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New
Endkampf 1944-1945
The Final Battles on German Territory

This large-format volume is the first hardbound book to be released by the German publisher Luftverlag-Start. Consisting of 160 pages, with unique unpublished wartime photos, this title covers the battles fought by Wehrmacht units to defend the borders of the Reich.

This title contains 186 black-and-white wartime photos showing the German side. Most were taken by German soldiers during the final battles and thus represents a unique perspective, for by then film was difficult to obtain. Also included are 23 rare color photos taken during the fighting. All the photographs are accompanied by detailed text and maps which was extensivly researched by the author. All the photos are reproduced full page on quality glossy paper to the highest possible standards.



Battles covered in this title:

-Nemmersdorf and Goldap, the Russian drive across the East Prussian border
-From Königsberg to Pillau - Fighting Withdrawal in Samland, East Prussia April 1945 (Panther photos)
-The 1st Marine-Schützen-Division actions at the Oder in the Zehden Bridgehead in February 1945
-The fighting in Silesia in spring 1945 (Panther photos)
-The battle for Fortress Breslau
-Actions by the "Hermann Göring" Fallschirmpanzerkorps at Bautzen and Görlitz in April 1945 (Panther photos)
-The Führer-Begleit-Division in the fighting in Lauban (Panther photos)
-The SS-Freiwilligen-Brigade "Wallonien" and the 4th SS-Polizei-Division in the Battle for Pomerania
-SS-Panzer-Jäger-Abteilung 560 z.b.V. in action at the Oder (Hetzer photos)
-The action against the Russian Bridgehead over the Oder at Küstrin and "Fortress Küstrin" (Panther and Hetzerphotos)
-Heiligenbeil and Oxhöfter Kämpe - the fight about the pockets at the Haff and the Danziger-Bucht

Hardcover, landscape format, 160 pages 186 black-and-white photos, 23 rare color photos, German and English Text Pruce - $85.00
 
 

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New

 

 

 

German Paratroops in Scandinavia

Fallschirmjäger in Scandinavia  Denmark and Norway April-June 1940

The German conquest of Denmark and Norway in spring 1940 presents an interesting study of joint strategy between ground, air, and sea forces. In this campaign, the Germans placed great emphasis on mobility, speed, and surprise. The Fallschirmjäger of 1940 was a well-trained, highly-motivated force, and their participation in Operation “Weserübung” – the codename for the Wehrmacht assault on Denmark and Norway – is this subject of this book. Among the topics discussed are German paratroop operations (some of the first combat jumps of the war) against the main Danish and Norwegian bridges and aerodromes, the jump on Dombås, behind enemy lines, and also their tenacious on the snow-covered grounds of  Narvik. Illustrations: over 160 color/bw images,  Pages: 192 . (sch) Price: $45.00


 

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New

Panzerkampfgruppe Strachwitz
A Photographic Study of the Battles for the "Ostsack" and "Westsack"

Although many who are familiar with the ferocious fighting on the Eastern Front in World War 2 have heard of the three "Operations Strachwitz" through references and popular accounts, the most popular of which are the memoirs of Tiger ace Otto Carius in his best-selling book, Tigers in the Mud, few have ever seen much in-depth coverage of the fighting or images of the battle area. All that has changed with Panzerkampfgruppe Strachwitz which not only presents the reader with an overview of the small-unit actions that constituted the fighting associated with these three operations, but also presents 140 professionally shot images by war correspondents assigned to the front. While the quality of German war photographers is almost universally praised, many of the images are of rather mundane subjects and not much has surfaced in terms of late-war photography.

Recently, however, a file photo grouping was discovered that can unequivocally be traced to this famous small-unit action on the Eastern Front during the Second World War. That grouping features numerous images of the three most famous armored formations that participated: schwere Panzer-Abteilung 502 (Otto Carius' Tiger battalion), the Fuhrer-Begleit-Bataillon (Hitler's headquarters bodyguard consisting of soldiers from Grossdeutschland and other named formations) and Panzer-Grenadier-Division "Feldherrnhalle" (often referred to as Hitler's forgotten elite). As such, these photographs fill a void in the literature and coverage and represent a boon to armor enthusiasts, unit historians, collectors and model makers.

Hard cover, large landscape format (9" x 12"), 120 pages, 1 map, 2 divisional organization charts and 140 images (most never previously published and most full page).Price: $40.00

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New

Battle in the East: The German Army in Russia

There have been many books written about German forces fighting on the Eastern Front. This is hardly surprising considering the enormity of the campaign and the seemingly inexhaustible amount of data and photographs available. Concord is pleased to release one more title, authored by Gordon Rottman, focusing on this crucial campaign in the East. This volume is all about the infantry at the core of Germany's military exploits in the enormous expanse of Russia.

