Exactly 250 years ago the U.S. was fighting the British for independence. This weekend I had the privilege of seeing The Red Arrows (the British Royal Air Force s aerobatics display team) help celebrate this year s iconic anniversary of that revolutionary event. An event which ranked as one of the most important historical outcomes to shape today s Western world. Though the Red Arrows commonly…
In this month s book review we cover Arthur Gullachsen s second volume in his detailed look at the combat operations of the 12. SS-PanzerDivision. In this case delving into its defensive role during June and July of 1944, and in response to the Allied invasion of Normandy, France. Tags: Steve Mercatante Arther Gullachsen World War II 12th SS Panzer Division Normandy Caen Villers-Bocage British…
I just finished Why Barbarossa Failed by Timothy Manion, and thoroughly enjoyed it. I think you will too. Read on to see why... Tags: Why Barbarossa Failed Timothy Manion Red Army Wermacht Halder Zhukov Hitler Stalin German Eastern Front World War II Steve Mercatante 1941
The SS Antilla was a Hamburg America Line cargo ship launched in 1939. She operated in the Caribbean as a cargo ship for Nazi Germany. With a length of nearly 400 feet, beam of 55 feet, and a full load weight of 4,363 GRT (crew of 35) the Antilla was a decent sized merchant ship from that era. Just before the outbreak of war (in August of 1939) Nazi authorities directed the Antilla (if unable to…
In terms of the Battle of The Little Big Horn, I have long thought one of the best books anyone could read on the subject is Richard Allan Fox Jr. s Archeology, History, and Custer s Last Battle . I believe Gordon Harper s work here is, though different, equally superb. If you have any interest in the Battle of the Little Big Horn, then I cannot recommend this book enough. Tags: Gordon Harper U.S.…
The Casemate Illustrated Series is rapidly proving to be one of the better book series currently available. Gary Yee s look at World War II sniping is no exception to that observation, and is well worth your time. Tags: World War II Snipers Gary Yee Steve Mercatante Optics Ballistics Sniper techniques Tactics and procedures first-person accounts Red Army Nazi Germany Royal Army
Though part of Casemate s illustrated series (and packed with illustrations), German Logistics is anything but a mere picture book. It contains ample descriptions regarding how the German system of supply worked, and I think anyone interested in the German way of war circa 1939-1945 will find much to enjoy in its pages. Tags: German logistics World War II rail supply columns road transport depots…
Michael Claringbould and Peter Ingman have done it again! As noted by our latest review , Volume 3 of their series covering the air war in the South Pacific is a must read for anyone interested in the Battle of the Coral Sea. Tags: South Pacific Air War World War II Battle of the Coral Sea Lexington Zero Wildcat Michael Claringbould and Peter Ingman Port Moresby Steve Mercatante
The Planning and Preparations for the Battle of Kursk: Volume 1 offers much to chew on for anyone interested in this battle. In this first volume of what is meant to be a two-volume set, the author does a number of things that significantly advance our understanding of the 1943 combat around Kursk. Read on to find out why I recommend this book for my readers. Tags: Valeriy Zamulin Kursk Steven…
The Defeat and Attrition Of The 12. SS-PanzerDivision HitlerJugend is meant to be the first of two new books further exploring the armor-heavy battles on the eastern end of the Allied lodgement in Normany. I have just finished it, and recommend it to my readers. Tags: World War II Normandy D-Day 12. SS-PanzerDivision HitlerJugend British Second Army 3rd Canadian Infantry Division Arther Gullachsen…