Press Releases

Military Books

January, 2012

7073 Armor At War Series: Panzer VOR! 6 Book (72pgs. Softcover.) 21.95

October, 2011

6538 Warriors Series: The Siege of Sevastopol and the Crimea Campaign 1941-1942 20.95 (Softcover. 52pgs.)

August, 2011

7072 Armor at War: Panzer VOR! 5 Book 21.95 (Softcover. 72pgs.)

November, 2010

7071 Armor at War Series: U-Boat War 1939-45 Book (Softcover. 72pgs.) 18.50

6530 Operation Little Saturn & Infantry Battles of Heeresgruppe Sud Dec. 1942-Jun. 1943 (Softcover military book. 52pgs.) 16.00

July, 2010

7064 Armor at War Series: Early Panzer Victories Book (Softcover. 72pgs.) 18.50

June, 2010

6532 "Warrior Series": Warriors of Imperial Japan in WWII 1941-45 (Softcover. 52pgs.) 18.50

April, 2010

7067 Armor at War Series: German Halftracks of WWII Vol. 2 (Softcover. 72pgs.) 18.50

December, 2009

Into the Cauldron: Das Reich in France 1940
Heinrich Himmler created the SS in the 1930s as an ideological elite military force. SS- Verfugungstruppe (Special Disposal Troop, or SS-VT) units took part in the invasion of Poland in September 1939, and in the following month the decision was made to quickly expand the force into what became known as the Waffen-SS. By the spring of 1940, the SS-VT division was organized into three regiments - "Deutschland", "Germania" and "Der Fuhrer". These units were at the forefront of the attack on the West in May 1940. After the successful conclusion of the campaign, the SS-VT division was soon renamed the SS-Reich Division (Motorized). This particular division is the subject of Concord Publication's latest book, which is entitled "Into the Cauldron - Das Reich in France 1940". It is written by Robert Michulec, an author well known to Concord readers.

Following the usual format of other books in the Warrior 6500 series, this volume contains 52 pages, with a four-page color section in the center. This central segment features four color plates by talented illustrator Dmitriy Zgonnik. They show four "Das Reich" soldiers dressed in various types of uniform and equipped with a range of weaponry, while the accompanying text elaborates points of interest. The heart of the book is the collection of black and white photographs showing "Das Reich" troops from the 1940 period. Coverage commences with training photos in early 1940, and the content then documents the campaign in France. Many photos contain excellent close-up details of uniforms, personal equipment and personal weapons. A great number are "in-action" photos, and they show auxiliary equipment such as motorcycles, wheeled vehicles, halftracks, armored vehicles and antitank weapons too.

For readers interested in the invasion of France, and particularly the involvement of the Waffen-SS, this volume offers concise yet comprehensive coverage. The sharply reproduced photos give a very real sense of this campaign by "Das Reich" in the early part of WWII, and the details they portray will be of great value to figure modelers and military enthusiasts alike

October, 2009

6529 German Soldier on the Western Front 1914-1918 (Softcover. 52pgs.) 16.00

September, 2009

7058 The US Army Jeep at War Book (Features detailed information with lots of black/white photos) (72pgs) 18.50

August, 2009

6525 Fighting Withdrawal - The Germans Retreat in the East 1944-45 Book Softcover.52pgs. Features lots of black/white photos.) 16.00

June, 2009

7066 Armor At War Series: German Light Panzer At War (Features detailed information with lots of black/white photos) (72pgs. Softcover) 18.50

April, 2009

The German Invasion of Yugoslavia 1941
Before dawn on 6 April 1941, German forces began moving against Yugoslavia, the largest country in the Balkans. The full invasion began in earnest on 8 April, with German units supported by Italians, Hungarians, Bulgarians and Romanians. Yugoslav forces were not prepared or equipped to withstand such an onslaught, and by 17 April the Yugoslav government had capitulated. The campaign in Yugoslavia was brief and casualties were remarkably light, with just 151 Germans killed and 392 wounded. Axis units weren't content with capturing Yugoslavia, for they had their eyes on Greece. There, British, Greek, Australian and New Zealand forces waited to take on the invaders.

A new Concord book authored by Gordon Rottman examines the German invasion of Yugoslavia in that fateful month of April 1941. This 52-page book offers readers an extensive collection of black and white photographs of German personnel and equipment participating in 'Operation 25', as the invasion was codenamed by Germany. The photos provide everything - there are personnel in combat and at rest, plus they are accompanied by all sorts of weapons and equipment. Vehicles in evidence include motorbikes, cars, trucks, halftracks, towed artillery pieces, antiaircraft guns, armored cars and even inflatable boats. The atmospheric photos clearly show the type of terrain the battle was fought over, and they are sure to be a source of inspiration for modelers. Each photo is explained with an informative caption detailing facts about equipment or aspects of Operation 25.

Dmitriy Zgonnik has contributed four color plates that serve as a suitable centerpiece for this book. The expertly painted plates show a panzer crewman, rifleman, mountain infantryman and a squad leader in full color. These plates are backed up by helpful written descriptions offering insights about their uniforms and personal gear. This book introduces a topic that hasn't hitherto been well covered, bringing together a fascinating series of photographs from the invasion of Yugoslavia.

March, 2009

Waffen-SS in Action

Irrespective of ethical issues, the Waffen-SS remains a topic of acute interest to many interested in WWII history. Indeed, the runic SS insignia is a symbol that is instantly recognizable worldwide. This formation began as the Schutzstaffel der NSDAP in 1925. It was dedicated to protecting the Nazi leadership, and indeed the name Schutzstaffel (shortened to SS) means "Protection Service". This politicized unit grew into a complete armed force, the Waffen-SS, three months after the commencement of WWII. It developed in strength and capability thanks to the superior training and equipment that was directed its way. The Waffen-SS spawned such famous divisions as the Leibstandarte-SS "Adolf Hitler" (LSSAH), 3.SS-Panzer-Division "Totenkopf", and 2.SS-Panzer-Division "Das Reich". These were some of the best fighting formations fielded by Germany in WWII. As the war progressed, foreigners were pressed into service in units like SS-Gebirgs-Division "Nord" and 5.SS-Panzer-Division "Wiking". By the end of 1943, a total of 247,000 men were serving in this famous armed force, and by the close of hostilities in 1945 it totaled 800,000 men in 38 divisions!

