World War II Infantry Assault Tactics

by Gordon L. Rottman, Peter Dennis (Illustrator)

Overview

Osprey's examination of assault tactics used by the infantry during World War II (1939-1945). Just about every war movie - famously, Saving Private Ryan and Band of Brothers - includes dramatic scenes of soldiers trying to attack an enemy pillbox or trench. Continuing the series explaining World War II tactics, Gordon L Rottman (who became expert in these tactics during the Vietnam War) explains and illustrates the kit and techniques used in assaulting fortifications. He covers the differences in US, British, German, Soviet and Japanese approaches and experiences, concentrating on small units of foot soldiers with hand-carried equipment. The weapons used included the purpose-made and the improvized: assault charges of various shapes, sizes and characteristics, flamethrowers, grenades and bazookas. Their tactical deployment is analyzed and explained in detail, with the support of color artwork, maps, diagrams and photographs.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781846031915
Publisher:	Bloomsbury USA
Publication date:	03/18/2008
Series:	Elite , #160
Pages:	64
Product dimensions:	7.23(w) x 9.88(h) x 0.18(d)

About the Author

Gordon L Rottman entered the US Army in 1967, volunteered for Special Forces and completed training as a weapons specialist. He served in the 5th Special Forces Group in Vietnam in 1969-70 and subsequently in airborne infantry, long-range patrol and intelligence assignments until retiring after 26 years. He was a special operations forces scenario writer at the Joint Readiness Training Center for 12 years and is now a freelance writer and author of over two dozen series titles for Osprey. The author lives in Cyprus, TX (near Houston).

Table of Contents

INTRODUCTION: The rifle platoon·THE OBJECTIVE: Defensive Tactics – Obstacles – Field Fortifications·BREACHING OBSTACLES: Anti-tank obstacles – crossing gaps – minefields·DEMOLITION MATERIALS: General description: basic charges – special charges – fuses and detonators – injuries; National specifics: United States – British Commonwealth – Soviet Union – Germany – Japan·ASSAULT TACTICS APPLIED: Weapons employment and effect – assault preparations – supporting fires – smoke screens; The assault·NOTES ON NATIONAL PRACTICE: United States – British Commonwealth – Soviet Union – Germany – Japan·RECOMMENDED READING·PLATE COMMENTARIES·INDEX

Editorial Reviews

This is an interesting book, and it covers a lot more than just the tactics used in assaults. The unit level examined is the platoon, justifiably so since most attacks were basically combinations of platoon assaults at levels from company upward... Period photographs are accompanied by sketch maps of typical assaults and by good colour plates of the main demolition materials and of typical attacks. Highly recommended.” —John Prigent, Internet Modeler (April 2008)

“Profusely illustrated by Peter Dennis, in Osprey's common style of excellence, this new book is a very interesting read, and, for those of us who have never been involved in a military attack on a fortified position, it gives a reasonable overview of what goes into the attack — far more that what Saving Private Ryan or the old John Wayne WWII films might imply. Pick up a copy today if you are interested in the details behind the scenes.” —Scott Mingus, Charge! (March 2008)

“Overall, it is a superb look at how the armed forces of the nations involved in WWII were similar and different. A book that I know you will find interesting and engrossing.” —Scott Van Aken, modelingmadness.com (May 2008)

From the Publisher