April 2023 MBR The Military Shelf

The Military Shelf

A Pair of Aces and a Trey
Alan L. Roesler
Casemate Publishers
1940 Lawrence Road, Havertown, PA 19083
www.casematepublishers.com
9781636241876, $34.95, HC, 256pp

https://www.amazon.com/Pair-Aces-Trey-Easterbrook-Observation/dp/1636241875

Synopsis: Trained as a pursuit pilot but assigned to an observation squadron, the indefatigable Bill Erwin flew twice as many hours over the front lines as any other pilot in the 1st Aero Squadron. His two primary observers, Byrne Baucom and Arthur Easterbrook, were both previously Army infantry officers and deadly marksmen.

It was their dedication, bravery, and courage under fire that kept them alive throughout the Chateau-Thierry, St. Mihiel, and Meuse-Argonne campaigns. Easterbrook scored four of his five victories while flying with Erwin, including two in one day, while Baucom scored all three of his victories with Erwin. Even after returning in shredded Salmsons, being forced down, and shot down on multiple occasions, all three remained relatively unscathed throughout the war.

Erwin's dramatic life culminated in his disappearance during the 1927 Dole Air Race, while Easterbrook became a respected figure in Washington. Revered in his home state of Texas, Baucom became a pilot in the 1920s and rose to become an instructor at an advanced flying school. He died in an aircraft crash in 1928. While Erwin became Dallas's 'favorite son' in life, three thousand people paid tributes to Baucom at his funeral, showing his immense popularity. Easterbrook was the only one of the three to survive to reach his military career potential, retiring as a brigadier general after World War II.

With the publication of "A Pair of Aces and a Trey: 1st Lieutenants William P. Erwin, Arthur E. Easterbrook, and Byrne V. Baucom: America's Top Scoring World War I Observation Pilot and Observers" Alan Roesler retraces the lives and careers of the three men in a unique joint biography.

Critique: Occasionally illustrated with black/white historic photographs, "A Pair of Aces and a Trey: 1st Lieutenants William P. Erwin, Arthur E. Easterbrook, and Byrne V. Baucom: America's Top Scoring World War I Observation Pilot and Observers" is an inherently fascinating read and highly recommended for personal, community, and academic library World War I History & Biography collections. It should be noted for the personal reading lists of dedicated military history buffs that "A Pair of Aces and a Trey" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $15.99).

Editorial Note: Alan Roesler is a military aviation historian. He has been a featured speaker at the U.S. Air Force Museum, Commemorative Air Force Museum, Sharlot Hall Museum, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, and Yavapai College.

Elephant Paths: Combat History of Sturmgeschutz-Abteilung 203
Thomas Anderson
PeKo Publishing
c/o Casemate Publishers
1940 Lawrence Road, Havertown, PA 19083
www.casematepublishers.com
9786155583759, $54.95, HC, 192pp

https://www.amazon.com/Elephant-Paths-Combat-history-Sturmgesch%C3%BCtz-Abteilung/dp/6155583757

Synopsis: "Elephant Paths" (the title of this book) refers to the unit symbol of StuGAbt 203, later redesignated StuGBrig 203, a charging elephant. The unit displayed this coat of arms proudly on their Sturmgeschutze and other vehicles during the often hard fighting on the Eastern Front. "Elephant Paths: Combat history of Sturmgeschutz-Abteilung 203" from PeKo Publishing is the combat history of the Abteilung presented by author Thomas Anderson and illustrated with 291 rare and never before published photos, maps and documents.

Critique: Simply stated, "Elephant Paths: Combat History of Sturmgeschutz-Abteilung 203" by German military historian Thomas Anderson is an inherently fascinating, impressively informative, exceptionally well presented coffee-table style (11.5 x 0.75 x 8.5 inches, 2.3 pounds) volume that is an especially recommended addition to personal, professional, community, and academic library World War II History collections presenting the German battlefield perspective.

Editorial Note: Thomas Anderson is a German national who specialises in German World War II vehicles. Most of his work are derived from the Bundesarchive and other archives of various military establishments throughout Europe.

Burning Horizon
Julian Whippy
Casemate Publishers
1940 Lawrence Road, Havertown, PA 19083
www.casematepublishers.com
9781636242972, $34.95, HC, 256pp

https://www.amazon.com/Burning-Horizon-British-Veteran-Accounts/dp/1636242979

Synopsis: Codenamed Operation Telic, the British component of the invasion of Iraq in 2003 was the largest gathering of British troops since the Second World War.

While the British public prepared for the worst as its soldiers were facing weapons of mass destruction, most servicemen and women were under no illusion that they were invading Iraq to rid the people of Saddam Hussein.

While much has been said about WMD and Tony Blair's government, not nearly enough has been heard from those men and women that took part in Operation Telic. Based upon dozens of veteran interviews, personal diaries and archival material, with the publication of "Burning Horizon: British Veteran Accounts of the Iraq War, 2003", Julian Whippy presents their stories in the veteran's own words.

