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The German Army 1939–45 (1)

Author : Nigel Thomas

Publisher : Bloomsbury Publishing

Page : 58 pages

File Size : 49,49 MB

Release : 2012-09-20

Category : History

ISBN : 1782004815

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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'.



The German Army 1939–45 (5)

Author : Nigel Thomas

Publisher : Bloomsbury Publishing

Page : 97 pages

File Size : 45,4 MB

Release : 2012-08-20

Category : History

ISBN : 1782002170

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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'.



The German Army 1939–45 (2)

Author : Nigel Thomas

Publisher : Bloomsbury Publishing

Page : 107 pages

File Size : 14,46 MB

Release : 2012-09-20

Category : History

ISBN : 1782004408

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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'.



German Mountain & Ski Troops 1939–45

Author : Gordon Williamson

Publisher : Bloomsbury Publishing

Page : 160 pages

File Size : 37,35 MB

Release : 2012-05-20

Category : History

ISBN : 1780967918

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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.



German Military Police Units 1939–45

Author : Gordon Williamson

Publisher : Bloomsbury Publishing

Page : 113 pages

File Size : 43,16 MB

Release : 2012-06-20

Category : History

ISBN : 178096997X

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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 (3)

Author : Nigel Thomas

Publisher : Osprey Publishing

Page : 0 pages

File Size : 15,10 MB

Release : 1999-03-26

Category : History

ISBN : 9781855327955

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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.



The Wehrmacht

Author : Tim Ripley

Publisher : Routledge

Page : 353 pages

File Size : 26,26 MB

Release : 2014-01-27

Category : Language Arts & Disciplines

ISBN : 1135970343

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Book Description

To see the foreword, the introduction, a generous selection of sample pages, and more, visit the website The Wehrmacht website. In this unique volume, expert Tim Ripley introduces the reader to the world of the German army, covering in detail concepts such as mobile defense and the formidable Blitzkrieg, and explains why the Wehrmacht was able to fight so long, with such fearsome effectiveness. Also includes 180 color and black and white maps and illustrations.



German Field Fortifications 1939–45

Author : Gordon L. Rottman

Publisher : Bloomsbury Publishing

Page : 177 pages

File Size : 31,78 MB

Release : 2012-09-20

Category : History

ISBN : 1782004645

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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 Airborne Troops 1939–45

Author : Bruce Quarrie

Publisher : Osprey Publishing

Page : 0 pages

File Size : 17,77 MB

Release : 1983-03-24

Category : History

ISBN : 9780850454802

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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.



Luftwaffe Air & Ground Crew 1939–45

Author : Robert F Stedman

Publisher : Bloomsbury Publishing

Page : 147 pages

File Size : 39,6 MB

Release : 2012-11-20

Category : History

ISBN : 1782006850

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Book Description

The Luftwaffe, honed in the Spanish Civil War, played a vital part in Germany's 'Blitzkrieg' victories in 1939-41. Badly overstretched by war on three fronts in 1942-44, it was crippled by an incompetent commander-in-chief, the losses among experienced aircrew, and shortage of fuel. In 1944-45 it faced a final battle of attrition in skies ruled by the Allies as the Eastern and Western pincers closed on the Reich; but until the very end the dwindling band of veteran pilots among them the greatest 'aces' the world has ever known presented a potent threat. This fact-packed review of Luftwaffe uniforms and flying kit is illustrated with rare personal photos, insignia charts, and two dozen meticulously detailed colour figures.