German V-Weapon Sites 1943-45

Description

Designed to change the course of the war, the V weapons required ambitious plans to defend their expensive and complicated launch sites. Steven J Zaloga describes the configuration and planned deployment of heavy missile sites, as well as the unique Allied tactics developed to counter this threat, including a remote-control version of the B-17 bomber. From the V-1 ski sites to the mobile basing employed by the V-2 units and the other secret weapons bases like the 'V-3' high-pressure gun at Mimoyeques, this book examines the impact of these weapon systems and defences not only on the war but on modern weaponry. With many of the sites described still surviving today, this is a perfect companion for a tour of the V weapon sites built during World War II.

Steven J Zaloga was born in 1952. He received his BA in History from Union College and his MA from Columbia University. He has published numerous books and articles dealing with modern military technology, especially armored vehicle development. He has also always been fascinated by the weapons systems of World War II and he has written extensively on the subject. Steven lives and works in Maryland. Hugh Johnson is an experienced freelance digital illustrator who has completed a number of books for Osprey including New Vanguard 102: T-54 and T-55 Main Battle Tanks 1944-2004 and Fortress 030: Fort Eben Emael. Chris Taylor lives in London. Since graduating from art college, he has worked in the graphics industry and is currently a freelance illustrator for various publishing companies. He has a keen interest in filmmaking and is currently co-producing a movie.

"The meat of the book...is the photographs of surviving German missile bases throughout Europe, as well as photos and accounts of when they were in operation... This fascinating book (Volume 22 of the Fortress series) is replete with scores of color photographs and illustrations, as well as vintage WWII black-and-white shots." --Scott Mingus, Charge! (January 12, 2008) "The book's greatest strength is undoubtedly the rich collection of photographs of surviving V-1 and V-2 launch sites... German V-Weapon Sites 1943-45 is a great primer for anyone interested in learning more about these wonder weapons that failed to deliver on their promises." --Peter Chen, World War II Database (January 28, 2008) "Steven J. Zaloga's German V-Weapon Sites 1943-45 joins others in Osprey's specialty 'Fortress' series, surveying how the deployment of German missles during this time required new thinking on launch sites and purposes. In-depth military libraries covering World War II receive details on the configuration and plans of these heavy missile sites and will find the specifics make for excellent analysis." --California Bookwatch (April 2008) "Author Zaloga covers the development and operational use of these weapons as well as the planning and construction of sites, some of which were of gargantuan proportions... The use of period images as well as the superb illustrations of Johnson and Taylor really add to the value of this book by showing how some of these massive constructs would have appeared if left unbombed. In all, an exemplary edition on one of the more interesting aspects of the German military during WWII." --Scott Van Aken, modelingmadness.com (January 2008) "An interesting, if brief, account of the sites and the Allied countermeasures, it is recommended to those with an interest in this phase of World War II." --The Coast Defense Journal (May 2008)