Gebirgsjager vs Soviet Sailor: Arctic Circle 1942-44

Description

In 1941-44, Nazi Germany's Gebirgsjager - elite mountain troops - clashed repeatedly with land-based units of the Soviet Navy during the mighty struggle on World War II's Eastern Front. Formed into naval infantry and naval rifle brigades, some 350,000 of Stalin's sailors would serve the Motherland on land, playing a key role in the defence of Moscow, Leningrad, and Sevastopol. The Gebirgsjager, many among them veterans of victories in Norway and then Crete, would find their specialist skills to be at a premium in the harsh terrain and bitter weather encountered at the northern end of the front line. Operating many hundreds of miles north of Moscow, the two sides endured savage conditions as they fought one another inside the Arctic Circle. Featuring archive photographs, specially commissioned artwork and expert analysis, this is the absorbing story of the men who fought and died in the struggle for the Soviet Union's northern flank at the height of World War II.

David Greentree graduated in History at York before taking an MA in War Studies from King's College London and qualifying as a lecturer in Further Education. In 1995 he accepted a commission in the Royal Air Force and has served in a variety of locations, including Afghanistan and Oman. Johnny Shumate works as a freelance illustrator living in Nashville, Tennessee. He began his career in 1987 after graduating from Austin Peay State University. Most of his work is rendered in Adobe Photoshop using a Cintiq monitor. His greatest influences are Angus McBride, Don Troiani and Edouard Detaille.

I highly recommend this book for anyone who is interested in either of these military units or who simply want to learn more about one of the lesser-known theaters of action in World War Two. - IPMS / USA The Osprey Combat series takes two famous opponents and delves into what made them unique soldiers, comparing their training, organization, and weaponry. The book then showcases these troops with three of their common battles, showing how they did in battle against each other. The book concludes with an evaluation of each group's strengths and weaknesses and a frank look at their performance in battle. It is a winning formula, and it works here, giving the reader an enjoyable and readable book. - WWII History Magazine