Featured battle : Winkowo

Part of The French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars

Date : 18 October 1812

The Russians had lulled Murat into a false sense of security for a few weeks before hitting him with a surprise attack. By this point in the campaign the strength of the French cavalry was severely diminished. Murat had to fight his way through to Moscow from which Napoeon was beginning his retreat. The Russians were now reorganized and ready to go onto the offensive.

The Second World War Through Soldiers Eyes

James Goulty
A great variety of soldiers speak through these pages and their experiences from Call-Up to post discharge is covered. There is mention of all theatres and all branches. Although, understandably, the bulk of the experiences are of active service I found the chapters on being a POW and the casualty/medical chapters fascinating as it is rare to find them dealt with in this way. James Goulty has done an excellent job in selecting quotations as his research must have led him to a very large pool. His text causes one to feel that ‘this is how it really was’.
It is not a large book, 179 pages, and therefore gives only an overview but the bibliography is very extensive. There is also a set of well annotated photographs.
Having read many books on detailed aspects of WW2 this book has a value in that it causes one to stand back and perhaps find a new focus. If you start this book you won’t put it down and we recommend you start it.

Pen & Sword Military, 2021