Reviews of History Facts' books

Reading samples
 

recollectionsofwwii.blogspot.com 10/2011 (Matthew Smaldon)
In 1944, entire German school classes were deployed as anti-aircraft gun assistants (Luftwaffenhelfer) to support the heavy Flak defending Germany and Austria. These schoolboys were drilled in the use of the 88mm Flak gun to support the soldiers of the Wehrmacht battling the allied bomber streams. The author, Gerhard Oberleitner, was one of these boys, and was deployed near St. Valentin, Austria, to protect the local tank production works, one of the biggest in the Reich.
Letters, reports, documents and above all, the author’s complete diary and photographs do much to support this detailed and extensive account. He describes how it was in the final two years of World War II, both on the ground and in the air, manning the guns and systems of the 7th German Anti-Aircraft Brigade. The author has also carried out research into the operations of bombers of the 15th US Air Fleet - the foes that his unit were opposing, thus providing an insight into both the lives of the schoolboy troopers “down here” and the bomber crews “up there”.
 

www.militarymodelling.com 11/11 (Robin Buckland)
'Forwards ever, rearwards never! is the translation of the title, and let me start by saying that the book is entirely in English language, despite the German language title. This is the first new book in a series from the publisher 'History Facts', and is written by Thomas Anderson, an author with a strong interest in the German Assault Artillery of WW2. His name may be familiar to many modellers who may have noticed his name credited on a good many Dragon kits and other reference works. He has a long time interest in the assault artillery units, and now he is putting that to use in this new series of books from History Facts.
This first volume covers the early period of the Sturmgeschutz, with the early Stug IIIs with their short 75mm guns. Seen as useful for tackling enemy strongpoints, machine gun positions or bunkers, these were very much Assault Artillery, to be used for pin-point attacks on strongpoints that were holding up an advance...
The book is filled with informative text and a host of excellent period photos and unit organisation charts... The book takes us through that, the first use in combat in 1940, and tackles all the early units that were equipped with the early Panzer III based Stugs. The photos show the vehicles, including the supported variants of the little Sdkfz 252 ammunition carrier as well as the Stugs themselves, and their crews. In the barracks, on the training grounds and in action.
Following the opening Introduction, the main segments of the book are the First Units... Very much a book, or to be more precise the first in a planned series of books, clearly by a modeller, and for modellers.

www.modelarmour.com 10/11 (Vinnie Branigan)
First in a three volume work, the others being Volume 2: Attack and Volume 3: Defence. Despite the title, that translates to 'Forwards Always - Backwards Never!', the book is entirely in English...which is nice. Also, it's mainly photographic in nature...which is also nice....'cos I likes me pictures. :)...
The book examines the development and history of the German Sturmartillerie before and during WWII, using this first volume to also show their early deployments and actions. To do this, as I mentioned, the author makes extensive use of period black and white photographs, although don't let this mislead you to thinking the book is light on information. It's not. The captions to each of the reproduced photographs are fairly comprehensive, and there are lengthy text sections where necessary to impart relevant information. This not only includes the author's own research, but also the reproduction of official reports made at the time, maps and tales of organisation.
After the introduction, six Sturmbatterie are covered in some detail, their formation, deployment and history, along with useful information on how to identify vehicles belonging to each specific unit, each of the sections being copiously illustrated with relevant period photographs.
The next section examines five Sturmartillerie- Abteilung during the period immediately after the invasion of France, again using photographs, tables of organisation and again including a lengthy section on identifying which particular vehicles belonged to whom. This is followed by a section on illustrating and describing the various types of uniform worn by the Sturmartillerie between 1939 and 1941, the final section being a large selection of colour plates of various vehicles from various units!
Conclusion
If your particular area of interest is StuG's or the Sturmartillerie in general, then this is one series that you're going to consider a must have! Beautifully illustrated, and with another two volumes to collect, it looks set to become a standard work on the German Assault Artillery of WWII. Recommended.

