I.M. BaxterCritiques

Impressionant reportatge fotogràfic dels diferents ghettos de Polònia i Ucraïna. Moltes fotos fetes per soldats alemanys.

I saw this book yesterday for the first time at the bookstore, and that's pretty shocking considering how often I visit that bookstore in that particular section. But there were about 15-20 of the same type of books (with a small summary and mostly pictures with descriptions) in all the different theaters/fronts of World War 2. They might have had others besides WW2 but the good majority were. The only reason I give it 4 stars instead of 5, is that a lot of the wording in the different descriptions get monotonous and repetitive. But sadly, that isn't really the authors fault because these tragic events happened over and over and they have some records from 1941-43 in the back of the book that shows the unbelievable number of people killed along with their nationality and if they are a man, woman or child. I was shocked at how many children were killed right along side the adults. Maybe some of them were just psychopaths but I know some of those German members of the Einsatzgruppen had to be seriously damaged and f'd up by the mass killing they took a part in. It says that Himmler got word that some of the men, especially the ones with a wife and kids at home, were really starting to crack up because of the slaughter. Himmler replied something like, "he better get in line with the program". The next paragraph said after that he was witness to one of the massacres and he nearly (or did) fainted after seeing it himself. Following his personal experience, the top brass came together to find more "humane" ways to commit ethnic cleansing/genocide. This is where the idea formulated to have mobile vans filled with poisonous gas, and that way they would still be killed but the soilders wouldn't have to look them in the eye. Some of these photos were new to me and if it doesn't seem like this could have even happened such a short time ago, but it brings the stories to visual proof and you're going to feel some feelings after going through them all. But I still highly recommend that you read this book. It's mainly pictures with captions with only about 10-15 actual typed pages, so it's super easy to read and can be done in a day, Even for the slower reader, it's doable in a weekend.

I saw this book yesterday for the first time at the bookstore, and that's pretty shocking considering how often I visit that bookstore in that particular section. But there were about 15-20 of the same type of books (with a small summary and mostly pictures with descriptions) in all the different theaters/fronts of World War 2. They might have had others besides WW2 but the good majority were. The only reason I give it 4 stars instead of 5, is that a lot of the wording in the different descriptions get monotonous and repetitive. But sadly, that isn't really the authors fault because these tragic events happened over and over and they have some records from 1941-43 in the back of the book that shows the unbelievable number of people killed along with their nationality and if they are a man, woman or child. I was shocked at how many children were killed right along side the adults. Maybe some of them were just psychopaths but I know some of those German members of the Einsatzgruppen had to be seriously damaged and f'd up by the mass killing they took a part in. It says that Himmler got word that some of the men, especially the ones with a wife and kids at home, were really starting to crack up because of the slaughter. Himmler replied something like, "he better get in line with the program". The next paragraph said after that he was witness to one of the massacres and he nearly (or did) fainted after seeing it himself. Following his personal experience, the top brass came together to find more "humane" ways to commit ethnic cleansing/genocide. This is where the idea formulated to have mobile vans filled with poisonous gas, and that way they would still be killed but the soilders wouldn't have to look them in the eye. Some of these photos were new to me and if it doesn't seem like this could have even happened such a short time ago, but it brings the stories to visual proof and you're going to feel some feelings after going through them all. But I still highly recommend that you read this book. It's mainly pictures with captions with only about 10-15 actual typed pages, so it's super easy to read and can be done in a day, Even for the slower reader, it's doable in a weekend.

本書僅涵蓋到東線
照片主要是來自收藏家的私人收藏，這可能是作者基本上不知確切地點的原因
照片內容大是在搭乘、操作武器、躲掩體或是在武器前排排站，而不是我預期看到斷垣殘壁之類的景象
照片說明以外的文字部分重複程度很高

6th SS Mountain Division Nord at War 1941-1945 was written by Ian Baxter in 2019. The version I reviewed was published by Pen and Sword Military, Barnsley, South Yorkshire, Emgland in 2019 and is 136 pages. The ISBN of this particular book is 978-1-52672-138-9. It is a paperback. The topic of the book is as the title suggests, is about the 6. SS-Gebirgs-Division Nord from 1941-1945. The book is primarily a brief written narrative on the history of the unit, packed with many photos of the unit during their time in Norway and Finland.

