Bookcase for legendary war books

SS - commando Otto Skorzeny, written by Stuart Smith Otto Skorzeny - Most dangerous man in Europe. That title he earned in WW2. He was extraordinary soldier who did complete some "Mission impossible" operations during WW2. He liberated Mussolini on one the most daring commando raids ever. He was member of SS and loyal to Hitler till the bitter end. Which did cause some problems for him after the war. But he was never convicted as war criminal. After the war he was successful businessmen. He did have some export / import companies, worked as military advisor, involved in gun trafficking and international espionage with many parties. This book is written with very critical view on Skorzeny. Not giving any favors and even trying to belittle his achievements. But in final words says, that Skorzeny was brave soldier, daring adventurer, pioneer in commando warfare and really energetic person. Who was born to publicity. If you want to read about most amazing real life sto...

The Forgotten front - Unohdettujen rintama Winter war 1939-1940 between Finland and Soviet union, is one of the hardest war's ever. There was several legendary battle grounds such as: Summa, Raate, Taipaleenjoki, Kollaa and so on. But one of hardest battles of that war was fought in northeast of lake Ladoga. It is called Forgotten front, because it was fought by reserve officers and soldiers in Finnish side.  February 1940 there was about 150000 Russian soldiers with 1000 artillery guns and 450 tanks. Finnish did have 32000 soldiers and about 60 artillery cannons and 0 tanks. That was one of the most major superiority seen in that war. In last battles of Petäjäsaari, there was hardest artillery barrage and bombings seen in Winter war. And that was fought almost to the last man. Russians did suffer huge losses and they also committed war crimes by executing Finnish POW's. Book is based on war diaries and veteran interviews. It is very detailed documentary about ultimat...

The Eastern front. Memoirs of a Waffen SS volunteer 1941-1945, Leon Degrelle Totally incredible story of Leon Degrelle. One of the most batlle hardened and  legendary combat heroes of WW2. He was Belgian politician and leader of the Rexists party. And he enlisted 1941 at age of 35, and he started as private in Waffen SS. Before that he had never fired a gun. During his 3,5 years of bitter fighting in eastern front. He rose through the ranks to become commander of the 28th SS division Wallonie. Of the first 800 Wallonian volunteers, 3 alone of those who had taken part in all battles reached the end of the war alive. Leon Degrelle was one on them, he was wounded seven times  and earned 22 military decorations. He commanded a Brigade in Cherkassy pocket and participated many other ultimate hard close combat battles. He is listed in book "The face of courage". Book tells about 98 men who received the Knights Cross and the Close-combat clasp in gold. When a soldier attained hi...

Summa is one of the most famous battle grounds of Winter War. In Winter War Soviet Union tried to invade Finland as they did for all Baltic states. War was fought 1939-1940 as part of the WW2, it was 105 days of fierce fighting in freezing cold. And against all odds Finnish army held, peace agreement ended this savage Winter War. Soviet Union achieved Pyrrhic victory in this war. About 25000 Finnish and 250000 Russian soldiers died in this war. Finnish army did do one the most outstanding performances in the world military history. And for Red army it was total fiasco. One of the main reasons, why Hitler decided to invade  Russia asap. This book tells a story about frontline men's of Summa. How they saw battles in frontline trenches, when they were totally outgunned and outmanned by Red army. They were fighting against all odds. Red army did have everything, endless amount of artillery, tanks, fighters and manpower. Finnish army did lack everything else except bravery. Finn...

If you check WW2 flying aces list. It is so dominated by German Luftwaffe aces. Top 120 are Luftwaffe aces and in place 121 Finnish ace Ilmari Juutilainen. Rudel was not fighter ace, he was ground attack pilot. But for sure he is most successful pilot in war history. Rudel flew over 2500 missions, mostly with Junkers JU 87 dive bomber aka Stuka. He destroyed 519 tanks, sink 1 battleship, 1 cruiser, 1 destroyer and over 70 landing crafts. He destroyed over 800 land vehicles, over 150 artillery-, antiaircraft-, anti-tank positions, 4 armored trains, several bridges and etc.. He also achieved 9 air victories. Rescued 6 crews from enemy territory. When doing this, he was shot down 32 times, wounded 5 times, loose part of his leg. He was unyielding, in extreme good fit and of course excellent pilot. Every time when he was shot down or wounded, he came back to fly asap.  And to survive through this all, he also needed some luck. So one the most amazing WW2 hero story, this you have...

This is one of most amazing stories, that I have read. He for sure earns title “1 of the greatest war time heroes”. Witold Pilecki was volunteer to infiltrate to Auschwitz death camp. Task was to gather intelligence and report to Polish home army. He fixed things so he was arrested by SS. While being imprisoned in Auschwitz he organized resistance movement. And also sent reports to western allies about of Nazi Germany's Auschwitz atrocities. After almost 3 years of imprisonment he escaped from Auschwitz, and wrote comprehensive report about death camp. And as it would not be enough, after escape. He joined Polish resistance forces, and fought in Warsaw uprising. He was one the leading soldiers. Perfect story but it has sad ending. After war Polish communist regime charged him as traitor. And convicted to death. He was executed and body was never found. That was miscarriage of justice made by Polish communist leaders prefer Stalin. Unbelievable story of amazing man...

Kurt Meyer, Waffen SS General, Panzer leader, war criminal, one of the most batlle hardened and highly decorated SS officers. When Waffen SS is most effective army ever, and was known for swift battle tactics. Kurt Meyer tactics were really bold and aggressive even with the Waffen SS benchmark. This quote tells all about book and Kurt boldness: ”We hid behind the rocks not daring to move. Nausea almost choked me. I yelled at Emil Wawrzinek to press the attack. But good old Emil looked at me as if he doubted my sanity. Machine-gun fire splashed against rocks in front of us; our lead element was only about 10 men strong. Damn it! We certainly couldn't remain there, while craters were being blown in the road and machine-gun fire was pinning us down in the rubble. But i too was crouching in full cover and fearing for my life. How was i to order Wawrzinek to move first? In my distress, i felt the smooth roundness of an egg grenade in my hand. I yelled at the group. They all lo...