fighting against barbarian enemy. He was on first line in 1941 then in Stalingra... Read More

Poles Apart

Review written by MGK(FGM) [Tue Jul 21, 2009 11:05 pm]  One comment
It is story of The Polish Airborne Unit created by General Sosabowski. Main topic is focused on battle at Driel and you can find a lot of relations of privates and officers who fought there. Relations like that : " I have landed 40 meters from firing German Spandau position I saw several men of my platoon lying on the field but suddenly bicycle drooped directly on HMG and covered surprised Germans with silk of parachute - we started and take them as prisoners." Here is review from Amazon by By M... Read More

The Mighty Eighth

Review written by Antoni Chmielowski  [Mon Jul 20, 2009 11:29 pm]
This excellent 545 page book deals with the American Eighth Air Force, in Britain during WW II from its initial deployment on 11 May 1942 when 39 officers and 384 enlisted men landed on British soil. The book covers all the major bombing operations such as the disastrous raid on Schweinfurt as well as the controversial raid on Dresden, as well as the D Day Operation. The major appeal of the book is that is based on the oral history of the men who flew the missions and this brings the book to lif... Read More

The Great Siege "Malta 1565"

Review written by Foul. [Mon Jul 20, 2009 11:21 pm]  3 comments
The story of the siege is known as "The greatest film Hollywood never made".When Soleyman The Great decided to remove this Christian outpost in the Mediterranean, which had made itself a reputation for harrying Ottoman shipping, he believed it would take no longer than two weeks to achieve as the Island defenses where weak and the native population were not expected to help the Christian Knights in the defense, little could he have guessed at the fanatical resistance his troops would face from t... Read More

The Blue and the Gray

Review written by Weasel [Mon Jul 20, 2009 11:12 pm]
I have had this book sitting on my shelf for a very long time, in fact I inherited it from my father. Having read everything in my library, and the local library not having anything of interest at the moment I rummaged through my shelves and came upon an old, musty smelling book, "The Blue and the Gray". At first I put it back, thinking it was just another volume of rehashed data that has been printed many times before and since. However, totally bored and unable to sleep if I don't read before ... Read More

Mark Of The Lion

Review written by Walrus [Mon Jul 20, 2009 10:31 pm]  2 comments
When I moved from New Zealand to Australia this was the only book I physically took with me…the other four or five hundred were transported at a later date. That shows how highly I value it.It is the story of a man, easily described as a hero, but that is such an overused term. He was quite unique, yet just a standard Kiwi bloke. The book is full of contradictions, which is why I enjoy it so much.On the surface it is the story of Charles Upham's service in the New Zealand Army during WW2.... Read More

General Patton: A Soldier's Life

Review written by Don Fox [Sun Jul 19, 2009 5:33 pm]
It was just a matter of days after turning in to my publisher the completed manuscript for "Patton's Spearhead - The Fourth Armored Division in World War II", when I noticed a hefty new Patton biography on conspicuous display at my local Barne's & Noble. Having spent the past two years researching and writing the history of the division - a division that was inextricably intertwined with Patton - I was immediately drawn by the title. In his Preface, the author, Stanley P. Hirshson, proudly a... Read More