This book's primary audience is for those seeking a pictorial history of this unit. While the narrative does offer a history of the unit, the reader would be better served looking elsewhere for sourced information on the unit, such as Massimiliano Afiero’s “The 6th Waffen-SS.” This book did not offer any sources, and the history was somewhat on the light end. What they did offer though was many photos on the unit. It seems that all of these photos are from the units time in Norway and Finland. It did not appear that there were any photographs taken from the time of operation Nordwind. I purchased this book after having read other books in which the unit was mentioned. I was hoping to find out more about them. While I was pleased by the photos, I felt the narrative was lacking, and the lack of listing any sources for the limited narrative was also noted.

My main criticism of the book is the scant history that was offered on the unit without source information. This could have been easily remedied but for some reason the author chose not to do so. I did appreciate the many photographs of the unit showing everything from battle action shots to the mundane chores of sorting mail and grouping up before a march. They all offer some insight to the unit. The book is primarily a photo essay. The photographs are all black and white, and appear only to cover operations in Norway and Finland.

The book is divided into four chapters and five appendixes. Included with the text are a single map, many photographs, an order of battle and list of commanders that support the narrative for the reader. The map is a single map of Norway, Finland and the USSR. It is of little detail, and of little use. There was no attempt to include a map of Nordwind or the final movements of the division in May of 1945. Orders of battle and commanders list: These are provided without source information.

If you are seeking a detailed history of the 6. Waffen-SS unit, I would suggest that other books would better meet your needs. If you have collected the limited information available on this unit, and wish to include a good set of photographs for reference, than this is your book. I give the book two stars for the narrative, and four stars for the many unique and historical photographs. I will overall give it three stars.

The Waffen-SS Ardennes Offensive – The Last Chance Saloon

1944 was not a particularly good year for the German occupation forces across Europe, whether in the east or west. The Russians were making great strides in the east pushing back the German Army. 6th June 1944, the allies in the west joined the party, with the Normandy landings and began pushing the Germans back towards Berlin.

The Ardennes Offensive began in winter 1944 and finished in early 1945, and it was the German’s last offensive, their attempt to push the American armies back towards France. Using the Christmas period as an opportunity to surprise the Americans Hitler ordered the offensive in the vain hope to shore the German front and a much-needed boost in morale.

Ian Baxter has once again managed to find rare and unpublished pictures with extensive explanations within the text. The pictures and text record the initial successes that the Wacht am Rhein (Watch on the Rhine) had, pushing the American back by using the full harsh winter conditions to their full effect. The Allies gradually regained the upper hand, especially as they were being resupplied and had reequipped, along with reinforcements of soldiers. The pivotal defeat at the battle of Bastogne, meant the Waffen-SS were withdrawn and ended up on the eastern front.

The book contains many fine pictures from the German side with not only pictures of soldiers and their officers, but we can also see the equipment that they were using. Also, the pictures of the snow give an impression of how harsh the weather was during the Christmas period of 1944. Baxter also in the appendices records all the active German units that took part in the offensive.

This is once again a classic book by Ian Baxter and depicts the Waffen-SS in the Last Chance Saloon.

Himmler: Hitler's Henchman, by Ian Baxter, is a chilling look at the person who on the outside looks like a bland administrator yet was internally driven to orchestrate cruel and inhuman atrocities.

While the sections that place the photographs in context is interesting, this is first and foremost a collection of photographs. Looked at alongside a history offers the reader a number of startling perspectives. What I mean by that is that I think readers will largely take slightly different thoughts away from this book. For me, it just kept stopping me in my tracks to see such mundane looking men coordinating such an evil organization. I think other readers may well be struck by other aspects.

I want to have this book handy and reread a biography of Himmler, probably Longerich's biography. I think having these newly available photographs will add to what I read. It is so easy to picture evil as a bunch of monsters, but evil can look like the man walking down the street or losing a reelection bid.

Reviewed from a copy made available by the publisher via NetGalley.

The Waffen-SS in Normandy 1944

Ian Baxter has once again produced a book through excellent research and knowledge of the archives in which to look. Many books over the years have been written about Normandy 1944, usually from the American-British perspective and the heroic endeavours that those forces faced from the beaches to the interior of Normandy.

