Mini-Guides 1939-1945

In 1944, two types of Armoured Divisions existed in the US Army : the Heavy ones and the Light ones. Each Division comprised three Combat Commands. The flexible internal organization of a Combat Command — which grouped proper tank units as well as mechanised infantry, self-propelled artillery and engineers troops — allowed a wide variety of tactical use, in contrast with the more rigid British armoured doctrine.
In the spirit of the cavalry raids of the past, the US armoured units gave a strong impetus to the whole American forces which landed in Normandy in the spring of 1944, thus playing a major role in the German defeat.
Illustrated with a wide selection of wartime photographs, while full colour is brought on every page by maps of the battlefields, pieces of uniforms and insignia, wartime posters and a variety of military historical artefacts.

The project of landing in Normandy led the British military planners to re-examine the role of the armoured forces. To secure the beaches, they implemented an elaborated doctrine, based on using a whole series of modified armoured vehicles : amphibian tanks, minesweepers, assault bridges, etc.
Apart from these so-called "Funnies", the British tank force of 1944 comprised a large variety of conventional units and formations (brigades, divisions, corps or army-level units, plus armoured recce regiments) which, during the Normandy campaign, totalized more tanks and AFV's involved than the US forces. Their specific organization and combat doctrine are detailed in the volume, along with the study of each individual type of tank and main AFV.
Illustrated with a wide selection of wartime photographs, while full colour is brought on every page by maps of the battlefields, pieces of uniforms and insignia, wartime posters and a variety of military historical artefacts.

In June 1944, the Wehrmacht was declining. Neither the Kriegsmarine, nor the Luftwaffe were able to match the gigantic allied armada which arrived on the coast of Normandy. On the land, a lot of German infantry divisions were composed of second line troops, unprepared to fight, unable to resist, in spite of all the constructions and guns of the "Atlantic Wall".
However the German Army still had a great advantage : the Panzer.
They were at that time the only force able to throw the invading forces back to the sea.
What were the equipments, tanks, assault guns and tank destroyers which the Germans opposed to the Allied Forces in Normandy ? This work presents the most characteristics of these.
Illustrated with a wide selection of wartime photographs, while full colour is brought on every page by maps of the battlefields, pieces of uniforms and insignia, wartime posters and a variety of military historical artefacts.

Auvergne, twice overrun by the Germans in 1940 and 1942, occupies a major place in the history of French Resistance. In the frontier between the two France, it shelters the new capital of the French State : Vichy, and paradoxaly will give two resistants among its more terrible and famous partisans. The "Auvergnat" is anti-establishment by nature. For this series, he combines his researcher and photographer talents with a sober and well-documented writing.

The Sedan battle will decide the future of the France campaign. Will Panzer and German crack troops overcome French infantrymen ? Bridgeheads will resist and the French Army will be brushed up with a bombs shower.

ENGLISH VERSION
Reich's soldiers, fighting on Normand coast, were unequally valorous. Except Waffen-SS and paratroopers, the elite troops, only a few armoured fighting divisions or Heer infantry divisions showed greater readyness to fight. Coastal batteries, handled by bombs shower, have had difficulties to counter-attack. Nevertheless, after the landing's surprise, German soldiers fighted toughly, knowing the Allies would require an unconditionnal surrender.

On the 10th May 1940, Hitler launches his offensive in Belgium and in Holland, on the Western front, and in the Ardennes, on the Meuse, on the Eastern front. Objective : surround and annihilate the French Army. Von Rundstedt breaks through Sedan and focuses his effort in the Ardennes forest. But what will he find in front of him ?

Saint-Nazaire, Lorient, Brest, Saint-Malo : these Brittany's flagships are also the last pockets of the German resistance during the 1944-45 winter. As much Stalingrad Bretons introduced. The life in the pockets, the fights, the actors. A practical guide.

In the beginning of August 1944, after the American breakthrough at Avranches, the German left wing collapsed.
Changing their first project (the conquest of Brittany), the American command decided to envelop all German forces in Normandy by a wide eastward movement. The British Army, south of Caen, was to be the Northern branch.
Illustrated with a wide selection of wartime photographs, while full colour is brought on every page by maps of the battlefields, pieces of uniforms and insignia, wartime posters and a variety of military historical artefacts.

Goodwood, Cobra ! After many difficulties, Montgomery and Patton have now broken through all the front from Caen to Brittany. It is a rush. Paris and river Seine are now at close range and the last German forces are about to disappear in the blaze of Falaise.
Illustrated with a wide selection of wartime photographs, while full colour is brought on every page by maps of the battlefields, pieces of uniforms and insignia, wartime posters and a variety of military historical artefacts.