World War II Winter and Mountain Warfare Tactics

Paperback / softback

Main Details

Title World War II Winter and Mountain Warfare Tactics
Authors and Contributors      By (author) Dr Stephen Bull
Illustrated by Mr Steve Noon
SeriesElite
Physical Properties
Format:Paperback / softback
Pages:64
Dimensions(mm): Height 248,Width 184
Category/GenreSecond world war
ISBN/Barcode 9781849087124
ClassificationsDewey:355.42309044
Audience
General
Professional & Vocational
Illustrations 5 b/w

Publishing Details

Publisher Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
Imprint Osprey Publishing
Publication Date 20 April 2013
Publication Country United Kingdom

Description

The twentieth century saw an unprecedented emphasis on fighting in all terrains, seasons and weather conditions. Such conditions made even basic survival difficult as subzero temperatures caused weapons to jam, engines to seize up and soldiers to suffer frostbite, snow blindness and hypothermia. The conditions often favoured small groups of mobile, lightly armed soldiers, rather than the armoured forces or air power that dominated other combat environments. Some European armies developed small numbers of specialist alpine troops before and during World War I, but these proved to be insufficient as nearly all the major combatants of World War II found themselves fighting for extended periods in extremely hostile cold-weather and/or alpine environments. Drawing upon manuals, memoirs and unit histories and illustrated with period tactical diagrams and specially commissioned full-colour artwork, this study sheds new light on the winter-warfare tactics and techniques of the US, British, German, Soviet and Finnish armies of World War II.

Author Biography

DR STEPHEN BULL is Curator of Military History and Archaeology for Lancashire Museums, with particular responsibility for local regimental collections, and is a consultant for the University of Oxford on World War I projects. He has previously worked at the National Army Museum and the BBC in London. A Member of the Institute of Archaeologists, he has also appeared in the TV series Battlefield Detectives, Lost Treasures, and Instruments of Death. His other books include six Osprey titles - two on World War I, and four on World War II.

Reviews

"Any military history collection will find this a solid discussion of the training, equipment and special approaches winter warfare required, with chapters based on both wartime manuals and critiques of what actually happened during combat. A specific 'must' for any military collection!" --The Midwest Book Review (July 2013)