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Osprey Campaign #3
La "guerra lampo" in Francia. Granatieri di Pomerania sugli Champs-Elysees
La vittoria dell'esercito tedesco nel 1940 lascia il mondo attonito: la Francia, uno dei più grandi Paesi europei, con un esercito fra i più potenti al mondo, in meno di sette settimane si deve inchinare alla potenza della Wehrmacht. Segreto del successo sono l'organizzazione curata in ogni dettaglio e la tattica della "guerra lampo": divisioni di carri armati in rapido movimento, con l'appoggio di fanteria dotata di mezzi corazzati e semoventi e con l'aiuto di bombardieri tradizionali e dei bombardieri in picchiata - gli Stuka - spazzano via gli avversari. Il testo di Alan Shepperd esamina nel dettaglio la tattica, l'organizzazione e la dotazione militare delle forze tedesche e di quelle alleate, fornendo un resoconto quotidiano dei momenti più critici della campagna.
96 pages, Hardcover
First published May 24, 1990
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
December 3, 2023
Ospreys have always been a "go-to" read for me whenever I'm not running at 100% like during an ailment or period of high work load with few periods of consistently available reading time. Interesting and visually appealing, acting much like an appetizer before a bigger meal, I do not have the same intensity of standards for these as I would a "real" book. Sadly, this Osprey left a bad taste in my mouth. An unappealing bite which is so unusual for Osprey.
Now I can say to the positive that the illustrations were generally useful and the material an easy read. I think this book becomes a victim of just how good many of the other Ospreys are though, and is left looking very barebones and lacking. The writing fails to give much in the way of details beyond a very high altitude view, and this did not satisfy me at all. The much smaller Ospreys rarely lack details, and this Campaign series is a much larger format. I think Sheppard was more focused on glossing over "everything" and spent little time on the things that really were at the core of the defeat. It felt like there was a lack of credit given to the German plans and forces and more emphasis placed on the French failures in preparing and command. This may be due to sources used, I'm suspecting.
The sources were a bit lacking in my opinion too. Horne's book "To Lose a Battle" is considered a main staple for this topic, but there are many, many more out there which could have enhanced the writing here. Eight sources are listed, with at least 3, maybe 4, being tertiary sources at best. I grant that these series books work with limited page counts, but that just makes the value of the material on each page that much more important.
I'll end on a positive note though... I did appreciate the small wargaming section at the end. This is near and dear to me as it is a favored hobby of mine. This particular one was of limited value, but did offer up a few good insights. Another positive was the color plates added which really are a boon for those who paint miniatures, models, etc. These are always top-notch in Ospreys and this book was at least up to par on that.
Overall, I'd grade it out as a 2.5 Stars, which frankly is an awful score for an Osprey. I rounded down due to the lack of quality sources used and general lack of details.
Now I can say to the positive that the illustrations were generally useful and the material an easy read. I think this book becomes a victim of just how good many of the other Ospreys are though, and is left looking very barebones and lacking. The writing fails to give much in the way of details beyond a very high altitude view, and this did not satisfy me at all. The much smaller Ospreys rarely lack details, and this Campaign series is a much larger format. I think Sheppard was more focused on glossing over "everything" and spent little time on the things that really were at the core of the defeat. It felt like there was a lack of credit given to the German plans and forces and more emphasis placed on the French failures in preparing and command. This may be due to sources used, I'm suspecting.
The sources were a bit lacking in my opinion too. Horne's book "To Lose a Battle" is considered a main staple for this topic, but there are many, many more out there which could have enhanced the writing here. Eight sources are listed, with at least 3, maybe 4, being tertiary sources at best. I grant that these series books work with limited page counts, but that just makes the value of the material on each page that much more important.
I'll end on a positive note though... I did appreciate the small wargaming section at the end. This is near and dear to me as it is a favored hobby of mine. This particular one was of limited value, but did offer up a few good insights. Another positive was the color plates added which really are a boon for those who paint miniatures, models, etc. These are always top-notch in Ospreys and this book was at least up to par on that.
Overall, I'd grade it out as a 2.5 Stars, which frankly is an awful score for an Osprey. I rounded down due to the lack of quality sources used and general lack of details.