The opening text delves into the complexities of the standard German infantry division. Though usually short on motorized transport, these self-contained combined-arms units fought extremely effectively, penetrating almost to the gates of Moscow. The introduction includes a detailed table of organization listing all major and minor subunits (usefully provided in both English and German). It then proceeds with an annotated description of key divisional components, which is very helpful in understanding how a division is equipped. As is par for this series of books, the collection of black and white photos forms the centerpiece. There photos show infantrymen from the early days of the conflict through to much later periods. Members of many branches are on display, for example, artillery, assault pioneers, military police, antitank, reconnaissance and infantry. The photos reveal a host of interesting details and show weapon systems found in the infanterie division.
This book also features a set of four color plates expertly illustrated by Stephen Andrew. These depict infantrymen and panzer grenadiers in a wide range of uniforms fighting in various seasons and regions. Photo and color plate captions are well detailed and thorough, providing a wealth of infromation. This is a very helpful book for those wishing to learn more about those soldiers at the "coal face" of Germany's extraordinarily grueling campaign in the East.
Size: 8.5"x11", Price - $16.50

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New
The Fall of Montie Cassino

Perhaps one of the best known battles in the Italian campaign was the Battle of Monte Cassino. There was actually a series of four battles, the first starting on 17 January 1944, and the last on 18 May. Monte Cassino was a key to the German defensive Winter Line south of Rome, also known as the Gustav Line. Concord Publications is proud to release a new volume in its Warrior series that is fully devoted to this pivotal battle. The Battle of Monte Cassino involved almost the full spectrum of Allied nations - USA, France, New Zealand, India, Great Britain, and Poland - fighting against their battle-hardened German nemesis. However, the author has selected the final battle as the main focus for this title. While the book's introduction begins with a concise summary of the individual battles, it quickly moves on to a deeper examination of II Polish Corps, which played a principal role in the final bloody capture of the town of Monte Cassino and its famous monastery. The Poles suffered a staggering total of almost 4000 casualties, and it is said that the red poppies that cover Monte Cassino's slopes in spring owe their color to the blood spilt by these Polish soldiers! This work by the experienced writer Gordon Rottman first covers the German forces in a series of black-and-white photos, with many of them featuring Fallschirmjager paratroopers that fought so tenaciously. The coverage then proceeds to the Polish force, including both infantry and armor troops. The photos are well chosen and give the reader a good feel for the conditions at the time, as well as the typical uniforms and equipment that were in use by both sides. The book also contains four color plates by Dmitriy Zgonnik as its centerpiece. These feature three Germans (a paratrooper, Luftwaffe flak unit member and a mountain trooper) and a solitary Pole of the 3rd Carpathian Rifle Division. This book will make a very welcome addition to collections, especially as it covers such an important battle and features Polish soldiers that up till now have not received the attention they merit. Size: 8.5"x11", 52 pages, 134 photos, 4 color plates. Price - $16.50

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New

Battles on Two Fronts 1944-45

Germany's greatest mistake in WWII was attempting to fight a two-front war - against Great Britain and the USA in the west, and against the Soviet Union in the east. This book examines warfare on both of these fronts with the focus solely on Germany. For readers wanting a photographic record of the 1944-45 period, then this book offers a scintillating range of pictures in one accessible package.

The book opens with a two-page precis of
Germany
's fighting withdrawal in the last year and a half of the Third Reich's history. It then proceeds to a varied collection of WWII black and white photos of German military vehicles fighting on both the Western and Eastern Fronts. Vehicles such as halftracks, Puma armored car, Borgward BIV, Wespe, Marder III Ausf. M, Hetzer, StuG III, StuG IV, Wirbelwind, Hummel, Panzer IV, Jagdpanzer IV, Panther, Bergepanther, Brummbar, Tiger I, and Tiger II all make starring appearances. In other words, pretty much the whole range of German late-war armored vehicles is represented!

The book is supported by a series of sixteen color plates by Douglas Jameson. They feature an interesting selection of vehicles, including the mammoth Maus that never actually got to see combat. This book is significant in its breadth of coverage in terms of types of vehicles, as well as the fact that it features scenes from both the Western and Eastern Fronts. The detailed and accurate captions from the knowledgeable author only add to the appeal of this splendid new volume in the ever-popular "Armor at War" series from Concord Publications. Size: 12"x17.5"x4", pages 52, (concord) Price - $16.50

 

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New
III. Pz. Korps at Kursk
 
This book is the first in a new series devoted to German armored formations of World War II. Packed with full color images and a large amount of previously unpublished material, it is custom designed to appeal to modelers, AFV enthusiasts, and readers interested in Second World War technical history. The book traces the battle of Kursk and the involvement of the German Panzer Units, through first hand records. Many hitherto unpublished photos, plus recently discovered memoirs from veterans combined with color profiles of AFVs, contribute to make this book a real reference bible for the enthusiast. Didier Lodieu is a dedicated specialist on the German Army of World War II. In more than thirty years of research. he has learned how to find the most interesting photos and historical sources. Size: 9" x 12", Hard cover, 128 pages, Full color, English text. (rzm) Price: $59.95

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New
Hold the Westwall or Perish with it
The History of Panzer-Brigade 105 , September 1944
 
