World War Two - Naval
CONWAY'S ALL THE WORLD'S FIGHTING
SHIPS, 1922-1946
Probably the best single reference for world war two war ships. Every nation of the world is
covered. Most ships have a side and deck view diagram, plus many photographs. Good histories
of each individual vessel, though short through necessity. Book is organized with a less detailed
listing of the vessels in existence in 1922 as a preface to each nation. This is followed by detailed
information on ships constructed (and in some cases planned) from that date to 1946. Highly
recommended to those with an interest in world war two naval materials. TS
DESTROYERS OF WORLD WAR TWO - AN
INTERNATIONAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
An excellent source for information on destroyers. Every destroyer in the war around the world is
listed. Side and deck views for most of them. Histories for each vessel are also included. A
wonderful supplement to Conway's more general work. Useful if you want to know a lot about
these tin cans. The book is out of print, but still can be found. TS
CRUISERS OF WORLD WAR TWO: AN
INTERNATIONAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
Another book by the author of the destroyer encyclopedia, and it does the same thing for cruisers.
A wonderful reference work. This one is still in print. TS
FLEET THE GODS FORGOT; THE UNITED
STATES ASIATIC FLEET IN WORLD WAR II
An amazing book about an amazing period of history. Each chapter could be the script for a film.
Escapes, forlorn hopes, rescues... Startling chapter when the author slips into first person. Many
of the hopeless battles of the US Navy in this period give good background for individual
wargame actions or a naval and air campaign. TS
GHOST THAT DIED AT SUNDA
STRAIT
An excellent book about the USS Houston - her life and death by a survivor. Some stunning
accounts. Wonderful reading, but not of much use for wargaming. TS
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World War Two - Land
SECOND WORLD WAR (by John
Keegan)
Mr. Keegan is an accomplished military historian. His book on the Second World War is insightful
regarding the strategies and politics which surrounded the decisions made by both Axis and Allied
leaders during the war. The book covers the actions in each theatre: Europe (Poland, France,
Balkans, Russia, etc.), North Africa, and the Far East. His discussion of the major battles focuses
on the general tactics and their success or failure without getting bogged down in the details (i.e.,
which division or unit did what). Sections also discuss war economies, strategic bombing, and the
Battle for the Atlantic. The also book contains maps and photos. It is recommended reading for
providing a good overview of the entire war. WP
AGAINST THE PANZERS: UNITED STATES
INFANTRY VS. GERMAN TANKS, 1944-45
Review upcoming.
FIGHTING IN HELL: THE GERMAN ORDEAL
ON THE EASTERN FRONT
This book presents four reports detailing the German campaign in Russia. The authors are former
German commanders who wrote the reports for the US Army following the war. The reports are
objectively written and cover subjects such as: the Russian soldier, his tactics and equipment,
partisans, and the effects of climate on warfare.
The book provides a good overview of the difficulties experienced by the German Army in
carrying out Operation Barbarossa. As a source for wargammers it has limited value, still it is
recommended reading. WP
STALINGRAD: Anatomy of an Agony
(By V. E. Tarrant)
This book, first published in 1992, describes the battle for Stalingrad and the subsequent encirclement and destruction of the German 6th Army by the Soviet Red Army. I decided to re-read the book after viewing the “Enemy at the Gates” movie. The book provides a wealth of information for the wargamer including 16 maps, numerous photos, German and Soviet Orders of Battle and detailed descriptions of the fighting from both the soldier’s and commander’s perspective. As battle’s history unfolds, the author provides a good deal of background information regarding Hilter’s and Stalin’s orders, their subordinate commander’s actions, and the net result of all this on the battle’s outcome. In addition, the author describes the Luftwaffe’s efforts (including the numbers and types of aircraft involved) in their ill-fated attempt to supply the encircled German 6th Army. An epic story of one of the 20th Century’s most pivotal battles. Highly Recommended! WP.
WAR ON THE EASTERN FRONT; THE
GERMAN SOLDIER IN RUSSIA, 1941-1945
(By James Lucas)
This book is a compilation of eyewitness accounts on the War in Russia. The accounts represent
the German point of view, however some Russian perspectives are included. Most accounts
represent the infantryman's view, which the author weaves into a larger picture of the campaign.
