Duel #85: Zeppelin vs British Home Defence 1915-18

Duel #85: Zeppelin vs British Home Defence 1915-18Zeppelin vs British Home Defence 1915-18 by Jon Guttman, Jim Laurier, Gareth Hector
ISBN: 1472820339
Published by Osprey Publishing on March 20, 2018
Genres: Equipment, Uniforms, Weapons
Pages: 80

 

 

Duel #85: Zeppelin vs British Home Defence 1915-18German Infantryman vs Russian Infantryman – 1914–15 by Robert Forczyk, Adam Hook
ISBN: 1472806549
Published by Osprey Publishing on April 21, 2015
Pages: 80

Editor’s Note: Osprey Publishing’s “versus” books cover many historical eras and weapon systems, from ancient Roman Legionary versus Carthaginian Warrior (Combat #35) to F-15C Eagle vs MiG 23/25 (Duel #72). Each of these splendid studies contain 80 pages, photos, color illustrations and often color maps, a bibliography that sometimes includes foreign language sources, and a useful index despite their small size. The authors include PhD historians to veterans familiar with the weapon systems.

These publications should not be dismissed as something for “specialists” or hobbyists. These excellent books provide a unique view of soldiers, aircraft, or tanks, detailed images and notes on equipment and organization, plus show how tactics actually worked on the battlefield.

For World War One, two of the titles of this series are shown here. They include a study of Zeppelins over England by noted aviation historian and author Jon Guttman, research director for History.net, and U.S. Army veteran and National Security PhD Robert Forczyk’s book on German and Russian infantrymen on the Eastern Front, reviewed below.

Robert Forczyk’s book on combat in East Prussia in the opening months of the war is a thorough and illuminating work on a subject commonly misinterpreted or ignored. The sources reveal never-before-seen photos, detailed battlefield maps, and artist renditions of what the combatants looked like.

Forczyk provides a superb analysis of tactics and combat performance at three battles: Gumbinnen (20 August 1914), Göritten (7 November 1914) and Mahartse (16 February 1915). He examines the evolving nature of infantry warfare on the Eastern Front. Central to the tactical portrayal of the battles fought are Russian- and German language sources rarely seen in the West. The accounts on the battle of Gumbinnen alone make the book worthwhile.

Abridged from review by Terrence Finnegan in RoadstotheGreatWar-ww1.blogspot.com/

Grim Reapers: French Escadrille 94 in World War I

Grim Reapers: French Escadrille 94 in World War IGrim Reapers: French Escadrille 94 in World War I by Jon Guttman
ISBN: 193588140X
Published by Aeronaut Books on March 15, 2016
Genres: Aviation
Pages: 94

This is an exceptional squadron history. It is based on interviews with several pilots that were conducted as far back as the 1970s. Guttman provides insightful, well-written context on the pilots, their aircraft, markings, their adversaries, and daily squadron life.

Escadrille N.94 was created in May 1917, started by flying Nieuport 24s and later transitioned to Spad 7s and 13s as Spa.94. In early 1918, N.94 was split to form a new escadrille, N.156. The latter was one of the few units to fly the Morane-Saulnier AI, a beautiful but fatally flawed high-wing monoplane. The author’s discussion of the short combat history of this little-known fighter is one of many gems in this account.

A number of Americans flew in Escadrilles 94 and 156, including the ace David Putnam and the little-known Austen Crehore. Sergent Crehore was one of the few Americans to be inducted as a Chevalier of the French Légion d’Honneur. (His story is one that deserves to be remembered.) Very highly recommended.

Reviewed by Steve Suddaby, past president of WW1HA

Balloon-Busting Aces of World War I

Balloon-Busting Aces of World War IBalloon-Busting Aces of World War I by Jon Guttman, Harry Dempsey
ISBN: 1841768774
Published by Osprey Publishing on July 13th 2005
Pages: 96

Len's Summary: WFA members will recall Jon Guttman's talks at Baltimore seminars. Guttman is an editor at Aviation History and Military History magazines for the Primedia Group.

Sopwith Camel vs Fokker Dr I: Western Front 1917-18

Sopwith Camel vs Fokker Dr I: Western Front 1917-18Sopwith Camel vs Fokker Dr I: Western Front 1917-18 by Jon Guttman
ISBN: 9781846032936
Published by Osprey Publishing on March 18th 2008
Genres: History, Military, Aviation, World War I
Pages: 80

Len's Summary: A comparison of these famous WWI pursuit aircraft by a premier American aviation historian.

The Origin of the Fighter Aircraft

The Origin of the Fighter AircraftThe Origin of the Fighter Aircraft by Jon Guttman
ISBN: 9781594160837
Published by Westholme on July 29th 2009
Genres: History, Military, Weapons, World War I, Aviation
Pages: 294

Len's Summary: Technical information, personalities, and battle accounts tell the story of early fighter aircraft and how they became integral part of battlefield weaponry. // A new history of the First Air War and the early evolution of air power, by one of the masters of aviation history.

Nieuport 11/16 Bébé vs Fokker Eindecker

Nieuport 11/16 Bébé vs Fokker EindeckerNieuport 11/16 Bébé vs Fokker Eindecker by Jon Guttman
ISBN: 9781782003533
Published by Osprey Publishing on April 20th 2014
Genres: History, General, Military, World War I, Technology & Engineering, Military Science, Aviation
Pages: 80

Len's Summary: The design, development, statistics and combat records of two iconic pursuit aircraft.

Sopwith Camel

Sopwith CamelSopwith Camel by Jon Guttman
ISBN: 9781780961767
Published by Osprey Publishing on 2012
Genres: History, Military, Aviation, World War I
Pages: 64

Len's Summary: Includes technical specifications and combat history. Guttman is a prolific American aviation author and editor.

Naval Aces of World War I – Part 2

Naval Aces of World War I – Part 2Naval Aces of World War 1 Part 2 by Jon Guttman, Harry Dempsey
ISBN: 9781849086646
Published by Osprey Publishing on May 8th 2012
Genres: History, Military, World War I, Aviation
Pages: 96

Len's Summary: Takes over where part one left off covering Germany, Greece, Russia, Austro-Hungary, Italy and, briefly, the US, a late entrant into the conflict. Major attention paid to the highly successful German float planes.