British Paratrooper versus Fallschirmjager Mediterranean 1942-43 – Osprey Publishing

Author: David Greentree
Publisher: Osprey Publishing
Softback
Combat Series
ISBN: 978-1-78096-924-4
Review by Bill Curtis (Sep 2013)

Our thanks to Osprey Publishing for supplying our review copy. Get this good reference book here now at: www.ospreypublishing.com

Initial assessment

This is a new series from Osprey which has been inspired by the successful Duel series and covers a range of actions from history were the authors pit the adversaries against one another, offering insights into how small groups were motivated, armed and led into action.

This volume follows the Osprey standard size but this book is 80 pages in length with colour illustrations, three colour photographs, black and white photographs, maps and the text divided up into 9 sections, which are as follows:

1. Introduction
2. The Opposing Sides
3. Pont Du Fahs, Depienne and Oudna 29th November – 4th December 42
4. Green Hill 5th January 43
5. Primosole Bridge 13th – 17th July 43
6. Analysis and Conclusions
7. Unit Organisations
8. Bibliography
9. Index

Of interest to the figure modeller is the colour plates of one of each combatant showing a front and rear view which I am sure will come in handy when painting and assembling. The various photographs throughout the book reinforce this information very well.

The three actions covered are interestingly described with supporting maps and colour plates and of note in this series is a split screen artwork at a key point in the fighting which gives perspective as seen from both sides.

I have also been a fan of first-hand accounts and this book has several which bring the action to life.

The section on analysis and conclusions offers an insight into how various command levels played their part in either success or failure and it’s interesting to see how each side viewed the other.

I liked this book and have literally speed read it to get a review out to you of a new series that I am impressed with.

I think as an introduction / overview this will be a great starting point and a book well worth having on ones shelf be you a modeller, enthusiast, war gamer or historian. Well done Osprey on what I hope will be another great series of books.

Highly Recommended

Bill C.