Military Modelling International 10/11 (David Grummit)
MMI's own Thomas Anderson has written the first volume of what promises to be the definitive account of the German Sturmartillerie, or assault gun units, in World War II...
This instalment covers the Initial development of the Sturmartillerie, its first deployment in 1940 during the French campaign, its rapid expansion and subsequent action during Operation Barbarossa.
The author, who acknowledges his debt to the renowned team of Jentz and Doyle (the foremost experts in the field), has based his research almost entirely on original German sources; no repeat here of the myths and errors which mar other publications. For the modeller this book contains a wealth of previously unseen photographs: no less than 250 across its 208 pages. Each is expertly captioned and Anderson has gone to great lengths to identify units, markings and other characteristics (such as stowage arrangements) that identified the different units. As well as the StuG III there are plenty of photographs and information on the Sd.Kfz. 252 and 253 support vehicles, as well as the support and recovery vehicles that served alongside the StuGs. The text and photographs are also supported by a wealth of colour profiles, unit markings and a map. Overall, this is a first-class production which I can't recommend highly enough.

Steel Art 10/11 (A.B.)
Questo libro dal titolo "Sempre avanti - indietro mai!" risulta rieeo di foto storiche e succose didascalie a corredo. Tratta della famosa Sturmartillerie nelle prime lasi della guerra. A questo ne dovrebbero seguire altri tre per coprire tutte le fasi dei conflitto. Il libro nasce dalla ricerca certosina dli famoso Thomas Anderson che ha intervistato centinaia di veterani per fornire un documento ricco di curiosità e scatti inediti, che sarà sicuramente giudicato fondamenlaie dagli appassionati. 11 volume e in formato A4 ed e rilegalo. dentro troverete oltre alle loto disegni a colori dei mezzi. eslratti di manuali e documenti ufficiafi. 11 tutto in lingua inglese.

www.missing-lynx.com 10/11 (Tom Cockle)
In English, the title translates to Forward ever, rearward never!, the motto of the newly formed Artillerielehrregiment training facility located in Jüterbog near Berlin in 1936.
The book presents a chronological historical look at the creation of the first Sturmartillerie units beginning with the first six independent Sturmbatterien (640, 659, 660, 665, 666 and 667) in November 1939 and their battlefield experiences in the battle of France in May 1940. This is followed by an account of the creation of the first five Sturmartillerie-Abteilungen (184, 185, 190, 191 and 197) in July 1940 and their experiences during the Balkan Campaign.
Each unit is discussed in detail and includes a Table of Organization and numerous photographs illustrating the unit markings and support equipment. The book finishes off with a brief discussion on the uniforms used by the Sturmartillerie.
Most of the photographs are previously unpublished from the authors personal collection as well as from several veterans personal albums and other well known sources.
I found it to be a very interesting read with enough technical information and descriptive photograph captions to keep my attention but not too much to make it boring and was able to finish it in about four hours. Anyone interested in the history and equipment of the German Sturmartillerie will find this book to be a valuable addition to their library. 
 