March 30, 2015
The Osprey campaign series was still trying to find its footing here with regard to the visual material. The main styles of map are already in place: the "professional" style with thin arrows and universal unit symbols imposed on a clear light-green area vs. the "custom" style of slightly tilted 3D maps with fat red & blue blops identified by off-map pointers. The latter has matured in the meantime, but the early style retains its charm. Furthermore, the artwork betrays the genesis of Osprey Publishing as a manufacturer of aircraft-themed cards. It's strictly about vehicles, whereas nowawadays action scenes are commissioned. In this aspect, the series has improved. Conversely, I miss the Wargaming section of the earlier books. I'm not a practicioner, but these tips conveyed the difficulties on the spot without the benefit of hindsight in ways that the main text sometimes brushed over.
Content-wise, it is an adequate summary of the campaign, but looking at the 'Further Reading' section I do wonder how many recent works the author used. It's all about To Lose a Battle: France 1940...Surely not all of its conclusions can have remained uncontested since '69.
A final positive note: we get a bonus summary of the Dunkirk operation. Osprey doesn't colour outside the lines like that anymore.
Content-wise, it is an adequate summary of the campaign, but looking at the 'Further Reading' section I do wonder how many recent works the author used. It's all about To Lose a Battle: France 1940...Surely not all of its conclusions can have remained uncontested since '69.
A final positive note: we get a bonus summary of the Dunkirk operation. Osprey doesn't colour outside the lines like that anymore.
February 5, 2025
Si tende sempre a rimanere strabiliati dalla velocità con la quale la Germania nazista prese la Polonia e noto che spesso non si ritiene alla pari l'intera operazione a occidente qui descritta.
Molto ben rappresentata la confusione e disorganizzazione dell'esercito francese e anche le difficoltà tedesche nel rimanere in contatto fra le varie divisioni impegnate. I Grafici sono come sempre una chicca ed ho molto apprezzato anche i vari disegni delle unità e dei carri impegnati nell'intera battaglia.
Molto ben rappresentata la confusione e disorganizzazione dell'esercito francese e anche le difficoltà tedesche nel rimanere in contatto fra le varie divisioni impegnate. I Grafici sono come sempre una chicca ed ho molto apprezzato anche i vari disegni delle unità e dei carri impegnati nell'intera battaglia.
March 16, 2025
"Sichelschnitt" was one of the most ambitious military plans ever devised. And it was brilliantly executed. Alan Shepperd provides his readers’ with a competent summary of an extremely interesting campaign, but as previous reviewers already commented, there is just too much material and events to be covered in a single campaign series book. As you read the book you will clearly see that the author is trying to pack as much troop movements and small snippets of details through the text and without an adequate number of maps (there are 6 maps in the book, but they don’t follow very well the text; I believe it would be much more useful maps detailing the movements in a smaller scale, sometimes the text becomes quite confusing without a visual aid; if the issue was space there are several photos that could be removed, e.g. there are two photos of refugees!, some plates and the army group structure chart could also be smaller.
But the book competently provides Bio summaries of the main commanders, the forces that each side had available (although only by divisions and equipment, the number of men isn’t provided), the advantages on each side, for example the radio, the moral, experience, modern strategic approach and a big advantage in air power (not only fighters and bombers but also the excellent Ju-52 transport vehicle) were German advantages; the allies had defensive positions and a considerable numerical advantage; broad strokes of the movements of the campaign and occasionally the author provided details of some actions (mainly Rommel’s participation on this campaign).
You will also find three 3D birds eye views of confrontations on the Moese and Cambrai, color illustrations of soldiers and vehicles, several photographs, some quite interesting.
But the book competently provides Bio summaries of the main commanders, the forces that each side had available (although only by divisions and equipment, the number of men isn’t provided), the advantages on each side, for example the radio, the moral, experience, modern strategic approach and a big advantage in air power (not only fighters and bombers but also the excellent Ju-52 transport vehicle) were German advantages; the allies had defensive positions and a considerable numerical advantage; broad strokes of the movements of the campaign and occasionally the author provided details of some actions (mainly Rommel’s participation on this campaign).
You will also find three 3D birds eye views of confrontations on the Moese and Cambrai, color illustrations of soldiers and vehicles, several photographs, some quite interesting.
May 15, 2021
Somewhat disappointing.