We know that the Allied forces faced a fierce German defence of Normandy, but little is in the English language about those German forces. They do tend to feature amongst much of the literature but not usually in a dedicated book. Especially as Hitler had deployed his elite Waffen-SS to try and stabilise the defence of France and push the allied forces back.

Through this book we find how the formidable Waffen-SS divisions, Liebstandarte, Das Reich, Hitlerjugend, Hohenstaufen and the Frundsberg supported the Wehrmacht divisions in the defence of France. As German lines became more stretched, fighting on two fronts, growing losses, supply issues and fuel problems. All these ultimately led to their defeat at the Falaise Pocket at the Germans were facing a better supplied, well-led and more determined Allied Divisions.

As with other Baxter books there are a lot of rare and unpublished pictures used throughout this book. All very well captioned which give a graphic account of the Waffen-SS actions in Normandy 1944.

This really is a must read book for all those that love Military History and the Battle for Normandy.

Ian Baxter has once again managed to find never seen images from archives and photographic collections. This time Baxter has managed to gain access to many German photographs which illustrate their victory in September 1944 before the allies eventually captured Arnhem.

Much has been written about Arnhem over the years, especially from the British perspective of it being a glorious failure. Or from the Polish point of view that it was a disaster created by Montgomery that could and should have been avoided if tactical advice had been listened too from the Americans.

From the British perspective this was a battle of great feat and that the British and Polish paratroopers showed great courage and tenacity. That the British paratroopers who took an heroic last stand at the bridge. In Polish memories a battle for which Monty blamed them and their commanding officer had to carry the blame, which they never forgave.

This book shows how the plan for Arnhem was fatally flawed before the paratroopers had even left Britain. That if the British had up to date intelligence, they would have known that the 9th and 10th divisions were resting and recuperating in the woods outside of the town. The pictures show how well armed the Waffen-SS was with their supporting units. Whereas the allied paratroopers were carrying light arms which would be no real defence against the heavier arms.

This book shows the drama of one of the epic battles of 1944 and at the time of this battle the SS soldiers were not quite defeated and willing to fight to the last defending what they held. The book very much from the little known in the West of the German view of the battle provides us with often unseen images. It also shows images of the dead, not in focus but this has to be remembered it is a record of the battle. In wars soldiers and the innocent die.

This book is of interest for all those that are interested in Military History as well as those with an interest in the 20th Century and the wars the world had to face. It is an excellent book with some fabulous pictures. As a historian I can say this is an excellent resource, especially when teaching not only about this battle but tactics and intelligence.

Excellent book highly recommend it.

I saw this book yesterday for the first time at the bookstore, and that's pretty shocking considering how often I visit that bookstore in that particular section. But there were about 15-20 of the same type of books (with a small summary and mostly pictures with descriptions) in all the different theaters/fronts of World War 2. They might have had others besides WW2 but the good majority were. The only reason I give it 4 stars instead of 5, is that a lot of the wording in the different descriptions get monotonous and repetitive. But sadly, that isn't really the authors fault because these tragic events happened over and over and they have some records from 1941-43 in the back of the book that shows the unbelievable number of people killed along with their nationality and if they are a man, woman or child. I was shocked at how many children were killed right along side the adults. Maybe some of them were just psychopaths but I know some of those German members of the Einsatzgruppen had to be seriously damaged and f'd up by the mass killing they took a part in. It says that Himmler got word that some of the men, especially the ones with a wife and kids at home, were really starting to crack up because of the slaughter. Himmler replied something like, "he better get in line with the program". The next paragraph said after that he was witness to one of the massacres and he nearly (or did) fainted after seeing it himself. Following his personal experience, the top brass came together to find more "humane" ways to commit ethnic cleansing/genocide. This is where the idea formulated to have mobile vans filled with poisonous gas, and that way they would still be killed but the soilders wouldn't have to look them in the eye. Some of these photos were new to me and if it doesn't seem like this could have even happened such a short time ago, but it brings the stories to visual proof and you're going to feel some feelings after going through them all. But I still highly recommend that you read this book. It's mainly pictures with captions with only about 10-15 actual typed pages, so it's super easy to read and can be done in a day, Even for the slower reader, it's doable in a weekend.