This new book from prolific writer Gordon Rottman offers a photographic survey of Waffen-SS fighting men. The series of black and white photos range from the early-war period right through to the last desperate days of 1945. Readers will find a veritable potpourri of interesting uniform, weapons and equipment on display. Even heavier equipment like antitank guns and StuG III assault guns is included too. Each clearly reproduced photo is accompanied by a descriptive caption providing insights pertinent to the Waffen-SS.

This volume opens with a concise description of how the Waffen-SS was created and how it developed. The central four pages also contain color plates by artist Ramiro Bujeiro. These show soldiers in typical uniforms and personal gear. This book is a welcome addition to Concord's Warrior series, and it fills an important niche in the coverage of WWII fighting men.

January, 2009

British Armour in North-West Europe Volume 1. - Normandy to Arnhem

Dennis Oliver began looking at British armored vehicles with a well-conceived book focusing on Sicily and Italy, and he now commences a two-part series about British armor in Northwest Europe. This first volume takes the reader from the amphibious landings of D-Day through to the ambitious Allied attempt to wrest Arnhem from German forces.

Readers will be pleased to know the author is not so much interested in details of the overall campaign, but rather the focus is totally upon the armored vehicles themselves. This is made obvious right from the outset, when the writer gives a very useful summary of the various armored divisions, independent armored brigades, independent tank brigades, armored car regiments, armored Royal Artillery units and reconnaissance regiments that took part in the NW European campaign. The book is replete with black and white photos printed on high-quality paper that portray British vehicles and tanks in action. Vehicles such as the Stuart, Sexton, Cromwell, Sherman, Churchill, Universal Carrier, Staghound and Humber armored cars, halftracks, M10 and Priest all make cameo appearances. The photos have been well chosen and accurately portray the wartime look of these combat vehicles.

In the center of the book are 16 color plates that constitute an extremely detailed study of vehicle markings. These plates show markings, insignia and vehicle names with numerous detailed close- ups. The photo captions are written decisively and with authority, so readers will learn a lot from the author's immense breadth of knowledge on this fascinating subject, as well as from perusing the excellent photographs

6523 Warriors: White Hell - The German Army Faces the Russian Winter (Softcover.52pgs.) 16.00

Winter! This theme forms the centerpiece of this photographic volume. Despite being delayed by the need to invade the Balkans, Germany expected an early conquest of Russia when it attacked on June 22, 1941. When the expected victory did not come as easily as anticipated, the German Wehrmacht soon found itself embroiled in Russia's brutal & bitterly cold winters. A quarter of a million German soldiers suffered frostbite in that first Russian winter simply because they were ill-equipped and poorly supplied with the requisite cold-weather gear. Soldiers who survived this first bitter winter actually received a specific medal for it (called the Medaille Winterschlacht im Osten 1941/42, and which the soldiers often called "Frozen Meat Order")! This book is thus full of snow and mud!

Beginning with an introductory text explaining the impact of cold weather on the performance of the German armed forces, the book quickly moves on to an excellent selection of black and white photographs. They show troops in all sorts of wintry landscapes, the majority of which unsurprisingly show snow! Soldiers in trenches, emplaced artillery positions, vehicles negotiating unforgiving terrain, horses and reindeer, and soldiers on skis, all receive due attention. The photos also reveal a wide range of cold-weather solutions in terms of uniforms worn by German soldiers. Their small-arms weaponry and personal equipment are also on vivid display. In the center of the book are four full-page color plates produced by the talented artist Stephen Andrew. Accompanying descriptions offer pertinent details about specific uniform items.

The harsh Russian winter played a pivotal part in the failure of Germany's invasion of the vast nation of Russia. This book illustrates some of those atrocious conditions encountered by the average soldier, and the photo contents are a veritable historical treasure chest. Military enthusiasts and model-makers alike will find plenty to inspire in this new volume from Concord.

December, 2008

LAV & Piranha - The Extended Family: The most widely produced wheeled armored vehicle in service in the West is the Light Armored Vehicle (LAV) and Piranha. With more than 9300 vehicles produced to date, and with deliveries to 21 countries, this family of vehicles has proved hugely successful. The family was originally designed by the Swiss company MOWAG, which is now part of the General Dynamics Land Systems stable. Concord Publications' latest title in its Armor at War Mini Series covers this popular armored vehicle, which first appeared in prototype form in 1972.

The book is divided into sections covering various countries and geographic regions where the LAV/Piranha is found. It opens with Canada and includes the 6x6 AVGP before moving on to the 8x8 Bison, Coyote and LAV III. The next chapter covers the LAV in USMC service. The chapter on Australasia features the ASLAV and newer NZLAV, while Europe's Piranhas receive a chapter all to themselves. The final section covers miscellaneous countries such as Nigeria and Saudi Arabia. This book is crammed full of background information on the LAV/Piranha, and records its history and development. Details of variants, deployment and organization (plus combat/operational use where relevant) is given for each country using the vehicle.

The book features more than 160 photos showing external and internal views of these vehicles, including the latest combat deployments in Iraq and Afghanistan. Detailed captions provide pertinent details in this book that offers a unique photographic record of an attractive and versatile vehicle found the world over.

