Customer Reviews

Kaiserschlacht 1918: The Final German Offensive (Campaign)

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This is one of the best written and illustrated books of the Praeger / Osprey campaign series. It describes the " Kaiserschlacht " - Kaisers Battle, the five interlocking battles that comprised the 1918 German spring offensive to destroy the British and French armies before the fresh one million man + American army could come into play against them. The rival commanders, orders of battle and opposing plans of campaign are well detailed documented with well illustrated comparisons of their strenghts and weaknesses discussed. Field Marshall Sir Douglas Haig and the British command are let off relatively easy by the author in terms of how the British army was deployed. Haig expected the Germans to attack his forces "SOMEWHERE" but badly bungled on where the attack would come. The 5th army{General Gough} was far weaker than the adjacent 3rd army and in the vunerable position as at the most likely area of attack. Haig's deployment of his reserves was also questionable. The German artillery fire plan and small unit infantry tactics are ably chronicled and can only be described as "masterfull". The author argues that German tactical sucessss were negated by Ist Quarter-Master General Ludendorff's flawed strategic plan as he divided his limited forces to try to achieve too many objectives at once instead of concentrating them to split the British army from the French army {as originally envisioned }defeat the British in detail and then deal with the French. This supposed war-winning German plan lacked focus and the logistical support necessary to sustain an advance that totally relied on the failing strenght and muscle of man and horses to advance across a devastated landscape - again Ludendorff did not plan how to sustain an advance. The narrative describing the massive initial German artillery bombardment and the elite stormtrooper's breaking of the British lines is excellently presented. The pictures and color plates are very good and the maps are outstanding.As the series of battles continues, Mr.Gray explains how despite massive losses the British and French are able to give ground, move their reserves along interior lines and finally stop the tactically superior German army. In 96 pages, this book provides an excellent overview as well as a lot of detailed information on "the Kaisers Battle" including the total casualities for both sides and the aftermath / results. This is an excellent book and I recommend it with a strong 4 1/2 stars.

This book provides, in the usual Osprey Battles format, a nice overview of the Dardanelles campaign. There are plenty of black and white photos, as well as color drawings featuring uniforms, armament, and so on.

From a modeler's point of view, you should add Osprey's THE OTTOMAN ARMY 1914-1918 for a more complete vision of the turkish army.