[b]Rating[/b]: 5 out of 5 stars
This book is the first part of a young Luftwaffe pilot flying the Heinkel He111 bomber against the Russians after the invasion in June 1941 by Hitler. The story is a mixture personal recollection and information from combat reports and tells of an extraordinary account of intense flying, life on forward airfields during the approaching Russian winter yet the missions have a recurring theme of optimism and success during the support the bombers gave to advancing German armies. The level of detail of the crew that stayed together most of the time is remarkable and at this early stage of their aircrew careers, they were all junior and senior NCOs and worked extremely well together.
This is an excellent read and I look forward the reading the continued story of Doring and his crew.
NetGalley, Sandra Miller
[b]Rating[/b]: 5 out of 5 stars
This book is the first part of a young Luftwaffe pilot flying the Heinkel He111 bomber against the Russians after the invasion in June 1941 by Hitler. The story is a mixture personal recollection and information from combat reports and tells of an extraordinary account of intense flying, life on forward airfields during the approaching Russian winter yet the missions have a recurring theme of optimism and success during the support the bombers gave to advancing German armies. The level of detail of the crew that stayed together most of the time is remarkable and at this early stage of their aircrew careers, they were all junior and senior NCOs and worked extremely well together.
This is an excellent read and I look forward the reading the continued story of Doring and his crew.
NetGalley, Sandra Miller
This is a fascinating book which is also timeless. I suspect the thoughts and actions of the diarist remain common to the modern experience of warfare in many ways. His struggles to come to terms with his role as a soldier are all the more tragic when it is revealed that he died before his position could be put forward fully. Such a sad book, but also inspiring to read of the strength of character under what must have been incredible societal pressure at the time.
NetGalley, Louise Gray
This is a fascinating book which is also timeless. I suspect the thoughts and actions of the diarist remain common to the modern experience of warfare in many ways. His struggles to come to terms with his role as a soldier are all the more tragic when it is revealed that he died before his position could be put forward fully. Such a sad book, but also inspiring to read of the strength of character under what must have been incredible societal pressure at the time.
NetGalley, Louise Gray
‘This wonderful book brings Sir Winston Churchill to life in a powerful and original way. To focus on the objects that he worked with, relaxed with, and often delighted in allows us to see Churchill in a new light, and no one could be more expert guides to them than Phil Reed and Anthony Richards.’
Andrew Roberts, author of Churchill: Walking with Destiny
‘This wonderful book brings Sir Winston Churchill to life in a powerful and original way. To focus on the objects that he worked with, relaxed with, and often delighted in allows us to see Churchill in a new light, and no one could be more expert guides to them than Phil Reed and Anthony Richards.’
Andrew Roberts, author of Churchill: Walking with Destiny
[b]Rating[/b]: 5 out of 5 stars “The local population, as always, was at the mercy of people who were participating in the war.” Stefan Dąmbski’s recollections of his time in the Polish Home Army during the Second World War are a sobering reminder of what violence humans are capable. He speaks only of actions he committed, or witnessed, and does not speculate as to the actions of others. The matter-of-fact way in which Dąmbski describes his “liquidation” work gives the impression of a cold-hearted man. It feels easy to condemn Dąmbski for such brutal wartime actions, but he knows this and condemns himself. There is no celebration or righteousness evident, and he does not seek absolution. Dąmbski provides context for his decisions and shares his understanding of why he and some of his fellows participated in executions. On a larger scale, this book helps to fill a gap in understanding Europe’s resistance movements during the Second World War. As noted in.. Read more
NetGalley, Joseph Malek
[b]Rating[/b]: 5 out of 5 stars “The local population, as always, was at the mercy of people who were participating in the war.” Stefan Dąmbski’s recollections of his time in the Polish Home Army during the Second World War are a sobering reminder of what violence humans are capable. He speaks only of actions he committed, or witnessed, and does not speculate as to the actions of others. The matter-of-fact way in which Dąmbski describes his “liquidation” work gives the impression of a cold-hearted man. It feels easy to condemn Dąmbski for such brutal wartime actions, but he knows this and condemns himself. There is no celebration or righteousness evident, and he does not seek absolution. Dąmbski provides context for his decisions and shares his understanding of why he and some of his fellows participated in executions. On a larger scale, this book helps to fill a gap in understanding Europe’s resistance movements during the Second World War. As noted in.. Read more
NetGalley, Joseph Malek
This book is a combination personal memoir and theoretical treatise. Rommel uses his extensive WW1 service on the Italian front with German mountain troops to formulate and present his theories on how infantry should behave on the then-modern battlefield, especially as regards to the command of smaller infantry units in the attack. A number of these theories would be taken up and used by the Wehrmacht at least at the beginning of WW2, but while many would be overtaken by the rapid advances in combined arms combat that developed starting during the Spanish Civil War and the opening months of WW2, his insights into leadership remained valid and instructive throughout the war and up to today… All in all, a very worthwhile edition to any serious student of military history or command… Highly Recommended for those interested in the infantry.
Armor Modelling & Preservation Society
This book is a combination personal memoir and theoretical treatise. Rommel uses his extensive WW1 service on the Italian front with German mountain troops to formulate and present his theories on how infantry should behave on the then-modern battlefield, especially as regards to the command of smaller infantry units in the attack. A number of these theories would be taken up and used by the Wehrmacht at least at the beginning of WW2, but while many would be overtaken by the rapid advances in combined arms combat that developed starting during the Spanish Civil War and the opening months of WW2, his insights into leadership remained valid and instructive throughout the war and up to today… All in all, a very worthwhile edition to any serious student of military history or command… Highly Recommended for those interested in the infantry.
Armor Modelling & Preservation Society
Enemy Coast Ahead
Prior to World War Two, Wing Commander Guy Gibson joined the Royal Air Force. In 1944, he wrote down his experience of serving in the RAF. Aged just 25, Gibson had completed two full tours, each of 30 operations, with Bomber Command, and had led the now-famous Dam Busters raid against the dams of the Ruhr Valley in May 1943. He died aged 26 in 1944,… Read more...