Currently Reading

[Big Mike]

"Journey's End" is a detailed history of Bomber Command's final air offensive from 1944-45. The book argues very well that the RAF's much improved bombing techniques, that wrought such havoc on German oil, industry and transportation, made a major contribution to winning the war.
It doesn't dodge Harris 's controversial targeting of towns for morale purposes.

It contrasts the aircrew losses with the civilian casualties and sets out without bias the issues around the destruction of Dresden. It has certainly made me re-think my views on this event, given contemporary political hypocrisy, the propaganda effect of Goebels' inflated casualty figures and the threat of mass destruction from the V2s.

Above all it highlights the sacrifice and bravery of the aircrew many of whom were from Canada, NewZealand and Australia.

Mike.

[Sean Clark]

I'm currently reading quite a bit about the Spanish Civil War. It's a conflict that has always fascinated me.

The Paul Preston books are excellent. He writes well and clearly knows his subject. As well general history, he delves deeper into the conflict.

I'm currently reading The Spanish Holocaust. Discussing the impact on the civilians and the clergy. Hundreds of thousands were kulled/executed during the conflict, and it is a subject that is largely ignored in modern day Spain.

A great read for anyone interested.

[Wardy64]

I also find the Spanish Civil War a fascinating period, having quite a few books on the subject. The Defence of Madrid, Frontline Madrid and The Battle for Madrid are three that offer a good oversight of that particular part of the conflict which I have planned to game with Ben at some stage. I enjoyed George Orwell's a Homage to Catalonia, though a tad slow to read.

Dave

[Sean Clark]

For Whom the Bell Tolls and the Laurie Lee books, As I Walked Out One Summer Morning and A Moment of War are worth looking at too.

Is Battle for Spain the Antony Beevor book? I really enjoyed that, though really struggled with the Hugh Thomas one.

Beevor is writing a book on the Russian Civil War which will in all probability lead to more figures 😁

[John Watson]

I have read only one book on the SCW. It went on about all the different factions in the War, giving them their full names and the initials they were known by. There must have been dozens of them on each side, some of which seemed to hate their own side as much as the enemy. By the end I was thoroughly confused and felt I learned little more than I knew at the start. It was more political than military. So if anyone can recommend a military history of the SCW I would be grateful.
Currently reading The Battle Of Jutland 1916 by George Bonney published by the National Museum Royal Navy. An easy read.
John

[Sean Clark]

John,

Yes it is quite a confusing conflict, not helped by Spanish names which are difficult to pronounce and working out your POUM's from your CNT.

I have the Beevor book on Audible, and have lsitend to it twice, now on the 3rd listen. It really helps if you like this sort of thing.

Audible is free for a month and you can download a book for free. If you cancel at the end of the month you get to keep the book.

[Panzer21]

I have read only one book on the SCW. It went on about all the different factions in the War, giving them their full names and the initials they were known by. There must have been dozens of them on each side, some of which seemed to hate their own side as much as the enemy. By the end I was thoroughly confused and felt I learned little more than I knew at the start. It was more political than military. So if anyone can recommend a military history of the SCW I would be grateful.
Currently reading The Battle Of Jutland 1916 by George Bonney published by the National Museum Royal Navy. An easy read.
John

Charles Esdaile has what is purported to be a military history, but I haven't got around to buying or reading it yet.
High Thomas still has the definitive work; Bevor is a good second and is a lot fairer to the Anarchists than most.
Bob Cordey's guide helps sort out the alphabet soup if you are struggling.
For memoirs, if you want a view of the other side from a  British university graduate so didn't join the IBs, try "Mind were of trouble"  by Peter Kemp, recently reprinted.

It's worth noting that most writers have a political bias when it comes to the war; some obvious, others less so. This tends to shape the story.
One exception is Paul Preston's biography of Franco. As a leftist I expected a hatchet job but it's surprisingly fair to the man and it's clear he did his best to understand him, whatever he thought of him.

If you want to be serious, I'd suggest looking at what has been published in Spain. You will need to puzzle out the text with the aid of a dictionary or translator, but many of the purely military have pretty pictures. Some like a volume on Jarama have dual English / Spanish text.
There's a new book out soon on the armour of the SCW in English....
Neil

[Big Mike]

I have just started Monty's, "Normandy to the Baltic". The set of over 40 maps are quite something on their own. The book starts with an exchange of very chummy letters between Month and Ike - they were buddies after all!
My rather old copy appears to be a First Edition, courtesy of the village fete book stall a few years back.
Mike

[Sean Clark]

Mike,

Are you a fan of the We Have Ways podcast?

[Sean Clark]

I have read only one book on the SCW. It went on about all the different factions in the War, giving them their full names and the initials they were known by. There must have been dozens of them on each side, some of which seemed to hate their own side as much as the enemy. By the end I was thoroughly confused and felt I learned little more than I knew at the start. It was more political than military. So if anyone can recommend a military history of the SCW I would be grateful.
Currently reading The Battle Of Jutland 1916 by George Bonney published by the National Museum Royal Navy. An easy read.
John

Charles Esdaile has what is purported to be a military history, but I haven't got around to buying or reading it yet.
High Thomas still has the definitive work; Bevor is a good second and is a lot fairer to the Anarchists than most.
Bob Cordey's guide helps sort out the alphabet soup if you are struggling.
For memoirs, if you want a view of the other side from a  British university graduate so didn't join the IBs, try "Mind were of trouble"  by Peter Kemp, recently reprinted.

It's worth noting that most writers have a political bias when it comes to the war; some obvious, others less so. This tends to shape the story.
One exception is Paul Preston's biography of Franco. As a leftist I expected a hatchet job but it's surprisingly fair to the man and it's clear he did his best to understand him, whatever he thought of him.

If you want to be serious, I'd suggest looking at what has been published in Spain. You will need to puzzle out the text with the aid of a dictionary or translator, but many of the purely military have pretty pictures. Some like a volume on Jarama have dual English / Spanish text.
There's a new book out soon on the armour of the SCW in English....
Neil

The traditional view is that most sources originating from Spain are a bit 'rightist', even tinged with fascist leanings, so I guess you pay your money and make your choice. Regarding being serious, I am at best an amateur student of the era.

[Big Mike]

Mike,

Are you a fan of the We Have Ways podcast?

Just found it! I am a fan of James Holland and Al Murray. I will check it out.
At a recent Chalke Valley History Festival they both ran an excellent session on Monty in which Al Murray produced an Action Man a la Monty.
Thanks for the pointer, Sean.
Mike

[Sean Clark]

I asked the question due to your 'Bring up the PIAT' quote beneath Anthony Hopkins. It's an oft quoted line from A Bridge Too Far on the podcast.

I really enjoy the podcast, really informative.

[Big Mike]

The PIAT was a triumph of British engineering. The US and German AT weapons were more deadly but the PIAT was understated and didn't give away your position as easily.
In the film this is Major Frost's genuine and considered response to deal with the arrival of Dietrich's Panzers. Richard Attenborough's film gives the British Military Establishment a hard time and rightly so. If the PIAT line is intended as irony or not it works for me. One of my favourite films.
Mike

[Sean Clark]

The line is referred to in the podcast with great affection and film is Al Murray's favourite!

[martin goddard]

There was a British major who used a PIAT very effectively.
There was a a TV program about his stand.
Was that at Arnhem?

A PIAT is great; if that is all you have.
The bravery of PIAT crews is most impressive.


martin