From controlling the vast Allied Air Forces at 34,000 feet in an AWACS plane down to submariners beneath the warm waves of the Persian Gulf firing Tomahawk Cruise missiles, from the steaming hot turret of a Challenger Tank as it is peppered with RPGs, to being on your belly in a sandstorm disarming unexploded bombs -- these veteran accounts cover the whole spectrum of experiences.

Polarized public opinion and the post-war media portrayal of the war has detracted from what was achieved by these forces, when tasked to do so, often with insufficient or inadequate resources. These are their stories of courage, fortitude, pride, and brotherhood amidst the harsh realities of modern asymmetric warfare.

Critique: An informative and fascinating contribution to our understanding the the Iraq War that was to topple the dictatorship of Sadam Hussein, "Burning Horizon: British Veteran Accounts of the Iraq War, 2003" is especially and unreservedly recommended for personal, community, and academic library Kuwait and Iraq histories in general, and the Iraq War in particular. It should be noted for the personal reading lists of military history buffs that "Burning Horizon" is also available from Casemate Publishers in a digital book format (Kindle, $15.99).

Editorial Note: Julian Whippy (https://www.gbg-international.com/guide/julian-whippy) served for 25 years in the British Police, primarily with Firearms teams and as a covert surveillance officer in London. Julian's passion for military history began when he joined the Royal Anglian Regiment as a reservist and has culminated with him owning his own battlefield tour company and working for many years across the world as an accredited battlefield guide. A member of the British Commission for Military History, he wrote The Greater Game, Sportsmen Killed in the Great War.

Dark Waters, Starry Skies
Jeffrey R. Cox
Osprey Publishing
4301 21st St, Suite 220B, Long Island City, NY 11101
www.ospreypublishing.com
9781472849892, $35.00, HC, 528pp

https://www.amazon.com/Dark-Waters-Starry-Skies-Guadalcanal-Solomons/dp/1472849892

Synopsis: Thousands of miles from friendly ports, the US Navy had finally managed to complete the capture of Guadalcanal from the Japanese in early 1943. Now the Allies sought to keep the offensive momentum won at such a high cost. This is the central plot line running through "Dark Waters, Starry Skies: The Guadalcanal-Solomons Campaign, March - October 1943" by military historian Jeffrey R. Cox.

This inherently interesting and informative history begins with the Japanese Operation I-Go and the American ambush of Admiral Yamamoto, then continues on to the Allied invasion of New Georgia, northwest of Guadalcanal in the middle of the Solomon Islands and the location of a major Japanese base. Determined not to repeat their mistakes at Guadalcanal, the Allies nonetheless faltered in their continuing efforts to roll back the Japanese land, air and naval forces.

Using first-hand accounts from both sides, "Dark Waters, Starry Skies" vividly recreates all the terror and drama of the nighttime naval battles during this phase of the Solomons campaign and the ferocious firestorm many Marines faced as they disembarked from their landing craft. The reader is transported to the bridge to stand alongside Admiral Walden Ainsworth as he sails to stop another Japanese reinforcement convoy for New Georgia, and vividly feels the fear of an 18-year-old Marine as he fights for survival against a weakened but still determined enemy.

Critique: A definitive and engrossing history which that deftly weaves together both strategy and tactics, enhanced for the reader with a blow-by-blow account of every battle at a vital point in the Pacific War, "Dark Waters, Starry Skies" is enhanced for the reader with the inclusion of a Prologue (Via Delorosa), an Epilogue (The Akikaze Resunk), forty-eight pages of Notes, a two page Bibliography, and a seven page Index. While also available for personal reading lists in a digital book format (Kindle, $14.46), "Dark Waters, Starry Skies" is a welcome, valued, and unreservedly recommended addition to personal, community, and academic library World War II History collections and supplemental curriculum studies lists.

Editorial Note: Jeffrey R. Cox (https://ospreypublishing.com/us/author/jeffrey-cox) is a litigation attorney and an independent military historian. A student of history, international affairs, and defence policy for most of his life, his first book was the critically acclaimed Rising Star, Falling Skies (2014) about the Java Sea campaign. This was followed by two volumes on the Guadalcanal-Solomons campaign: Morning Star, Midnight Sun (2018) and Blazing Star, Setting Sun (2020).

Brotherhood of the Flying Coffin
Scott McGaugh
Osprey Publishing
4301 21st St, Suite 220B, Long Island City, NY 11101
www.ospreypublishing.com
9781472852946, $30.00, HC, 288pp

https://www.amazon.com/Brotherhood-Flying-Coffin-Glider-Pilots/dp/147285294X

Synopsis: With the publication of "Brotherhood of the Flying Coffin: The Glider Pilots of World War II", journalist and military historian Scott McGaugh distills war down to individual young men climbing into defenseless gliders made of plywood, ready to trust the towing aircraft that would pull them into enemy territory by a single cable wrapped with a telephone wire. Based on their after-action reports, journals, oral histories, photos and letters home, "The Brotherhood of the Flying Coffin" reveals every terrifying minute of their missions.

