Author: George M. Nipe
Language: English text
Format: Hardcover w/dust jacket, 8.5" x 11"
Pages: 496
Photos: 312 B W wartime photos
Maps: 13 tactical maps, shown at regiment level
Publisher: RZM Publishing, 2011
ISBN: 978-0-9748389-4-6
a glimpse inside
This book "Blood, Steel and Myth" is a wealth of new information with revealing and unprecedented re-analysis of the battles of Operation Citadel. The author used extensive original German & Russian source material. The personal notes, conversations and official orders of Generals Hausser, Hoth, and Manstein were researched to give a first rate publication and to set the record straight in dealing with the incorrect myths of this battle of Operation Citadel along the Army Group South’s front in summer 1943.
This publication is based on the extensively researched firsthand combat accounts & reports of the Heer and Waffen-SS units and intelligence reports from the southern sector of the Kursk salient during these summer battles. As well as important individual personal accounts of veterans from both sides of the battles, the book covers in detail the daily progress of the battles of Operation Citadel in 15 chapters that are extremely well written including fantastic research with B & W photos and maps, with endnotes after each chapter. In the appendices section there is a wealth of charts and unit organizations that tells the reader the true facts concerning these battles.
Each chapter contains unit’s combat reports of the day to day fighting, with the breakdown of how many vehicles were actually available for each battle. The research that the author presents with this excellent publication, dissects Russian reports of vast German Panthers and Tigers along the whole front and the exaggerated claims of destroyed German panzers.
After only ten days of arduous fighting on both sides in the Southern Front, the Germans did suffer a strategic defeat, and the reader will learn through extensive research and evidence, that the mythical climactic event of the Battle of Kursk, never happened.
Images courtesy of RZM Imports
SUMMARY
Highs: Well researched publication , backed up with evidence with a excellent chapter layout containing B&W photos and unit maps and an outstanding Bibliography & Appendices with detailed unit organizations and charts.Lows: Would have liked to see more photos added , that shows more of the area as it looks today where these battles were fought.Verdict: As a retired combat veteran myself, who has commanded tanks in combat and has come face to face with a determined enemy, could relate with the firsthand accounts of some of these combat veterans during these battles.
About Anthony Sewards (recceboy) FROM: ALBERTA, CANADA
Served with the Lord Strathcona's Horse (Royal Canadians) for 26 years. Was chief gunnery instructor on the Lav-Recce (Coyote), Lav-3, Leopard C-2 / Leopard 2. And various small arms from pistol to .50 cal. and 84mm .
Have been working behind the scenes with REALMODELS, BLACKDOG, MENG,LEGEND,HOBBY ...
I just got this book in the mail this week. It was purchased from Great Models Webstore at discount price $44.95 + shipping. This is probably the best price at the moment. I have not begun reading the book yet but I have quickly thumbed thru the pages. The photos are quite interesting. A lot of photos with captions of the many individual SS officers that took part. Production /layout is very good. Valeriy Zamulini's Demolishing the Myth - the tank battle at Prokhovrovka Kursk July 1943 would probably be an interesting comparison read.
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