"Knight's Cross, Oak-Leaves and Swords Recipients 1941-45" (Elite) [Paperback]

Gordon Williamson (Author), Ramiro Bujeiro (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 10, 2005 | Series: Elite (Book 133)

Osprey's survey of the recipients of the Knight's Cross and Oak-Leaves and Swords awards during World War II (1939-1945). On 21 June 1941, as the Wehrmachtstormed forward across the frontiers of the Soviet Union, Hitler instituted a new higher grade of the Knight’s Cross decoration for gallantry and leadership: the silver clasp of the Oak-Leaves with Swords. It would be awarded to only 159 men of the approximately 15 million who served in the German armed forces during World War II. This third in a sequence of four titles describes and illustrates a selection of the recipients: from much-wounded front line infantry officers, to Hitler’s ‘brother-in-law’; from a sergeant pilot fighter ace, to the commanding general of the greatest tank force ever gathered on the Russian Front.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

An unrivalled illustrated reference source on fighting men and commanders, past and present. Each volume is packed with full colour artwork, making military history uniquely accessible to enthusiasts of all ages.

About the Author

Gordon Williamson was born in 1951 and currently works for the Scottish Land Register. He spent seven years with the Military Police TA and has published a number of books and articles on the decorations of the Third Reich and their winners. He is the author of a number of World War II titles for Osprey. He lives in Edinburgh, UK.

Product Details

• Paperback: 64 pages
• Publisher: Osprey Publishing (September 10, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1841766437
• ISBN-13: 978-1841766430
• Product Dimensions: 7.3 x 0.2 x 9.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,747,547 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Tales of Hitler's Super-Warriors!, January 3, 2008

By 

Michael OConnor "Wordsmith" (Wausau, WI USA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: "Knight's Cross, Oak-Leaves and Swords Recipients 1941-45" (Elite) (Paperback)

Gordon Wiliamson's book is the third of four books for Osprey dealing with winners of Germany's highest decorations for bravery in World War II. This volume covers a sampling of those who won the Knight's Cross and Oak Leaves with Swords.

Williamson profiles 20 recipients, mainly fliers such as Erich Rudorffer, Gerhard Barkhorn and Alwin Boerst or commanders like Herman Hoth, Otto Weidinger and Franz Bake. The book's title really have included the phrase "of the Eastern Front" since these men served most or all of their careers there. Likewise no Naval recipients are covered so methinks another volume covering Western Front and Kriegsmarine winners is called for.

The book itself is nicely done. The military career of each man is comprehensively covered and one or more photographs illustrate the officer in question. Eight color pages show views of the actual medal along with combat scenes involving some of the winners in action.

All in all, a very nicely done introduction to some formidable military men.

Recommended.

4.0 out of 5 stars Knight's Cross, Oak-Leaves and Swords Recipients 1941-45" (Elite), December 26, 2010

By 

Gary Kohl "Hunter" (Sheboygan, WI USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: "Knight's Cross, Oak-Leaves and Swords Recipients 1941-45" (Elite) (Paperback)

All four books in this series are intresting books. Easy reading, but there could of been a little more information given.