The German Army 1939-45 (5) : Western Front 1943-45 (Men-At-Arms Series, 336)

This book covers the high command, the developments in unit organisation, the campaigns and the uniforms and equipment of the German Army in the last two years of the war in North-West Europe and Italy. Despite the huge pressure of fighting on three fronts, ever-worsening shortages of manpower and equipment, and Allied command of the skies, Germany's decimated divisions fought on with impressive skill and determination. This period of World War II (1939-1945) also saw a fascinating mixture of obsolescent, newly designed, and field-made combat clothing which gave the German soldier a radically different appearance from his predecessor of just five years before. This book covers the high command, the developments in unit organisation, the campaigns and the uniforms and equipment of the German Army in the last two years of the war in North-West Europe and Italy. Despite the huge pressure of fighting on three fronts, ever-worsening shortages of manpower and equipment, and Allied command of the skies, Germany's decimated divisions fought on with impressive skill and determination. This period also saw a fascinating mixture of obsolescent, newly designed, and field-made combat clothing which gave the German soldier a radically different appearance from his predecessor of just five years before. Men-at-Arms 311, 316, 326, 330 and 336 are also available in a single volume special edition titled'German Army in World War II'. "This book covers the high command, the developments in unit organisation, the campaigns and the uniforms and equipment of the German Army in the last two years of the war in North-West Europe and Italy. Despite the huge pressure of fighting on three fronts, ever-worsening shortages of manpower and equipment, and Allied command of the skies, Germany's decimated divisions fought on with impressive skill and determination. This period of World War II (1939-1945) also saw a fascinating mixture of obsolescent, newly designed, and field-made combat clothing which gave the German soldier a radically different appearance from his predecessor of just five years before."--Amazon.com This final volume on the German Army of World War II details the units of the Wehrmacht that fought in the West, from the beaches of Sicily to the defence of the Reich. The text is supported by tables detailing rank insignia and unit organisation, and artwork showing uniforms and equipment. COVER......Page 1 TITLE PAGE......Page 2 THE CONTEXT OF THE WESTERN FRONT 1943–45......Page 3 THE DEVELOPMENT OF ARMY UNITS......Page 6 CAMPAIGN SUMMARY 1943-45......Page 12 ARMY UNIFORM......Page 17 THE PLATES......Page 43 INDEX......Page 48 IMPRINT......Page 50 The German Armed Forces (Wehrmacht) consisted of the Army (Heer), Navy (Kriegsmarine) and Air Force (Luftwaffe) under Chief of the Armed Forces High Command (Chef des Oberkommandos der Wehrmacht - OKW) GFM Wilhelm Keitel.