November, 2008

The Italian Army at War - Europe 1940-43: Much has been written about the major WWII antagonists such as Germany. However, one of the Third Reich's most ardent supporters, up until the time Mussolini was deposed from power, was Italy. Indeed, when Italy declared war on France and Great Britain on June 10, 1940, it had a formidable total of 73 divisions. This new book from Concord Publications addresses a glaring gap in terms of providing photographic coverage of the Italian infantryman. Written by Philip Jowett, the comprehensive introduction outlines the relative merits and weaknesses of the Italian Army as it launched into a new war on top of its protracted campaign in Ethiopia. It must be noted that this book exclusively covers the Italian Army in Europe, so North Africa is not included. Spurred on by Mussolini, the Italian Army's first foray into WWII was in the French Alps, followed by the invasion of Greece four months later. Let down by inadequate supplies, the Italian Army made heavy work of overcoming Greek resistance, and Hitler had to commit German troops to the region. After this, Italian troops carried out occupation duties in Greece, Albania and Yugoslavia. The other major area of combat was in Russia, with large numbers of troops committed in support of the German effort. Tragically, 85,000 Italian soldiers were to die or go missing in this rugged theater. All of these aforementioned campaigns are well represented in the selection of black and white photos. Beginning with pre-war parades, the book then proceeds through to the freezing snowbound landscapes of the wintry Eastern Front. The photos are interesting in that they show all manner of uniform and personal weapon details, as well as ancillary equipment like motorbikes, tankettes, tanks, artillery pieces, mortars and wheeled vehicles.

September, 2008

Panzerkampfwagen III and IV 1939-45: The name Tom Cockle will be familiar to many, especially those who have enjoyed assembling one of Dragon's exemplary 1/35 scale Panzer IV plastic kits! Mr. Cockle, who helped design these kits, is a recognized authority on such German vehicles as the Panzer IV. Here he has worked with Concord Publications to create a very fine book that covers both the Panzer III and Panzer IV. These vehicles formed the backbone of the panzer divisions, and this new book is a very welcome addition to the subject.

A marvelous selection of black and white photos has been compiled, most of which will be completely new to readers. They show the whole gamut of Panzerkampfwagen III and IV variants from the pre-war years, right through to the closing days of WWII. The photos show an interesting mix of pristine-looking vehicles through to destroyed wrecks, plus those operating in the summer heat and dust through to those covered in whitewash for freezing winters. Each photo is accompanied by a caption giving pertinent information about the content displayed, and these well-written captions demonstrate the author knows his stuff in intimate detail. The book begins with a description of the various Ausführung and their identifying features, and readers will enjoy delving into the complexities of each unique panzer variant.

In order to better present the good quality photos, 8 additional pages has been incorporated into this book, while the price remains the same as the rest of the series. This volume also includes 16 color plates produced by Douglas Jameson, these showing panzers in accurately depicted camouflage schemes. In order to encompass as many photos as possible, the regular format of the "Armor at War" series has been extended with eight bonus pages! Written with an air of authority, this is a fine new 80-page pictorial record of these very important German tanks

August, 2008

Iraq Insurgency - U.S. Army Armored Vehicles In Action Vol. 2

Features:
- 56 Pages
- 178 Color Photos

It is now more than five years since the USA led an invasion of Iraq to depose Saddam Hussein from power. Over that time, the USA and Coalition partners have been embroiled in an insurgency that has claimed thousands of civilian and military lives. In this eagerly anticipated second volume, celebrated combat photojournalist Carl Schulze examines a wide range of vehicles used by the U.S. Army in Iraq.

This volume completes a two-part series that offers an unparalleled and exhaustive examination of the U.S. Army vehicle fleet in Iraq. This latest book covers the following vehicle types: M1 Abrams MBT, Stryker IAV, M109A6 Paladin, M992A2 FAASV, M93A1 Fox NBCRS, RG-33L 6x6 MRAP, Cougar 4x4 and 6x6 MRAP, M88A1/A2 Armored Recovery Vehicles, HETS, FMTV and HEMTT. As can be seen from this list, the content is varied and includes both tracked and wheeled vehicles. The highlight of the book is the series of excellent photographs showing the M1128 Stryker MGS in Iraq and covering a wide range of time periods stemming from the author's regular visits to this war-torn country. The accompanying text is particularly comprehensive and informative. It discusses key attributes of each vehicle type, including specific modifications made to better suit them to service in Iraq.

This is another high-quality book from Concord. The author displays an amazing breadth of knowledge on the topic, and the clarity and range of photos are first rate. For its encyclopedic level of detail, this book is simply unbeatable

July, 2008

Barbarossa: The largest invasion the world has ever seen kicked off on June 22 1941, as Hitler's massed forces swarmed across the border into the Soviet Union. Operation Barbarossa, as the campaign was named, was supposed to last just ten weeks. In fact, Germany enjoyed five months of victory before they were eventually denied and turned away at the very gates of Moscow. Thus, the long and slow road to defeat began. This new book by Robert Kirchubel outlines Germany's ambitious hopes for Operation Barbarossa via a careful selection of photos.

In typical style for this series of Concord books, the work begins with some concise background text. Here the author explains what led up to the invasion of Russia, as well as providing salient points about the campaign right up to Operation Typhoon, the final assault on Moscow. The core of "Barbarossa" is the set of superb black and white photographs that document this spectacular, but ultimately futile, campaign. Soldiers are seen in all sorts of contexts in the vast steppes of Russia through contemporary camera lenses. There is a wide variety of vehicle types and weapons on show, which will please readers. Vehicles such as trucks, horse-drawn carriages and halftracks are all in evidence, as are numerous captured or destroyed Russian tanks and military vehicles. Photo captions are brief but provide relevant data and information about this long and arduous campaign.

The artist Ramiro Bujeiro has also provided four color plates depicting realistic-looking impressions of German soldiers and officers. These are accompanied by detailed descriptions giving pertinent facts about uniforms and personal equipment. This is an interesting volume packed with unique photos from this important campaign. As the writer states in his concluding paragraph, "When the war in Russia transformed from one of maneuver to one of attrition, it became a war Germany could no longer win." Readers wishing to see how Operation Barbarossa played out, and how German soldiers participated in it, will find this book a valuable ally.

May, 2008

Battle in the East: The German Army in Russia

There have been many books written about German forces fighting on the Eastern Front. This is hardly surprising considering the enormity of the campaign and the seemingly inexhaustible amount of data and photographs available. Concord is pleased to release one more title, authored by Gordon Rottman, focusing on this crucial campaign in the East. This volume is all about the infantry at the core of Germany's military exploits in the enormous expanse of Russia.

