| Captain Crunch | 24 Jul 2015 3:33 p.m. PST |
Looking for books, preferably written by the company commanders themselves or very well researched, about company level actions. Junior officers and NCOs would work as well. Memoirs, official reports, etc. (hopefully with plenty of maps)to get scenario ideas and inspiration from. I am mainly focused on mid-war Eastern Front at the moment, but anything from any side, even Pacific will do as I will get to it eventually. I do have "Company Commander" by Charles Macdonald. Great book. That is the kind of stuff I am looking for. Paul |
| Navy Fower Wun Seven | 24 Jul 2015 3:51 p.m. PST |
With the Jocks – Royal Scots in NW Europe, written by a Plt Cdr who becomes, as last surviving officer, Coy Cdr. 18 Platoon by Sydney Jary is the classic account of Platoon Command, on the curriculum at RMAS and the School of Infantry. Once again, later stages of Normandy and beyond. Warriors for the Working Day, written by RTR junior officer Peter Elstob. On the curriculum at RAC Junior Command School for Troopies. |
| Cold Steel | 24 Jul 2015 5:31 p.m. PST |
Company Commander by Charles B. McDonald. He commanded a rifle company and was later the official US Army historian. |
| uglyfatbloke | 25 Jul 2015 2:02 a.m. PST |
The Cauldron, Zeno. Independent Company at Arnhem; a novel, but written by a participant and a superb insight into company level operations. The big Bolt Action game we are running at NH Rijn Hotel, Arnhem on 1st August will be based on their actions at the Ommershof in Oosterbeek in September 1944.
Also thumbs up for Jary and Elstob. |
| spontoon | 25 Jul 2015 11:40 a.m. PST |
Whatever Men Do. Squad level history with Cameron Highlanders in WWII. I forget the author's name! |
| Darn Folly | 25 Jul 2015 12:07 p.m. PST |
The book you are looking for is: "Small unit actions during the German Campaign in Russia", German Report Series You might be able to find it at naval-military-press.com or Amazon. |
| Simo Hayha | 26 Jul 2015 7:45 a.m. PST |
I think you would find shots fired in anger by john george interesting. |
| Captain Crunch | 26 Jul 2015 3:16 p.m. PST |
Looks like some good recommendations here. "18 Platoon" looks interesting but holy crapola is it expensive! May have to skip that one. Thanks guys. Paul |
| Starfury Rider | 27 Jul 2015 9:22 a.m. PST |
I got my copy of 18 Platoon from the Light Infantry Regimental museum at a normal price, as a 5th Ed, rather than the earlier copies I'd seen going for a high price. Might not be much help if you're outside the UK, but it might still be possible to get a copy without selling a kidney. |
| tuscaloosa | 27 Jul 2015 2:30 p.m. PST |
The single best memoir written at company level is, imho, "Quartered Safe Out Here" by George MacDonald Fraser (author of the Flashman series). He fought in Burma as an enlisted man (later commissioned a lieutenant). |
| Tekawiz | 29 Jul 2015 3:37 a.m. PST |
"Crack and Thump" by Charles Scheffel is similar to Company Commander. |
| Radagaisus | 29 Jul 2015 6:20 a.m. PST |
I can recommend "China Dragons: The Story of B Company 2nd Royal Berkshires in Burma 1944/45" by John Hill. It is available from the Wardrobe Museum web site. John Hill was the company commander during the period described and won the MC for his actions. |