Interesting aspects about the stories were the commonalties in effect that terrain (i.e., the vast expanse of Russia) and climate had on the infantryman. Most of the German Wehrmacht entered, fought and exited Russia on foot. The vision of a largely mechanized force was an illusion. Consequently, the German soldier walked for miles and miles in hot sun, freezing winter or muddy conditions. This monotonous drain on their physical and psychological energy was punctuated at brief intervals by the terror of battle.
Other accounts in the book provide perspective on weapons and tactics used in the campaign. In
general, the book provides some information of value to wargammers and is recommended
reading for any student of WWII Eastern Front battles. WP
FRONTSOLDATEN, THE GERMAN SOLDIER IN WORLD WAR II (by Stephen Fritz)
Another book that evaluates the German soldier and his perspective in the war. The author draws mostly from letters, diaries, oral histories and related accounts to depict the war at the everyday level. As a result, there is no discussion of strategic or tactical events in the war. Chapters in the book discuss the individual's experience with personal (death, missing of loved ones, the lost cause, etc.) and physical (combat, weather, marching, etc.) hardships on the front lines. Through discussion of these topics the author attempts to provide insight as to why the average German fought. One of the topics discussed by the author relates to the German soldier's fighting effectiveness versus Allied soldiers. This effectiveness was the result of comradeship and the intensity of the personal/unit bonds that formed in training/combat. The military-social training and indoctrination the soldiers received promoted this more effectively than in Allied armies. The book is interesting reading, but of little use for wargaming. WP
GOTTERDAMMERUNG 1945, GERMANY'S LAST STAND IN THE EAST (by Russ Schneider)
This book covers the final battles on the Eastern Front during the months of January-May 1945. Battles in and around Budapest, East and West Prussia, Pomerania, Silesia, Courland, and of course Seelowe Heights are described. The author uses memoirs from German soldiers to describe these desperate struggles against the advancing Russian Red Army. The accounts are well written and cover the struggles from a variety of viewpoints. Many German unit "last stand" actions are depicted. From a wargamer's perspective, some accounts describe in detail small unit infantry and armor actions. Good information for planning that next wargame scenario. The maps in the book are sketch-like and of limited value. The book also contains photographs of the fighting. Recommended reading. WP
D-DAY: JUNE 6, 1944: THE CLIMACTIC
BATTLE OF WORLD WAR II
(by Stephen Ambrose)
This book provides a detailed account of the invasion battle. Mr. Ambrose describes the events
leading up to the decision to invade, the selection of landing sites, the training given to the troops,
and their June 6th landing experiences. Mr. Ambrose narrates the action using personal accounts
collected from interviews, books and official records.
Reading the book leaves you with a sense of amazement that the landings were successful. It
speaks highly of the skill, dedication and bravery of the troops involved. From a Wargamer's
perspective the book provides a host of information including: maps and descriptions of the
beaches, beach obstacles, names of units (both Allied and Axis), landing schedules, and equipment
used in the invasion. Highly recommended. WP
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World War Two - Air
Volume one of this set takes a detailed look at air operations in South East Asia during the first three months of the second world war. This book covers operations up to the fall of Singapore. Mostly done in chronological description by operation, which is nice for cross referencing. Excellent first person accounts as well as official sources from both sides being used. Well balanced. Recommended if you are interested in this little examined period of the war in the Pacific. TS
The second volume in the set, this book covers the period from February to May, with some preliminary material where needed. It ends with the fall of Burma, as you might guess from the title. In this book we find out about the Japanese Hurricanes and many other obscure features of this theater. Set up is the same as in the first volume. Again, recommended if you are interested in this little examined period of the war in the Pacific. TS
The best source I have found on nose art. This is a "coffee table" book, but excellent source of nose art. It not only contains B-17 and B-24 art, but other bombers and fighters. It is focused almost exclusively on US art, however. Well worth while if you are interested in this subject. TS
This book is an excellent general source of camouflage and other colors for a wide variety of aircraft from the first world war to modern times. Organized chronologically, which makes it a bit of a pain for a reference. Most of the major aircraft of the second world war are included, with five to twenty side views of the variety of patterns used. It also shows typical squadron markings. I found this invaluable when painting aircraft for the table. TS
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Civil War - Land
This is the big one. Maps as general as the entire United States to maps of individual battlefields and cities. Generally good for setting up wargame terrain, but spotty in what is covered (sometime no woods, sometime no hills). Nice selection of drawings of equipment and uniforms. A useful reference. TS
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Civil War - Naval
Probably the best single reference on Civil War armed vessels. Good descriptions, but much information is left out as it is simply not known. Good photographs and histories. TS
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