Berliner Zinnfiguren/Books & Media/Books/1933-1945 (WW II)/General products

Baker, Richard: Party B and Japanese Prisoner of War Propaganda 32,95 €

Sun, 12 Jul 2026 09:45:07 +0200

This book provides the first comprehensive account of the experiences of a group of one thousand British and Australian prisoners of warknown as "Party B"who were shipped from Changi camp in Singapore to Korea in 1942 for propaganda purposes. It traces their journey from their arrival in Singapore to their eventual release, offering the first account of Japanese propaganda directed at prisoners of war during the Pacific War. The men of "Party B" were exploited for every aspect of Japanese propaganda: they were filmed, photographed, used for audio recordings, and publicly humiliated. They were forced to write letters home and draft messages for radio broadcasts describing their supposedly humane treatment; journalists interviewed them to gather reports on Japanese military superiority intended to boost morale among the Japanese public. They were required to write essays and complete questionnaires designed to yield information for propaganda production. Furthermore, they were permitted to keep diaries, which the Japanese read to gain insight into the enemy's mindset. In addition to the three Korean campsKeijo, Jinsen, and Konanthe book examines conditions at the Mukden (Hoten) camp, where one hundred men from the group were later transferred. This camp is notorious for visits by Unit 731, a group specializing in biological warfare; the book expands our understanding of the camp by demonstrating that much of the alleged "evidence" of experiments performed on prisoners was, in fact, linked to the camp's propaganda function. Drawing on archival material from the headquarters of the International Committee of the Red Cross in Geneva, the work also provides important new insights into the organization's activities during the Second World War and reveals that it was permitted to maintain a presence in Japanese-controlled territories solely for propaganda purposes.

Sangster, Andrew: Understanding WW2 32,95 €

Sun, 12 Jul 2026 09:45:07 +0200

As oral history finally gains long-overdue recognition, its capacity to shed light on the past is more vital than ever. From hidden time capsules to the preserved voices, letters, diaries, photographs, and films of those who witnessed historys most pivotal moments, this book examines how personal testimonies shape our understanding of truth. Andrew Sangster organizes his work into six main chapters focusing on the years of the Second World War. He begins by analyzing personal letters from key figures on both sidesHimmler, Rommel, and Pattonbefore turning to the diaries of Lord Alan Brooke, Goebbels, and Galeazzo Ciano, among others. The concluding chapters highlight the significance of records from the Nuremberg Trials and discuss the value of autobiographies written after the fact. With candor and clarity, the author outlines the challenges facing historians: how memories shift and documents can change, and why even sincere autobiographies must be treated with caution. Yet, these fragile testimonies hold invaluable insights into motives, emotions, and human reactions that are often overlooked in conventional archives. *Understanding WW2* is a balanced and compelling work that reveals the opportunities and pitfalls of oral historyand serves as a powerful reminder that the voices of ordinary people are just as crucial to our collective memory as those of the famous and powerful.

Nardini, Walther: Gli eroi della guerra perduta 24,95 €

Thu, 23 Jul 2026 07:40:06 +0200

In 1945, the Pacific front was defined by fighting between the Japanese army and the US Marine Corps. Walther Nardini chronicles the final battlesfrom Iwo Jima to Okinawaand examines the brutality of the combat as well as the mindset of both sides, caught between fanaticism, attrition, and resistance. Drawing on documents and historical analyses, the book sheds light on the events of a front often overlooked in Europea chapter of the conflict frequently neglected in collective memory.