The Warsaw Uprisings 1943 – 1944 – Haunting and Brilliant.

Ian Baxter has uncovered once again some rare wartime photographs from Warsaw archives which many in the Western Europe tend to ignore. This is the reason why Baxter is one of the best researchers on the Second World War and everything that happened in the eastern theatre of war. He often brings to the fore issues that are often “forgotten” here in the west or only remembered by a few groups. The Warsaw Uprisings are one of those forgotten war crimes and as any of the survivors become less every year, this book becomes even more important.

In 1942 the Nazi leadership had decided that it was time that the Jewish Ghettos in occupied Poland should be liquidised. Warsaw’s ghetto was the largest, and the liquidisation was done in a number of phases. Baxter’s narrative is not controversial it is straightforward and makes it easy for the reader to understand.

The Warsaw Uprising which took place, first with the Jewish responses of the Jewish Combat Organisation (ZOB) and the Jewish Military Union (ZZW) fought against the Nazi occupiers. The Nazi regime quashed violently in April 1943, but this would go on when even the Polish Home Army were involved in 1944. In 1944 the Red Army allowed the Nazis to continue the quashing of any revolt from Jew and Pole alike as they knew it would be easier for them to suppress opposition at a later date with the “work” having been done for them.

The pictures in this excellent book show the streets and buildings that were destroyed along with the lives of all those involved. This is a superb and haunting collection of pictures that shows Warsaw that was being destroyed over a year. This book shows the devastation that the SS brought on to the city by blowing up houses and streets and then putting a concentration camp in their place to help them deal with the uprisings.

The actual number of Polish and Jewish organisations deaths is unknown but thought to be around 22,000 and we know that the Nazis lost 11,000 soldiers. The civilian population bore the brunt of the disaster of the uprising with somewhere between 150,000 and 200, 000 deaths, with 500, 000 surrendering to the Germans in October 1944.

Another excellent and haunting book from Ian Baxter.

Waffen-SS Armour on the Eastern Front 1941 – 1945

It is always with an air of expectation when I read a book that Ian Baxter has compiled, he is one of the best historical photographic researchers of this time. As a historian I sometimes wonder how he gains access to some of the archives he uses. Baxter as a military historian understands how to put together the photographs so that you can understand the journey of a particular historical event.

In this book Baxter takes the reader on a journey on Operation Barbarossa as the Germans attacked Russia on what would become the largest and deadliest theatre of war during the Second World War. This book reveals the journey that the Waffen-SS had access to previously unseen pictures with in-depth captioning and instructive text. In Western Europe and especially in Britain the brutality of the Eastern Front is often overlooked. This book brings it to life.

The book portrays how formidable the armour was that the Germans used and the adaptability of both armour and men. The book also has pictures of some of the battles over the winter and summer of the operation, as well as the eventual withdrawal. The book tries to explain the various fronts that the Germans were attacking, the only thing really missing was a map with an explanation of how long the front was. Whether the pictures were of the Waffen-SS attacking the Russians in Moscow or further down south in Kharkov.

While the final chapter does give some explanation of the withdrawal and the fight for survival, you see some of the pictures which show the harshness of the retreat. Baxter does explain to the reader that there was no coherent plan which is true and explains the hopelessness of the task. Baxter explains that the Waffen-SS fought doggedly which really underplays their situation. The soldiers knew they were fighting for their lives and the last thing they would want to be is a Prisoner of War in Russia. Those who were captured many did not return to Germany until the 1950s and some never made it home altogether.

This is an excellent book, for those wishing to learn more about the Eastern Front and see the German armour that was in use at the time.

The Ghettos of Nazi-Occupied Poland – Deeply disturbing

Ian Baxter’s books are never easy to read or look at the pictures, as he does not tackle easy subjects. This time he is using rare photographs of the Nazi Ghettos that were in operation in Poland. The ghettos appeared across Poland during the German Occupation in the towns and cities as a way of isolating the Jewish Community.

Baxter has used contemporary photographs, which make for harrowing views of people and place. What makes things worse, is that today we know that these ghettos were nothing more than holding stations for Jews before being moved to extermination camps. The pictures show the reality of life in those ghettos for the residents and the conditions which deteriorated by the day.

