Erich, I'm looking into books I will probably buy next and I saw
Das Reich and remembered you are critical of it. Mind if I ask why? I really enjoyed reading
Armageddon by Sir Max Hastings, am I under the wrong impression that all his books match up to the prowess of
Armageddon?
Here's a few more books I have;
The Spanish Civil War by Antony Beevor
I am currently reading this book. It's old, printed originally in the 1980s but it's remarkable. Antony Beevor is a well known and respected historical writer. Reading this book I understand why.
The Spanish Civil War is probably the most politically complicated wars in history. Beevor makes no attempt to simplify it using that the fact that a mere simplification will give the wrong indication of the wars politics. It talks of the politics of both the Nationalists and the Republicans, as well as the foreign powers in relation to the Civil War and each other.
The narrative on the combats of the war are enough to give an idea of how they were fought. And there's maps and pictures inside to help understanding.
Be warned the Spanish Civil War was extremely complicated. It'll take a lot of concentration and patience to be able to read this book. But once you dive in, you'll find it hard to get out again. It's excellent.
Monte Cassino - Matthew Parker
A resourceful in-depth look at one of the bloodiest battles fought by the Western Allies in Europe. This book has it all from movements to personal stories, it's written and put together well. I'm certainly glad I bought this book as it really put me straight on a lot of things concering Cassino.
Armageddon - Sir Max Hastings
Another great book, in my opinion and many people agree so. About the fall of Germany from the end of the Normandy campaign to the last shot this book covers it all. Well written and working the stories of many people involved from Russian civilian to U.S tank commander, it covers all major operations including Operation MARKET GARDEN, Operation WACHT AM RHEINE and Operation BAGRATION. It also deals with the air war in some depth, useful information on the bombing campaign in the final months. It doesn't skip on the depth but as always it's a overview of the end other books would be best sort for precise details. But this book should accompany them.
Burma - The Forgotten War - Jon Latimer
As we all know the CBI is much forgotten but not to me solely because my grandfather fought there. This book does the men that fought in the CBI great justice. From many accounts of their treks through the jungle to the grand divisional movements and political tensions this book is great but not perfect. There are some bits of information that a bit sketchy. I have even asked the author himself who agrees that he's not quite sure on some of the minor points. However it is a broad and indepth overview. And well worth the money as it's long and it's a vastly different 'taste' from the European war. From medieval style clashes of steel to the first helicopter operation the Burma was a mythical stage to face combat.