The opening text delves into the complexities of the standard German infantry division. Though usually short on motorized transport, these self-contained combined-arms units fought extremely effectively, penetrating almost to the gates of Moscow. The introduction includes a detailed table of organization listing all major and minor subunits (usefully provided in both English and German). It then proceeds with an annotated description of key divisional components, which is very helpful in understanding how a division is equipped. As is par for this series of books, the collection of black and white photos forms the centerpiece. There photos show infantrymen from the early days of the conflict through to much later periods. Members of many branches are on display, for example, artillery, assault pioneers, military police, antitank, reconnaissance and infantry. The photos reveal a host of interesting details and show weapon systems found in the infanterie division.

This book also features a set of four color plates expertly illustrated by Stephen Andrew. These depict infantrymen and panzer grenadiers in a wide range of uniforms fighting in various seasons and regions. Photo and color plate captions are well detailed and thorough, providing a wealth of infromation. This is a very helpful book for those wishing to learn more about those soldiers at the "coal face" of Germany's extraordinarily grueling campaign in the East

April, 2008

German Artillery at War 1939-45 Volume 1: Armor at War Series; De Sisto. Concise study of German artillery pieces, covering the 3 main categories: field artillery, anti-tank artillery and anti-aircraft artillery. Includes such systems as the 2cm FlaK30, 2cm Flakvierling 38, 3.7cm FlaK36/37, 3.7cm PaK35/36, 8.8cm FlaK18/36, 5cm PaK38, 8.8cm PaK43/41, 7.5cm I.IG18, 10.5cm I.FH18, 15cm s.FH18 and 21cm Mrs18. Packed with excellent details and photos of Germany's wartime artillery arsenal, captured artillery is also addressed. Illustrated with 203 b/w photos showing guns in operational conditions from all theaters of the war plus 16 full color plates; 72 pages.

March, 2008

Luftwaffe Field and Flak Divisions. Kirchubel and Zgonnik. From late 1942 onwards, Luftwaffe ground forces grew in number in both flak (antiaircraft) and field units. The Luftwaffe was eventually to form 2 mechanized divisions, 10 parachute and 21 field divisions; this volume records their story. An excellent photographic record of an important component of Germany's armed forces, flak, searchlights, ad hoc units, the men and weapons they fielded. Illustrated with 135 photos and 4 color plates; 52 pages.

Marines on the Ground Operation Iraqi Freedom 2. Arthur. Continues the story of I MEF's return to Iraq in March 2004 through to the end of March 2005. Utilizes official photos from USMC photographers - covers Operation Al Fajr, the Battle of Fallujah, with day-by-day entries plus a personal account from MSgt Andreas Elesky. Also covers the Najaf Crisis, Iraq's first free national elections and the men and vehicles deployed. A concise photographic record that includes Humvees, MTVRs, LAVs, AAVs, and M1A1 Abrams tanks. Illustrated with 142 color photos and 5 profile plates; 48 pages

December, 2007

The Fall of Monte Cassino. Robert Michulec. Perhaps one of the best known battles in the Italian campaign was the Battle of Monte Cassino. There was actually a series of four battles, the first starting on 17 January 1944, and the last on 18 May. Monte Cassino was a key to the German defensive Winter Line south of Rome, also known as the Gustav Line. Concord Publications is proud to release a new volume in its Warrior series that is fully devoted to this pivotal battle. 134 photos. 52 Pages.

November, 2007

British Armor in Sicily and Italy British Armor in Sicily and Italy. Armor at War Series; Oliver. The Italian peninsula was characterized as the soft underbelly of German-occupied Europe, but Italy proved to be anything but easy. Provides ample photo-reference for British vehicles such as the White scout car, M3 halftrack, Daimler Dingo, Otter armored car, Universal Carrier, Stuart, Priest, Grant, Sherman, Churchill, Bishop 25pdr self-propelled gun, M10 and Buffalo amphibious vehicle. Full of useful information about vehicles, markings, units and the operational employment. Includes a summary of the various British armored and associated units that saw combat in Italy - each regiment, brigade and division receives a separate entry, with details of their roles and combat operations. Illustrated with 170 photos and 16 color plates; 72 pages

September, 2007

Gebirgsjäger: German Mountain Infantry. Rottman and Andrew. History of the elite troops of the German Army trained and equipped to operate in alpine regions; self-contained units comprised of infantry, artillery, anti-tank, signals and engineer personnel. Covers their uniforms, equipment, organization, operations - all illustrated with 148 photos and 4 color plates; 52 pages.

Battle on Two Fronts 1944-45. Armor at War Series; Cockle. A war on 2 fronts was the great nightmare of the military planners of the 3rd Reich; this volume offers a photographic record of this impossible situation, both East against the Soviets and West. Verses the Anglo-American forces. Germany's fighting withdrawal during the closing year and a half of WWII is illustrated with 165 photos (displaying a sweeping range of German late-war armored vehicles) and 16 color plates; 72 pages.

August, 2007

CON5541 Special Ops: Journal of the Elite Forces & SWAT Units Vol. 41
1) Finns Wearing Fins - Finland's Erikoistoimintaosato Navy Combat Divers
It's not often that Finland's military gets good media coverage, especially so when it comes to Finnish Special Forces. Therefore, this article offers an unparalleled look into Finland's Navy Combat Divers. The article describes their organization and equipment, plus there is a full range of close-up photos to accompnay it. The photos show the divers perfomring all sorts of missions on and under the water, as well as on land.

2) "There's Nobody Quite Like Us" - Gurkhas in Afghanistan
The Gurkhas are one of the famous outfits in the British Army, and his article by Carl Schulze looks at Gurkhas serving in Afghanistan. One unique advantage that Gurkhas have is their ability to speak Hindi, which is very similar to Urdu, a language spoken in Afghanistan. However, it's their military prowess that comes to the fore in this aritcle! A wide range of pictures show these famous Gurkha soldiers engaged on missions in Afghanistan as part of ISAF, alongside their equipment and vehicles.

3) Greek Police EKAM Counter-Terrorist Unit
The 2004 Athens Olympics are now a fading memory, but one reason the Games ran so smoothly was because EKAM, a Greek police counter-terrorism unit, was hard at work behind the scenes. This feature examines the unit's background and capabilities, and is ably supported by a series of detailed close-up photos of personnel in action.