Greentree, David/Noon, Steve (Illustr.): Desert Rat vs Afrikakorps Soldier 18,95 €

Thu, 23 Jul 2026 07:40:06 +0200

This richly illustrated study examines the role of British and German infantry units within the armies that participated in Operation Crusader in late 1941. During the Desert War (19401943), both sides regarded the tank arm as the decisive branch of service, as the North African terrain did not restrict armored mobility. Following their victory over the Italians in 1940, the British held the view that their infantry did not need to cooperate with tanks, that enemy tanks did not need to be engaged offensively by anti-tank guns, and that tanks and artillery could be dispersed. However, the arrival of Rommels *Deutsches Afrikakorps* brought a rude awakening. If infantry units lost the support of their own tanks, they faced the threat of devastating losses from enemy armor. The British tended to keep their tank units close to the infantry to counter German tanks; consequently, these tanks were not available to the same extent as their German counterparts to exploit battlefield successes. In this book, David Greentree examines the effectiveness of the motorized infantry on both sides during Operation Crusaderthe Allied attempt to relieve the besieged port of Tobruk in late 1941. He focuses on three phases of the fighting: the British attack on November 21, the German counterattack on November 22, and the battle for Belhamed on December 1 and 2. Supplemented by specially commissioned illustrations and maps, as well as carefully selected archival photographs, the book details the employment of infantry by both sides during the campaign of late 1941.

Michelsen, Trine E.: Codename: Grand Duchess 32,95 €

Thu, 16 Jul 2026 07:30:08 +0200

When German troops crossed the Danish border on April 9, 1940, the small kingdom was presented with a terrifying ultimatum: surrender without a fight and maintain a semblance of sovereigntyor face annihilation. Most Danes opted for an uneasy compromise. Jutta Graae chose a far more dangerous path. Operating under the code names "The Grand Duchess" in occupied Copenhagen, "Haddock" in London, and "The Scarlet Pimpernel" in Stockholm, Graae forged secret links to Churchills Britain and smuggled intelligence, messages, and people across borders saturated with Nazi power. From her respectable bank office and her carefully set dinner tables, she helped transform Denmarks image in the eyes of the Alliesshifting it from Hitlers hostage to a trusted partner. Throughout this time, she remained acutely aware that a single careless word could mean torture and deathnot only for herself but also for her loved ones. Drawing on forgotten and newly accessible archival material, Trine Engholm Michelsen sheds light on the hidden life of a woman who knew almost everything yet never spoke of it. Covering the years 1939 to 1945, the book *Codename: Grand Duchess* transports readers into a world of clandestine meetings, encrypted messages, and narrow escapesrestoring Jutta Graae to her rightful place as one of the great, unsung heroines of the Second World War.

Lyman, Robert/Pinto, Angel G. (Illustr.): Operation Longcloth 1943 19,95 €

Thu, 23 Jul 2026 07:40:06 +0200

An insight into the campaign that established the "Chindits" legenda campaign during which Orde Wingates long-range patrol unit wreaked havoc behind Japanese lines. After arriving in Burma in 1942, where he reconnoitered the terrain and finalized the concept for his "Long Range Penetration Units," Major General Orde Wingate organized the training and deployment of the Chindits. As part of "Operation Longcloth," the Chindits crossed the Chindwin River into Burma in February 1943. The 3,000-strong unit performed extraordinary feats of physical endurance, attacking enemy positions, sabotaging lines of communication, and inflicting significant damage on the Japanese forces. The survivors returned in May 1943, bringing the first Chindit campaign to a close. Through detailed maps, striking illustrations, and period photographs, this book sheds light on the origins and training of Wingates special units, as well as the evolution of "Operation Longcloth" into the Chindit legend. In this work, historian Robert Lyman examines how Wingate and the Chindits were heavily promoted in the public eyedespite the operation's failure and the controversial effectiveness of the undertaking.

Mitchell, Ian G./Shumate, Johnny (Illustr.): Tunis 1943 19,95 €

Thu, 23 Jul 2026 07:40:06 +0200

In a series of fierce but often forgotten battles in the hills and plains west of Tunis, the British First Army launched its final offensive to crush the Fifth Panzer Army. The road to Tunis had been long and arduous for the Allies. British General Kenneth Anderson had urged his troops to capture the city before Axis reinforcements could arrive. After several heavy engagements, the First Army had been sufficiently reinforced by April 1943; now it was time to launch the final series of operations to destroy the remaining Italian and German forces in Tunisiaan undertaking that would ultimately lead to the surrender of 250,000 Axis soldiers. Historian Ian G. Mitchell examines the intense fighting in North Africa, considering Anderson's troop movements, the plans of German General Hans-Jürgen von Arnim, and the involvement of the United States. Using detailed maps, contemporary photographs, and illustrations, the book describes the fighting at locations such as Banana Ridge, "The Basin," Longstop Hill, Gueriat el Atach, Jebel Bou Aoukaz, and the "Cactus Farm." Although the battles outside Tunis are often overlooked, they testified to extraordinary bravery; for their

