February 2024 MBR The Military History Shelf

The Military History Shelf

Rockets and Missiles Over Ukraine
Mihajlo S. Mihajlovic
Frontline Books
Pen & Sword Books
c/o Casemate (US distribution)
www.casematepublishers.com
https://www.penandswordbooks.com
9781399048101, $42.95, HC, 304pp

https://www.amazon.com/Rockets-Missiles-Over-Ukraine-Changing/dp/1399048104

Synopsis: In the current and on-going Russian-Ukrainian war, both sides dep=
ended heavily on rockets and missiles. Some of these date from Soviet times=
 and some are very modern, being deployed in warfare for the first time.

The outbreak of the civil war in the east of Ukraine in 2014 showed that ro=
ckets and missiles, beside the artillery, are among the decisive factors in=
 both regular Ukrainian military, and paramilitary nationalistic formations=
 as well as in the separatists' bodies. For eight years hardly any day pass=
ed without these weapons being fired.

On 24 February 2022, Russia unleashed a 'limited military operation' (as Pr=
esident Putin defined it) with a barrage of new equipment (cruise missiles =
and tactical ballistic missiles) pounding Ukrainian targets. The West respo=
nded with a pledge to supply modern weapons to the otherwise outdated Ukrai=
nian military to counter the Russian threat, especially armor.

Ukraine was turned into a vast depot for NATO ammunition and weapons includ=
ing short-range air defense systems and antitank rockets. Western stocks gr=
adually shrank while numerous cargo lanes transported these weapons to Pola=
nd to be hauled by trucks and railways to the Ukrainians.

In the meantime, Russia pounded these locations and large quantities of the=
 Western aid disappeared in flames and explosions - as yet more equipment p=
oured into Ukrainian hands. The sheer amount is hard to estimate but large =
quantities were captured by the Russians and occasionally turned against th=
e former owners.

"Rockets and Missiles Over Ukraine: The Changing Face of Battle" by Mihajlo=
 S. Mihajlovic is a comprehensive guide to all missiles and rockets used by=
 both sides as well as their effect on both military and civilian targets, =
including Russian ship-borne weapons and anti-ship missiles used so effecti=
vely by Ukraine against the Russian cruiser Moskva. Besides the numerous ex=
-Soviet, Ukrainian, and Russian anti-armor rockets (RPGs) and missiles, of =
particular interest are the anti-armor missiles and rockets supplied by NAT=
O which includes Javelin and British NLAW, and Brimstone.

The war in Ukraine was a full-scale conventional war between the two larges=
t armies in Europe. But without modern weapons, Ukraine's ability to hold o=
ut for an extended period was limited. Its only hope was help by the West. =
Yet NATO supplies were precisely tracked and often destroyed immediately af=
ter unloading. Nevertheless, the Russian-Ukrainian war allowed manufactures=
 and military experts to assess the true effectiveness of their weapons in =
the most realistic setting of all - the battlefield.

In his examination of the weaponry used in the conflict, Mihajlovic toured =
the Ukraine as the conflict unfolded, to photograph and report on the first=
 major war of the twenty-first century.

Critique: Profusely illustrated throughout with B/W photos and sketches, "R=
ockets and Missiles Over Ukraine: The Changing Face of Battle" is impressiv=
ely informative, exceptionally well organized, and thoroughly 'reader frien=
dly' in presentation. A seminal work based on exhaustive and meticulous res=
earch that is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $18.99), "Ro=
ckets and Missiles Over Ukraine: The Changing Face of Battle" is a welcome =
and unreservedly recommended pick for personal, professional, community, an=
d college/university library Russian/Ukrainian War collections and suppleme=
ntal curriculum studies lists.

Editorial Note: Mihajlo S. Mihajlovic is a professional engineer, physicist=
 and historian with more than 25 years of experience. He is a specialist in=
 military technology, in particular weapons systems, missiles, radars and c=
amouflage. His area of specialties includes radar countermeasures and desig=
n of decoys. As a unique situation, he was member of the Yugoslav armed for=
ces during the conflict and later, after emigrating to Canada, he was also =
member of the Canadian Armed Forces (officer), Electrical and Mechanical En=
gineers Branch, and served in Afghanistan. Mike is the author of several bo=
oks and articles related to the stealth technology, radar engineering, miss=
ile engineering and similar subjects.

