"WWI Eastern Front Books--Help" Topic

I have a large quantity of good to very good uniform books for WWI. I have a few ok histories. I have a few good histories.

I have the Blandford, the Ospreys and the Europa for uniform details.

I have Tannenberg by Showalter (great detail), Battles East by Root (almot no detail), and The Eastern Front by Stone (decent detail). I have a large group of other books that are either at too high of a level to be of use or are interested in the politics or economics of this part of the war. All good stuff but no real help for putting together an idea of what is going on.

I'm looking for some books with relatively good details on Battles of the Eastern Front in WWI. Sadly I only speak and read English so many of the German and Russian sources are right out for me.

Not interested in just OrBats, I'd like some good words to go with them.

Any help or recommendations?

thanks
Donald~

Hi Donald

There's not much out there in English but the following may be of help:-

The Brusilov Offensive by Tim Dowling –haven't read it yet but looks good

Tannenberg The first thirty days in East Prussia Gen Sir Edmund Ironside, the Scholar's Bookshelf – good solid operational history

August 1914 by Solzhentsyn for period flavour

Carpathian Disaster by Geoffrey Jukes, Pan Ballantine – bit lightweight but good pictures

Blood on the Snow: The Carpathian Winter War of 1915 by Graydon Tunstall – out in the summer, definitely on my to buy list!

Hoffman's own history of Tannenberg is also on the net but I've lost my link for it

Hope this helps

Cheers

Nick

Thanks Nick I had already ordered The Brusilov Offensive by Tim Dowling and advanced ordered Blood on the Snow: The Carpathian Winter War of 1915 by Graydon Tunstall. I read Solzhentsyn a few years back, I will definitly check out the other recommendations.

Thanks again
Donald~

Donald,

You might wish to try and get hold of Operation Albion by Michael B Barrett. This book recounts the most successful amphibious operation not only of the Eastern Front, but of the entire war. Excluding notes and index the book weights in at just under 250 pages and gives a good account of the operation. There are nine clear maps and a selection of photos (mainly of commanders and naval).

Here are the notes from the book cover, which will hopefully spark your interest;

"The Germans were desperate. The English offensive at Passchendale had drained the German manpower, placing in doubt the success of a planned 1918 offensive in the West. With the city of Riga now in German hands, one hope would be to deliver a final blow to Russian morale, causing a collapse and freeing troops for the Western Front. Thus was born Operation Albion.

In October 1917, an invasion force of some 25,000 German soldiers – accompanied by a flotilla of 10 dreadnoughts, 300 other vessels, a half-dozen Zeppelins and 80 aircraft – attacked the Baltic islands of Dago, Osel and Moon at the head of the Gulf of Riga. It proved to be the most successful amphibious operation of the First World War. The three islands fell, the Gulf was opened and now a threat to Russian naval bases in the Gulf of Finland, and 20,000 Russians were captured. The invasion proved to be teh last major operation in the East. On October 25, the Bolshevik Revolution convulsed Russia, Lenin initiated armistice talks, and the fighting ceased. Although it had achieved its objectives and placed the Germans in an excellent position for the resumption of warfare in the spring, Operation Albion faded into obscurity, having been overtaken by events. Michael B Barrett has returned to the original archival sources to produce this definitive history of one of the most unusual operations of the First World War."

There are plenty of scenario ideas, I have written one for the Great War Spearhead rules if any one is interested, and gives you get a chance to use some German cyclist troops!

Ezza

Ezza

About Tannenberg you can find "The russian campaign of 1914" by Nikolaĭ Nikolaevich Golovin. It is quite detailed for orbat and battles. Download link: soldatinidicarta.altervista.org

Thanks Guys, I actually have Operation Albion on my bookcase just haven't read it yet.

When you run the game be sure to post a photo report Ezza.

I'll take a look at the link m.e.

thanks again
Donald

Donald,

I don't know when I will get a chance to try out the scenario and it hasn't been playtested. But it is available on the Great War Spearhead yahoo group. If you want I can copy it and e-mail to you.

Ezza

Sure Ezza, not exactly when I can get to it, but I'd give it a go.

dhauser <> at sign >< nas <> period >< edu

thanks
Donald~

Donald,

Scenario notes, orbats (for a historical and what-if scenario) and map sent to you.

Hope you get a chance to try them out.

Regards,

Ezza

Does anyone have a copy of"The Czars British Squadron" by Brian Perrett, that I could borrow? My father in law was on the Eastern Front in WW1. With Locker Lampson's Armoured Car Squadron & I want to do more research on him.

Just picked up a used copy of John Sweetman's TANNENBERG 1914. Very readable text and even better, an extraordinary collection of color maps that really allow for an excellent study of the battle. Highly recommended.