The Waffen SS at Kharkov by Afiero offers a detailed and nuanced examination of the Waffen-SS’s role in the Battle of Kharkov, one of the key engagements on the Eastern Front during World War II. Through a combination of meticulously researched historical accounts and vivid battle descriptions, Afiero provides readers with an in-depth understanding of the SS units’ strategies, tactics, and actions, as well as the broader context of the conflict.

Kharkov, located in Ukraine, was the site of several significant battles during the war. The German forces, including the infamous Waffen-SS, faced off against the Soviet Red Army in a brutal struggle for control. Afiero’s book delves into the military operations, offering insight into the complexities of urban warfare, supply issues, and the harsh conditions the soldiers faced on both sides. It goes beyond just a tactical account, touching on the personal and psychological experiences of the soldiers who fought there.

From the Publisher:

On 10 May 1940, the Wehrmacht launched its assault on the West. One element of the West’s response was the dispatch of RAF Bomber Command ‘heavy’ bombers at night over German industrial centers. These raids had only limited effectiveness, but the inability of the Luftwaffe to chase down RAF bombers at night so annoyed Wolfgang Falck that it swiftly resulted in the creation of a credible night fighter force.

Initial trials had been flown with Bf 110s at dusk in Denmark on April 1. Nachtjagd Division was founded in the summer of 1940. Its first few months were chaotic, with constant reorganizations of units, and reassignment of aircraft, but soon enough the night fighter arm was achieving steady victories—and losing crews at a similarly steady rate.

This is the second volume in the Operativo Independencia series that outlines Argentinian history since the overthrow of General Juan Domingo Perón in 1955 through the 1976 coup d'état. Operativo Independencia, Volume 1 - Armed Insurgency in Argentina 1955-1974 was well reviewed by Dave Morrissette (Operativo Indepndencia, Volume 1 - Armed Insurgency in Argentina 1955-1974 | IPMS/USA Reviews), and covers the period of 1955 through 1974. Volume 2: Guerilla War, the 1976 Coup D'Etat, and the Dirty War in Argentina continues the story of the government forces’ successful fight against communism from 1975-1976, codenamed “Operativo Independencia”, the military junta that replaced the democratically elected president, Juan Domingo Perón’s wife Isabela, and the aftermath of the “Dirty War”.

ICM continues its tradition of releasing unusual subjects, and this one has never been kitted before – a U.S. Army kitchen truck. Unlike some of the other army logistical services, the U.S. Army in World War 2 did not have dedicated vehicles for delivering hot food to front line troops. Instead, portable equipment was loaded onto vehicles and transported to where they were needed, and normally unloaded on the spot.

This new kit by ICM includes a standard short-bed Chevrolet truck and a good amount of cooking equipment, which can either be displayed on the truck bed or unloaded for a quick diorama. Detail is excellent throughout.

This book contains 88 pages, 63 black and white photos, 16 color photos, 18 color profiles, 6 color maps, 5 black and white maps, and 2 tables. It covers war plans, policy, manufacturers, and the Strategic Air Command (SAC) from 1945 to 1990, and is divided into four chapters.

The bulk of this book covers the development of new weapons and aircraft, and how that led to the changes in US tactics, strategy, and doctrine. The changes were needed due to the ending of WWII and the developing Cold War along with the advent of nuclear weapons. These, coupled with the rapid development of jet aircraft, meant that the newly formed USAF would need to modernize its organization of squadrons, war planning, and overall approach on how to manage conflicts of the future. In addition, there were new, more powerful weapons along with lower numbers of more technologically superior aircraft than those that were used in WWII.