Kommando: German Special Forces of World War Two

by James Sidney Lucas

This book is the definitive, illustrated story of Hitler's elite Kommando German Spcial Forces of World War Two. Illustrated with over 50 photographs, charts, tables and diagrams.

Genres: Military History, History, Military Fiction, World War II, War, Germany, Nonfiction

245 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1985

About the author

Author and historian. Imperial War Museum, London, England, deputy head of department of photographs.

Mr. Lucas was a WWII veteran. He served with the Queen's Own Royal West Kent Regiment, First Battalion, North Africa, infantryman, 1942; Queens' Own Royal West Surrey Regiment, Italy, 1943-44; Occupation Army, Austria, 1945; Foreign Office, Germany.

Most of James Lucas's professional life was associated with war. First, he served in the Queen's Own Royal Army as a British soldier in World War II, stationed in Africa, Italy, and later in Austria. In 1960 he joined the staff of the Imperial War Museum in London, eventually becoming the deputy head of the department of photographs. After retiring from this position, Lucas took up a third career, that of an author and historian. His favorite topic was World War II, a subject about which he became a respected authority—not only among scholars, but, through his work as an adviser on film and television productions about the war, among the general public as well. According to a London Times obituary, Lucas examined "almost every aspect of the Nazi war machine …combining technical information with first-hand testimony and so producing a body of work unequalled in its breadth. Having fought the Third Reich's best troops through North Africa and Italy, he knew their tenacity and resourcefulness."

Lucas's writing style was not considered typical of war histories. "Humour and enthusiasm, combined with rigorous attention to detail, were the hallmarks of his style," reported the Times obituary writer. Lucas was a prolific writer upon his topic of choice; and he covered many different aspects of the war, often concentrating on the German side of the conflicts.

As his Times obituarist declared, Lucas "saw himself as an archivist, searching for the ordinary men in the heat of battle, playing their part in the bigger picture." Lucas died on June 19, 2002, at the age of seventy-eight.

Reviews

[Erik · Rating 4 out of 5]

I rarely encounter WW2 books on topics that I know little or nothing about, hence my desire to dive into this book. This book just eliminated a big gap in my knowledge base on the German forces of second World War. The special forces covered in this book include the rather famous Brandenburgers and KG200 Luftwaffe unit all the way down to the very obscure frogmen and human torpedo units. Lucas gives everything some coverage, but generally focuses on the ground forces for most of the book (as likely they have better documentation).

The reading is pretty straight forward and clear. The presentations are brief and to the point with just a small number of photos added for flavor. The naval forces get very little attention, which was disappointing, but at least the most significant ones are mentioned. The tiny submarines were fascinating to me. Surely some brave men had to drive those vessels as they were highly exposed to danger and relatively easily spotted.

I was less enthused about the references. Barely a page was provided, but this might be a symptom of the quantity available as opposed to researching laziness. I'd like more, but am glad to see what was provided nonetheless as it will give me much more to consider for future reading.

The book ended with some sort of disposable conclusions which really were unnecessary in my opinion. The appendices added little value. I'm thinking I'd have rather seen tables of significant Kommando actions here perhaps, but maybe that is just me.

Anyhow, the book was rather interesting and well worth a look if you have not read up on German special forces. This was a first look for me and will certainly not be my last. A 3.5 Star book, rounded up for the rare pictures and references.

[Bob Mayer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this years ago as part of my professional reading in Special Forces.

Well-researched, well-written. It also shows though, the willingness of German Special Forces in WWII to break the "rules" of warfare in pursuit of their objectives; especially donning the uniforms of opposing forces. This is applicable today when we consider "Green on Blue" attacks in Afghanistan.

Warfare is focusing more and more on small units and irregular warfare. It's worth studying how these units in World War II conducted their operations and see what applies to our current situation.

For anyone who wants to be versed in Special Operations, this book is a necessary read.

[Zare · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting and informative overview of the German special forces in WW2. Author split the book into sections per branch of the armed services - army, navy, air force - and additional chapter on German Werewolf program, underground partisan movement with goal to harass the Allied forces as they moved further into Germany (which backfired on an epic scale).

From all of the special forces mentioned it is clear that only army units had an actual effect on the battlefield. Brandenburgers, parachute forces and Skorzeny's commandos fought from the start of the war and were involved in some daring and (as end approached) some quite outrageous operations. They were the nucleus of the German special forces and had the necessary training and attitude for the dangerous mission they were sent into.

Navy midget-submarine units and majority of air force specialist forces acted very much like Kamikaze - fighting with inadequate and quite dangerous technology they were more danger to themselves than to the enemy. This was the first time I heard about the air force ramming squads - it just shows how desperate Nazi regime became at the end and how ready they were to spend the lives of their own people (if they could not rule then everything should go to dust).

Less said about the disaster called Werewolf the better.

Author gives a very detail picture how well trained, specialist force quickly degenerated through attrition and mad-supreme-command into a rag tag force tasked with the impossible.

I have to agree with author's final sentence in this book - Germans showed they were apt at unconventional warfare but due to internal Nazi party conflicts and lack of specialized equipment and weapons these forces did not fully develop. And thank God for that.

Recommended to all interested in WW2 and special forces.

[Laurance · Rating 4 out of 5]

For a 1985 book, it is a brilliant overview of Third Reich Special Forces. While today it would be overshadowed by more referenced books, it is light enough to allow for easy reading.
A great book for those with little time to spare.

[Grand Nerd · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another side of history. As a Brit, I learned about the SAS and the Commandos and the SBS and so on, but this is very interesting precisely because I knew nothing about the German side of the Special Forces of WW2. It made me a more knowledgeable person and I thank it for that.

[Matt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well researched and written book on German special forces from WW2. I was surprised at how little I knew about the subject. This book has filled some of knowledge gaps.
Easy to follow, keeps you interested and packed with information.

[Vinayak Malik · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very pointed and mater of fact book. good read

[Jeff Sedlak · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book. Well written and provided insight on numerous operations and procedures not normally covered in most WWII history books.

[Donnacha · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting and we'll written

[Mac · Rating 3 out of 5]

Impeccably researched, as are all of Lucas' books. Provides a very readable account of many lesser known incidents of WWII.

[Andreas Michaelides · Rating 5 out of 5]

A nice review of the German special forces of the World War 2. I enjoyed very much and I learned a lot of things about the Special Forces that I was not aware they use and practice.