4) Wielding an Iron Sword - NATO Reaction Force in Norway
Exercise Iron Sword was an exercise run by the NATO Reaction Force in Norway. Being a major exercise, it offered many photo opporturnities of soldiers and equipment from a range of countries. This means, countries like Norway, Netherlands, Denmark and Spain all get their turn in the spotlight in this closing article. All sorts of vehicles make their appearacne: MOWAG Eagle, Mercedes Wolf, Patria XA-188, LMV, bridging trucks, AIFV, Leopard 2A6, and more! The text offers useful insights into how this NATO Rapid Reaction Force operates.

7515 Stryker - Interim Armored Vehicle

The new Stryker Interim Armored Vehicle (IAV) of the U.S. Army has attracted a lot of attention since its introduction several years ago. While it has come in for some strong criticism from some quarters, this volume offers an objective look at this important new wheeled armored vehicle of the U.S. Army.

In Carl Schulze's inimitable style, he outlines how the Stryker fits in with the Army's Interim Brigade Combat Team philosophy. In actual fact, the Stryker is based on a tried and tested formula, with this GDLS/MOWAG vehicle already in service with countries such as Canada, Denmark, Ireland, New Zealand, Spain and Switzerland. This volume provided an enormous amount of detail about the Stryker, and the vast majority of its pages are devoted to examining the different variants in photographs and in written descriptions. Excellent details is provided on the standard Infantry Carrier Vehicle, Reconnaissance Vehicle, Mobile Gun System, Mortar Carrier, Command Vehicle, Fire Support Vehicle, Engineer Squad Vehicle, Medical Evacuation Vehicle, ATGM Vehicle, and NBC Reconnaissance Vehicle.

For this book, the duo of Carl Schulze and Ralph Zwilling has succeeded in collecting a tremendous range of photos. They mostly show vehicles in action operationally in Iraq, as well as on exercise in Germany. This means the slat armor system employed on Strykers deployed to Iraq gets good coverage also. For modelers or military vehicle buffs interested in this impressive new vehicle, then this authoritative book should be the first port of call!

Battles on Two Fronts 1944-45

Germany's greatest mistake in WWII was attempting to fight a two-front war - against Great Britain and the USA in the west, and against the Soviet Union in the east. This book examines warfare on both of these fronts with the focus solely on Germany. For readers wanting a photographic record of the 1944-45 period, then this book offers a scintillating range of pictures in one accessible package.

The book opens with a two-page precis of Germany's fighting withdrawal in the last year and a half of the Third Reich's history. It then proceeds to a varied collection of WWII black and white photos of German military vehicles fighting on both the Western and Eastern Fronts. Vehicles such as halftracks, Puma armored car, Borgward BIV, Wespe, Marder III Ausf. M, Hetzer, StuG III, StuG IV, Wirbelwind, Hummel, Panzer IV, Jagdpanzer IV, Panther, Bergepanther, Brummbar, Tiger I, and Tiger II all make starring appearances. In other words, pretty much the whole range of German late-war armored vehicles is represented!

The book is supported by a series of sixteen color plates by Douglas Jameson. They feature an interesting selection of vehicles, including the mammoth Maus that never actually got to see combat. This book is significant in its breadth of coverage in terms of types of vehicles, as well as the fact that it features scenes from both the Western and Eastern Fronts. The detailed and accurate captions from the knowledgeable author only add to the appeal of this splendid new volume in the ever-popular "Armor at War" series from Concord Publications.

Gebirgsjäger - German Mountain Infantry
Long before the edelweiss was made famous in "The Sound of Music", this mountain flower was the symbol of Germany's Gebirgstruppen (Mountain Troops)! Especially trained and equipped to operate in alpine regions, these were elite troops of the German army. Incidentally, the common ascription of "Gebirgsjäger" actually only refers to "mountain infantrymen". In fact, units were composed of the whole plethora of military occupations such as infantry, artillery, antitank, signals and engineer, for these divisions were self-contained. Gebirgstruppen really had their origin in WWI when fighting against Italian troops in the Alps, and interestingly they still exist today in the Bundeswehr.
This latest volume from Gordon Rottman examines the whole range of Gebirgstruppen in a series of fascinating photos. The book is replete with black and white photos showing these German mountain soldiers in all kinds of environments - sometimes in their natural element on snowy peaks, and at other times at lower altitudes. The photos include details of uniforms, weapons and vehicles used by Gebirgsjäger. They also give a representative look at the different geographical regions that these mountain troops operated in. Additionally, each photograph is accompanied by a detailed caption that offers insight into how these soldiers operated and were organized. The usual section of four color plates is the centerpiece of the book, and these high-quality illustrations by Stephen Andrew portray typical details of uniforms and personal equipment.
A number of Gebirgs-Divisions were created as WWII progressed, and all of the divisions are summarized in the introductory text. The same commentary gives a useful explanation of how these divisions were organized. Following in the successful vein of preceding titles in this Concord series, this book is another very helpful work for modelers and military enthusiasts to have on their bookshelves. In "Gebirgsjäger - German Mountain Infantry", these soldiers that proudly wore the edelweiss receive the attention they are due.

June, 2007

British Armored Divisions: In this splendid new volume, the British Army comes under the camera lens, particularly units of the 1st (UK) Armoured Division based in Germany. The British Army operates in formations known as Battle Groups (BGs), flexible organizations of infantry and armor that can be rearranged according to the mission at hand. This book by the knowledgeable duo of Tim Matzold and Daniel Nowak examines the BG concept, especially armored BGs.

Supported by a superb range of photographs taken over a period of time during a variety of exercises, "The Armoured Battle Group" provides readers with all the information they would ever need to know about a British Army armored BG. It covers the organization of typical and specific BGs, with a high degree of detail on the various sub-units incorporated into the formation. Naturally, there is a vast amount of detail about the vehicles and equipment used by the British Army. There are full-color pictures of the Scimitar, Spartan, Sultan, Samaritan, Striker, Stormer, JCB tractor, Unipower tank bridge transporter, CET, Terrier, Chieftan AVRE, Chieftan AVLB, Challenger ARRV, Titan, Trojan, FV432, Warrior (including the new BGSV), AS90, and Challenger 2. Obviously, a lot of vehicles that receive excellent coverage!

