Reviews
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Reviews
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In this section we review new books, articles, wargame figures and anything else related to Balkan Military History. Previous reviews are archived:
Current Reviews Red Storm over the Balkans David Glantz University of Kansas ISBN 978 070061465 3 Usually overshadowed by the northern Soviet offensives in the Spring of 1944 this study traces the failed invasion of Romania by two Soviet army fronts in April and May 1944. Heavily outnumbered Romanian and German troops fought a skillful series of largely defensive actions that halted Stalin's Balkan strategy. The campaign resulted in 200,000 casualties and David Glantz traces in considerable detail the actions using the latest archive materials. The Balkan Wars of Independence 1821 - 1922 Achilles Kallos Athena Press ISBN 1 84401 065 1 The main sections of this book give a concise military history of all the conflicts within the period of the book. The text is clear and the maps are very good. There are also some drawings of typical troop types but no photographs. The author is of Greek descent and this sometimes shows in his description of events but that should not detract from a useful overview of a series of conflicts, most of which have received limited coverage in English. The Serbo-Bulgarian war of 1885 - Combat at Slivnitsa Colonel Regenspursky Nafziger Collection ISBN 1 58545 177 0 George Nafziger has translated from the French this work first published in 1887 by a Colonel of the Austro-Hungarian Army. This is a valuable text as so little has been written in English on this conflict and the decisive battle at Slivnitsa. Unlike so many 19th century texts this was not written by a military observer attached to one side and therefore producing an unbalanced report. Regenspursky has produced a balanced work written close enough to the conflict to benefit from a number of different reports. The maps could be better but modern maps of the area are helpful as the area has not changed that much as shown in the editor's visit to the battlefield. Ottoman Wars 1700-1870 Virginia Aksan Longman ISBN 978 0 582 30807 7 This book covers what might be described as the slow decline of the Ottoman military system following the defeat at Vienna in 1683 until the 1870's. It describes the transition from a largely feudal force to a conscript army on the Prussian model. This is by no means a narrative history and many of the key campaigns are not always covered in detail. However, it does explain very well the organisational, cultural and political context to the various changes and in particular the attemts to introduce reform. This is an important contribution to Ottoman military history and is highly recommended. Battle of Lugos 1695 Brian Burke Arquebusier Vol. 31/1 Well illustrated article on a lesser known battle in the Banat between the Ottomans led by Sultan Mustapha II and the Imperial army commanded by Vetertani. The Imperial army was the the Transylvanian corps left isolated by the main Austrian force to the west and was heavily outnumbered. Surrounded on all sides the Transylvanians were pushed back on their Tabor baggage that enabled the cavalry to escape. Captain Conan Roger Vercel South Carolina Press ISBN 978 1 57003 713 9 A translation of the 1934 novel about a French unit serving in the Balkans in WW1. The focus of the book is in the immediate post-war period when French troops were stationed in Bulgaria and Romania. It seeks to show the impact war had on these young men. The peacetime chapters that form the majority of the book are frankly slow reading. Cornwall this isn't! Vienna 1683 Simon Millar Osprey ISBN 978 1 84603 231 8 Latest in the Osprey campaign series covers the siege of Vienna in 1683 the high water point of the Ottoman advance into Europe. Usual campaign format with a general introduction, a description of the opposing forces and a narrative of the siege. Well illustrated including the usual colour plates and excellent maps. Serbia's Great War 1914-18 Andrej Mitrovic Hurst ISBN 978185065883 2 At first glance this appears to fill a big gap in the English language study of WW1. The battles against the Austro-Hungarian offensives followed by the retreat across the Albanian mountains should make an epic read. Regrettably this is not that book. This is primarily a political history, valuable as context, but the military history is relegated to a few paragraphs. In the Camp of the Ban Conrad Cairns Foreign Correspondent January 2008 Notes on the 1848 Croatian army led by Jelacic that invaded Hungary in support of the Hapsburgs. The focus is on uniforms and is illustrated with black and white prints of the period. Out of the Italian Night Maurice Lihou Airlife ISBN 1 84037 405 5 This is the story of Wellington bomber operations out of Italy in 1944-45. Very much one man's experiences but the raids covered large parts of the Balkans. The author flew the 'Wimpey' as part of 205 Group RAF mostly from a base at Foggia . Raids included Sofia, Bucharest, Belgrade and Budapest as well as mine laying in the Danube. Realm of the Black Mountain Elizabeth Roberts Hurst ISBN 978 185065 868 9 This is a narrative history of Montenegro from early times to the recent declaration of independence. Unlike many Balkan histories it gives due weight to the medieval period when Montenegro first became a recognisable entity and the Ottoman period. Well written this is a great read. Handcuffed to a Corpse Michael Kihntopf White Maine Books ISBN 1 57249 242 2 A narrative of German involvement on the Balkan and Galician fronts during WW1. The book gives a fairly basic description of the campaigns with a focus on the role of German troops. The author's treatise is that German troops bailed out the Central Powers at times of stress on these fronts. A few B&W photos and poor maps. The Guns of Constantinople Roger Crowley Military History September 2007 Story of the guns cast for Mehmed II by the renegade Hungarian, Orban for the siege of Constantinople in 1453. Battle of Targul Frumos May 1944 Dave Brown Wargames illustrated July 2007 Germany's Army Group South had been driven out of Russia and the Soviet 2nd Tank and 27th armies were pressing past Jassy to Targul Frumos inside Romania. The defenders included Panzer Grenadier Division Grossdeutschland supported by 24th Panzer and 46th Infantry Divisions, all relatively well equipped by German eastern front standards. This scenario written for the Battlegroup Panzergrenadier rules includes a description of the battle and orbats as well as a description of the refight. |
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