Product Description

Despite all technological advances, final mastery of any battlefield depends upon the tight-knit group of footsoldiers trained to manoeuvre, shoot and dig in. This first of a two-part study examines the methods by which the Western infantry of World War II - the German, British and US armies - actually brought their firepower to bear. Drawing upon period training manuals for the evolving theory, and on personal memoirs for the individual practice, this first book covers the organization and tactics of the squad of ten or a dozen men, and the platoon of three or four squads. The text is illustrated with contemporary photographs and diagrams, and with colour plates bringing to life the movement of soldiers on the battlefield.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #272289 in Books
• Published on: 2004-05-28
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 64 pages

Synopsis
Despite all technological advances, final mastery of any battlefield depends upon the tight-knit group of footsoldiers trained to manoeuvre, shoot and dig in. This first of a two-part study examines the methods by which the Western infantry of World War II - the German, British and US armies - actually brought their firepower to bear. Drawing upon period training manuals for the evolving theory, and on personal memoirs for the individual practice, this first book covers the organization and tactics of the squad of ten or a dozen men, and the platoon of three or four squads. The text is illustrated with contemporary photographs and diagrams, and with colour plates bringing to life the movement of soldiers on the battlefield.

About the Author
Dr Stephen Bull is the Curator of the Museum of Lancashire in Preston, which incorporates the collections of several local regiments. For several years from 1984 he worked at the National Army Museum. He has written numerous articles including a number on the weapons and tactics of World War I. He has previously written for Osprey a two-part study of World War I trench warfare tactics. Mike Chappell enlisted as a teenage private in the Royal Hampshire Regiment in 1952. He began painting military subjects in 1968 and since then has gained worldwide popularity as a military illustrator. Brian Delf began his career working in a London art studio producing artwork for advertising and commercial publications. Since 1972, he has worked as a freelance illustrator on a variety of subjects.

Customer Reviews

To learn something about tactics
It gives a moderate idea about the tactitcs used during second world war. It's a shame that it focus on the american side, but the editor calls the dice. Nevertheless i've learn a littlemore on the subject, after reading this 64 pages book.

Misleading title
This book is well presented and the 'tried and trusted' Osprey format does not disappoint - with very nice plates illustrating small unit tactics.
The problem with this book is that it covers much ground more apropriate to a book on platoon or squad tactics. Few areas deal with company tactics and battalion tactics are dealt with in a very sketchy way. A great chunk deals with anti-tank tactics - more appropriate to a book on lower level units or another title. I was left disappointed - not much on company tactics really, less on battalion tactics and NO RED ARMY ! Nothing on combined arms cooperation - what about artillery ? There is good information here on weapons and some nice comparison and contrast between U.S., British and German doctrine - but different troop types such as Commandos, Paratroops, Mountain Troops get not a word and of course there is no sight of the RED ARMY ! Please try again Osprey - this format should be perfect for an armchair general's tactical manual.

Good content, poorly organised
Along with its companion book (World War II Infantry Tactics: Company and Battalion) overall an enyoyable and informative read for anyone interested in WWII infantry tactics.

This is an area poorly covered by literature, and though there is a reasonable volume of good material published on the internet it is fragmentory. These books go some way to compiling and interpreting many disperate sources. The books are well written, however they are let down by being poorly organised and laid out and could have been more rounded in the relative coverage of different issues.

I finished the books with the distinct impression that coverage depended more on the author's predilictions and the material readily available than on much of an attempt at balance and completeness.