"Hold the Westwall" tells the story of an experiment that failed: The creation of separate armored brigades within the Panzertruppe in 1944. Formed at the direction of Hitler in response to the dramatic situation that was developing on the Eastern Front in the summer of 1944, the brigades 10 in all were to be a form of field army level ready reserve and strike force. These brigades, which featured a tank battalion, a mechanized infantry battalion, a company of mechanized combat engineers as well as a substantial amount of organic antiaircraft firepower, could have been the "iron fist" envisioned by Hitler had they not been so hastily formed and then committed in ways never doctrinally called for. This book represents the first study in English of this failed experiment, concentrating on the formation, deployment, virtual destruction and ultimate deactivation of Panzer-Brigade 105. Instead of being deployed on the Eastern Front as originally intended, the brigade was rushed to the West to the increasingly perilous and unstable situation there for the Germans in the fall of 1944. Making use of virtually every known primary source available concerning the brigade, as well as conducting extensive interviews of surviving members and reviewing all relevant secondary literature, author Timm Haasler has woven together a fascinating glimpse into the short life of this little-known element of the late-war Panzertruppe. The story is presented not only from the German side, but also from the viewpoint of the various US forces that were employed against the brigade. As a result, the reader comes away with a comprehensive understanding of the tactics employed by both sides in the US attempt to breach the Westwall better known as the "Siegfried Line" to most American readers in the Stolberg area of Germany in September 1944.
In the end, although almost completely wiped out, the brigade was able to slow down and then ultimately stop the US advance in its area of operations, thus delaying a rapid penetration through the frontier defenses of German, which might have hastened the end of the war. Hard bound, 6" x 9", 582 pages, 147 photographs, 22 maps and extensive charts and documentation. (rzm)  Price: $60.00
 

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New
March to the West - The German Invasion of France & the Low Countries

The newest addition to Concord's Warrior series is this title from Gordon Rottman. The accomplished author examines the typical German soldier as he appeared as Blitzkrieg was unleashed upon an under-prepared and overconfident Western Europe. The coverage extends from the abrupt end of the British-labeled Phony War (or Sitting War [Sitzkrieg] as the Germans called it) through to the victory parades in France after the successful conclusion of the campaign. The much-vaunted French Army had 78 divisions and 2,235 tanks, this latter figure being more than Germany itself possessed. Hitler launched his attack, codenamed Case Yellow (Fall Gelb), in the early hours of 10 May 1940. By the 17th, Brussels had fallen, and by the 19th discussions were already beginning about the possibility of withdrawing the British Expeditionary Force (BEF) from France. German troops entered Paris on 14 June, with an armistice surrendering France finally being signed on 22 June. This stunning and swift victory did not come cheaply, though, with Germany suffering 27,000 dead, 18,000 missing, and 111,000 wounded.  This volume shows the triumphant German soldier as he is engaged in this campaign in the West. The black and white photos reveal interesting details about uniforms, weapons, equipment, and in some cases, even vehicles. The photos each receive informative captions that provide useful background details. Another feature is the four color plates by Stephen Andrew. These portray various types of soldiers with helpful notes about their uniforms and weapons. This is a handy volume and will be especially useful to modelers or military historians wanting to see German soldiers in action in the early-war period. The combination of photos, illustrations and photos provide a valuable introduction to this interesting but often neglected period of WWII. Size: 8.5"x11", 52 pages, 137 photos, 4 color plates. Price - $16.50

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New
Soldat: (Vol.1) The German Soldier on the Eastern Front 1941-43
This volume gives an interesting and informative portrayal of the German soldier as he invaded Russia and fought his way across the steppes and through the hot summers and harsh winters. The German Army was flushed with success after the swift and overwhelming victories in Poland, Norway, the Low countries, France and the Balkans. They had already conquered most of Europe. They then proceeded on their most enterprising project yet - Operation Barbarossa, the invasion of Russia. Operation Barbarossa was the largest and most ambitious military venture ever undertaken. However, Germany and its leader bit off more than they could chew as they assaulted the massive land of Russia with its unbounded human resources, while attempting to simultaneously fight on North African and Western Europe fronts. This new book examines some of the 3,050,000 soldiers of the Wehrmacht and SS that launched the assault on June 22, 1941. There is a focus on the uniforms, equipment, weapons and vehicles of the German armed forces, plus an introductory text giving some pertinent details. This first volume is confined to the period 1941-1943.  The atmospheric black and white photos have been carefully selected to provide maximum detail and enjoyment for readers. They show soldiers and officers in all kinds of scenarios and phases of combat, and accurately portray the rigors of the campaign on the Eastern Front, as the operation moved from the initial successes to ultimately become bogged down outside Moscow in the bitter winter conditions of the Russian interior. The photos are explained by informative and insightful captions. In addition there are four color plates that give accurate details about how uniforms and personal equipment were worn. These feature typical German soldiers in both winter and summer gear. Size: 8.5"x11", (concord) Price - $16.50

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New
SOLDAT: (2) German Soldier on the Eastern Front 1943-44

The years 1943-1945 marked a reversal in the military fortunes of Germany, beginning with the huge defeat suffered by the 6th Army at Stalingrad on 2 February 1943. This volume, the second in the "Soldat" series, traces the lives and fate of the German soldier during this time period. The scope of the book is confined to the Eastern Front, which produced more casualties than all the other fronts combined. This book is filled with period photos of Wehrmacht soldiers. These photos are inspiring too - soldiers appear in spring, in summer, in autumn, and in grueling winter settings. Their typical weapons and personal equipment are on full display, as are their uniforms. Pertinent points are highlighted in the photo captions, apprising the reader of a wide variety of topics. The writer is a well-published authority on WWII Germany, so the details are authoritative and informative. All photos are high quality, detailed black and white so they yield interesting details, including the close-ups of soldiers. The photos are accompanied by four color plates produced by Stephen Andrew, which indicate accurate colors and uniform details. Each plate has its own detailed explanation, which will be of great use to the figure modeler and military enthusiast alike.
The book's introduction is particularly useful, offering a description of how units were organized from 1943-1945, from the divisional level right down to the rifle company level. There is also a helpful section on which weapons, and in what quantities, were allocated to units. This is a welcome companion volume to the earlier "Soldat" book, completing an in-depth look at the soldiers of the Wehrmacht as they fought against all the odds on the Eastern Front in the second half of the war.  Size:12"x17.5, 52 pages, 135 photos, 4 color plates .
Price - $16.50