Chareyron, Pierre: Le cri des vagues 24,95 €

Sat, 25 Jul 2026 08:15:07 +0200

Tarawa, a true tactical laboratory, shaped the identity of the US Marine Corps and fundamentally transformed the conduct of amphibious assaults. The Battle of Tarawa, analyzed by a Marine Corps general: following a detailed account of the operations, the commanders involved, and the equipment deployed, the author offers a decidedly tactical analysis of the battle and highlights the lessons learned that would go on to influence major future Allied offensives.

Laugier, Didier: Anzio 30,95 €

Sat, 04 Jul 2026 08:15:08 +0200

In January 1944, the Allies encountered the formidable Gustav Line, held by German troops. To break the stalemate, they launched Operation Shinglea daring amphibious landing at Anzio intended to outflank enemy positions and hasten a German retreat. However, the German response was swift; reinforcements arrived under Kesselrings command, bolstered by powerful tanks. General Lucass cautious approach caused the offensive to stall. Amidst appalling weather, the battle quickly bogged down, devolving into a war of attrition reminiscent of the fighting in World War I. Often overlooked, the Italian campaign was one of the war's most grueling and served as a true trial by fire prior to the Normandy landings. Discover the campaign in this guide, presented in a clear, vivid, and accessible format that immerses you in the heat of battle.

Prime, Christophe: Opérations secrètes du Débarquement 14,95 €

Sat, 04 Jul 2026 08:15:08 +0200

To prepare for and ensure the success of the Normandy landings, Allied High Command developed special operations carried out by small, highly secretive units tasked with executing dangerous missions. Their duties included gathering intelligence, spreading disinformation to the enemy, supporting assault forces, and recovering enemy military technology.

Spring, Ian/Forty, Simon: Blitzkrieg in Colour 32,95 €

Fri, 17 Jul 2026 19:58:48 +0200

In 1939, Germany unleashed a new form of warfare in Europe: "Blitzkrieg." The strategy involved breaking through enemy lines via rapid, overwhelming attacks utilizing tanks, motorized infantry, and air support. Employed to devastating effect during the early years of the war, this tactic forever changed the face of modern warfare. Featuring over 250 original color photographsmost of them previously unpublishedthis work offers a compelling visual chronicle of the Wehrmachts Blitzkrieg campaigns in 1939 and 1940, ranging from the initial tank invasion of Poland to the sweeping conquests in Western Europe. Derived from original color slides, the images provide an authentic, vivid glimpse into the past as it appeared to contemporaries. The accompanying historical commentary is based on extensive archival research; together, text and images transport the reader directly to the front lines, conveying both the tactical brilliance of this revolutionary warfare and the terrible human toll it exacted. Beyond tanks, equipment, and aircraft, the book documents the daily lives of soldiers and civilians as well as the destruction wrought by the campaigns: cities reduced to rubble and ash, the German occupation of towns, the flight of the civilian population, and the war's casualties.

