A gripping tale of heroism ―and doom―on the high seas . . . The sinking of the German battleship Bismarck―a masterpiece of engineering; well-armored with a main artillery of eight 15-inch guns―was one of the most dramatic events of World War II. She left the port of Gotenhafen for her first operation on the night of 18 May 1941; yet was almost immediately discovered by Norwegian resistance and Allied air reconnaissance. British battlecruiser Hood was quickly dispatched from Scapa Flow to intercept the Bismarck; together with new battleship Prince of Wales. They were ordered to find the ship quickly because; on their way from the USA; several large convoys were heading for Britain. On 24 May; Bismarck was found off the coast of Greenland; but the ensuing battle was disastrous for the British. The Hood was totally destroyed within minutes (only 3 crewmen surviving); and Prince of Wales was badly damaged. The chase resumed until the German behemoth was finally caught; this time by four British capital ships supported by torpedo-bombers from the carrier Ark Royal. The icy North Atlantic roiled from the crash of shellfire and bursting explosions until finally the Bismarck collapsed; sending nearly 2;000 German sailors to a watery grave. Tamelander and Zetterling’s work rests on stories from survivors and the latest historical discoveries. The book starts with a thorough account of maritime developments from 1871 up to the era of the giant battleship; and ends with a vivid account; hour by hour; of the dramatic and fateful hunt for the mighty Bismarck; Nazi-Germany’s last hope to pose a powerful surface threat to Allied convoys. NIKLAS ZETTERLING; a researcher at the Swedish Defense College; is most recently co-author of The Korsun Pocket: The Encirclement and Breakout of a German Army in the East; 1944. Together with MICHAEL TAMELANDER; a part-time military author; they have written books about the battleship Tirpitz; the D-Day landings and the 1940 campaign in Norway.
#634663 in Books 2014-10-19 2014-11-02Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 9.00 x 1.00 x 6.40l; .0 #File Name: 1611212081288 pages
Review
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Outstanding history of Brigadier John Buford and his 1st Corps during the opening hours of the battle of GettysburgBy Joe Owen"The Devil's to Pay" John Buford at Gettysburg; A History and Walking Tour;" by Eric J. Wittenberg; (Savas Beatie; 2014; 272 pages.) "The Devil's to Pay John Buford at Gettysburg; A History and Walking Tour;" by Eric J. Wittenberg is the definitive account of Brigadier John Buford and his cavalry division's performance during the battle of Gettysburg on July 1; 1863. Mr. Wittenberg has written a masterpiece on this humble and straight forward cavalryman and his importance of being the right cavalry commander at the right time during the crucial beginning hours of the great battle of Gettysburg.The author's beginning pages are a mini-biography on General Buford and his beginning career of being stationed in the west right after graduation from West Point. All who knew this young officer were impressed with his character; demeanor; and intelligence; yet he was a quiet and humble officer of few words. The opinions of those who knew General Buford would remain the same over the years. Officers in the Confederate Army and Cavalry who served with Buford before the war knew they were going to deal with a highly intelligent and thoughtful leader who would be a very formidable foe. His troops and officers would refer to him as "Old Steadfast" and "Honest John;" in admiration. From the middle of June 1862 up until July 1st; Union regiments under Buford and Confederate cavalry regiments were in a series of clashes from Virginia; through Maryland and up into Pennsylvania as Robert E. Lee's Army of Northern Virginia (ANV) were scouting and getting intelligence about the militia regiments; the terrain and roads the ANV would soon march through.The night before the "big battle" of Gettysburg General Buford realized that the Confederate Army was going to march right at the town he was in (Gettysburg;) he also knew that if the Confederates would seize and hold the high ground surrounding the town; the Army of the Potomac would most certainly be defeated if they fought the Army of Northern Virginia. The Army of the Potomac under General George Meade was indeed fortunate to have a General like John Buford make the appropriate maneuvers and strategic decisions to counter the Army of Northern Virginia. Buford's 1st Cavalry Division had outstanding officers such as Thomas Devin and many others who did an outstanding job of leadership under the heat of battle; the men would look up to Devin and the other officers and count on their decisions and thoughts during the stress of battle.As the author explains; Buford's cavalry division did an excellent job at being prepared at a moments notice to go into battle. Buford's division was the perfect one to hold off the Army of Northern Virginia until reinforcements under General John Reynold's 1st Corps could arrive and take over the positions that Buford's men were holding at a dear cost of dead and wounded. Union Cavalryman John L. Beveridge said; "we could easily fall back and elude pursuit; but we are not here to retreat; nor was it our habit to retreat." The attitude of this officer was shared by Buford's entire division.As Mr. Wittenberg often proves in this outstanding summary of the first day's action of