BOOK REVIEWS
GADGE TAKES A SPECIAL LOOK AT A FEW NEW TITLES THAT WILL NOT ONLY BE OF GENERAL INTEREST TO MOST OF OUR READERS BUT ALSO PRETTY HANDY WHEN PERFECTING A NEW AIRSOFT “IMPRESSION” TO TAKE ONTO THE SKIRMISH FIELD
Images of War –The Waffen SS in Combat – Rare Photographs from Wartime Archives Bob Caruthers Pen & Sword Books ISBN: 1473 833 531 WITHOUT A DOUBT, DESPITE THEIR controversial nature, the Waffen (or “fighting” SS as opposed to the black clad political SS) are an ever popular choice of loadout on the WWII airsoft scene. While some people can’t see the appeal of these ferocious but notorious formations, many others find the mix of martial prowess, cutting edge kit and revolutionary tactics
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October 2015
intriguing. It’s safe to say that at any WWII event you’ll find a fair few of the “axis forces” in blotchy camo and field grey. Whether it’s done well (or not) usually depends on how much reference material the wearer has in their collection at the time and it’s safe to say that this title could quite easily enter the “essential” category of reference material for a quality impression. Cataloguing the Waffen SS in combat from their earliest operations to the end of the Third Reich, The Waffen SS in Combat is a treasure trove of archive photographs, candid in-combat snaps and official propaganda shots covering six years of total war. In each of the three sections Bob Caruthers provides a short overview of each campaign undertaken by these WWII German elite infantry and armoured troops and also provides insightful captions to many of the photographs, providing for the airsofter looking for the devil in the detail – or perhaps the detail of the devils – everything he needs. While some of the photographs are well known and iconic images of WWII, many of these are indeed quite rare glimpses into the lives of fighting men; nearly every item of kit and clothing is seen from every angle in over 200 black and white photographs. Personally, I find the “candid” shots taken on pocket cameras of the troops at rest, cleaning weapons or taking cover “IN ADDITION TO behind a burned out PICTURES OF THE tank to be the most SOLDIERS AT REST interesting and revealing, as they often show the AND IN COMBAT THERE “super soldier” of the ARE FANTASTIC SHOTS Waffen SS to be as tired, OF THEIR SUPPORTING terrified and dirty as any other frontline soldier TANKS, VEHICLES AND in history, removing the CREWED WEAPONS “gloss” of the staged propaganda photograph. MAKING THIS BOOK A In addition to pictures GREAT ADDITION TO of the soldiers at rest THE COLLECTION OF and in combat there are fantastic shots of MILITARY MODELLERS their supporting tanks, AS WELL AS vehicles and crewed AIRSOFTERS.” weapons making this book a great addition to the collection of military modellers as well as airsofters. Whether a you’re a student of military history, a re-enactor/WWII airsofter looking for detailed images, or you just have an interest in the 2nd World War, this book is (while mainly photography) a fascinating study of one of the most feared and notorious elite combat formations in modern history.