Burklund, Richard: Combat Effectiveness in the Pacific War 32,95 €

Sun, 12 Jul 2026 09:40:08 +0200

During World War II, both the Japanese and the Americans believed in the immense power of their respective fighting spirits; yet it was American "tactical culture" that enabled the US Army to triumph over its Japanese adversaries. In the decades following the war, the prevailing view was that American victory had been inevitable due to overwhelming resources and superior firepower, while the Japanese had been doomed from the start, unable to match the industrial might of the United States. Although the Americans did indeed possess superior firepower and logistics, this perspective unfairly overlooks the combat capabilities of the Japanese armed forces. Moreover, it ignores the fact that achieving this victory required more than three and a half years of fierce fighting. Both the Japanese and the Americans demonstrated a will to fight; both sides sought victory. The American will to win was fueled by the conviction that they were fighting for a deeply moral cause, manifesting as a grim determination to complete the mission and return home. In contrast, the Japanese will to win was undermined by a strategic-tactical culture that promoted a willingness to sacrificea concept often fatally misunderstood by Japanese soldiers and their commanders, who believed that dying in battle was the key to victory. Strategic culture was just as decisive to the outcome of the Pacific War as the disparity in power. While effective weapons and equipment are essential for success, they represent only one aspect of combat power. Japanese strategic culture fostered the belief that they were not the only people possessed of willpower and courage; hopes for victory rested on the conviction that spiritual superiority could offset material superiority. There was confidence that the Americans could be defeated through distinctively Japanese virtuesnational will, discipline, and a willingness to make sacrifices. Japans failure in this regard stemmed from a strategy that tacitly accepted the destruction of its tactical forces as an acceptable substitute for victory. As this book demonstrates, the will to win forms the foundation of military success; and while effective weapons and equipment are essential for success, they constitute only a part of combat power. In examining this subject, the author illustrates how the contrasting strategic cultures of the two belligerents in World War II shaped the course and consequences of the conflict.

Howarth, David: 6 juin à l'aube … ils ont débarqué 22,95 €

Sat, 25 Jul 2026 08:15:07 +0200

"That morning, the fleet had put to sea. It was impossible for him to count the ships or even estimate their number... Wallace stood atop the cliff, fascinated and overwhelmed by this magnificent spectaclea sight no one had ever seen before, and one that surely no one would ever see again." In this work, David Howarth reconstructs detailed accounts from some thirty eyewitnessessoldiers, sailors, airmen, and civilians; British, American, German, and Frenchdelivering a compelling narrative of historys greatest amphibious landing. He focuses not merely on famous anecdotes but on the full spectrum of D-Day experiences: the fighting between paratroopers and German forces in Normandy, the ordeal of the initial bombardment, the grueling struggle on the landing beaches, the astonishment of the German defenders, and all the confusion, exhilaration, and horror of the battle. The book also examines lesser-known roles in the offensivesuch as the crews of DD tanks (amphibious armored vehicles) or "Hobarts Funnies" (specialized engineering tanks modified by Major General Sir Percy Hobart)as well as the units responsible for road construction and traffic control on the beaches. Composed of soldiers who had to operate under sometimes hellish conditions, these units worked to prevent or alleviate the inevitable bottlenecks caused by thousands of troops and vast quantities of equipment being poured onto a few kilometers of coastlinea stretch of sand accustomed more to the leisurely pace of holidaymakers than to the fury of battle...

Mauch, Peter: Tojo 34,95 €

Thu, 09 Jul 2026 07:55:09 +0200

The definitive biography of Tojo Hideki, the controversial general who redefined military leadership in Showa-era Japan before his downfall during World War II.

The military general who became Emperor Hirohitos prime minister, Tojo Hideki is most often remembered as an iron-fisted leader who dragged Japan into World War II andafter spectacular losseswas eventually executed as a war criminal. Yet Tojo was far more than his ignominious end. In fact, as Peter Mauch argues, he was one of the twentieth centurys most accomplished military statesmen.

Over a career of some forty years, Tojo successfully launched himself into the highest echelons of political power. He was not only a tactical genius, Mauch shows, but also a savvy administrator, a fierce imperialist, and a deeply loyal advisor to the emperor. Tojos career took off with the notorious Kwantung Army in Manchuria, where he played a key role in escalating the Sino-Japanese War during the 1930s. As he rose through the ranks, becoming minister of war and then army chief of staff, he honed the efficiency of the Imperial Army and enhanced its influence within the emperors court. All the while, he deftly negotiated the fractious military rivalries that arose wherever he went. Brilliant, ambitious, and often ruthless, Tojo reached political heights that were perhaps matched only by his precipitous fall in the final months of World War II.

