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Ian Westwell

Auteur de World War I: Day by Day

51+ oeuvres 692 utilisateurs 8 critiques

A propos de l'auteur

Ian Westwell has worked in publishing for more than fifteen years and has been a full-time freelance author since 1997

Comprend les noms: IAM WESTWELL

Œuvres de Ian Westwell

World War I: Day by Day (2000) 108 exemplaires
Ancient Monuments Revealed (2007) 43 exemplaires
World War II Commanders (2008) 38 exemplaires
Timeless India (2007) 32 exemplaires
China: A Photographic Journey (2006) 28 exemplaires
Timeless China (2007) 20 exemplaires
Encyclopedia of the Weather (1997) 18 exemplaires
Fact Finders Weather (1999) 16 exemplaires
Brandenburgers (Spearhead, No. 13) (2003) 15 exemplaires
Battlefields of North America (2008) 9 exemplaires
Warriors (Factfinder Guide) (1999) 8 exemplaires
Forces of Nature (2008) 8 exemplaires
Warfare in the 18th century (1998) 5 exemplaires
Warfare in the 19th century (1999) 5 exemplaires
US Forces in the Pacific (2008) 5 exemplaires
Space and Underwater (1997) 4 exemplaires
Trucks (2012) 3 exemplaires
I GUERRA MUNDIAL GUERR-MDO LIBSA (2014) 2 exemplaires
Eagle Claw 1 exemplaire
Tractors (2012) 1 exemplaire

Oeuvres associées

Third Reich Cloth Insignia (2003)quelques éditions4 exemplaires

Étiqueté

Partage des connaissances

Date de naissance
20th century
Sexe
male
Nationalité
United Kingdom
Pays (pour la carte)
United Kingdom

Membres

Critiques

While this format might look very similar to Osprey books, it is much more detailed, with very good maps and presentation of troop movements and lots of photographs, only art being medals, insignia and one view of Bf109 fighter plane with Legion's markings.

Spanish Civil War was an opportunity that Germans, preparing for the clash in Central Europe over Czechoslovakia and Poland, just could not miss. Huge country caught in conflagration of civil war (not unlike recent events) was very fast used by external forces (predominantly Fascist/Nazi powerhouses of Germany and Italy on one end, Soviet Union and France on the other end) as a test bed for new tactics and weapons (even name of Condor Legion armor wing - Drone Force - sounds terribly prophetic) and of course as an arena for conflict of ideologies. Interestingly enough other major powers (UK and US) remained neutral, but left their citizens to join Republican or Nationalist forces on their own volition [and of course thus remaining in legal gray area]. While Republicans were supported by very large number of so called International brigades populated by volunteers from all over the Europe, Nationalist forces also received great influx of various pro-Nazi/pro-Fascist organizations, various organizations that were highly religious and worried about the socialist influence (especially considering that Soviets were behind these social movements which alienated support from UK for example - hate towards Soviets from 1920's was still very very fresh, while Soviets saw Spain as a holy ground to achieve a huge victory for their ideology). While Franco did not see these volunteers as a true productive force (for this check fantastic Crhistopher Othen's book) Condor's Legion was a very worthy addition to Franco's battle hardened African Army, and especially Spanish Foreign Legion units.

First third of the book is dedicated to major events and battles in Spanish Civil War - from the very start of the war (cause and effects), Spanish generals organizing for the putsch and finally introduction of German (and Italian) forces in the conflict. What started as a support operation to get Franco's African troops into Spain as fast as possible soon evolved into the full fledged combined arms combat group that acted as a pure volunteer force (again echoes from modern times - incredible), for public eyes under Franco's control with goal of introducing modern tanks, airplanes and artillery onto the battlefield, operating these high tech weapon systems, providing intelligence information (again....echoes.....) and training Franco's army in both tactics and technology (majority of weapon systems, except those that were marked as latest versions were left to Franco's regime when the war ended).

Germans definitely gained very precious experience during these 4 years. While breakthroughs in air force utilization are always mentioned (Germans developed several models of combat airplanes, from fast bombers, to fighter planes (Bf109's) and so called dive bombers (Ju57 Stukas), combat tactics were developed, procedures for carpet bombings that will destroy Republican cities but also spread destruction from England to Russia in coming years) this was also time when mechanized warfare was stress tested [of sorts]. While not all theories could be fully tested (tanks in this period were relatively light in armor but they were already looking like tanks of modern days) and later Soviet/Russian and German military confirmed that some wrong conclusions were made as a result, very activity of Von Thoma's Drone group paved the way to fixing deficiencies found in first tank versions - predominantly in introduction of heavier armor and weapons. All of these will be felt in coming years and especially in colossal armor battles in the Eastern Front.

Interestingly enough while air war confirmed the dominance of Germans technology and tactics over Republican forces, it did not prepare them for direct clash against countries that are geographically isolated in a way that air defense systems could prove to be quite an obstacle even with minimal number of modern interceptors supporting it.

And as it happens with every war theater, Germany raised quite a respectable mid-level command cadre with huge combat experience that will help them to achieve initial successes in WW2. As time went on though attrition rate went up and leveled the field.

Considering how first half of 21st century so far starts to look very much like first half of 20th century there are numerous parallels here, and this is one of the values of this book (and in general history). Only hope remains that it wont escalate in the same manner.

Very interesting book, lots of information and very rich bibliographical section at the end with more information on the subject.

Highly recommended.
… (plus d'informations)
 
Signalé
Zare | Jan 23, 2024 |
Viac ako 500 fotografií, mapiek a náčrtov bitiek.
Stručný, ale smerodajný výklad priebehu veľkej vojny s analýzou rozhodujúcich udalostí a významných bitiek.
Prehľad hlavných druhov výzbroje bojujúcich štátov od vojnových lodí, ponoriek po tanky a protilietadlové kanóny s ich základnými takticko-technickými údajmi.
 
Signalé
Hanita73 | Mar 4, 2022 |
I have not read the complete book, which is in the Ian Allan 'Spearhead' Series.

Excellent level of detail!
Very well illustrated with good to excellent black and white photographs.
Some color illustrations (insignia, front and back marine re-enactors in uniform - enlisted with M1903 Springfield and officer with M1 Carbine).
Very good maps - each map should have a title (not caption) for what (Guadalcanal operations), where (Southern Solomons) and when (August 1942-February1943).

Negatives:
'15-round M1 Garand carbine' (page 73, Rifles) - should be 15-round M1 carbine.
'M1 Garand carbine' (page 73, Shotguns and pistols) - should be M1 carbine?
In Submachine guns (page 76), 'Thomson' is never used, only 'Tommy Gun'.
… (plus d'informations)
 
Signalé
TChesney | Aug 7, 2015 |
This children’s book provides an account of major events before, during, and after the war. It is written in timeline format and gives a short blurb on each event starting in 1850 with the passing of the Fugitive Slave Law. The book also includes an introduction section that explains some of the issues that led to the war.
 
Signalé
Bellelinda | Feb 21, 2013 |

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Statistiques

Œuvres
51
Aussi par
1
Membres
692
Popularité
#36,565
Évaluation
½ 3.6
Critiques
8
ISBN
93
Langues
5

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