Customer Reviews

Luftwaffe Field Divisions 1941-45 (Men-at-Arms)

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I'll make a general comment on the increasing utility of the Osprey Men at Arms series in general. Not one of the "older" titles, but still fading into the distant past with a publication date of 1990, this does represent the rise in quality of MAA titles. Volstad's colour plates need not be discussed in detail; these are as good as his always are. Even in 1990 he was raising the bar he himself set with the earlier IN ACTION series of the 1970s.

The text is especially useful in exploring this little known facet of German military history. While the Hermann Goering Division is understandably famous, many historians fail to grasp just how many Luftwaffe ground formations really existed - or what a drain on the German military they represented.

Excellent and concise description of all the divisions, with well written discussion of how they were equipped, why they came to be, and who was responsible for keeping them in the order of battle. Unusual for MAA to concentrate on units that were below average for the most part, but this only speaks to the all-encompasing nature of the entire series as a whole.

A good addition to those interested in this specific area of research; the Feld Divisionen fought on the west, east and southern fronts so anyone wanting to materially add to their understanding of, say, the Eastern Front in particular, will not find this volume a must read.

Kevin Conley Ruffner has done a great job with this handy book on Görings Luftwaffe Field Divisions (LwFD). As with all Osprey titles, they give a great overview for both the casual and dedicated reader. Ron Volstadt once again does brilliant work with the colour plates, and the accompanying text, while necessarily brief, non the less gives the reader a good working knowledge of this not so well known aspect of the German war effort. The book gives good insight into the political machinations that brought these formations into existance, and doesn't bog the reader down with masses of facts and figures. From their controversial creation during early 1942, through to the calamity of late '44 and through into 1945, Ruffner takes the reader through the highs and lows of another of Görings 'private armies'. Although often containing good men, they were ultimately sacrificed needlessly on the Eastern Front, in yet another example of the inter-service rivalries and personal egotism that plagued the Third Reich.

A top read!

When I saw this book I knew i had to buy it it was so fact pacted