Osprey hits another home run with this 2nd volume on Japanese destroyers. Picking up where the 1st volume left off, this book covers several classes, principally the Asashio, Kagero, and Yugumo. It also details the history, weapons, and tactics of the Japanese destroyers. The author further weighs in on the design and construction, armament, service modifications, and wartime service of each class. The book also covers an interesting experimental destroyer, the Shimakaze, with a top speed of almost 40 knots and 15 torpedo tubes. I found the book’s contents to be well thought out, with a very coherent outline. And it’s written with easy to understand explanations. It has beautiful color paintings and artwork including cutaway illustrations. It offers a wide range of vintage b&w photographs that are pretty decent and would be helpful to the ship modeler. The book has a softcover with a corded gum binding and it’s printed very well.

Eduard continues downsizing their 1/48 Bf-110 family to 1/72 with their latest G-2. I have wanted a G series forever, as the Italeri and Frog renditions leave a lot to be desired. You get a total of 194 parts in dark gray plastic, clear plastic, and etch. You also get canopy masks to make painting the frames easier. There are four decal options. The moldings are flash free and the panel lines are recessed and finely done. Some parts won’t be used and some are offered in both plastic and etch, so you will have bits left over for the spares box or perhaps to help dress-up other Bf-110s you have in your stash. The instructions are clear and easy to follow.

This book is a compilation of 3 journals written by Hans Roth, a soldier with the 299th Infantry Division, attached to the Sixth Army. It covers the period 1941 to 1943. It is an incredible first-hand narration of the life of a German soldier in the Eastern Front.

It is particularly interesting as it was written within days of the events being narrated (often on the same day), meaning that the memories were fresh and undisturbed by the pass of time. At the same time, being its own personal journal, censors were not able to edit out parts of the narration, reflecting the exact thoughts of a soldier in the front.