Hans Frank headed up the ghettoization programme in Poland in his position of Governor General of the Occupied Polish territories. Jewish communities were moved enmass to special closed off zones. The first deportations to the ghettos began in October 1939, and the Jewish communities were forcibly moved.

The pictures in this book show the start of the programme and the movement of the Jews pushing the belongings they were allowed to keep on carts. What really is disturbing is a picture of a destitute beggar in the Warsaw ghetto. The photographer Heinrich Joest notes that he is not sure if the beggar is laughing at him or just smiling, afraid of what he may do to him. The photographer noted that the beggar smelt of rotting flesh.

There are also a number of pictures showing dead Jewish women in the streets. The photographs were taken by a German army sergeant, Heinrich Joest who had been stationed in Warsaw. He shot 140 images in the Warsaw ghetto which would not be published until he met Guenther Schwarberg, who was a reporter for the German magazine Stern in 1982.

One of the most disturbing chapters is Chapter 3, Liquidation of the Ghettos. The streets strewn with clothing and bundles of possessions that the Jews were not allowed to take with them. With in the background, the Jews being rounded up for deportation. Or the picture of a German policeman preparing to complete a mass execution with the dead naked bodies spread out in a pit.

This book is deeply disturbing, but that is the nature of the content.

Hitler’s Death Camps in Occupied Poland – Disturbing

Ian Baxter has compiled a book of rare photographs from Occupied Poland which features the Nazi German Death Camps. Eighty years on, the concept and scale of the German genocide programme remains a stain on humanity. This book graphically demonstrates the depths and the reality of the Holocaust, the proof exists, whatever the deniers try and tell you.

There are pictures of a police deportation unit in the Łódź ghetto about to deport the Jews to the extermination camp at Chełmno. Which is followed by a picture of Jewish workers about to sort through the clothing confiscated from those being deported. There is a picture of two SS Concentration camp guards at Chełmno enjoying their comradeship. It must be remembered that all those who worked at the camps did so for the prestige of the SS uniform, the elitism as well as the toughness and comradeship which outweighed any moral scruples.

When the Germans invaded Poland on 1st September 1939, the fate of the Jews and the Poles had already been set. Hitler had decided that Poland would be cleared of Poles and Jews alike. What followed was unrestrained terror in Poland. The Nazis had long propagated the belief that the Eastern Jew of Poland, Ukraine, and the Baltic States were carriers of disease and required isolation.

As Jews and Slavs were regarded as subhuman, the Jews were first put in ghettos, while they decided what they should do with them. When the Germans invaded Russia in 1941, their “Jewish Problem” grew, and they began shooting Jews and dumping their bodies in pits. These killings were often witnessed by “unauthorised” people, who often complained about the brutality. Also, the German officers noted to Himmler that it was “distressing” for the killers.

Himmler made it clear he required a more effective method of killing, which was either by gas or explosives. Camps were built with gas chambers for extermination of Jews. As the camps began to open the murder of Jews stepped up.

This book captures the Jews on their way to the camps, in the camps and being dehumanised. Their only crime was to be Jewish in a German Occupied Country. The pictures of Treblinka are always hard, as this is a camp the Germans managed to destroy. Anyone who has been there today are well aware evil took place there, as there is a green space in the forest, but the sound of bird song is strangely absent. The pictures in this book shows you why. Where unnatural events took place, and people were being killed in a race war.

The images in this book are deeply disturbing, and they are meant to be. The Holocaust was and remains a terrible stain on the Human race. We have a duty not to forget the evil we can do to each other and this book is the evidence of what we can do.

SS Polizei at War 1940 – 1945

Ian Baxter, a military historian of some note, has gathered together through his own personal collection and various archives, a collection of rare pictures. These pictures illustrate what the SS Polizei did and where they went throughout the course of the war. Over five chapters we are given a pictorial history of them in action, at rest as well as how the division was organised.

Even before the outbreak of the Second World War, Himmler had wanted to create a third division. This new division was formed from ordinary German policemen, and was created to be the military division of Himmler’s ever-growing empire.