They were all volunteers, for a specialized duty that their own government projected would have a 50 percent casualty rate. None faltered. In every major European invasion of the war they led the way. They landed their gliders ahead of the troops who stormed Omaha Beach, and sometimes miles ahead of the paratroopers bound for the far side of the Rhine River in Germany itself. From there, they had to hold their positions. They delivered medical teams, supplies and gasoline to troops surrounded in the Battle of the Bulge, ahead even of Patton's famous supply truck convoy.

These all-volunteer glider pilots played a pivotal role in liberating the West from tyranny, from the day the Allies invaded Occupied Europe to the day Germany finally surrendered. Yet the story of these anonymous heroes is virtually unknown. Here their story is told in full -- a story which epitomizes courage, dedication and sacrifice.

Critique: Rescuing a very special World War II branch of the American military from an undeserved obscurity, "Brotherhood of the Flying Coffin: The Glider Pilots of World War II" is an extraordinary and unreservedly recommended addition to community and academic library American Military Aviation History collections in general, and World War II supplemental curriculum studies lists in particular. Featuring a section of historic black-and-white photography, "Brotherhood of the Flying Coffin" is additionally enhanced with the inclusion of a four page Glossary, a five page Select Bibliography, thirteen pages of Endnotes, and an eight page Index. It should be noted for the personal reading lists of students, academia, nad military history buffs that "Brootherhood of the Flying Coffin" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $12.60).

Editorial Note: Scott McGaugh (http://scottmcgaugh.com) is a veteran journalist and published author of Honor Before Glory (Da Capo, 2016), the New York Times bestseller Surgeon in Blue (Arcade, 2013), Battlefield Angels (Osprey, 2011) and Midway Magic (CDS/Perseus, 2004). Midway Magic became the basis for a History Channel program, Hero Ship: The USS Midway. McGaugh served as the founding marketing director of the USS Midway Museum in San Diego, the most visited floating ship museum in the world.

Waffen-SS Dutch, Belgian, and Danish Volunteers
Ian Baxter
Pen & Sword Books
c/o Casemate (US distribution)
www.casematepublishers.com
https://www.penandswordbooks.com
9781399087629, $26.95, PB, 160pp

https://www.amazon.com/Waffen-SS-Belgian-Danish-Volunteers-Images/dp/1399087622

Synopsis: Following the German invasion of the Soviet Union, numerous Dutchmen, Belgians and Danes volunteered for the Waffen-SS. The largest division, SS Volunteer Legion Netherlands operated in Yugoslavia and then Northern Russia. It was later re-designated 23rd SS Volunteer Panzergrenadier Division Nederland.

Fighting alongside the Nederland formation was the SS Volunteer Legion Flanders, manned mainly with Dutch speaking recruits from occupied Belgium. After being disbanded it was later reformed as the SS Assault Brigade Langemarck (SS-Sturmbrigade Langemarck).

The SS Volunteer Legion Walloon, recruited from French-speaking volunteers from German occupied Belgium, was sent to Russia and later integrated with the SS Assault Brigade Wallonia (SS-Sturmbrigade Wallonien).

Finally some 6,000 Danes served in Free Corps Denmark which went to the Eastern Front in May 1942. Within a year the formation was disbanded into Division Nordland, known as `Regiment 24 Danemark`

Drawing on a superb collection of rare and often unpublished photographs, "Waffen-SS Dutch, Belgian, and Danish Volunteers" is the newest addition to the Pen & Sword 'Images of War' series and describes the fighting history of each formation, notably the 1944 battle of Narva, which was known as the battle of the European SS. As its forces were pushed further back across a scarred and burning wasteland it describes how these Dutch, Belgian and Danish units became cut off in the Kurland Pocket until some were evacuated by sea. The remainder were killed or captured in front of Berlin in April 1945.

Critique: One of the lesser known aspects of World War II was the success the Nazi's had in recruited men from conquered and occupied countries to fight against Allied troops. "Waffen-SS Dutch, Belgian, and Danish Volunteers" is impressively illustrated with historical black/white photos documented this unusual military phenomena from the German military perspective. While also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $11.49), "Waffen-SS Dutch, Belgian, and Danish Volunteers" is a fascinating, informative, and unreservedly recommended addition to personal, professional, community, and academic library World War II Military History collections and supplemental curriculum studies lists.

Editorial Note: Ian Baxter (https://www.pen-and-sword.co.uk/Ian-Baxter/a/716) is a military historian who specializes in German twentieth-century military history. He has written more than fifty books. He has also reviewed numerous military studies for publication, supplied thousands of photographs and important documents to various publishers and film production companies worldwide, and lectures to various schools, colleges and universities throughout the United Kingdom and Southern Ireland.

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