Revolutionary War Forts: New York
Michael Garlock
Casemate Publishers
www.casematepublishers.com
9781636242606, $39.95, HC, 160pp

https://www.amazon.com/Revolutionary-War-Forts-Casemate-Illustrated/dp/1636=
24260X

Synopsis: During the American Revolutionary War, the forts in and around Ne=
w York were instrumental in initiating and maintaining America's desire for=
 independence and helped the nascent nation to eventually prevail.

These forts saw crucial, campaign-determining naval battles, and pivotal la=
nd engagements between battle-hardened well-led British troops and unproven=
 American militia. In both land and sea engagements the garrisons deployed =
a range of weapons including different calibers of smooth-bore cannon, howi=
tzers, musket, bayonets, and even tomahawks.

"Revolutionary War Forts: New York" by Michael Garlock covers Amsterdam, Cl=
inton, Fort Clinton at West Point, Dayton, Decker, Flagstaff, Au Fer, Brook=
lyn, Defiance, Franklin, Golgotha, Herkimer, Jay, Klock, Montgomery, Niagra=
 Old Stone Fort, Salonga, Stanwix, Ticonderoga, Wadsworth, and Washington. =
The expert text supported by a wealth of illustrations and images discusses=
 design, armament, and current status of the forts. It also explores their =
garrisons, commanders, and the battles fought, as well as the spatial and m=
ilitary dependent relationships these forts had with one another.

Critique: This large format coffee-table style hardcover edition of "Revolu=
tionary War Forts: New York" from Casemate Publishers is a fully illustrate=
d compendium of the 18 New York forts that played significant and strategic=
 roles during the American Revolutionary War. Informative and fascinating, =
"Revolutionary War Forts: New York" is a critically important contribution =
to personal, professional, community, and college/university library Americ=
an Revolutionary History collections and supplemental curriculum studies li=
sts. It should be noted for students, academia, and non-specialist general =
readers with an interest in the subject that "Revolutionary War Forts: New =
York" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $17.99).

Eyes on the Enemy: U.S. Military Intelligence in World War II
Chris McNab
Casemate Publishers
www.casematepublishers.com
9781636243849, $29.95, HC, 208pp

https://www.amazon.com/Eyes-Enemy-Intelligence-gathering-Techniques-Equipme=
nt/dp/1636243843

Synopsis: On December 7, 1941, an imperial Japanese carrier strike force at=
tacked the US Pacific Fleet at Pearl Harbor, taking advantage of what was o=
ne of the most profound intelligence failures in US history. Galvanized int=
o action, the branches of the U.S. military subsequently developed one of t=
he greatest, albeit imperfect, intelligence-gathering and analysis networks=
 of the combatant nations, opening an invaluable window onto the intentions=
 of their enemies.

The picture of U.S. military intelligence during World War II is a complex =
one. It was divided between the fields of signal intelligence (SIGINT) and =
human intelligence (HUMINT), combat intelligence and War Department intelli=
gence, and between numerous different organizations, including the Military=
 Intelligence Division (MID), Military Intelligence Service (MIS), the Offi=
ce of Naval Intelligence (ONI), the Counter Intelligence Corps (CIC), the O=
ffice of Strategic Services (OSS) and the many intelligence units organic t=
o Army, Navy, Army Air Forces, and Marine Corps.

The documents included in "Eyes on the Enemy: U.S. Military Intelligence in=
 World War II" reveal the theoretical and practical principles behind warti=
me intelligence gathering and analysis, from the frontline intelligence off=
icer to the Washington-based code-breaker. They explain fundamentals such a=
s how to observe and record enemy activity and intercept enemy radio traffi=
c, through to specialist activities such as cryptanalysis, photoreconnaissa=
nce, prisoner interrogation, and undercover agent operations.

The painstaking work of an intelligence operator required a sharp, attentiv=
e mind, whether working behind a desk or under fire on the frontlines. The =
outputs from these men and women could ultimately make the difference betwe=
en victory and defeat in battle.

Critique: Military intelligence is essential for victory. Never was this mo=
re true than enabling the United States and its allies to eventually overco=
me the arguably better prepared for war nations of Germany, Japan, and Ital=
y. "Eyes on the Enemy: U.S. Military Intelligence in World War II" is a sem=
inal study on the subject and unreservedly recommended as an essential, cor=
e addition to personal reading list, as well as professional, community, an=
d college/university library World War II collections and supplemental curr=
iculum studies syllabus.

Editorial Note: Dr Chris McNab specializes in military history and related =
technology. To date he has published more than 100 books including US Soldi=
er vs German Soldier (2020), Hitler's Tanks (2020) and The Great Bear at Wa=
r (2019). Chris has also written extensively for major encyclopedia series,=
 magazines and newspapers.