Layered and evocative, Tojo is at once a riveting military history of Showa-era Japan and a nuanced portrait of the relentless personality at its center.

O'Gowan, Eric D./Mancinelli, Giuseppe/Guingand, Francis Wilfred de: El-Alamein, la battaglia 15,95 €

Fri, 03 Jul 2026 07:35:07 +0200

The Battle of El Alamein ranks among the most renowned episodes of the Second World War. Between July and November 1942, the future of the Mediterranean region was decided in the Egyptian desert: Rommels Afrika Korps suffered a crushing defeat at the hands of British forces, thereby paving the way for the Axis powers' withdrawal from Africa and the subsequent invasion of Sicily. Churchill wrote: "Before El Alamein we knew no victory; after El Alamein we knew no defeat." In this volume, three protagonists and observersEric Dorman OGowan, Giuseppe Mancinelli, and Sir Francis de Guingandrecount the battle from opposing yet complementary perspectives: the British and the German-Italian. The book reconstructs the complexity of El Alamein through documents, eyewitness accounts, and tactical analyses. It is a multifaceted narrative in which history unfolds at the intersection of victors and vanquished, reason and memory.

Mattesini, Francesco: La battaglia di “Midway” 3-5 giugno 1942 32,95 €

Fri, 03 Jul 2026 07:35:07 +0200

June 1942: Six months after Pearl Harbor, the Japanese Empire appears unstoppable. To break the backbone of the American fleet, Admiral Yamamoto plans the most ambitious attack ever undertaken in the Pacific: the invasion of Midway Atoll. But Washington possesses a secret weapon: cryptanalysts have cracked the Japanese codes. In three days of bitter fightingfeaturing low-level attacks, obsolete torpedo bombers, and breathtaking dive-bombing runs under anti-aircraft firethe fate of the war changes forever. As the aircraft carriers *Akagi*, *Kaga*, *Soryu*, and *Hiryu* go up in flames, the Japanese wave collapses. Midway is not merely a victory; it is the turning point. Through acts of desperate courage, fatal errors, and the heroism of dive-bomber pilots, this book takes you into the very heart of the battle that halted the Empire of the Rising Sun and secured the Pacific for the United States. It is a story of codes, fire, and steelone in which every decision could be the last.

Degtev, Dmitry: Battle of Stalingrad 19,95 €

Wed, 01 Jul 2026 07:45:07 +0200

The Battle of Stalingrad was the bloodiest battle of the Second World War. An estimated two million peopleboth soldiers and civiliansfell victim to a brutal struggle that dragged on for more than five months. Due to Stalingrad's strategic location on the Volga River in southern Russia, the maxim held true: whoever controlled the city also controlled access to the oil fields of the Caucasus. Without this oil, German failure on all fronts was ultimately inevitable. The Battle of Stalingrad was, therefore, arguably the most significant engagement of the entire war. Nevertheless, the author argues that both Hitler and Stalin lost sight of the campaign's actual objectives; the capture of Stalingrad became, instead, an end in itself. In the original plan for "Operation Blue," Stalingrad had not even been designated as a distinct objective. However, when the defenders of Stalingrad unexpectedly blocked the Germans' path, the city moved to the very center of German efforts. Hitler and his generals were naively convinced that, once Stalingrad was captured, victory in the war would be a foregone conclusion. Stalin and his generals, for their part, reasoned that since the Wehrmachtregardless of the losses it had sufferedwas fighting so tenaciously for the city's ruins, the Germans must evidently place a higher value on its strategic importance than they did themselves; consequently, they were determined to hold the city at any cost. In reality, however, the strategic importance of Stalingrad was vastly overestimated. The scale of the German operation to conquer the Caucasus was immense; the theater of operations spanned 1,500 kilometersa distance roughly equivalent to the distance between Berlin and Moscow. This necessitated establishing march routes for Panzer and infantry divisions through terrain that was virtually desert-like, containing almost no railway lines or paved roads. The troops' basic needswhether for fuel, ammunition, rations, or even waterwere completely disregarded. At the same time, the unrealistic plan for the conquest of the Caucasus made no provision for any alternatives should the main operation faila failure that was, from the very outset, inevitable. On the Soviet sideintimidated and demoralized by the military catastrophes at Kerch and Kharkov, in which entire armies had been taken prisonerStalin ordered the Red Army to retreat to the Volga; a retreat that quickly devolved into a panicked rout. Yet the Soviet leader then abruptly changed his mind and issued the famous order: "Not a step back!" While historians argue that this order spurred Soviet troops to resist and bolstered discipline, it actually led to an increase in the number of defectors and collaborators. This study of the Battle of Stalingrad is a vivid chronicle of the fightingnarrated from two perspectives and written by a Russian historian who drew upon extensive material previously unpublished in the West. It details the operations of all branches of the armed forcesarmor, artillery, infantry, and the air forceas well as, for the first time, the significant contribution of the Russian river flotilla.