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New
Armegeddon Ost
The German Defeat on the Eastern Front 1944-45
By late 1944, with the Allies having successfully landed in France in June 1944 and subsequently expanded their bridgehead to encompass much of Northern France and Belgium in the west and with the Russians inexorably advancing westwards, World War II in Europe was rapidly approaching its finale. However, as evinced by the Ardennes campaign in the west, whilst Germany was facing ultimate defeat, like a wounded animal, it was still capable of inflicting major losses on Allied forces. In the east, it appeared that every inch of soil was defended to the last and some of the most bitter fighting of the entire war occurred during its final six months on the Eastern Front, as the Germans doggedly sought to defend the territory it had conquered in 1940 and that of its erstwhile Allies, such as Hungary. For the Germans, it was not just that the loss of this territory would bring the dreaded Red Army to the very gates of—and later into—Berlin but also it was these areas that much of the raw material required to sustain the war effort was derived. Despite the efforts of the remnants of Hitler’s once great Wehrmacht, the Russian army proved unstoppable; sheer weight of numbers and quantity of materiel ensured that the best defence that the Germans could offer proved inadequate and, by May 1945, the fight had reached the very centre of Berlin. Armageddon had literally reached the heart of Hitler’s Reich.  In Armageddon Ost, Nik Cornish examines the final six months of the war on the Eastern Front. Describing events in detail he records the gradual, but inexorable, advance of the Red Army towards ultimate victory. With a narrative drawn from a variety of sources, including first-hand accounts from those who actually fought in the war, the book records the movement of the Red Army through Hungary and the Balkans, through Poland and, ultimately through Germany itself. Illustrated throughout with a superb range of photographs, many drawn from Russian archives and never previously published, the book is a sobering account of the destruction of this final phase of the war in the East. With the 60th anniversary of the end of the war in Europe having been marked during 2005, publication of Armageddon Ost is opportune; it will be required reading for all those with an interest in the history of World War II and of the campaigns in the east that were ultimately to prove so costly for the Third Reich. Hard Cover, 8" x 10", 160 pages, 170 b+w photos. (rzm) Price:$39.95

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New
EBEN EMAEL
Secret Operations
During the interwar years the major European powers learnt the military lessons of World War 1. However, the erstwhile combatants had come to different conclusions about the nature of any future war. For the French, in particular, fearful of losing a further generation of men in another war, saw the creation of a major fortification — the Maginot Line — along their border with the Germans as providing the best guarantee that there would be no further invasion from the east and the Belgians also, remembering their experience of invasion in August 1914, also constructed defensive lines, most notably the fort of Eben Emael. The Germans, however, had learnt other lessons and had experienced more modern warfare in their involvement in the Spanish Civil War. For the Germans, any future war would be fought by the integration of infantry, armor and air power into a single offensive force — a strategy that became known as Blitzkrieg. Soft Cover, 9" x 12", 96 pages, 170 b+w photos. (rzm) Price:$29.95

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New, Back in print    
Platz der Leibstandarte
The SS-Panzer-Grenadier-Division "LSSAH" and The Battle of Kharkov
January-March 1943
 
 In the first months of 1943, the SS-Panzer-Grenadier-Division "Leibstandarte SS Adolf Hitler" was involved in all phases of the series of operations in the complex Kharkov campaign. During the initial defensive fighting, the division held its sector for two weeks against the full weight of the Soviet 3rd Tank Army, a remarkable feat in itself. After the city fell, "Leibstandarte" withdrew to a new defensive position and protected the important supply rail center at Krasnograd while the "Das Reich" and "Totenkopf" divisions executed the first phase of the counterattack. When the 3rd Tank Army began its move south to block the advance of these two SS divisions "Leibstandarte" carried out raids and interdictory strikes that disrupted the Soviet realignment and weakened the army’s fighting power. Once having rejoined the SS-Panzerkorps, after taking part in the destruction of the Kegitschevka pocket, "Leibstandarte" led the way back to the city of Kharkov. Dynamic young officers such as Kurt Meyer, Max Wünsche and Jochen Peiper personally led attack columns that struck deep into the city, eventually forcing the Russian troops to abandon Kharkov.
When "Leibstandarte's" role in each phase of Manstein’s Kharkov counterattack is taken into consideration it is clear why its men, after enduring the losses necessary to retake the city’s blood stained streets and ruined buildings, renamed the enormous Red Square as "Platz der Leibstandarte."
Beautifully reproduced wartime photos, and compelling captions by author George Nipe illustrate in incredible detail the men, equipment, weapons, and vehicles used in this decisive Eastern Front battle. Hard cover, Full color dust jacket, Size: 8 1/2" x 11", 296 pages, 516 photos. (rzm) Price - $70.00

