German Report Series: German Northern Theatre Of Operations 1940-45: German Report Series: German Northern Theatre Of Operations 1940-45

by Earl F. Ziemke

This book, written by German Officers in American captivity and produced by the US muilitary intelligence services, looks at two Second World War campaigns which are often forgotten amidst the great battles of Russia and operations against Norway in 1940 and the German operations launched from Finland against the Soviet Union from June 1941 to the winter of 1944-45. 'Part One gives significant details of the planning and execution of the invasion of Norway, and discusses naval participation in the operation. The campaign itself is detailed chronologically, and problems are discussed as well as solutions. The whole campaign in subject to a detailed analysis, and for this reason alone the book needs to be available to any student of the Second World War.'What makes the book even more valuable however is its evaluation in Part Two of German-Finnish co-operation from 1941-44. Planning and preparation are shown in detail, as well as Operations Silberfuchs, Platinfuchs and Polarfuchs. The German mountain troops operating in the area were constantly in danger from the weather and the Russians, and conditions are commented upon in detail. There are also notes on rank distinctions (German and Finnish), a chronology and a list of major participants, together with a glossary. Accompanied by 23 maps, nine of which relate to the campaign in Norway.'

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

380 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1959

About the author

Earl Frederick Ziemke was an American military historian who specialized in German operations on the Eastern Front in World War II. After service in the United States Marine Corps in the Pacific during the war, Ziemke earned a Ph.D. in history at the University of Wisconsin. From 1951 until 1955, he worked at the Bureau of Applied Social Research at Columbia University, after which he spent twelve years as an historian for the United States Army’s Office of the Chief of Military History in Washington, D.C. In 1967, he moved to the University of Georgia, where he was a full professor form 1967 until 1977, and research professor from 1977 until his retirement in 1993.

Reviews

[Gerard Tyler · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quarter

Interesting account of an under reported story of WWII. At times this is quite technical in listing divisions and units of each side. The Norwegian invasion by Germany in 1940 is covered. The Finnish and north Norwegian campaign against the Russians is much less well known and described in a factual and analytical way in this book.

[Jwduke · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed every aspect of this book. If you know the basics of military operations and you are interested in article warfare or interested in German operations and/or strategy in general, read this book.

But don’t read it if you do not know the basics of military operations unless you use other aids and reference material.

[Rick]

👍book!

Exceptionally written and researched! Detailed to the point! I enjoyed this book very much! I really enjoyed the information concerning this theatre of operations!

[Earthtopus · Rating 4 out of 5]

a pretty good overview of German operations, real and planned, in Scandinavia between 1940 and 1945. Completely glosses over the Russo-Finnish Winter War of '39-'40 which underpinned most of the Finnish strategic considerations during the war.

Very dry and historical but did a pretty good job of showing why Germany got involved in the huuuuuuuuuuuge manpower and naval sink that was Norway in the first place and how it managed to tie up an amazing amount of the German war effort that might have been better spent elsewhere. But yeah, you need to have the Winter War under your belt or this may not make a whole lot of sense.

[Max Ivankin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Очень хороший анализ военных действий немцев в 1940-45 г.г. в Северной Европе, даже не смотря на то, что сделан американским военным. Стало намного яснее что происходило в Норвегии и Финляндии, с чем столкнулись противоборствующие стороны. Хорошо, что в книге много карт - с ними всё нагляднее описание. Из минусов - монотонный стиль повествования, нет описаний характеров и особенностей действующих фигур. Но в целом, с точки зрения понимания стратегий действий крупных военных соединений - очень неплохо помогает.