Like most amateur military historians, my knowledge of the Dirlewanger Brigade was limited to their barbaric behaviour putting down the Warsaw uprising. That is, until I started reading this book. I found that the immense detail contained in the book took a lot of reading, and left me in awe on how the author not only found the information, but crammed it into one book. Following introductions, forewords and notes, we are given an insight into how the Dirlewanger unit came into being. It can really be attributed to the ramblings of Adolf Hitler, taken as gospel by a lackey who saw an opportunity for self-advancement, combined with the wife of a Party member who attempted to use the ‘Old Boy’ network to get her husband out of jail. As an anti-partisan unit, they had quite a bit of success, but when the situation in Hungary became critical the mistake was made of viewing them as regular soldiers. This was compounded with the move to expand the Dirlewanger formation by recruiting not.. Read more
Tankette

"The chaos and uncertainty are well explained...Enjoyed it." Read the full review [link=https://www.hmgs.org/blogpost/1779451/499554/BOOK-REVIEW-End-of-the-Spanish-Civil-War-Alicante-1939]here[/link]
Historical Miniatures Gaming Society, April 2024

The introduction gives us some background to the US Corps of Engineers, which was founded as far back as 1802, which gives us a good idea of just how important the role of the military engineer has been to the work of the US Army. Rapid expansion in WW1 was followed by reductions in size afterwards thanks to demobilisation, but after events in France in 1940, there was again a rapid expansion in their numbers. By the end of the war in 1945 the numbers in the corps had expanded to 3/4 of a million men. Their contribution to the war effort was vital, everywhere the US Army served. Their roles were set out in the Engineers Manual. Each of the 6 chapters has an introductory text, followed by a selection of extracts from the various Field Manuals that were published for them to follow. These chapters take us through Engineer Roles and Units: Basic Skills and Engineer Equipment: Roads, Bridges and Airfields: Fortifications and Defenses: Explosives, Mines and Demolitions: and a final one on the.. Read more
Military Model Scene

Rated 3 stars - Good.
Aeroplane - April 2024

Fascinating in its insights, it is recommended for those with an interest in the Royal Marines, Defence issues and the FCF concept.
Miniature Wargames