Number 181 in Osprey's continuing 'Campaign' series, this one looks at some of America's most hard fought battles of WWII against the Germans; the penetration into Germany itself.

As often happens in war, the unexpected comes into play and makes obsolete any plans. Once the Allies broke out of the Normandy beachhead, things went much faster than was anticipated. The result is that the supply line couldn't keep up with the advancing armies so things had to come to a stop while the system was able to make up for lost ground. These armies basically stopped prior to crossing the German border, where the Wehrmacht had installed a huge complex of bunkers and other defensive positions known as the Siegfried Line.

Not only were the defenses well hidden, but there was a double line of them and the terrain was very much to the advantage of the defenders, being both hilly and heavily wooded.

Nontheless, the Allies made up their plans and in mid September put them into play. The result was some of the most bitter fighting seen by American troops. There were many mistakes made by US commanders that resulted in extremely slow going and high casualty rates. Thanks to the defenses, the Germans were able to hold off or slow these major advance attempts with second and even third line troops, allowing the top line units to rest and reequip for the coming Ardennes offensive.

Though the First and Ninth Armies did eventually push through this area, it was the aforementioned Ardennes offensive by the Germans in mid December that caused the American forces to halt their push in this area for several more months.

Steven J. Zaloga is well known by both historians and modelers alike for his well-researched books and articles. This is one of his better books; his writing style well-honed and quite readable. The book is further enhanced by quality period photos and the superb illustrations and maps of Steve Noon. His portrayals of action events really shows what it was like to be fighting in this portion of the conflict.

It is another superb Osprey title of an important WWII campaign. Like all Osprey titles, it is one that you can buy with confidence that you are getting the best.

April 2007

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