Three fabulous books for BFC/grogs/troops/designers

[John Kettler]

While back in Texas, I snagged three treasures at discount bookstores.

Dmitry Loza (of COMMANDING SHERMAN TANKS IN WAR fame) has written a second book called FIGHTING FOR THE SOVIET MOTHERLAND: Recollections from the Eastern Front. As far as I'm concerned, it's practically worth its weight in gold, containing all manner of juiciness on how the Red Army organized, fought, supplied itself and evacuated casualties; superb battle accounts, maps, use of specialist troops to include flamethrower tanks and snipers, even a section on military medals and award criteria (great for campaign enthusiasts!). The grogs and BFC are likely to be particularly interested in the emphatic statement that the Matilda had HE ammo, positively in the sense that its supply was routine and use was vital against AT guns, and negatively in the sense that he laments the absence of a standard and familiar ammo type (pp. 30 and 31), as well as a chapter devoted to T-34 armor spalling. I see quite a few scenario design possibilities in this book, too. The writing style is similar to Suvorov's Cold War period INSIDE THE SOVIET ARMY, but Loza is writing as a highly decorated (Hero of the Soviet Union) combat veteran with years of experience.

Those of you trying to refight the Pacific will be fascinated to know that the August Storm 1945 Manchuria attack had quite a few T-26s

and BT-7s in it, because the Far Eastern Military District was a military backwater until late in the war, being notable primarily for having supplied a bunch of wholly unexpected snow suited divisions at Stalingrad. Be sure to apply high attrition rates, though, as they didn't fare well going through the mountains.

RUSSIA'S HEROES 1941-45 by Albert Axell will be of much general interest for three reasons: a great set of maps showing the War in the East; a marvelous set of photos (even Russian cavalry) supporting the text, and a series of vignettes ranging from snipers and antitank rifle teams to the heroic defense of Brest Litovsk, rammers over Moscow, and Russian subs hunting the Tirpitz. The Night Witches, partisans, Leningraders, etc. are all here. Nothing I've read before so well encapsulated the incredible span and sweep of the Eastern Front. The perfect book for newbies! Offers some interesting scenario design possibilities, too.

BLOOD ON THE SHORES: Soviet Naval Commandos in World War II by Twice Hero of the Soviet Union

Viktor Leonov is a superb and engrossing look inside a little known unit whose successors, naval Spetsnaz, have caused all sorts of black ops grief.

A massive departure from the usual CMBB fare, this book will thrill those who love special ops and/or small unit combat, and the scholarly types will rejoice, for the appendices, notes and bibliography

(much of it Russian sources but also German war diary stuff) amount to nearly a third of the book. This was an aspect of the War in the East of which I knew almost nothing, and reading it was a real education. Leonov grabs the reader and never lets go, for he was there. The designers ought to be able to go hog wild with this book. Can even have scenarios with boats, battery stormings, etc.!

Happy reading!

Regards,

John Kettler

[dieseltaylor]

Thanks for the info - sound excellent

[SpitfireXI]

Russia's Heroes by the way is a horrible book. I bought it in hardcover thinking it to be what you think it is. After reading it though you will have some major regret wasting your time. It basically read like a translated version of a Komsomol history book. Lots of 'but they were brave' and 'socialism made us strong'. It is written for a 5th graders level as well, I could'nt believe a US publisher let it go to press.