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New
Stalingrad Inferno - The Infantryman's War
This inspirational volume is filled from cover to cover with carefully selected photographs that chronicle this historical Battle of Stalingrad. They start with the summer approach of the Volga River, and the early successful incursions. The photos then chart the horrifying descent into urban warfare amongst the rubble, and the freezing clutches of winter that ravaged both sides in the conflict. These black and white photos are accompanied by highly detailed captions that offer excellent explanations about such matters as uniforms, weapons, vehicles, and the course of the battle. A set of four high quality color plates by the renowned artist, Ronald Volstad, is also a welcome complement to this work. In total, the Stalingrad campaign cost the Germans 400,000 lost, as well as 450,000 of their allies. "For the serious student of WWII history, or the modeler looking for inspiration from this savage battle, they need look no further than this volume!"
Size: 12"x17.5"x4", Pages: 52 pages, 135 photos, 4 color plates. (concord) Price - $16.50 

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Operation "Citadel" Vol. 1 The South
The first volume of the long awaited 2 volume photo study of the Battle of Kursk which promises something for everyone, whether serious historian, WW II enthusiast or hobbyist. The first volume covers the Southern sector of the attack culminating in the tank battle at Prokhorovka. The SS panzer Korps, with the 1., 2. and 3. SS Panzer Grenadier Division, The Grossdeuthland Panzergrenadier Division and the 503 Heavy Tank Battalion all fought in the sector. The book includes hundreds of photos, most previously unpublished or miscaptioned in the past by less careful authors, which tell the story of this crucial German gamble in the summer of 1943. The color profiles provide by Jean Restayn are up to his usual very high standards and the included maps succinctly describe the unit positions of both sides during various phases of the onslaught. Not just a photo album, the book includes a discussion of the operational concepts that led to the fighting, force comparisons and a description of the objectives of the opposing forces. A detailed day-by-day description of the actions of all German units involved in the attack in this sector is also included. Finally, the auhtors lay to rest several misconceptions and legends surrounding this epic battle and provide irrefutable evidence that German losses were not nearly so great as Soviet and other sources have long claimed. Size: 9"x12",460 pages, 46 pages of color vehicle, equipment, and aircraft illustrations, 4 color maps and 3 pages of color tactical insignia. (rzm) Price - $96.00

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New
Operation Citadel The North Vol.2

The author team of Jean Restayn and Nicole Moller have done it again! They have created a superb follow-on volume to their terrific first book concerning the southern portion of the epic Battle of Kursk. Rarely has one of our planned publications so caught the imagination of our loyal customers and the reading public and rarely have authors so thoroughly met those expectations. After years of combing archives in Europe, Restayn and Moller have succeeded in assembling more than 540 photographs of this sector of the battlefield. Most have never been seen before and of those that have, most have been identified here properly for the first time. In addition to providing the reader with a fantastic visual representation of the fighting, Restayn and Moller have also provided an in-depth text that covers the build-up and the fighting on a day-by-day basis. Along with 30 pages of four-color artwork, to include formation insignia, maps and all of the major vehicles used by the Germans, are dozens of tables illustrating orders of battle for both sides as well as vehicle counts and losses for the Germans. Hard Cover, 9" x 12", Glossy Stock, English text, 400 pages with 30 pages of four-color artwork, maps and formation insignia. More than 540 photographs (most seen or identified correctly for the first time). (rzm) Price: $98.00

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Armor Battles of the Waffen-SS: 1943-1945
Stackpole publishing has rereleased Fedorowicz's best selling (and now out of print) "Armor Battles of the W-SS!" These reprints are soft cover and though the content is the same, some items may have been omitted for publishing reasons. Despite the minor changes, these volumes are still amongst the most comprehensive works ever published on the various aspects of the German War Machine. We are happy to see them available again at a much lower price, making them affordable for all historians and enthusiasts! The Waffen SS were considered the elite of the German armed forces in the Second World War and were involved in almost continuous combat. From the sweeping tank battle of Kursk on the Russian front to the bitter fighting among the hedgerows of Normandy and the last great offensive in the Ardennes, forever immortalized in history as the Battle of the Bulge, these men and their tanks made history. Size: 6 x 9", Soft cover, 384 pages, 32 excellent wartime b/w photographs, drawings and maps.(rzm) Price: $19.95

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Drama Between Budapest and Vienna
Georg Maier, the former Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations of the 6. (SS)-Panzer-Armee, has written not only a monumental history of his former field army but a sweeping account of the little-known fighting on the southern portion of the Eastern Front in the final months of the war. Maier provides a truly objective overview of those operations by making use of primary sources — documents, war diaries and surviving senior commanders — to show the reader how decisions were made at senior levels of command and how certain post-war memoirs have only distorted the picture of what really happened in the final few months of the war. As such, it encompasses the operations of four different Waffen-SS corps and, by extension, nearly all of the “name” divisions of the Waffen-SS: The 1. SS-Panzer-Division “Leibstandarte SS Adolf Hitler,” the 2. SS-Panzer-Division “Das Reich,” the 3. SS-Panzer-Division “Totenkopf,” the 5. SS-Panzer-Division “Wiking,” the 9. SS-Panzer-Division “Hohenstaufen” and the 12. SS-Panzer-Division “Hitlerjugend.” In addition, many of the most-famous Army armored divisions were involved in this fighting: the 1. Panzer-Division, the 3. Panzer-Division, the 6. Panzer-Division and the 23. Panzer-Division. Maier starts his narrative with part one of a three-part drama: The brutal and ill-fated fighting to relieve the encircled city of Budapest and the IX. SS-Gebirgs-Korps by Armeegruppe Balck (primarily by the IV. SS-Panzer-Korps). He then follows up with act two: A day-by-day account of the successful but operationally relatively inconsequential Gran Offensive of the I. SS-Panzer-Korps and Panzer-Korps “Feldhernnhalle.” This is followed by the ill-fated Lake Balaton offensive, where the 6. Panzer-Armee — comprised of the I. SS-Panzer-Korps and the II. SS-Panzer-Korps, among other formations — was bled white combating prepared Soviet defenses in terrain that was completely ill suited for armored warfare. He concludes the text portion of the book with act three, which details the remaining two months of the war and includes the efforts of the 6. Panzer-Armee to defend Vienna and prevent the Soviet Army from advancing into the Reich. In the course of his narrative, Maier provides insights into the political wrangling of certain generals and presents a first-hand account of the handling of the infamous “cuff title” order issued by Hitler. (Maier personally presented the Teletype message to the Commander-in-Chief of the 6. Panzer-Armee, SS-Oberstgruppenführer Sepp Dietrich, in which Hitler demanded his elite formations remove their identifying cuff titles). Not only was Georg Maier there, but he also backs up every contention with prodigiously researched material consisting almost exclusively of primary sources. Whether interested in Waffen-SS formations in general or a student of military history with an interest in the command and control of military formations at the highest levels of command, this book will be of interest to you. It is destined to become the standard work in English on this theater and period of World War II. Size: Large Format, 16 pages of photos, nearly 1,000 footnotes, 32 page full color map book, 475 pages.(rzm) Price - $104.00