The book also contains four color plates and two 1/35 scale plans by Laurent Lecocq. This book gives very welcome exposure to vehicles of the British Army, and readers will find a tremendous amount to enthuse over between the covers!

Operation Just Cause: This long-anticipated book traces U.S. military involvement in the nation of Panama in the late 1980s through to the invasion of 1989. It discusses the political and historical background to the American intervention, including President Noriega's increasing bullheadedness and his declaration of "a state of war" existing with the U.S.A. Even before the intervention, Panama was already a major base of operations for the U.S. military, with its troops protecting the strategically important Panama Canal.

This book includes a good introductory description of Operation Just Cause, which was launched on 20 December 1989 by around 13,000 American troops. This was against approximately 15,000 troops of the Panama Defense Force (PDF). Amongst many others, Ranger and Airborne troops were used in the attack, many of them being inserted by helicopters. The focus of this volume is on the personnel and weapons that the American troops carried into battle. These elements are presented in carefully chosen photos of this period of combat. The photos represent the various facets of Operation Just Cause, from the pre-invasion days, to the assault, to combat in Panama City, and ongoing operations to stabilize the country. Infantry weapons are very well covered, plus there are numerous photos of vehicles and helicopters involved in the operation. Both the U.S. and the Panamanian combatants are included in the pictures.

The book also features four color plates produced by the talented artist, Dmitriy Zgonnik. These plates portray members of U.S. units, including a SAW gunner, a rifleman of the 82nd Airborne Division, and an operator from the 1st Special Forces Group. This informative book is jam-packed with intriguing and inspirational photographs. For modelers looking for ideas or those wishing to simply learn more about this "intervention" in Panama, Gordon Rottman's book provides a ready solution!

Panzer on the Ostfront 1941-1943: Readers of Concord's immensely popular "Armor at War" series will be familiar with the author Frank V. De Sisto and his recent mini-series entitled "Panzer Vor!" The latest offering from this knowledgeable author is "Panzer on the Ostfront 1941-43". It examines Germany's panzer unit and equipment on the infamous and dreaded Eastern Front.

In this volume, the Eastern Front also includes the Balkans campaign (Operation Marita) of 1941 as Hitler removed this threat before embarking on his campaign against the Soviet Union. The book gives a concise summary of events leading up to and including Operation Barbarossa, the invasion of Russia on 22 June 1941. It then continues the theme as the Nazi war machine expended itself in the intractable Russian steppes and harsh winters.

The focus of the book is naturally the black and white wartime photos, These show a whole range of vehicle types - soft-skin vehicles, half-tracks, armored cars, and of course a liberal serving of tanks and armored vehicles. These photos are sure to inspire modelers or simply give a sense of conditions on the Eastern Front at this time. Captions are accurate and provide helpful insights into photo contents. The book also features a set of sixteen color plates by Laurent Lecocq. These represent various vehicles and their typical painting and marking schemes. This is another fully-packed and inspiring volume that examines a fascinating period in military history.

The Eastern Romans 330-1461 AD: The Eastern Roman Empire is perhaps more commonly referred to as the Byzantine Empire. It describes the period in the Middle Ages when the Greek-speaking Roman Empire was centered on the city of Constantinople. Constantine I is regarded by many to be the first Byzantine emperor. The Byzantines took a distinctive route through history as at that time there was a growing schism between West and East Rome. This new book from Concord Publications covers, in comprehensive detail, the soldiers and military forces of the Eastern Romans.

Written by an authoritative expert Dr. Raffaele D'Amato, this book delves deeply into the inner workings of the Eastern Roman Empire and how it impacted upon the military forces. Major battles and events are elaborated, providing coverage from the early days of the empire through to the fall of the capital, Constantinople, to the Ottoman Turks in 1453AD. The military splendor and magnificence of this period has been carefully captured in this work.

The book features a great number of beautifully rendered color plates by Dr. Giorgio Albertini. These show soldiers or famous military leaders at important points in the history of the Byzantine Empire. These color plates are accompanied by highly detailed written descriptions of the relevant historical background, and they also explain about the weapons and uniforms in evidence in the illustrations.

The author has taken great pains to provide an impressive level of information. This volume is thoroughly researched and jam-packed with invaluable information about the Byzantine army. As a result, this book is a vital reference source for any historian or ancient military enthusiast.

April, 2007

Special Ops: Journal of the Elite Forces & SWAT Units Vol. 40

Another great addition to the Special Ops series:

1) Operation Telic VIII - The British Army in Iraq Carl Schulze continues his enthralling look at troops in Iraq, and this time the spotlight falls on the British Army. "Operation Telic" is the British designation for operations in Iraq, and a full thirty pages are dedicated to Telic's eighth rotation. The whole gamut of British Army hardware is on display, including Land Rovers, DURO trucks, Cobra truck-mounted radar, Saxons,

Warriors, Scimitars, Challenger 2 tanks, and even a range of helicopters. Their operators are also well covered, and photos reveal interesting uniform and weapon details. For a detailed look at Brits in Iraq, this article fits the bill!

2) Operation Athena - Canadians in Afghanistan One of the stalwarts in the NATO-led stabilization of Afghanistan is Canada. The Canadian Army supplies numerous troops to ISAF, and they are supported by a wide range of equipment.

This article examines the contingent in Kabul, which has by now relocated to Kandahar. There is good coverage of the LAV family, with Bisons., Coyotes and LAV IIIs all captured in high-quality photos. Infantry equipment and other vehicles are all present too.

3) Colibri XL - Forty Years of Franco-German Military Cooperation The Colibri series of exercises takes place annually between French and German airborne forces. As such, this article examines paratroopers from both nations before, during and after parachute

jumps. Parachute and infantry equipment are well illustrated, as are support vehicles such as the Wiesel , VBL, ERC-90, and several different helicopters.

