GERMAN ORDER OF BATTLE 1944 - Introduction by Ian V. Hogg, Photo Section by Brian L. Davis. (74" x 54"; 12 parts; 25 photographs; numerous black-and-white diagrams. Arms and Armour Press - £4.95p).
If you wargame in World War II period and you wish accuracy in your German formations then this book is for you. If you want an invaluable and authoritative source of reference for any other purpose then, similarly, this most comprehensive volume should be on your shelves. Now available to the general public for the first time since its restricted publication during the war years, it most fully and adequately provides all known data concerning the German armed forces in 1944, giving the answer to all possible questions on their composition, deployment and tactical role.
The volume is divided into 12 parts- 1) The German High Command; 2) The Basic Structure; 3) Identifications, Numbering Systems and Types of Formations and Units; 4) Divisions, Divisional Units and Higher Formations; 5) Non-Divisional and Other Small Units; 6) Waffen SS Formations and Units; 7) Semi-Military and Auxiliary Organisations; 8) Foreign Legions and Units; 9) German Forces in Action; 10) Lists of Senior Officers; 11) Tables of Formations and Units; 12) Vocabulary and Abbreviations.
A specially written Introduction by Ian V. Hogg (who wrote FORTRESS reviewed above) places the book in its perspective. Arms and Armour Press might not make much money out of such a book but they are to be congratulated on their spirit for making it available. My overall reaction after going through it is a sense of incredulity that we ever managed to beat this lot!
More Book Reviews
- Fortress: A History of Military Defenses
The Boer War
German Order of Battle 1944
Destination Berchtesgarden
Camp Life and Sport in South Africa
B-52 Stratofortress in Action
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