Table of Contents

Introduction: strategic and tactical constraints of terrain and climate on military operations /Pre-war background work: British Polar Institute – Indian Army – European Alpine troops – transport, sleds and skis /Russo-Finnish Winter War of 1939–40: materials and experience – ‘motti’ tactics /Narvik 1940 – Norwegian experience – establishment of British Commando Schools /The Russian Front, 1941: Russian tactics, German inadequacies and improvisation /German responses 1942–44: winter warfare and ski-troop manuals /US responses: manuals 1941–44 – tactical training – clothing and equipment /Italy, 1943–45: mountain warfare – mule transport /The West, 1944–45: British in the Netherlands – Battle of the Bulge – snow camouflage /Conclusions /Bibliography

Promotional Information

From the siege of Leningrad to the Battle of the Bulge, many of the most famous and brutal battles of World War II were fought in winter conditions. This book describes and illustrates the tactics used by the men who fought one another in this uniquely demanding environment.

About the Author

DR STEPHEN BULL is Curator of Military History and Archaeology for Lancashire Museums, with particular responsibility for local regimental collections, and is a consultant for the University of Oxford on World War I projects. He has previously worked at the National Army Museum and the BBC in London. A Member of the Institute of Archaeologists, he has also appeared in the TV series Battlefield Detectives, Lost Treasures, and Instruments of Death. His other books include six Osprey titles – two on World War I, and four on World War II.

Reviews

"Any military history collection will find this a solid discussion of the training, equipment and special approaches winter warfare required, with chapters based on both wartime manuals and critiques of what actually happened during combat. A specific 'must' for any military collection!" --The Midwest Book Review (July 2013)