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Siege!
Six Epic Eastern Front Assaults of World War II
 
Land based military operations in World War II are usually associated with sweeping “Blitzkrieg type” battles that involve opposing forces in constant movement. However, many major battles reverted to the centuries old concept of siege warfare – two of the most significant, and extensively covered, being the epic sieges of Stalingrad and Leningrad. With Siege! the author, Pat McTaggart, has focused on six of the lesser-known sieges of WW II: The bitter defense of the Brest Litovsk Fortress by the Russians in 1941; the frozen Hell of Fortress Kholm – which held out against numerous Russian attacks; the complex operations to capture the highly fortified Sevastopol peninsula; the betrayal of the gallant Hungarian and German defenders of Budapest; the tragedy of Königsberg and the hard-fought, successful defense of Breslau, which held out until after the official German surrender. Utilizing both the latest military technology of the time and historical techniques of siege warfare, the attackers, in most cases, successfully attempted to overcome the fortifications of the defenders. However, in most cases the price of victory was a high one. The author has produced a well-researched book that is a great read. The text is supplemented by numerous excellent maps and many contemporary photographs. Size: 6"x9", more that 70 photos and maps, 240 pages. (rzm) Price - $37.00

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Normandy 1944, German Military Organization, Combat Power and Organizational Effectiveness
At last, a single-source reference book which accurately presents the German field forces employed in Normandy in 1944 and their losses. Chapters include: German Combat Organization (overview); Number of Soldiers Employed; Effects of Allied Air Power; German Armor in Normandy; German Losses in Normandy; Combat Efficiency; and, Unit Movements. In addition, there is a capsule history of every major formation employed in Normandy: infantry and Panzer divisions and separate formations; artillery and Werfer units; corps and field-army formations and miscellaneous elements which could bring combat power to bear. Dr. Zetterling provides a sobering analysis of the subject matter and debunks a number of popular myths concerning the campaign (the effectiveness of Allied air power; the preferential treatment of Waffen-SS formations in comparison to their army counterparts; etc.). He supports his text with exhaustive footnoting and provides an organizational chart for most of the formations covered in the book. Size: 6"x9", numerous organizational diagrams, charts, tables and graphs, 450+ pages. (rzm) Price - $40.00

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CHANNEL ISLANDS AT WAR
A German Perspective

After the Dunkirk evacuation the Germans occupied a group of islands in the English Channel, of which Guernsey and Jersey are the most famous. This detailed account is the first to make use of German records and recollections of the years of occupation, and to fully depict the nature of day-to-day life for both occupied and occupier, including allegations of collaboration by the local population. The fascinating text is supplemented by 300 illustrations, including the remarkable fortifications built by the Germans in such a short time. Size: 8"x10", 300 b/w photos, 256 pages, HC. (casemate) Price - $39.95

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SEPTEMBER STORM: The German Invasion of Poland

German forces thrown at Poland in Fall Weiss were some 700,000 troops backed by almost 3,300 tanks. The Luftwaffe would commit almost 2,100 aircraft. This massive juggernaut was faced by a well trained, but under-equipped Polish Army that consisted of 500,000 troops with a reserve pool of 3 million men. The invasion commenced on 1 September 1939 taking the Poles completely by surprise. The Poles gave a good account of themselves in spite of the overwhelming odds. Stiff Polish resistance caused the Germans delays and some setbacks. A week into the campaign the Germans approached Warsaw and fighting there would be vicious and prolonged. The city did not surrender until 27 September after heavy aerial bombardment. On 17 September the Soviets invaded from the east against negligible resistance. The last Polish forces surrendered on 6 October, making it far longer than the "18-day campaign" claimed by German propagandists. In spit of mass surrenders, up to 100,000 Polish troops made it out of Poland into nearby countries to later fight on the side of the Allies in other theaters. The Germans lost some 16,000 dead and 32,000 wounded. Over 670 tanks were knocked out with just over 200 being un-repairable. Over 66,000 Polish military were killed and 134,000 wounded. The Germans took 587,000 prisoners and the Soviets 200,000. This successful campaign prompted the Germans to look to the West and later face the French and British military. This book is authored by Gordon Rottman, a renowned WWII historian, backed up by many rare photos of German soldiers in the Polish campaign. Artist plates are provided by Stephen Andrew, featuring the early war uniform and equipment of the German soldiers. Size: 8.5"x11", 143 photos, 4 color plates, 52 pages. Price - $16.50