4) Regiment "Folgore" - 185th Airborne Artillery Target Acquisition This journal also includes Italians in the form of an elite Target Acquisition (TA) unit. This 185th Regiment of the famous "Folgore" Brigade recently transitioned into the TA role, and it

performs important reconnaissance missions behind enemy lines. They possess vital equipment such as laser designators, and all relevant items are covered in this article. The interesting text describes how this unit is expected to operate, and the special skills its soldiers need to get the job done

Axis Forces in North Africa 1940-43

The Italian campaign in North Africa during WWII is an oft-neglected topic, and is not generally well covered in books. However, this latest volume in the popular Warriors series from Concord goes a long way to remedy the situation. Written by an Italian author, Claudio Antonucci, this book is filled with useful information about Italy's war in North Africa. Not only are Italian forces covered, but German subjects also receive good exposure too.

This volume is unique - it makes a departure from the usual format of Warriors books in that it features a much larger number of color plates. In fact, there are no less than 44 color plates contained between the covers! This makes "Axis Forces in North Africa 1940-43" an indispensable reference for modelers and military enthusiasts wanting a comprehensive understanding of Italian and German uniforms in the North African theater. Each plate is beautifully rendered in full color and sharp detail, with the accompanying text providing a high degree of detail about uniforms and personal equipment on display.

The book does not just include color illustrations, for there is a wide assortment of black and white photos too. Many of these photos will be completely new to readers, and they show off personnel, their uniforms, and weapons to full advantage. Both Italian and German subjects are covered in these photographic sections. The book also begins with a helpful 5-page summary and chronology of the Italian and Panzerarmee Africa campaign in North Africa.

This book covers a topic that is not well known. The author expertly deals with the subject of Axis Forces in North Africa, ensuring that this book is a veritable treasure trove of information about Italian troops.

Due February, 2007

Panzer in the Gunsights 2 - German AFV's and Artillery in the ETO 1944-45 in the US Army Photos

This is a companion volume to Mr. Zaloga's earlier title looking at German AFVs from a different perspective, that of the official US Army Signal Corp photographer. This latest book takes things one step further, based heavily on photos taken by the Technical Intelligence Section. This American unit collected information on enemy equipment,

though not on regular items like Panzer IV tanks and so on. Instead, they had two emphases - keeping abreast of Germany's weaponry and seeking out applications that might help American weapon development.

This means they were interested in unusual or extraordinary weapons, and not the run of the mill types. Of course, this is a huge plus for readers! It includes obscure but fascinating items like the Culemeyer trailer used to transport the Kingtiger, the 88mm FlaK 36 and FlaK 37 guns, the PaK 43/41 and Pak 43 anti-tank guns, the Flakwerfer 44 Fohngerate (Storm-weapon), and the bewildering range of guns found on the Rhine PaK Front. This title also includes sixteen color plates that show an interesting range of vehicles and camouflage schemes, including a captured Sherman M4A3 (76mm) in German service.

March to the West - The German Invasion of France & the Low Countries

The newest addition to Concord's Warrior series is this title from Gordon Rottman. The accomplished author examines the typical German soldier as he appeared, as Blitzkrieg was unleashed upon an under-prepared and overconfident Western Europe. The coverage extends from the abrupt end of the British-labeled Phony War (or Sitting War [Sitzkrieg] as the Germans called it) through to the victory parades in France after the successful conclusion of the campaign.

The much-vaunted French Army had 78 divisions and 2,235 tanks, this latter figure being more than Germany itself possessed. Hitler launched his attack, codenamed Case Yellow (Fall Gelb), in the early hours of 10 May 1940. By the 17th, Brussels had fallen, and by the 19th discussions were already beginning about the possibility of withdrawing the British Expeditionary Force (BEF) from France. German troops entered Paris on 14 June, with an armistice surrendering France finally being signed on 22 June. This stunning and swift victory did not come cheaply, though, with Germany suffering 27,000 dead, 18,000 missing, and 111,000 wounded.

This volume shows the triumphant German soldier as he is engaged in this campaign in the West. The black and white photos reveal interesting details about uniforms, weapons, equipment, and in some cases, even vehicles,. The photos each receive informative captions that provide useful background details. Another feature is the four color plates by Stephen Andrew. These portray various types of soldiers with helpful notes about their uniforms and weapons.

This is a handy volume and will be especially useful to modelers or military historians wanting to see German soldiers in action in the early-war period. The combination of photos, illustrations and photos provide a valuable introduction to this interesting period of WWII.

British Sherman Tanks

There are few more famous WWII tanks than the M4 Sherman. It was arguably the most important tank of the war - if only in terms of numbers built. Over 40,000 were produced by eleven U.S. Manufacturers. The Sherman was also to become the mainstay of the British Army's armored force, with the first 252 vehicles arriving in North Africa in time for the Second Battle of El Alamein. These tanks had been stripped from a U.S. division and shipped across the dangerous waters of the Atlantic.

This book traces the Sherman in British Army use from those early days in North Africa, through to the final days of WWII in Germany itself. In between are the campaigns waged in Italy, France and Northwest Europe, and even a small section on Burma. Interestingly with their penchant for naming tanks, it was the British that christened the M4 as the "Sherman", and the moniker has famously stuck.

In the introduction, the author gives a brief description of all the types used by the UK, including the modified Firefly with its 17pdr gun, a variant that was unique to the British. Curiosities like the Sherman DD and the Crab mine flail tank also make an appearance. Useful notes about the insignia and marking system, as well as camouflage schemes, are given, and these constitute a handy reference guide.

The black and white photos are clearly reproduced and show many different types of vehicles in action in a whole range of theaters. The photos are ably supported by sixteen color plates also produced by the author. This is a very helpful guide to the Sherman as used by the British, and it forms a valuable partner to previously released Sherman books in Concord's Armor at War

September, 2006

Marines On The Ground - Operation Iraqi Freedom 1: This book provides a valuable survey of what the Marines of mostly 1 MEF achieved in this historic liberation of Iraq. This book focuses primarily on the vehicles and weapons used by Marine ground forces. Besides two 1/35 scale plans, the book also contains four color plates featuring some of the key vehicles that were used by the Marines. Photo captions are full and descriptive, giving exact details of locations, units and dates, as well as useful background information.