 
www.amazon.com 09/10 (Doug Nash)
Superb Book covering one of the Eastern Front’s “Forgotten” Battles
A lot of ink has been spilled covering some of the well-known decisive battles that took place on the Eastern Front between 1941 and 1945 – epic confrontations such as the ones that took place before the gates of Moscow, inside and outside of Stalingrad, the siege of Leningrad, Kursk, Operation Bagration and the Battle for Berlin – but not much on the myriad battles that took place between these events. One such ‘forgotten” battle involved the fighting for the Estonian city of Narva. The struggle for this city raged for nearly six months, from the first Red Army offensive that began on 3 February 1944 until it fell on 26 July. During this battle, thousands of men were killed and wounded on both sides – mainly Russians and Germans, of course – but also thousands of Europeans, including Estonians, Lithuanians, Dutch, Belgians, Danes and Norwegians, volunteers (for the most part) who fought in the ranks of the Waffen-SS... More of a classic siege than a fluid battle, the German defense of Narva withstood several all-out attempts by the Red Army to cross the Narva River and seize the two flanking fortresses of the Hermannsburg and Ivangorod and throw them out of Estonia...
Mr. Denton’s book reads like a blow-by-blow description of the battle, drawing the reader into the unfolding events almost as if he were standing in the German command post. Relying heavily on German war diaries kept in the Bundesarchiv-Militaerarchiv in Freiburg, Soviet war records stored in the TsAMO Central Military Archive in Podolsk, surviving veterans’ interviews and a wealth of post-war German and Soviet accounts, the author has done his homework well, interweaving the various stories in a seamless fashion. If the reader, whether a war-gamer or history buff, is looking for detail, this book has got it, with a plethora of notes and sources detailing numbers of men, tanks, artillery pieces, and aircraft used in each of the several main battles and supporting engagements that took place during the siege. He has thoughtfully provided an extremely useful set of appendices, that describe equivalent military ranks, Soviet and German orders of battle, troop losses, and military biographies of the key German and European leaders.
Rounding out the book is a superb set of maps that clearly and graphically portrays the action, painstakingly detailing the location and movement of the various units, both German and Soviet, as they grappled with one another during the six-month siege. They are some of the best that the reviewer has ever seen and compliment the text superbly. Also noteworthy is the section of the book dedicated to contemporary photographs, many of which were taken from newsreels and have not been seen in the west by most historians. Mr. Denton has also used ... photographs from the German and Russian archives, from German and European veterans....
The book itself is in the large 8” x 11” hardcover format and the text is easily readable without having to resort to a magnifying glass. Overall, a superb first effort and this reviewer, for one, is looking forward to Mr. Denton’s future efforts.
 

Scott Danis (inscale.org)
What a modeller like me would say: Taken from the books forward: "We have designed a series of publications aimed specifically at historian, history enthusiasts,editors,restorers and modellers" This is so true for this publication has information for everyone in the line above. For model builders that wish to make an authentic build and require identification of variants and their production months will find this book gives a wealth of information that would be needed. This is truly a bible of sorts for anyone planning on building and Sturmgeschütz III of any variant... As one can see from looking at the Table of Contents that this book covers a lot of information for each of the different Sturmgeschütz III variants all packed into 296 pages. The subject has been well researched by the authors and it shows with every small detail backed up with photos.
Overall, I would say this is probable the best book you can find on the StuG III and well worth the price as it will provide the modeller with an indispensable amount of usable information when doing their builds. The way this publication has been laid out and written makes it very easy for everyone to understand and find what one needs to without any trouble. On top of this it also comes with a supplement (poster) which presents all 90 characteristics in a tabulated overview. With the number of photos with many full page or half page images and 1:35 scale line drawings in this book a modeller can not go wrong having this book on the shelf. Highly Recommended!

www.worldwartwobooks.com
This publication [Volume I] documents the developmental history, mass production, deployment and combat operations of Germany’s Sturmgeschütz III during World War II. In order to provide a better appreciation of the historical significance of the Sturmgeschütz III, this study first examines its technical design and development, production, modification and the fielding of the different versions, ranging from models A through G, as well as a survey of Sturmgeschütz III production assembly plants at Daimler-Benz, Alkett, and MIAG, where more than 10,500 of these vehicles were produced between 1940 until the end of the war in Europe. Other chapters cover the Sturmgeschütz III’s operational history, including its combat debut and remarkable success as an antitank weapon. As the reader will discover, the German General Staff’s and upper echelons of the Wehrmacht’s growing appreciation of this remarkable weapons system ultimately led to an overestimation of its capabilities, contributing to Germany’s defeat as both Sturmgeschütz III crewman and vehicles themselves were over-committed to the point of collapse.
In this study, the authors have drawn almost exclusively on primary source material rather than the existing body of secondary literature, tapping into a vast reservoir of original files, reports and operational records. In all, some 400 different sources were used during the production of this reference work and are listed in the bibliography. The authors have verifed production figures by cross-referencing and recomputing dozens of original source documents, resulting in the most up-to-date and comprehensive information about the Sturmgeschütz III’s to appear in print. To round out this volume, it includes 125 historical photographs, many of them reproduced for the first time, as well as seventy charts and tables that verify the authors’ conclusions.