The recruits to this division were not as enthusiastic as recruits to the SS, they undertook their service wearing the battle field grey uniforms bearing police insignia rather than those of the SS.

The very many pictures in this book take us from the initial training, with the various soldiers and their poor equipment on show. From there we see them in all the theatres of war in which they took part. From the Western Front to Greece and then the posting to send dread through any German, the Eastern Front.

It was often portrayed that the Polish fought the blitzkrieg on horseback, while not true, the use of horses was used to give the picture of the Polish Army being backward. To those who do not know that both sides used horse, will see this division using horses as well as carts to break the taboo that the Germans were all mechanised.

This is a wonderful history book with notes on where the Polizei division were in action, and the pictures some of which need explanation. While in film the Germans were portrayed as being well equipped and modern for the age, some of these pictures will challenge those thoughts.

An interesting and engaging pictorial history, for all those interested in the military history.

Pen & Sword Military have a series called ‘Images of War’, which are books containing photographs with supporting captions. This is one of this series and as its title makes clear, it covers the German concentration camp at Belsen and its liberation by British forces in 1945.

Several of the photographs contained in this book are harrowing to view, showing the many deceased inmates present in the camp. The book has three chapters, preceded by an introduction of five pages and a three page profile of a concentration camp guard. Chapter one covers the POW Camp, Chapter two the camp under SS control, and chapter three ‘Liberation’. There are two appendices, one listing the concentration camp staff and the sentences given to some of them resulting from the war trials.

Whatever your views, the issue of concentration camps and their story of human suffering and death at the hands of other human beings is integral to the Second World War. Many of these photographs provide a narrative that only photographs can do. What I found most interesting from this book was the role of women at this camp.

Not an easy read, but I believe a necessary one to gain an holistic understanding of the Second World War.

Nazi Concentration Camp Commandants 1933 – 1945

Ian Baxter has written and compiled some excellent material in Nazi Concentration Camp Commandants 1933 – 1945 and taken a new look at those who ran the camps and what life was like for them. The subject of the Commandants and those who worked within the camp complexes are usually found in academic books not accessible for many of those who want to learn more. While looking at this side of Camp life helps to illustrate how they could be so inhumane.

While set over four chapters the Introduction and explanation of the Concentration Camp system are probably the most important sections to read as it gives you the background to the four chapters. When people talk about Concentration Camps they automatically think of Auschwitz and the war, it is important to know that the system grew from 1933 for those deemed undesirable by the Nazis, not just Jews, but Gay, disabled, opposition politicians and more.

There is an excellent chapter on Camp Indoctrination which helps you to get under the skin of the motivations of commandants and Waffen-SS soldiers who worked there. There are many pictures in this book from Camps many may have no idea was part of the camp system and some of those pictures are haunting some are mundane.

It is probably the mundane pictures that hit home the most as on one side of the fence the inmates were being murdered, experimented on or worked to death, while they sat played cards or in the case of Auschwitz, had their own Country Club. The pictures of the guards and their ordinary lives set in a juxtaposition of the inmates is what makes the book so haunting. While the book is haunting it is also an excellent addition to the Holocaust Canon.

Germany Army on the Eastern Front – The Advance

Germany Army on the Eastern Front – The Advance is an excellently compiled photographs from Wartime Archives by Ian Baxter with an explanation in the three chapters. What is forgotten about the Eastern Front and during the advance Germany was actually winning it was not until a lot further in to the war that the tide began to turn. They had advanced to the outskirts of Leningrad, heading towards Stalingrad and head long down the highway to Moscow. This book is a pictorial account of that advance in all weathers and the soldiers are the stars of the book.

When Operation Barbarossa was launched in the early hours of 22nd June 1941, through the dividing line in Poland towards Russia herself the Infantry and Panzer Divisions went through the Russians like a hot knife through butter. The Russians were facing a front that spread from Poland down to the Black Sea, 3,332 Panzers, over 7,000 artillery pieces, 60, 000 vehicles, 625,000 horses and 3 million men.

Chapter One covers The Advance and there is a picture of the some soldier who have commandeered a child’s pram in order to transport their kit as the distances some of the soldiers had to cover on foot were immense. There are also plenty of pictures of the soldiers making their way on foot, in panzers or on horseback in all weathers including the dreaded winter snows. But they were still doing well at this point.