Stalingrad Inferno - The Infantryman's War: This handy volume details the German efforts to reduce Stalingrad, with the focus entirely on the German army rather than on their Russian counterparts. The knowledgeable author has provided a clear and accurate text that backgrounds the conflict and the key phases of the battle

Special Ops Journal #34: Battle of Fallujah and more

Battle of Fallujah

To regain control of the city of Fallujah, the US Forces in Iraq launched Operation Phantom Fury in November 2004 with the assault carried out by the USMC 1st MEF with the support by the Iraqi Intervention Force.

The Italian Contingent in Iraq

The Italian contingent (Antica Babilonia) in Iraq comprises some 3000 soldiers and is assigned to a British-led division in Basra.

Finnish Coastal Jaegers

The mission of the Uusimaa Brigade's battalion of Coastal Jaegers is responsible for defense of the archipelagos.

Dutch Army's Korps Commandotropen

The KCT is tasked with defending Holland's national security and global interest from terrorists, rogue groups and hostile nations.

Antwerp Tactical

The Bijzonder Bijstanddsteam is the 16-man force of Antwerp tasked with solving all criminal hostage-taking incidents and serving high-risk arrest warrants throughout the city.

Details: 64 pages, 215 color photos

Fighting Men Series: March of the Death's Head Division

This book is written by Paul Thomas, a renowned WWII historian, with many books on the Germany Army to his credit. There are many unpublished photos, especially the ones taken at the Demyansk pocket during the winter months in 1942. The 4 color plates are illustrated by Stephen Andrew, a good source reference for uniform, equipment and weapons of the Totenkopf soldiers in France 1940, Russia 1941, Poland 1944 and Hungary 1945. 52 pages - 146 photos, 4 color plates

German Self-Propelled Guns: Self-propelled artillery, anti-tank and anti-aircraft guns - -Written by noted historian Gordon Rottman, this book explores the world of German self-propelled artillery, anti-tank and anti-aircraft guns. Several photographs feature the Bison, Grille, Wespe, Hummel, Thor, Panzerjager I, Marder I, Marder II, Marder III, Nashorn, Emil, Flakpanzers, Flak Half-tracks, Mobelwagen, Wirbelwind, 8.8cm PzIV and much more. Arek Wrobel provides 16 color plates, some in 3/4 views.

For the most part the self-propelled artillery, anti-tank guns, and anti-aircraft guns fielded by the Germans were ad hoc measures that were necessary to fulfill a pressing tactical requirement. Some were more successful than others, and some were dismal failures.

Special Ops Journal #33 - Task Force Danger: The Big Red One in Iraq: Concord Book's defense correspondent Ralph Zwilling took a trip to Iraq in mid 2004 amid a wave of suicide bombings and improvised explosive devices to bring us this report on the 1st Infantry Division "Big Red One" with a focus on their operations. He participated in a patrol with Task Force 1-77 in Balad, searching for IEDs and weapon caches. Next, he took part in a combat patrol with Task Force 1-7 in Bayji to neutralize or capture non-compliant forces. Finally, Ralph was invited to a night patrol in Tikirt with Task Force 1-18. The reports of these patrols are supported by action photos of the soldiers and vehicles of the Big Red One.

Within the reports are photos of up-armored Bradleys with ERA, Abrams, M113s with filed modifications, different variants of armored HMMWV, gun trucks, and soldiers with all kinds of weapons, gear and equipment.

Hilter Youth and the 12.SS-Panzer Division 'Hilterjugend" 1933-1945 :Page Count: 52 pages, 146 photos Author: Tom Cockle and Ron Volstad Tom Cockle provides very informative and accurate text on the Hitler Youth and 12.SS-Panzer-Division "Hitlerjugend", backed up by many rare photos.

Ronald Volstad provides four high quality color plates, a good reference for modelers on the Hitler Jugend at war.

M-113 in the 1990's - Part1: This book is all about the M-113 and features American, Canadian, German, Danish, and Norwegian variants that were operated throughout the 1990's.
52 pages, 153 color photos, 4 color plates, and a 1/35 scale plan!

Battle of Stalingrad: The terrain immediately surrounding the city of Stalingrad covering some 60,000 square miles became the focal point for one of the most decisive battles of World War Two between Nazi Germany and Soviet Russia, involving some one million or more men, 2,000 tanks, 25,000 artillery pieces, and 2,300 aircraft.

The German advance on Stalingrad began on 17 July 1942, with von Paulus' 6.Armee taking the city in October and eventually encircled by the superior Soviet forces. The Germans lost some 205,000 men in the Stalingrad pocket. Some 91,000 remaining troops were captured when Paulus finally surrendered on 1 February 1943. According to some unofficial figures, the Soviet losses were more than 350,000 men lost, killed and wounded.

This book consists of photos depicting Russian soldiers fighting in and around Stalingrad. A wealth of information is focused on Soviet uniform, weapons and equipment used during this period of time.

Ronald Volstad, the world renowned artist for WWII figures, brings us 4 superb color plates featuring the Soviet soldiers in 1942-1943. A good source of reference for collectors and modelers interested in the Soviet Army.

 7050 US Tank Battles in France 1944-45 $14.98: This title is a companion book to the already released US Tank Battles in Germany. US Tank Battles in France contains 72 pages - 189 b/w photos and 16 color plates.

7806 Assault Journal #6 $11.98: Officially titled the "Journal of Armoured & Heliborne Warfare Vol. 6" this book has 48 pages, 160 color photos and a detailed 1/35 scale plan.

US Amtracs and Amphibians at War 1941-45: After a short development history of the amphibians, this book begins with the DUKW's operations in Sicily, Italy, then Normandy. It is followed by the Commonwealth Buffaloes in their amphibious operations in Europe. The Pacific theater is where the amtracs were used most, and half of the book is devoted to this theater. There are many superb photos of the USMC amtracs fighting in Tarawa, Saipan, Guam, Tinian, Peleliu, Philippines, Iwo Jima and Okinawa. All the variants of the LVT family are covered, from amphibian tractors to amtracs to flame throwers.