Volume 2 of Sturmgeschütz III provides a selection of images that illustrate in striking and unique detail the evolution and operational employment of this potent weapons system. Reliable documentary evidence, such as the date the image was made, location and unit of assignment is provided for many of these photographs, allowing the reader to precisely identify specific variants of the Sturmgeschütz III. The quality of research displayed throughout this volume makes it an ideal reference work for vehicle restoration, for historically accurate modelling or for diorama building. The superb photographs in this volume also illustrate a tremendous amount of technical information for historians most interested in tracing the continuous development of one of the most significant armoured vehicles to see action during World War II.
Within this volume, the photographic evidence is used to accurately present 90 specific identifying characteristics of the Sturmgeschütz III and how each of the weapon system’s unique features arose during design and development. Accompanying timelines illustrate when different versions of the Sturmgeschütz III were manufactured, using documentary evidence such as the original records that list chassis serial numbers assigned for each assembly plant as well as other primary source information. It also includes a supplemental chart that provides a quick and handy reference to the various versions of the Sturmgeschütz III that saw service.
Volume 2 also systematically covers unusual configurations of the Sturmgeschütz III, including field modifications, backed up by tabulations for easy reference. Superb four-level cutaway technical drawings illustrate the characteristics of each of the wartime production runs of the Sturmgeschütz III at precisely defined points in time. High-quality photos compliment each of the drawings.
This volume also accurately documents for the very first time the evolution of the appearance of the Sturmgeschütz III from 1940 to 1945 on a month-by-month basis, enabling the historian or modeller to interpret other Sturmgeschütz III photographs and place them in their proper historical timeframe and operational context.

Tamiya Model Magazine 10/10 (MN)
... now it's time to look at the second in History Facts' two-part set on the many modifications made to this effective assault gun turned to tank destroyer, and oh boy, were a lot of changes made! In the 293+ pages of this handsome hardback we find a full third of the book is given over to the description (in word and photos) of the profusion of the subtile and obvious defferences between the various versons and the value of this exhaustive listing to the modeller can not be overstated... the book ist worth its weigth in gold. Add to that a generous collection of known an less known wartime photos (reproduced large and to a very good standard) plus scale drawings, each with a list highlighning the details shown and this book is on the verge becoming the StuG III modeller's bible!
Very highly recommended

Model Military International 09/10 (Alastair Bowie)
... Fans of German armour have always had the luxury of excellent reference on their pet subjects an I have to say that as references go, this is at the top of the class. Everything about these two volumes is first rate. The amount of work that has gone into these books is reflected by the excellent presentation of facts and the collation of the production changes must have been a nightmare to sequence but a godsend to the modeller, enthusiasts and historian alike...
These two volumes are thorough and impeccaably researched. The infirmation within is amazing in its breadth and presented in a digestible and logical format. They are quite simply the best vehicle history books I have ever seen. These set a very high benchmark for future authors in this busy genre and as such I highly recommend these as a definitive history of the Sturmgeschutz III Assault Gun.
I would thoroughly recommend this book to anyone with an interest the StuG III or German armour of World War II, whether they are modeller, historian, collector or even a restorer.
Highly recommended.

www.ipmsusa.org 07/10 (Don Barry, IPMS # 46771 )
Backbone of the German Infantry, Volume 1, History
... This book offers a wealth of data for the modeler as well as those more interested in the technical aspects of this weapons system. Chapters cover background, technical development, series production, design variants A thru G, the factories involved in production, and combat records and troop reports.
There is a full developmental section, where the evolution of tactics is examined. Due to the requirements of the conflict, a weapon developed to support the infantry with mobile heavy firepower, evolved into a premier tank killer and improvised tank replacement. A howitzer-armed version, the Sturmhaubitze, was introduced to remedy this, with limited success mostly due to the limited numbers produced.
All the major production companies are listed, with their full and abbreviated names, and in many cases, their addresses. Subcontractors are also listed, with the items they produced. Production figures are provided for each variant, as well as the date range of each. Ample text and photographs show the effects of the Allied bombing campaigns against German industry, and the resulting shortages of vehicles and parts. Added to this, Hitler's interference in the technical development of the StuG system often further tangled production.
All the different types of ammunition used are described and illustrated, including the markings on the base plates. The various howitzer rounds are treated in similar fashion. The list of references consulted runs to four pages, providing ample further research resources.
Modelers may prefer the photo volume for reference, but I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book, especially for the insights it provides regarding troop use.
Highly recommended.