Guderian 1941: The Barbarossa Campaign
David R. Higgins
Pen & Sword Books
c/o Casemate (US distribution)
www.casematepublishers.com
https://www.penandswordbooks.com
9781526762122, $37.95, HC, 288pp

https://www.amazon.com/Guderian-1941-Barbarossa-David-Higgins/dp/1526762129

Synopsis: During the first few weeks of Operation Barbarossa (Hitler's inva=
sion of the Soviet Union in 1941), Heinz Guderian's Second Panzer Group pla=
yed a leading role, cutting through the defenses on the border, then taking=
 part in the massive encirclement battles near Minsk, Smolensk, and Kiev.

The extraordinary speed of the advance reflects the experience of the Wehrm=
acht as a whole during the first phase of the war on the Eastern Front. Tha=
t is why in "Guderian 1941: The Barbarossa Campaign" David Higgins's graphi=
c narrative, which describes how Guderian's forces achieved enormous succes=
s before they were forced to halt, is such compelling reading. It is a fasc=
inating story, vividly told.

Drawing on a wide range of official German and Soviet records, Higgins reco=
nstructs the entire course of Second Panzer Group's advance, covering each =
stage in unprecedented detail. His narrative offers a German perspective an=
d an inside view of what the opposing commanders knew during each operation=
 and shows how important logistics became as the German supply lines stretc=
hed deep into the Soviet Union. It also explains how Soviet resistance and =
reinforcements, declining strength and the onset of the Russian winter comb=
ined to bring Guderian to a stop at Tula where he was relieved of his comma=
nd.

The high hopes with which the German army had launched the campaign were da=
shed only a few months later before Moscow. "Guderian 1941: The Barbarossa =
Campaign", an in-depth study the of operations of Second Panzer Group, give=
s the reader telling insights into what went wrong.

Critique: Informatively enhanced for the readers benefit with the inclusion=
 of a descriptive Preface, Maps, an Appendix (A Second Panzer Group, 22 Jun=
e 1941), twenty-six pages of Notes, a four page Bibliography, a section of =
B/W historical photos, and an eight page Index, "Guderian 1941: The Barbaro=
ssa Campaign" presents a key World War II German campaign against the Russi=
ans as presented from the German perspective. A unique and seminal study th=
at is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $14.49), "Guderian 1=
941: The Barbarossa Campaign" will prove to be a welcome and highly valued =
addition to personal, professional, community, and college/university libra=
ry World War II history collections and supplemental curriculum studies lis=
ts.

Editorial Note: David R. Higgins is the author of several military history =
books and has written articles for magazines such as Strategy & Tactics, Ar=
mchair General, World At War and Modern War. He has appeared on television'=
s Greatest Tank Battles.

The Han-Xiongnu War, 133 BC - 89 AD
Scott Forbes Crawford
Pen & Sword Books
c/o Casemate (US distribution)
www.casematepublishers.com
https://www.penandswordbooks.com
9781526790668, $34.95, HC, 176pp

https://www.amazon.com/Han-Xiongnu-War-133-BC-89-AD/dp/1526790661

Synopsis: The Han-Xiongnu War (133 BC - AD 89) pitted the Han dynasty of Ch=
ina against a confederation of nomadic steppe peoples, the Xiongnu Empire. =
In campaigns waged on a huge scale by the standards of contemporary Western=
 warfare (perhaps half a million soldiers were fielded at the Battle of Mob=
ei in 119 BC), the two states fought for control of Central Asia, hungry fo=
r its rich resources and Western trade links. China's victory set the stage=
 for millennia of imperial rule and a vast sphere of influence in Asia.

With the publication of "The Han-Xiongnu War, 133 BC - 89 AD: The Struggle =
of China and a Steppe Empire Told Through Its Key Figures", author and hist=
orian Scott Forbes Crawford examines the war in a lively, engaging narrativ=
e.

He builds a mosaic encompassing the centuries of conflict through biographi=
es of fifteen historical figures: the Chinese and Xiongnu emperors who firs=
t led their armies into battle; 'peace bride' Princess Jieyou, whose marria=
ge to a steppe king forged a vital Chinese alliance; the explorer-diplomat =
Zhang Qian, who almost-inadvertently established the Silk Road, among other=
 key individuals. Their stories capture the war's breadth, the enduring imp=
act on Han society and statecraft in what became a Chinese golden age, and =
the doomed resistance of the Xiongnu to an ever-strengthening juggernaut.