This is one of the older Osprey WW2 titles, and it shows. The format hasn't quite established the high standards that it would in later years. The maps aren't as informative as in later titles and rarely align with the text. The 3D maps are little more than a gimmick here, conveying very little information. The photographs are often quite interesting, but the selection is somewhat random and they rarely have any connection to the accompanying text. As for the text itself, it is often difficult to follow Shepperd's account of the campaign's development until the reader has memorized the Army groupings and command structures. In the early pages, especially, I found myself flipping back and forward to the command structure charts more frequently than, for instance, when reading Steven Zaloga's Poland 1939 title prior to this one.
That said, this is a serviceable (if dated—the main source is Alistair Horne's To Lose a Battle [1969]) overview of Invasion of France, focusing on Guderian's Panzer breakthrough in the west. There are certainly better options out there. (For example, a very readable basic account can be found in Len Deighton's Blitzkrieg. Also, I'd like to read Douglas Dildy's more recent Osprey volume, Fall Gelb 1940: Panzer Breakthrough in the West for comparison. The sheer complexity of the invasion, however, demands a longer work to do it justice.)
This is one of the older Osprey WW2 titles, and it shows. The format hasn't quite established the high standards that it would in later years. The maps aren't as informative as in later titles and rarely align with the text. The 3D maps are little more than a gimmick here, conveying very little information. The photographs are often quite interesting, but the selection is somewhat random and they rarely have any connection to the accompanying text. As for the text itself, it is often difficult to follow Shepperd's account of the campaign's development until the reader has memorized the Army groupings and command structures. In the early pages, especially, I found myself flipping back and forward to the command structure charts more frequently than, for instance, when reading Steven Zaloga's Poland 1939 title prior to this one.
That said, this is a serviceable (if dated—the main source is Alistair Horne's To Lose a Battle [1969]) overview of Invasion of France, focusing on Guderian's Panzer breakthrough in the west. There are certainly better options out there. (For example, a very readable basic account can be found in Len Deighton's Blitzkrieg. Also, I'd like to read Douglas Dildy's more recent Osprey volume, Fall Gelb 1940: Panzer Breakthrough in the West for comparison. The sheer complexity of the invasion, however, demands a longer work to do it justice.)
June 4, 2018
Merupakan buku kedua dari siri Osprey's Battles of World War II. Penulisnya,Alan Shepperd,memfokuskan perbincangannya bermula pada 10 Mei 1940 sehingga 4 Jun tahun yang sama dengan peristiwa pemindahan tentera British dan sebahagian besar tentera Perancis di pantai yang diberi nama Dunkirk.
Menggunakan format yang sama seperti Poland 1939,yang disertakan dengan banyak gambar,peta dan rajah. Cuma,pada pandangan saya,gaya penceritaan Zaloga lebih menarik berbanding Shepperd!
Walaupun Perancis berjuang dengan berani,tetapi,sifat terlalu yakin dengan kekebalan kubu Maginot Line dan kekurangan peralatan ketenteraan yang moden menjadi antara punca kekalahan Perancis di tangan Jerman. Ini ditambahkan lagi dengan ketidakcekapan beberapa komander angkatan tentera Perancis. Pertempuran Perancis juga menjadi saksi kepada kejayaan taktik perang Blitzkrieg yang telah matang dan dilaksanakan dengan jayanya oleh Jerman.
Menggunakan format yang sama seperti Poland 1939,yang disertakan dengan banyak gambar,peta dan rajah. Cuma,pada pandangan saya,gaya penceritaan Zaloga lebih menarik berbanding Shepperd!
Walaupun Perancis berjuang dengan berani,tetapi,sifat terlalu yakin dengan kekebalan kubu Maginot Line dan kekurangan peralatan ketenteraan yang moden menjadi antara punca kekalahan Perancis di tangan Jerman. Ini ditambahkan lagi dengan ketidakcekapan beberapa komander angkatan tentera Perancis. Pertempuran Perancis juga menjadi saksi kepada kejayaan taktik perang Blitzkrieg yang telah matang dan dilaksanakan dengan jayanya oleh Jerman.