www.ipmsusa.org 09/10 (Andrew Birkbeck, IPMS #27087)
Volume Two, the subject of this review, “provides the means with which to precisely identify specific vehicles”, and is almost exclusively photographs and line drawings.
The concept behind this volume is very sound. It takes the Sturmgesschutz III, and covers each variant (Ausf. A through Ausf. G) with detailed line drawings in 1/35th scale: front, rear, side, aerial. Included with the line drawings are written details covering which firm manufactured the variant, dates of production, and specific characteristics of the particular variant. This written description and line drawings are supplemented with period black and white photographs.
A second section covers vehicle characteristics, broken down thus: Hull Nose Characteristics (Bow armoring; Inspection hatch details etc); Superstructure Characteristics (Driver’s visors, hatch details, cupola details, antenna mounts etc); Rear Hull Characteristics (starter crank, engine air outlet, exhaust muffler etc); Running Gear Characteristics (drive sprocket, road wheels, return rollers, idler wheel, shock absorbers, tracks etc); Main Armament; Tool and Accessory Characteristics (horn, axe, spade, fire extinguisher, etc); Track Guard Characteristics (front and rear mud flaps, tail lights etc). Each characteristic is covered via photographs, and written text. The particular Ausfuhrung (Variant) with this given characteristic is listed, which manufacturer produced such vehicles, and during which time periods.
I don’t know what more a modeler would want!
If you are a fan of the Stug III, then this book, together with its companion, is for you.

www.missing-lynx.com 09/10 (Frank V. De Sisto)
Note: normally I report on books individually, but in this instance, these two titles are so closely related that I think it makes more sense to keep them together and present my opinions in one posting
...
Modelers are always trying to determine what features are seen on a particular AFV, so that their replica can be as accurate as can be. To do so, the modeler usually needs to consult multiple sources and then do some careful cross-referencing; then the building can commence with confidence. This two-volume set seeks to ease the process described immediately above. And, as is by now well known, it does this extremely well.
The authors take their time in presenting their material. There is much explanation given as to their research and presentation methodology...
After setting the stage, the first volume then jumps immediately into the conceptual and technical development of the Sturmgeschütz III, and then it goes on to the production of the assault gun series. Design variants are covered and information is provided on the assembly plants. Combat use by the troops is detailed and then conclusions are drawn. The final segment of the text provides various appendices to include tables and graphs, a glossary and a bibliography. There are a number of organization charts provided in this section, as well as graphs that show production and loss trends, and unit issue status. The illustrative content consists of a combination of B&W photographs and line drawings. These allow for a concise overview of the physical aspects of the various Sturmgeschütz III models and set the stage for what comes in the second volume.
The second volume concerns itself almost solely with visual appearance of various Sturmgeschütz III models. A large number of thumb-nail images detail each and every visible external fitting as seen on nearly every single variation. These are annotated with chassis numbers where known. This in turn has allowed the authors to pin-point when certain changes were seen and also which factory produced them. To compliment this section, a large, poster-sized, pull-out section allows for easy access to an incredible amount of data, all in tabulated form. This is pure gold to a modeler, to be sure!
Another segment describes camouflage colors and covers all of the changes to specifications that are known. In addition to providing photos to illustrate the point, B&W half-tone color chips are provided, seemingly to allow the reader to determine how to figure out what color he is seeing in a B&W image. Three more groups of photographs show overall views of each model from Ausf.A to Ausf.E, then Ausf.F and Ausf.F/8, then Ausf.G. Interspersed between these segments are 1/35th-scale four-view line drawings, spread over four pages each; three pages contain drawings, one contains comments. Again, all models and several sub-variants are amply covered, with the drawings being extremely crisply reproduced.
Overall, the photos are well-reproduced, but the paper stock is not coated or glossy; including the latter would have improved reproduction somewhat, but also probably would have caused a price increase in these books. Captions are usually concise, yet informative.
The way in which these two volumes are broken down will allow the modeler on a budget to choose to purchase only the second one, if his main interest is the physical appearance of the Sturmgeschütz III. If the modeler also has an interest in the technology and actual combat use of the Sturmgeschütz III, than volume one should also be in his library. Regardless, this set is a benchmark in the realm of reference books for modelers and historians. I eagerly look forward to this teams up-coming treatment of the Panzerkampfwagen IV.
  