Critique: Exceptionally well written, organized and presented, "The Han-Xio=
ngnu War, 133 BC - 89 AD: The Struggle of China and a Steppe Empire Told Th=
rough Its Key Figures" is an extraordinary and seminal work of historical s=
cholarship and a simply fascinating read from beginning to end. Special fea=
tures include a Prologue (A Misread Prophecy), an Epilogue (Reard in Each O=
ther's Shadow), a Chronology of Major Events in the Han-Xiongnu War, five p=
ages of Notes, a two page Bibliography, and a three page Index. An seminal =
and unique study, "The Han-Xiongnu War, 133 BC - 89 AD: The Struggle of Chi=
na and a Steppe Empire Told Through Its Key Figures" is an unreservedly rec=
ommended pick for personal, professional, community, and college/university=
 library Chinese Military History collections and supplemental Ancient Chin=
a curriculum studies lists.

Editorial Note: Fascinated by China's past since first studying Mandarin at=
 a Chinese university, Scott Forbes Crawford (https://www.scottforbescrawfo=
rd.com) has written extensively about Chinese and Asian history. His work, =
appearing in Ancient History Magazine, Medieval Warfare Magazine, The Histo=
ry Network podcast and elsewhere, has explored China's military development=
s, the culture of its nomadic steppe neighbours, and the conflicts borne at=
 the intersection of these areas. Also a novelist, Crawford brings narrativ=
e drive and an eye for character to the telling of history, making the anci=
ent past vivid to modern readers.

Weapons, Warriors and Battles of Ancient Iberia
Fernando Quesada-Sanz, author
Elizabeth Clowes, translator
Pablos Harding-Vera, translator
Pen & Sword Books
c/o Casemate (US distribution)
www.casematepublishers.com
https://www.penandswordbooks.com
9781781592755, $60.00, HC, 304pp

https://www.amazon.com/Armour-Ancient-Iberia-Fernando-Quesada-Sanz/dp/17815=
92756

Synopsis: In ancient times, the Iberian Peninsula (today's Spain and Portug=
al) was home to warriors of great renown. Iberian and Celtiberian warriors,=
 both infantry and cavalry, served as the backbone of the Carthaginian armi=
es that terrorized Italy under Hannibal, and proved even more fierce when d=
efending their homeland against later Roman occupation. While the Lusitania=
n resistance under Viriathus was among the toughest the Romans encountered =
anywhere.

Translated into English by Elizabeth Crowes and Pablos Harding-Vera, and pu=
blished by Pen & Sword Books, "Weapons, Warriors and Battles of Ancient Ibe=
ria" by Professor Quesada-Sanz details the arms, armor and equipment of the=
 various warriors of the region in fantastic detail, drawing on his intimat=
e knowledge of the latest archaeological and historical research.

Professor Quesada-Sanz's clear and informative text is supported throughout=
 by a wealth of photographs, diagrams and enhanced with the inclusion of th=
e exquisite color artwork by Carlos Fernandez del Castillo.

"Weapons, Warriors and Battles of Ancient Iberia" is a beautiful book offer=
ing detailed, comprehensive information and sumptuous visual appeal that wi=
ll be cherished by anyone with an interest in the warriors and weapons of t=
he ancient world. The Spanish edition won the Hislibris Award for the 'Best=
 Historical Book' for 2010.

Critique: Profusely and beautifully illustrated throughout, "Weapons, Warri=
ors and Battles of Ancient Iberia" is a seminal work of exceptionally well =
organized and presented historical scholarship that will be of particular v=
alue to readers with an interest in Roman and Iberian history. Deftly prese=
nted in three major sections (In Time and Space; Offensive and Defensive We=
apons; Warriors, Battles, and Society), and including a thirty page Bibliog=
raphy, "Weapons, Warriors and Battles of Ancient Iberia" must be considered=
 an essential and core contribution to personal, professional, community, a=
nd college/university library Roman/Iberian History collections and supplem=
ental curriculum studies lists. For students, academia, historians, and mem=
bers of the general public with an interest in the subject it should be not=
ed that "Weapons, Warriors and Battles of Ancient Iberia" is also available=
 in a digital book format (Kindle, $27.99).