May 25, 2019
This book is about the German invasion of the west in 1940 following the conquest of Poland, including the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, and the main prize: France. The book goes into painstaking detail about dates, opposing forces, the makeup of those forces, generals involved, equipment used, battles fought, tactics, etc. It also showing drawings and pictures of important figures, weapons and vehicles, and combat. It also shows a timeline of events leading up to the invasion, during the invasion day-by-day, and the end. The book is very good for those interested in World War II history and can withstand the immense detail. Frankly, there's not much else to say. It's a complete in-depth analysis of historical battles. It's not for everyone, but for those interested, it's very good.
January 28, 2021
This is a well written overview of the German invasion of 1940 France.
But it does not give the reader enough insights and feeling of the French culture and military history hampering their fighting forces. The French fought bravely, but at a tremendous disadvantage brought about by their leadership's own making.
But it does not give the reader enough insights and feeling of the French culture and military history hampering their fighting forces. The French fought bravely, but at a tremendous disadvantage brought about by their leadership's own making.
October 24, 2019
Readers Digest version of Alistair Horne's To Lose a Battle.
March 18, 2021
A mediocre presentation,
Liked the illustrations, but little depth was given to anything beyond the troop movements.
Liked the illustrations, but little depth was given to anything beyond the troop movements.
January 2, 2017
Mi reseña y opinión del libro aquí.
February 25, 2017
Este livro é o mesmo que France 1940: Blitzkrieg in the West. A imagem da capa que aparece aqui é de uma edição em Espanhol, embora seja a mesma arte da edição em Português.
Não conheço a série da Osprey nem o assunto a fundo o suficiente para avaliar em termos mais técnicos. Assim, faço uma avaliação do ponto de vista de um leitor não especialista, interessado no assunto.
O livro é bem interessante e organizado, e oferece um bom conjunto de mapas para acompanhar os eventos no texto. Em certos pontos a leitura pode ficar um pouco mais pesada, mas no conjunto vai bem. Graficamente e em termos de qualidade é uma boa edição. Ao final, um bom relato dos eventos com muitas informações.
This book is the same as France 1940: Blitzkrieg in the West. The cover image shown here is from a Spanish edition, although it is the same layout as the Portuguese edition.
I don't know the Osprey series or the subject deep enough for a technical review. So, my review is from the point of view of a non-specialized, interested in the subject, reader.
The book is interesting and well organized, and offers a good set of maps for following the events in the text. At some points reading may get slower but goes well as a whole. As for quality and graphics this is a good edition. All in all, a good account of the events with a lot of information.
Não conheço a série da Osprey nem o assunto a fundo o suficiente para avaliar em termos mais técnicos. Assim, faço uma avaliação do ponto de vista de um leitor não especialista, interessado no assunto.
O livro é bem interessante e organizado, e oferece um bom conjunto de mapas para acompanhar os eventos no texto. Em certos pontos a leitura pode ficar um pouco mais pesada, mas no conjunto vai bem. Graficamente e em termos de qualidade é uma boa edição. Ao final, um bom relato dos eventos com muitas informações.
This book is the same as France 1940: Blitzkrieg in the West. The cover image shown here is from a Spanish edition, although it is the same layout as the Portuguese edition.
I don't know the Osprey series or the subject deep enough for a technical review. So, my review is from the point of view of a non-specialized, interested in the subject, reader.
The book is interesting and well organized, and offers a good set of maps for following the events in the text. At some points reading may get slower but goes well as a whole. As for quality and graphics this is a good edition. All in all, a good account of the events with a lot of information.
February 15, 2016
A fairly clear and concise overview of the fall of France -- with a primary focus on the Ardennes attack. It's not Alastair Horne's To Lose a Battle, it doesn't hit the follow-on attacks after Dunkirk, and it's one of the Campaign series that uses a lot of the Roman numerals to relate units [authentic, but harder to track the flow with], but it hit the highlights of the first couple weeks of the invasion of France.
July 7, 2016
Interesting little essay on Guderian's attack through the Ardennes in 1940; well done but limited in scope. The French army seemed fated to lose. It was mired in tactical concepts of World War One. It could only envisage a battle on defense. The Germans had changed the paradigm and the French were always at least two steps behind in every operation.
September 26, 2014
Somewhat disappointed that the author refers to historical people by ranks that they were awarded only after the campaign was over. At that price and from that publisher, I expect better fact-checking.
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