World War II Infantry Fire Support Tactics

Osprey's examination of assault tactics used by the infantry during World War I (1939-1945). Just about every war movie - famously, Saving Private Ryan and Band of Brothers - includes dramatic scenes of soldiers trying to attack an enemy pillbox or trench. Continuing the series explaining World War I tactics, Gordon L Rottman (who became expert in these tactics during the Vietnam War) explains and illustrates the kit and techniques used in assaulting fortifications. He covers the differences in US, British, German, Soviet and Japanese approaches and experiences, concentrating on small units of foot soldiers with hand-carried equipment. The weapons used included the purpose-made and the improvized: assault charges of various shapes, sizes and characteristics, flamethrowers, grenades and bazookas. Their tactical deployment is analyzed and explained in detail, with the support of color artwork, maps, diagrams and photographs.