The German Army 1939–45 (5)

The German Army 1939–45 (5) PDF Author: Nigel Thomas
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing
ISBN: 1782002170
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 97

Book Description
This book covers the high command, the developments in unit organisation, the campaigns and the uniforms and equipment of the German Army in the last two years of the war in North-West Europe and Italy. Despite the huge pressure of fighting on three fronts, ever-worsening shortages of manpower and equipment, and Allied command of the skies, Germany's decimated divisions fought on with impressive skill and determination. This period also saw a fascinating mixture of obsolescent, newly designed, and field-made combat clothing which gave the German soldier a radically different appearance from his predecessor of just five years before. Men-at-Arms 311, 316, 326, 330 and 336 are also available in a single volume special edition titled 'German Army in World War II'.

German Mountain & Ski Troops 1939–45

German Mountain & Ski Troops 1939–45 PDF Author: Gordon Williamson
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing
ISBN: 1780968442
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 66

Book Description
Fighting in every theatre from the burning sands of North Africa to the icy wastes above the arctic circle the German Army's Gebirgstruppen troops were some of the most effective in the whole of the Wehrmacht. Their esprit de corps and morale were extremely high and their commanders, men such as Eduard Dietl, the 'Hero of Narvik', and Julius 'Papa' Ringel, were idolised by their men. Dietl himself was the first soldier of the Wehrmacht to be awarded the coveted Oakleaves to the Knights Cross of the Iron Cross. In this book Gordon Williamson details the uniforms, organisation and combat histories of these elite troops.

The German Army 1939–45 (1)

The German Army 1939–45 (1) PDF Author: Nigel Thomas
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing
ISBN: 1782004416
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 96

Book Description
On 1 September 1939, when Germany attacked Poland, the Wehrmacht numbered 3,180,000 men. It eventually expanded to 9,500,000, and on 8-9 May 1945, the date of its unconditional surrender on the Western and Eastern Fronts, it still numbered 7,800,000. The Blitzkrieg period, from 1 September 1939 to 25 June 1940, was 10 months of almost total triumph for the Wehrmacht, as it defeated every country, except Great Britain, that took the field against it. In this first of five volumes examining the German Army of World War Two, Nigel Thomas examines the uniforms and insignia of Hitler's Blitzkrieg forces, including an overview of the Blitzkrieg campaign itself. Men-at-Arms 311, 316, 326, 330 and 336 are also available in a single volume special edition titled 'German Army in World War II'.

German Military Police Units 1939–45

German Military Police Units 1939–45 PDF Author: Gordon Williamson
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing
ISBN: 178096997X
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 113

Book Description
The military policeman must be one of the least appreciated yet most indispensable military figures in modern history. In the mobile warfare of the 20th century no army could keep its vital supply routes open without the military policeman. This book documents the organisation, uniforms and insignia of the many and varied German military police units of World War II. Their duties included traffic control; maintaining military order and discipline; collection and escorting prisoners of war; prevention of looting; disarming civilians; checking captured enemy soldiers for documents; collection of fallen enemy propaganda leaflets and providing street patrols in occupied areas.

The German Army 1939–45 (2)

The German Army 1939–45 (2) PDF Author: Nigel Thomas
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing
ISBN: 1782004807
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 58

Book Description
Hitler first considered an invasion of Great Britain in autumn 1940, then scheduled Operation Barbarossa, the conquest of the European part of the Soviet Union, for May 1941. Anxious to emulate Hitler's successes, the Italian dictator Mussolini embarked upon unnecessary military adventures in North Africa and the Balkans, which forced Hitler's intervention, diverting and depleting precious German resources, and a six-week postponement of Barbarossa. In this second of four volumes [Men-at-Arms 311, 316, 326 & 330] on the German Army of the Second World War, Nigel Thomas examines the uniforms and insignia of the forces involved in North Africa and the Balkans. Men-at-Arms 311, 316, 326, 330 and 336 are also available in a single volume special edition titled 'German Army in World War II'.

The German Army 1939–45 (3)

The German Army 1939–45 (3) PDF Author: Nigel Thomas
Publisher: Osprey Publishing
ISBN: 9781855327955
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 0

Book Description
Operation Barbarossa, the attack on the Soviet Union, commenced on 22 June 1941. It became the biggest conflict in military history, with some three million German troops and about 900,000 allies facing almost 4.7 million Soviet troops. The effects would colour postwar European history for the next 50 years. This title examines the history of the conflict, and the organisation, uniforms and insignia of the German Army on the Eastern Front during World War II, from 1941-43. The book contains numerous illustrations and photographs throughout, incuding eight fine full-page colour plates by Stephen Andrew.

German Airborne Troops 1939–45

German Airborne Troops 1939–45 PDF Author: Bruce Quarrie
Publisher: Osprey Publishing
ISBN: 9780850454802
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 0

Book Description
Airborne operations have often been called a vertical envelopment, and therein lies one of the best descriptions of their value. The essence of an envelopment is to pin the enemy in place so that it can be destroyed. A strong enemy force to one's rear disrupts supplies and communications and makes one more vulnerable to an attack from the front. It also has a major psychological impact. To an aggressor the value of airborne troops, used properly, far outweighs their numerical strength. Bruce Quarrie's engaging text tells the story of the German airborne troops of the Second World War.

Fallschirmjäger

Fallschirmjäger PDF Author: Bruce Quarrie
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing
ISBN: 178200131X
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 149

Book Description
Few of the combatants of World War II have captured the imagination as compulsively as the Fallschirmjäger. Boldness and courage were vital characteristics in the rigorous selection process, and their training was highly demanding. Hitler's airborne troops were involved in some of the most daring actions of the whole war; from the 1940 assault on Eben Emael and the invasion of Crete in 1941, to the rescue of Mussolini and the attempt on Tito's life. In addition, they saw service as elite line infantry in the key theatres of North West Europe, North Africa and the Eastern Front. This title looks at the life and experiences of the average Fallschirmjäger, and includes first-hand accounts from different theatres and periods of the war.

German Field Fortifications 1939–45

German Field Fortifications 1939–45 PDF Author: Gordon L. Rottman
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing
ISBN: 1849080224
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 66

Book Description
The German Army of World War II considered itself an offensive, mobile force. The experiences in the trenches in World War I had done much to shape its concept of field fortification, and its mobile warfare ethos was intended to prevent the previous war's stalemate. This book addresses frontline defensive field fortifications, built by infantrymen using local materials, and includes rifle platoon positions, trenches, crew-served weapon positions, bunkers, dugouts, shelters and more. It also covers anti-tank and anti-personnel obstacles, as well as field camouflage methods and construction methods. The integration of these positions into permanent systems and theatre-specific defences are also discussed.

German Commanders of World War II (1)

German Commanders of World War II (1) PDF Author: Gordon Williamson
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing
ISBN: 1780969724
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 168

Book Description
This first of two studies examines the careers and illustrates the appearance and uniforms of 19 of the German Army's leading field commanders in World War II. Their service covers the whole arc of that army's wartime experience, from stunning success in 1939–41, through the hugely costly middle years on the Russian Front to the stubborn defensive fighting in both East and West in 1943–45. Also included are five more junior unit commanders chosen because their service typifies the achievements of combat leaders in regimental and battalion commands. The colour portraits are in the uniquely meticulous style of the respected World War II illustrator Malcolm McGregor.