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New
Deadlock Before Moscow
Army Group Center 1942-1943
 
One of these events, the attempt of the Red Army to cut off and destroy the panzer formations far advanced before Moscow, is little known. In January 1942, when the 3rd, 4th and 22nd Soviet Shock armies set out from the Army Group North area to the south and attacked Kholm, Toropets, Demidov, Vitebsk and Belikie Luki, in order to roll over the rear area services approximately 160 kilometers behind the front and the strong point-like positions and cut off the main body of Army Group Center from its supply of weapons and soldiers, the Eastern Campaign appeared to be lost. The renewed major offensive of the Red Army, which began in November 1942, found these troops - hopelessly opposing massed enemy formations - in a battle to the bitter end. This is especially shown in Velikie Luki, where the defensive strength of 7,500 German soldiers fought to the end paid for with their own lives. Only a handful of soldiers escaped from this inferno. Never before has such detail on this aspect of the Russian front campaign been available in English. Reknowned author Franz Kurowski uses first-person accounts, and never before published documentation to present this, the turning point of the war in Russia. Size: 6"x9", 412 pages. Price - $34.95

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Operation Barbarossa in Photographs
Renowned author Paul Carell's photo album to accompany his definitive studies on the war in Russia. Over 570 b/w and color photos from both German and Russian archives explore the entire campaign. Size: 7"x10", color and b/w photos throughout, 460 pages. Price - $49.95

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Last Victory in Russia
The SS-Panzerkorps and Manstein's Kharkov Counteroffensive - February-March 1943
 
This book is the first detailed and comprehensive account of the Kharkov counteroffensive, the operations of the SS divisions and the supporting actions of Armeeabteilung Fretter-Pico and 1. Panzerarmee, and is supported by over 210 photographs and maps. By the end of January of 1943, Hitler's armies had been dealt a series of defeats by the Russians, beginning with the disaster at Stalingrad. Successive Soviet offensives had destroyed the German 6. Armee and annihilated the armies of Germany's Axis allies, Italy, Rumania and Hungary. Germany teetered on the brink of defeat in World War II because the Soviet advance threatened to drive to the Dnepr River and encircle the remaining Germans armies in southern Russia. Stalin and the Russian high command believed that the war could be won with just one more great effort. Accordingly, they planned and launched two offensives, designated Operations "Star" and "Gallop." The focal points of the two offensives included the recapture of Kharkov, the industrial heart of the Ukraine and the destruction of Armeeabteilung Hollidt, 4. Panzerarmee and 2. Armee. Feldmarschall Erich von Manstein entered the picture in late 1942 when he was appointed commander of Heeresgruppe Don. Beginning in February he engineered a remarkable operation that changed the course of the war in Russia. Manstein's counteroffensive destroyed or severely damaged four Russian armies and regained much of the territory lost in January. The troops that played the most important role in the offensive were three divisions of the Waffen-SS. "Leibstandarte," "Das Reich" and "Totenkopf" were combined for the first time into a corps, which was commanded by SS-Obergruppenfhrer Paul Hausser, the senior commander of the Waffen-SS. "Leibstandarte" and "Das Reich" participated in the defense of Kharkov, along with the elite Army division "Grossdeutschland" supported by three weak infantry divisions. This handful of divisions was attacked by four Soviet armies, but under command of Armeeabteilung Lanz, was able to hold the city for two weeks. On 14 February, 1943 the SS-Panzerkorps and the rest of Armeeabteilung Lanz withdrew from Kharkov under disputed circumstances that involved Hausser and his violation of a direct order from Hitler. Almost exactly a month later, the Germans had recaptured Kharkov and destroyed or crippled the four Soviet armies that had driven them out of the city in February. The divisions that played the key role in Manstein's counteroffensive were the three divisions of the Waffen-SS. While "Leibstandarte" defended the supply base of the SS-Panzerkorps from the entire Soviet 3rd Tank Army, "Das Reich" and "Totenkopf" conducted a complex series of operations that began with a 100 kilometer thrust to the south which saved the Dnepr bridges, thus securing supply lines for the armies of Heeresgruppe Don/Sd. Subsequent operations by the SS divisions drove the Russians away from the rail net south of Kharkov and wrested Kharkov from the Russians once again. During the recapture of the city, there was controversy regarding Hausser's command decisions. Hausser has been accused of disregarding his instructions from superior officers and throwing his divisions into costly combat in the city for reasons of personal and SS prestige, in order to regain Hitler's favor. This study has found that the records of the SS-Panzerkorps and 4. Panzerarmee provide a different explanation for Hausser's actions. Size: 8.5"x11", over 210b/w photos, 300 pages. (SCH) Price - $59.95

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Army Group North
The Wehrmacht in Russia 1941-1945
 
After long years of studying  sources and literature, Werner Haupt presents the military history of one of the larger theaters of World War II. The completion of the history of  "Army Group North" is the result of the author`s utilization of all German and Russian literature, as well as thoses combat diaries and documents of the committed troop units that are available in German archives. In addition, the author was assisted in clearing up several questions by the advice of former members of the army group - from commanders to drivers. This series by Werner Haupt will continue with a vloume each on Army Group Center and Army Group South. The author served in the German Army as a soldier and officer in the northern sector of the Eastern Front during the Second World War. Hard cover, size 6"x 9", illustrations: 45 B/W photos, 3 maps, pages: 416.    Price - $35.00