Chapter Two covers Army Group South who at this time had not been trapped and surrounded in Stalingrad yet but were heading towards the Great Dictator’s City. This chapter has some excellent information for the reader as well as excellent pictures. There is a picture of where German Soldiers have built an igloo as shelter from the weather. Plenty of pictures of the Germans advancing in the snow and using dogs to pull sledges. There is also a picture of a cameraman filming above the Volga towards the heart of Stalingrad in 1942 for the Reich News films.

Chapter Three covers the Winter and Spring Campaign 1943 before the tide turned against the German invasion and the might of the Soviet War Machine slowly turned the tide and began the push back. There are pictures here where we can start to see the mud that would hold up the Germans and make them easy targets for the Russians. It is hard to explain how bad the mud was due to the lack of decent roads and highways but the pictures show you how easy it was to be stuck in the mud and there is a great picture of a staff car stuck.

The three chapters in this book along with the appendices are well written and the pictures well compiled so that you can see how well the Germans had advanced in to the Soviet Union. The research that has gone in to this book is excellent, and a wonderful addition to the growing history of the Eastern Front that is oft forgotten in the West. It is often overlooked that the Germans did well with the initial advance and this is a great addition to that cannon that will help to give students a broader perspective of the war there.

On 15th April 1945 the British Army’s 11th Division were in Lower Saxony when they came across Belson Concentration Camp. To their horror when they liberated the camp there were over 60,000 mainly Jewish prisoners most close to death and starving, there were also 13,000 dead and unburied people. The men of the 11th Division were shocked and recorded what they saw it was so bad when the pictures were shown in the UK and USA many could not believe what had been recorded.

Ian Baxter is a military historian who has brought together some excellent archival material for any student of history. This book brings to life the horrors of Belson along with some explanations along with the appendices that again give a lot of additional information.

Baxter has broken the book down in to chapter that make what happened at Belson easy to follow, from its start as a military complex in 1935, to it being a POW camp when they invaded Poland through to the invasion of Russia in 1941. With pictorial evidence as a POW camp through to the SS soldier’s lockers with their pristine uniforms and boots. Some of the pictures make Belson look like an ordinary camp for the soldiers and their families.

When Belson came under the complete control of the SS in 1943 the pictures do change when there are pictures of some of the more horrific guards pictures, who look like normal people if you can put their crimes to one side. The officers and guards look like they do not have a care in the world.

Some of the most haunting pictures in the book come from the liberation of Belson in 1945, the pictures hold nothing back. There are the pictures of death of children and adults dead their only crime being Jewish. The lines of dead bodies discarded like trash, those who survived hollow and broken. The pictures of the guards burying the dead, work they would have once beaten the inmates to do.

Ian Baxter has compiled a horrific but necessary record of Belson and its liberation, and he has let many of the pictures speak for themselves. This is the sort of book that is necessary today to remind people what happened and remind us how easily it could happen again. This is a testament to those murdered and the reasons why we should never forget.

Quite a few rare photos, many taken from personal collections (Rather than official press photos) good supplemental text and captions covering the U-Boat War in WWII.

While the photos were mostly rare/unusual the captions in this particular book were not on par with the others Ive read in the series. Several misidentified tanks (Naming Italian tanks German), and guns etc.

Great photo study of various guns used by the Germans in WWII. Artillery, Howitzers, AA, AT, including their transport are all covered.

This was a very interesting book, focusing on the day-to-day lives of the SS officers running the Treblinka Extermination Camp -- their motives for being there, how they coped with the carnage, what their wives knew or didn't know, etc. At the end there was a list of the officers who had served at Treblinka and what few facts were available about them. Many of them did not survive the war; of those that did, very few were punished for their crimes.

Although it was somewhat repetitive at times, I definitely recommend this book for people wanting to know about Treblinka. It should be read alongside other books that give a broader picture of the camp: Jean-Francois Steiner's Treblinka and Mark Smith's Treblinka Survivor: The Life and Death of Hershl Sperling are good ones.

Details the role played by the Hitlerjugend throughout WWII. Contains 4pp full colour artwork, black and white photos.

Great previously-unpublished pictures!½