Resistance Warfare 1940-45

Osprey Men at Arms #169

by Carlos Caballero Jurado, Paul Hannon (Illustrator)

The occupation of Western Europe by the Wehrmacht brought about the birth of resistance movements in all the countries affected, as well as collaborationist movements directly opposed to the resistance. In effect, the war against Germany became a civil war within each country. Sought out by the Hohere SS und Polizeiführer ('High Command of the SS and Police') and often aided by the British Special Operations Executive, the Western European Resistance centred largely on espionage and intelligence-gathering. A companion volume to Men-at-Arms 142: Partisan Warfare 1941-45, this book explores the history of resistance warfare during World War II in Norway, Denmark, Holland, Belgium, France and Italy.

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

48 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1985

Reviews

[Little Timmy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice historical overview of this area. great selection of pics. Recommended

[Checkman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Surprisingly packed with information for such an abbreviated book. Mr. Jurado covers all the various organizations formed by the Germans and their allies to combat the resistance and conduct counter-intelligence operations. He also slides in the different resistance groups, breaking them down country by country. By necessity he reels off the many organizations rapidly with brief descriptions of their responsibilities and with the acronyms flying furiously.

Mr. Jurado acknowledges the briefness of the book limits in-depth details, but he does a decent job as it is. For those who know little to nothing about the Resistance in Western Europe, or believe the myths, this little book is a good start to expanding one's knowledge and jettisoning the propaganda. WWII has taken on mythical qualities. It was a war and an exceptionally brutal one at that - particularly in the occupied territories.

One may not agree with some of Mr. Jurado's opinions, but if one is jarred and motivated to conduct one's own research - well then, this little volume has done its job. As usual the book is loaded with many high-quality photos and outstanding illustrations.

[Raymond Pang · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting overview of collaboration & resistance forces in western europe.
Was surprised that most were motivated by two primary concerns, anti-fascist or anti-communist; democracy was not really that big a deal.