World War II Combat Reconnaissance Tactics: : Elite Gordon L. Rottman Osprey Publishing

World War II Combat Reconnaissance Tactics

Description

Osprey's study of reconnaisance tactics of World War II (1939-1945). Combat reconnaissance, the practice of sending small groups of soldiers ahead of the main body of forces was employed by all of the major armies in World War II. They would either creep through the landscape or speed through enemy territory in light armored vehicles or jeeps, bristling with machine guns, to report on the position and strength of the enemy.

This book examines the often risky tactics and their devastating casualty rates. The equipment employed by combat reconnaissance groups during the war is investigated as are the rapid changes in tactics that resulted from operational failures, and the requirements of differing terrain and operational theaters, which saw reconnaissance forces use a range of transport from horses to boats and light tanks. Taking into account the improving radio technology available to both Axis and Allied reconnaissance forces, Gordon L Rottman provides a crucial insight into an underestimated section of the armed forces, whose work would not only save lives but noticeably affected the outcome of the war.

'NOT A STEP WITHOUT RECONNAISSANCE ': The purposes and means of reconnaissance; The shortcomings of maps and photographs; The time factor·RECONNAISSANCE MISSIONS:
Information collection and assessment; Patrol tasks (point reconnaissance; area reconnaissance; route reconnaissance; defensive patrolling; outposts and out-guards; other types of patrol)·DIVISIONAL RECONNAISSANCE UNITS: Capabilities and missions; Unit organization·MOBILITY: Foot movement;Snow; Water obstacles; Horses; Bicycles; Motorcycles; Light trucks and cars; Armoured vehicles·WEAPONS AND EQUIPMENT: Weapons (the weight/firepower balance);
Compasses; Binoculars; Maps; Clothing and camouflage;Communications (AM radios; FM radios; field telephones; panels; smoke and pyrotechnics)·TACTICS AND TECHNIQUES: Composition of patrols; The rifle squad;
Stealth vs firepower·NATIONAL COMPARISONS: United States; Great Britain; Soviet Union; Germany; Japan·FURTHER READING·PLATE COMMENTARIES· INDEX

Product details

Published	Sep 18 2007
Format	Paperback
Edition	1st
Extent	64
ISBN	9781846031373
Imprint	Osprey Publishing
Illustrations	50 b/w; 8 col
Dimensions	10 x 7 inches
Series	Elite
Short code	ELI 156
Publisher	Bloomsbury Publishing

Author

Gordon L. Rottman

Gordon L. Rottman entered the US Army in 1967, vol…

Illustrator

Peter Dennis

Peter Dennis was inspired by contemporary magazine…

Gordon L. Rottman's World War II Combat Reconaissance Tactics is essential for any collection strong in World War II battles and strategy, narrowing the focus to reconaissance units and analyzing their procedures. Vintage wartime photos accent the experiences.

The California Bookwatch (January 2008)
...this is superbly written by the author G. Rottman and along with excellent period images and the artwork and maps of illustrator P. Dennis, makes this a book that is not only easy to follow, but one that adds much to ones knowledge of the subject. Another excellent Osprey book that I know you will enjoy reading.

Scott Van Aken, modelingmadness.com (September 2007)