World War II River Assault Tactics

Gordon L. Rottman entered the US Army in 1967, volunteered for Special Forces and completed training as a weapons specialist. He served in the 5th Special Forces Group in Vietnam in 1969–70 and subsequently in airborne infantry, long-range patrol and intelligence assignments until retiring after 26 years. He was a Special Operations Forces scenario writer at the Joint Readiness Training Center for 12 years and is now a freelance writer, living in Texas.Peter Dennis was born in 1950. Inspired by contemporary magazines such as Look and Learn he studied illustration at Liverpool Art College. Peter has since contributed to hundreds of books, predominantly on historical subjects, including many Osprey titles. A keen wargamer and modelmaker, he is based in Nottinghamshire, UK.

• Introduction – the central importance of overcoming river obstacles during most World War II campaigns in Europe and the Soviet Union, from 1940 to 1945Anatomy of a resisted river crossing – the tactics, for the necessary sequence of steps in seizing and holding a bridgehead – the equipment, from light assault boats and improvised infantry bridges, to later and larger purpose-designed craft Holding a bridgehead against the initial enemy response – the vital hours, while prefabricated bridges were brought up and erected to get armor and artillery across and consolidate the bridgehead National specifics of equipment and tactics – German, US, British, SovietHistorical examples of success and failure analyzedPlate commentariesBibliographyIndex

Select Guide Rating