THE GERMAN INFANTRYMAN ON THE EASTERN FRONT

Simon Forty and Richard Charlton-taylor

Publisher: Casemate Web: www.casematepublishers.co.uk ISBN: 978-1-63624-361-0 Softback: 128 pages RRP: £24.95 (US $28.95)

This welcome addition to the useful Casemate Men: Battles: Weapons series of books follows that series’ formulaic approach to the subjects covered with sections covering a timeline, the soldier, transport and services, strategy and tactics, and life in the field.

The two authors have put together what amounts to a most handy little guide which gives the reader a concise yet detailed examination of what it meant to be a German soldier on the hell of the Eastern Front between 1941 and 1945 in a work that includes over 150 contemporary photographs and illustrations (including maps and charts) and which also examines the detail of training, uniform, and equipment through to areas covering tactics, logistics, rations, and life in the field for the ordinary soldier. This is all supported by explanatory text boxes and colour profiles of equipment, the whole providing a good overview of the campaign and the forces involved. A nice addition is a selection of colour photographs, maps, and diagrams.

As a useful ‘go to’ guide, this little book is very well written and edited and contains much historical detail and fact which this reviewer found to be most informative and enlightening. A view, it should be stressed, that comes from one with a more than pretty reasonable knowledge and understanding of the subject matter. Not only that, but there are a good many avid collectors of series books like these, and those collectors will doubtless want to add this title to their bookshelves.

Without doubt, this publication is one that is certainly well worth having as an addition to the bookshelves of any military historian, student, or enthusiast of German military history during the Second World War – especially coming with such a reasonable price tag for so much information!

Reviewed by Robert Arnell

Illustrations: ✔ References/notes: ✘ Appendices: ✘ Index: ✔