Editorial Note: Fernando Quesada Sanz is Professor of Archaeology at the Un=
iversity of Madrid and respected worldwide for his expertise on the evidenc=
e for warfare in ancient Iberia. He is the author of many books and article=
s including Arms of the Greeks and Romans (2008). (https://fernandoquesadas=
anz.academia.edu)

The Korean War Remembered
Michael J. Devine
University of Nebraska Press
www.nebraskapress.unl.edu
9781496234698, $65.00, HC, 346pp

https://www.amazon.com/Korean-War-Remembered-Contested-Memories/dp/14962346=
93

Synopsis: With the publication of "The Korean War Remembered: Contested Mem=
ories of an Unended Conflict", Professor Michael J. Devine provides a fresh=
, wide-ranging, and international perspective on the contested memory of th=
e 1950 - 1953 conflict that left the Korean Peninsula divided along a heavi=
ly fortified demilitarized zone.

His seminal work examines "theaters of memory", including literature, popul=
ar culture, public education efforts, monuments, and museums in the United =
States, China, and the two Koreas, to explain how contested memories have e=
volved over decades and how they continue to shape the domestic and foreign=
 policies of the countries still involved in this unresolved struggle for d=
ominance and legitimacy.

"The Korean War Remembered" also engages with the revisionist school of his=
torians who, influenced by America's long nightmare in Vietnam, consider th=
e Korean War an unwise U.S. interference in a civil war that should have be=
en left to the Koreans to decide for themselves.

As a former Peace Corps volunteer to Korea, a two-time senior Fulbright lec=
turer at Korean universities, and former director of the Harry S. Truman Pr=
esidential Library, Professor Devine offers the unique perspective of a sch=
olar with half a century of close ties to Korea and the Korean American com=
munity, as well as practical experience in the management of historical ins=
titutions.

Critique: Enhanced for the benefit of the reader with a number of Illustrat=
ions, a listing of Abbreviations, forty pages of Notes, a thirty-eight page=
 Bibliography, and a nine page Index, "The Korean War Remembered: Contested=
 Memories of an Unended Conflict"is an impressively well written, organized=
 and presented ground-breaking study that be of immense value to readers wi=
th an interest in America's involvement in the Korean War -- which was the =
first war that America was a part of that ended in stalemate and not end in=
 victory for America and its allies. While also available for personal read=
ing lists in a digital book format (Kindle, $61.75), "The Korean War Rememb=
ered: Contested Memories of an Unended Conflict" is especially and unreserv=
edly recommended for community and college/university library Korean War co=
llections and supplemental 20th Century American Military History curriculu=
m studies lists.

Editorial Note: Michael J. Devine (www.wilsoncenter.org/person/michael-devi=
ne) is an Adjunct Professor of History at the University of Wyoming. Previo=
usly he was the director of the Harry S. Truman Presidential Library and a =
Professor of History and Director of the American Heritage Center at the Un=
iversity of Wyoming. He is also the author of "John W. Foster: Politics and=
 Diplomacy in the Imperial Era, 1873 - 1917".

The United States Army Ground Forces During the Interwar Years 1919-1941
Master Sargent Jim Irwin (Retired)
Dorrance Publishing Company
www.dorrancepublishing.com
9798888129906, $28.00, HC, 140pp

https://www.amazon.com/United-States-Ground-Interwar-1919-1941/dp/B0CK2ZXNB=
J

Synopsis: With the publication of "The United States Army Ground Forces Dur=
ing the Interwar Years 1919-1941: Infantry Cavalry Field Artillery Coast Ar=
tillery", retired master sargent Jim Irwin covers the period of the Interwa=
r years 1919-1941.

Critique; Unique, seminal, impressively informative, well written, and thor=
oughly 'reader friendly' in organization and presented, "The United States =
Army Ground Forces During the Interwar Years 1919-1941: Infantry Cavalry Fi=
eld Artillery Coast Artillery" will have a particular relevance and value f=
or readers with an interest in the history of the US Army during that time =
span. Of special note are the insignias and pictures that reflect and illus=
trate the era. While especially and unreservedly recommended for personal, =
professional, community, and college/university library 20th Century Americ=
an Military History collections and supplemental curriculum studies lists, =
it should be noted that "The United States Army Ground Forces During the In=
terwar Years 1919-1941: Infantry Cavalry Field Artillery Coast Artillery" i=
s also available in a paperback edition (9798888121511, $15.00) and in a di=
gital book format (Kindle, $9.99).

Editorial Note: MSG Jim Irwin (Retired) is a retired community college prof=
essor. He taught business and technology courses. He served two years in th=
e US Army during the Vietnam war, and spent another twenty-seven years in t=
he Indiana Army National Guard.

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