What Book Are You Reading at the moment?

[Aaron321]

I have been reading through 'Order in Chaos, The Memoirs of a General of Panzer Troops - Hermann Balck' the part i have found most interesting is the sheer chaos of the french campaign of 1940, the few chapters he has dedicated to it have been full of almost unfathomable happenings, like a french mayor jumping on a command Panzer to tell the crew to "watch out" for the germans are near.

[Hellen_slith]

Got this the other day in the mail.

I think it is very good.

https://loa.org/books/567-port-william- ... rld-war-ii

[lenna0428]

“Bad Blood: Secrets and Lies in a Silicon Valley Startup” is the book that I currently read.

[Rodwonder]

I'm reading "The Battle of Britain" by Hough & Richards. About 65 pages in so far and it's ok... Len Deighton's "Fighters" and Alfred Price's "Hardest Day" seem to be better books... Is there a better more in-depth book on the Battle of Britain?

[warspite1]

ORIGINAL: Rodwonder

I'm reading "The Battle of Britain" by Hough & Richards. About 65 pages in so far and it's ok... Len Deighton's "Fighters" and Alfred Price's "Hardest Day" seem to be better books... Is there a better more in-depth book on the Battle of Britain?

warspite1

The Most Dangerous Enemy - Stephen Bungay I found to be a good read. The Battle of Britain - James Holland was okay too, although iirc he concentrated on a lot outside of the actual battle.

[Rodwonder]

Thank you... I've heard of the first one and will definitely check out both. Been in BOB mood.

[nelmsm1]

A few chapters into Red Victory: A History of the Russian Civil War. Been wanting to get into ACROSs Revolution Under Siege so thought I should learn a bit more on the subject matter

[Bennett]

Stopping the Panzers; The Untold Story of D-Day by Marc Milner

I have been reading books on the Normandy campaign for almost 50 years. But it is rare to come across a book that significantly changes how you view the campaign (or maybe I am just getting old).

This book on the landings and early battles of the Third Canadian Division is well written and carefully researched. The standard narrative is that the Canadians, due to tactical inexperience, stalled on the drive west of Caen after the initial landings. This book convincingly argues that the Allies and Germans both realized early in the planning process that the most dangerous panzer attack country was to the west of Caen. The Canadians were expected to take up defensive positions, draw the panzers in and defeat them on June 7-9.

To do this, they were given anti tank and artillery support units well beyond other divisions in Normandy, took up positions largely in the designated area and defeated the panzer attack the Germans were counting on to drive the Allies back into the sea.

A most rewarding surprise read.

https://www.amazon.com/Stopping-Panzers-Untold-Modern-Studies/dp/0700625240/ref=sr_1_1?crid=RDC4C7BJUIUM&dchild=1&keywords=stopping+the+panzers+the+untold+story+of+d-day&qid=1591458433&sprefix=stopping+the+panzers%2Caps%2C198&sr=8-1

[Chickenboy]

ORIGINAL: warspite1

Ordered - should be out at the end of the month [:)]

And?

[Chickenboy]

ORIGINAL: Bennett

Stopping the Panzers; The Untold Story of D-Day by Marc Milner

I have been reading books on the Normandy campaign for almost 50 years. But it is rare to come across a book that significantly changes how you view the campaign (or maybe I am just getting old).

This book on the landings and early battles of the Third Canadian Division is well written and carefully researched. The standard narrative is that the Canadians, due to tactical inexperience, stalled on the drive west of Caen after the initial landings. This book convincingly argues that the Allies and Germans both realized early in the planning process that the most dangerous panzer attack country was to the west of Caen. The Canadians were expected to take up defensive positions, draw the panzers in and defeat them on June 7-9.

To do this, they were given anti tank and artillery support units well beyond other divisions in Normandy, took up positions largely in the designated area and defeated the panzer attack the Germans were counting on to drive the Allies back into the sea.

A most rewarding surprise read.

https://www.amazon.com/Stopping-Panzers-Untold-Modern-Studies/dp/0700625240/ref=sr_1_1?crid=RDC4C7BJUIUM&dchild=1&keywords=stopping+the+panzers+the+untold+story+of+d-day&qid=1591458433&sprefix=stopping+the+panzers%2Caps%2C198&sr=8-1

That's an intriguing observation, Bennett. I may have to add that to my list. [8D]

[warspite1]

ORIGINAL: Chickenboy

ORIGINAL: warspite1

Ordered - should be out at the end of the month [:)]

And?

warspite1

Early days but so far so good like Volume 1. The author has spent a lot of time on the He-177 - possibly justified as Donitz enquired about using these aircraft.

I loved Goring's comment having finally, in 1942(!), gone to see the He-177. He berated Heinkel and asked him how the aircraft was supposed to be serviced in the field. You can't change the spark plugs without dismantling the engine..... whoops

[Bennett]

It also has interesting side stories about other aspects of the battles. The light it throws on the 12 SS "HitlerJugend" Panzer Division was different from many publications. While it agreed that the soldiers were enthusiastic, their officers come into some criticism for their lack of professionalism. A key panzer counter attack by Kurt Meyer against Canadians entrenched in a village went in without crucial infantry support (much to the Canadian surprise and delight). It turned out that the commander of the panzer grenadier regiment was busy running around ensuring that his subordinates understood that Canadian prisoners taken in an earlier engagement were to be shot. And how the 21 Panzer Division was much more involved in fighting against the Canadians but were reluctant to document these actions due to the SS shooting batches of Canadian prisoners in their midst.

[warspite1]

Nothing at present [&:]

I should have more time to read in lockdown - but I find the best time to read being on the journey to/from work... so nothing getting read at the moment - which is frustrating.

[RangerJoe]

ORIGINAL: warspite1

Nothing at present [&:]

I should have more time to read in lockdown - but I find the best time to read being on the journey to/from work... so nothing getting read at the moment - which is frustrating.

Instead, you play more games?

[Anachro]

I'm reading the complete collection of Pliny's Letters. I find it fascinating to get a glimpse into life (well, elite life) of a person from over a thousand years ago. I think I've mentioned it before, but Cicero's complete letters are also fascinating, and it's interesting to see the difference between an active politician of a Republic (albeit one in decline) and an active official and "politician" of the middle Empire. You can also find in some books letters from other sources (Cicero's collection also contains some letters from others, such as Caesar or Servius Sulpicius Rufus, others contain random letters found from less famous people or even Roman soldiers stationed at forts).

[warspite1]

ORIGINAL: RangerJoe

ORIGINAL: warspite1

Nothing at present [&:]

I should have more time to read in lockdown - but I find the best time to read being on the journey to/from work... so nothing getting read at the moment - which is frustrating.

Instead, you play more games?

warspite1

No.... I am actually working longer hours [&:] Go figure... [:(]

[Chickenboy]

Just finished Bergerud's "Fire in the Sky", an excellent and detailed look at aerial warfare in SOPAC 1942-1944. Moving on to "Eagle against the Sun".

[Orm]

ORIGINAL: warspite1

No.... I am actually working longer hours [&:] Go figure... [:(]

Stop that.

[Orm]

Factfulness by Hans Rosling, Ola Rosling, and Anna Rosling Rönnlund.

An interesting read to make it easier to follow how the world changes around us.

[reg113]

Pacific Crucible by Ian W. Toll