Bernage, Georges/Andersen-Bö, Jérémy: Mourir pour Crisbecq (6-12 Juin 1944) 15,00 €

Sat, 27 Jun 2026 20:41:22 +0200

This richly illustrated work presents the Crisbecq (MKB Marcouf) and Azeville batteries, including the uniforms of the German naval artillery, the destruction of the USS Corry, and the assault by the "Ivy Men" of the 4th Infantry Division on the two batteries.

Plowman, Jeffrey: Tank Attack at Monte Cassino 19,95 €

Thu, 11 Jun 2026 07:05:06 +0200

Early morning, 19 March 1944. Tanks manned by New Zealanders, Indians and Americans launch a daring attack along a narrow mountain track on German positions north of Monte Cassino. So began one of the most audacious Allied attempts to break through the Gustav Line and advance on Rome and it almost succeeded. Yet the extraordinary story has seldom been told, and it has never been told before in the vivid detail Jeffrey Plowman brings to this new account. Using operational orders, combat reports, unit diaries, post-battle photos from private and public archives and the graphic personal accounts of those who took part, he describes the construction of Cavendish Road and the course of the entire operation that followed. The planning for the attack and the men involved are described in a gripping and clear-sighted way, as is the attack itself its initial rapid success and its ultimate failure. Eighty years later Jeffrey Plowman reveals exactly what happened and shows how and why this bold thrust against the German strongpoints at Monte Cassino, which could have turned the course of the battle, ended in retreat. His book also features a visitors guide that covers the length of Cavendish Road from the village of Caira to Massa Albaneta, linking each spot with the events described in the narrative.

Tieke, Wilhelm: Between the Oder and the Elbe 32,95 €

Thu, 11 Jun 2026 07:05:06 +0200

This is the first of two volumes examining the Battle of Berlinspecifically, the final months of the Third Reich and the defense of the city. The work details German attempts to stem the Soviet tide along the Oder River, the Russian advance on the German capital, and Hitlers increasingly desperate and delusional efforts to halt the Red Armys onslaught. Streams of German soldiers and civilians attempted desperately to flee the city before it was completely encircled; their fate, should they be captured by the Russians, was too horrific even to imagine. The narrative interweaves descriptions of the general military situation with numerous personal accounts of small-unit combat. The soldiers' despair, fear, and determination often culminated in acts of admirable braveryas well as in acts of cowardice and brutality. The hope for a last-minute alliance with the Western Powers spurred the Germans to defend themselves to the very limits of human endurance. Ultimately, the failure of such an alliancecombined with the prospect of capture by the Sovietsdrove many soldiers and civilians to suicide. Here, the reader is offered the opportunity to relive the final days of the Third Reich through the eyes of the German soldiers and foreign volunteers who fought in the approaches to Berlin and within the city itself. In one of the many ironies of this war, a unit of French Waffen-SS troops attempted to break *into* the city to defend itat the very moment when German soldiers were attempting to bypass Berlin to the north!