www.ipms.com (8/2010)
…a unique glimpse into the war time attitude and capability of the armament industry inside of Germany.

www.hyperscale.com (Glen Porter)
Highly informative and an interesting read, excellent art-work. Covers all aspects of the subject aircraft. 
Very few reference books give you so much information on the military and political situation which led to the design and production of the subject, but thats how this one begins. ... I have many aircraft reference books. Some are just text, a set of plans and some colour profiles. Others tend towards “Walk-arounds” and technical diagrms. This one has the lot and is a darn good read to boot. In the conclusion, the auther states that the He 162 was of more benefit to the Allies that to the Nazis and after reading this I would have to agree.
Up there with the best aircraft references.

www.largescaleplanes.com (Randy Bumgardner)
If you are planning a build of the Heinkel He 162, or even interested in this aircraft from a purely historical perspective, then this book will certainly interest you. ...
The book is in a softcover format and weighs in at 430 pages. It contains many original documents, photographs, and drawings. The book also contains color profiles of many airframes, from prototype and pre-production aircraft through the final production phase. Each profile contains additional notes pertaining to that particular profile. Over 200 original RLM and Heinkel documents are presented in the book, presented in their original format, with the accompanying text providing a translation where appropriate and describing the context and events of the times surrounding it. There are many technical drawings included ... [which] will be invaluable to the modeler, as will the 140 photographs, some never published before. The book is ... written against the context of the “bigger picture” of the time. Thus, the reader is provided the background information necessary to draw their own conclusions concerning the design, development, and production of the “Volksjäger”...
This book is a treasure chest of information on the He 162. It provides much technical and contextual information on the type and the state of affairs surrounding it. The color plates and notes provide excellent details on the prototypes and pre-production models. This is not a book to be missed by anyone with an interest in the Luftwaffe, especially an interest in the Volksjäger.
Highly Recommended.

Aeroplane 8/07 (Mike Hooks)
This new softback offers a different approach to its subject by providing readers with sight of original documents and statements in German to allow an impression of the devlopment, manufacture and operation of the He 162. ... A tender in 1944 was issued to seven manufacturers calling for an emergency fighter with a single jet. Various presentations were examinated an the He 162 design was selected. ... The author gives a very detailed account of the He 162 ... The variety of colour schemes is shown in drawings, also the emblems used by the JG 1 on their '162s, while armament is also discussed and illustrated. Anyone interested in German aircraft devlopment will find this a fascinating, if rather expensiv book.

www.stonebooks.com
... For readers seeking pictorial sizzle, this is not the best book around. For those more interested in data, Mueller's workmanlike job won't disappoint.
Mueller's approach highlights not just the technical aspects of the He 162, but also the context in which the aircraft was developed and the progress of the war as a whole which prevented its deployment in combat. ...
As he does throughout the book, Mueller supplements his text with reproductions of original diagrams and documents. ...
Although all the documents are in German, the remainder of the book is written in completely serviceable English. The chapter on "The He 162 in Action" in particular incorporates Mueller's effort to integrate the aircraft into the milieu in which it existed. ...
Heinkel He 162 Volksjaeger proves to be a very worthwhile effort from History Facts ...