Buford's division; this was the almost perfect division to stop and hold the invading Army of Northern Virginia until an adequate number of soldiers could be sent to do battle against the ANV. The author's outstanding research explains the decisions and maneuvers of the key officers in Buford's divisions as they faced the ANV with a much smaller division against the advancing regiments from North Carolina; Mississippi; and Virginia during the beginning hours of the battle.John Buford and his division should rank up there as one of the finest disciplined and trained divisions not only in the Army of the Potomac but of the Union army as whole.Unfortunately; Brigadier General John Buford would die only a few months after the battle of Gettysburg on December 16; 1863; from Rheumatism and pretty much exhaustion overall due to his constant being in the saddle throughout the eastern theater from 1861 to 1863. President Abraham Lincoln promoted Buford to Major General due to his outstanding performance at Gettysburg. When Buford passed away; the whole Union army (as well as many Confederate officers) mourned. He was that respected; admired; and beloved. In the years following the war; many men in the 1st Cavalry division would write down their admiration of their beloved General and NOT ONE ever wrote anything critical about him or his leadership during the war. This is a rare accomplishment indeed.The closing chapter(s) are of a driving tour that you can make at Gettysburg that highlights the locations that the 1st Division fought at during the battle. It is an excellent overview of the important locations that the 1st corps regiments were stationed in the beginning hours of the battle.Many never before published photographs of the officers of Buford's division highlight the book. Maps in the book also enhance the understanding of where both Union and Confederate regiments were located during the first day of battle.Mr. Wittenberg is well known and regarded for his outstanding books on Civil War Cavalry battles and regiments. Each one of his books is a fascinating read and vital to understand the importance of the cavalry during the war in the eastern theater. Having said that; I can honestly say after reading "The Devil's to Pay; John Buford at Gettysburg; A History and Walking Tour;" should be considered his "signature book." You can't read anymore outstanding books like this one. In years to come this book will be one of the "cornerstone" books in regards to the Gettysburg campaign and battle. Yes; it is that good. Eric has said that this book is his "life's work;" rest assured; he can know that he is very successful with this outstanding read and his "life's work" is a definite success. Ted Savas and Savas Beatie has yet again published another outstanding book of the Civil War and my compliments again to both Eric and Savas Beatie in this outstanding edited; researched; and formatted read. HIGHLY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Helps to clarify the first days actionsBy GeneTFace it; most visitors drive into town and make a beeline to the Round tops and Devil's Den. To understand The battle and why it occurred there requires an understanding of the first days action and what preceded it. Wittenbergs book will help you out with that! He gives us good reason to go out and appreciate an underappreciated (by most) section of the field. It's much quieter out there and outside of a tour bus you don't have huge crowds. The author has given us a tool to take a perch on the high ground and see what John Buford saw and appreciate his trained eye for good defensive terrain. The author relates the battle well and I felt I came away with a bit more info on the day than I went into it with!Overall; this is a good read and another must to have on a notepad or paperback to head out for some on the spot reading!1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Excellent read on one of the unsung heroes of the battle!By Jonathan MaiellanoAs an avid Civil War reader; and an even more serious student on Gettysburg; I just could not wait to get my hands on this book. I have read several of Eric Wittenberg's books; and have his account of the Battle of Trevilian Station on my bookshelf awaiting it's day. Mr. Wittenberg has written a well researched but highly readable volume to explain the actions of John Buford and his cavalry during the entire Battle of Gettysburg.Wittenberg starts off with some insight into the figure of General John Buford. Despite the fact that many "know" him through Sam Elliot's portrayal of him in the movie Gettysburg; I must say I had not done my research on this unsung hero of the battle. General Buford was a no nonsense type of man that did his job; and did it right. However; in an arm of the Army that was known for it's colorful characters; Buford never seemed to draw attention to himself. Eric shows an very good overview of General Buford; which I appreciated.I especially liked the attention that he drew to the "hollow squares" that might or might not have been deployed by Confederate infantry when they thought Buford's men would attempt a mounted charge. Mr. Wittenberg sheds some light on this story. I also appreciated the walking and driving tour that were part of this book. It led me to the Cobean Farm; a spot on the battlefield that I had never been to.I wholeheartedly recommend this book as a must for any Gettysburg scholar; and would think that even a novice might enjoy the book. Good job!