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Army Group Center
The Wehrmacht in Russia 1941-1945
This is the second volume in the series of The Wehrmacht in Russia.
Hard cover,  sizse 6"x9", illustrations: 79 B/W photos, 10 maps, 400 pages.
Price - $35.00
 

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 Army Group South
The Wehrmacht in Russia 1941-1945
This is the third volume in the series of The Wehrmacht in Russia.
Hard cover, size 6"x9", illustrations: 110 B/W photos,
92 maps and charts, 480 pages.  Price - $35.00

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Last Laurels
The German Defence of Upper Silesia, January-May 1945
 
By January 1945, Upper Silesia had become Germany`s key industrial region, with its coal mines, blast furnaces, arms factories and hydrogenation plants. Not surprisingly, when the Soviets launched a series of powerful offensives aimed at capturing the region , the German defence was bitter, bordering on the suicidal! Soviet reactions were brutal, the Red Army committung widespread atrocities, which have received little coverage until now. In this readable  and fast-paced translation from the German edition, the author presents a penetrating description of the events which occurred in Silesia during the first five months of 1945 - from the massive Soviet offensive on 12th January, through to the final German defensive actions around Ratibor five months later. The translation and publication of the Last Laurels represents a major contribution to the military history of the Eastern Front in the English language, filling a yawning gap in our knowledge of the most titanic armed struggle the world has ever seen. Hard cover, large format, 320 pages, 150 B/W photos, with maps.  Price - $50.00

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Battleground Italy 1943-1945
In September 1943 the Allies landed on the Italian mainland, the so-called "soft underbelly" of Europe. Their aim was to knock Italy out of the war and rapidly conquer the country. However, the Italian compaign was one of the toughest of the war. The Germans, under the inspired leadership of Albert Kesselring, mounted a tenacious and skillful defense in the mountainous terrain. Some of the most brutal battles of the Western Front were fought in Italy, most notably the battles for Cassino which lasted nearly six months. The German forces in Italy did not surrender until 2 May 1945 only 6 days before the end of the war in Europe. All aspects of the battle are covered, including the operations of the Luftwaffe and the little known war at sea of the Kreigsmarine. There has been little, if anything, published in English on the German viewpoint of the Italian campaign. Hard cover, size: 6"x9", 545 pages with 300 black and white photos, 24 mostly full-color, maps and 20 detailed appendices. Price - $58.00

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 Kursk 1943
The battle of Kursk on the Russian Front in the summer of 1943 was the greatest armored battle of all time. This detailed account features hundreds of rare photographs highlighting the personalities, uniforms and equipment of the Greman forces in the battle. Numerous color plates cover camouflage and markings of both German and Soviet tanks and aircraft. Also included are biographies and portraits of over two dozen German and some Soviet commanders. This account also includes very rare photographs of Vichy French troops fighting with the Gremans. Size: 9"x12", 168 pages, 300 color and B/W illustrations. Price - $34.95

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Operation Zitadelle, July 1943,
The Decisive Battle of World War II
Unternehemen Zitadelle (Operation Citadel) was the last chance for the German forces in the east to wrest supremacy from the Red Army by cutting off substantial numbers of their forces inside the Kursk salient. The battle developed into a titanic struggle as the Germans repeatedly mounted ferocious attacks and the soviets defended tenaciously. the culmination of the offensive was the large armored engagement at Prochorowka (Prokorovka) on 12 and 13 July, 1943-the largest action of its type in the history of warfare. There are detailed accounts of the armored clash from the viewpoint of the three SS divisions involved. All battle aspects of the battle are covered, including the operations of both air forces. Also included is an account of the Soviet counteroffensive against the German-held Orel salient, a kind of "Russian Kursk", where the Soviets attempted to cut off a large number of German forces. This book is an excititng account of one of the most crucial battles of World War II. Hard Cover, size: 6"x9", 442 pages with 44 pages of black and white photographs, 22 mostly full-page maps and 18 pages of appendics. Price - $54.00

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The Battle of Kharkov
A superb photo coverage of the German recapture of Kharkov! Most of the exceptional photos have never been published before or are rare. They showcase the German Armor, uniforms or other equipment, many are full page. Starting in Dec 1942, they take the reader through the many small villages, culminating in the street fighting for Kharkov in March of 1943. Their panoramic scope will surprise and please all readers. If you enjoy looking at photos of German armor, uniforms, equipment and known personalities, this book is for you. The 32 page of artwork from Mr. Restayn reflect his usual superb quality, showing the various German and Russian vehicles and aircraft which were employed in the fighting. This volume should herald the first of a number of excellent photo albums by Jean Restayn which we will publish in the coming years (at this time he is preparing one on Kursk).  Size: 9"x12", German/English text, 454 pages, 32 pages of full color artwork, 650 B/W photos. Price - $85.00

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Waffen-SS in the West:
Holland, Belgium, France 1940
Translated into English and carefully reproduced, this rare SS book photographically documents the Waffen-SS campaigns in Holland, Belgium, and France during 1940.  Size: 8 1/2"x11", over 300 B/W photos, 144 pages.
Price - $29.95