{"title":"Books by Pier Paolo Battistelli","description":null,"products":[{"product_id":"9781472865373","title":"Yugoslavia 1941–44","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eA unique visual exploration of partisan and anti-partisan warfare in Yugoslavia between 1941 and 1944. \u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eFollowing the Axis invasion and occupation of Yugoslavia in April 1941, a brutal insurgency (based both on ethnic and political affiliations) broke out in the German- and Italian-occupied areas. The result was a protracted multi-partite struggle. The key forces opposing the Axis occupation were Tito’s communist Partisans and, initially, Draža Mihailovic’s royalist Chetniks, with Allied allegiances shifting over time. Widespread ethnic cleansing and ideological warfare were waged by the occupiers and their internal allies under the ‘anti-Partisan’ moniker. In 1942, the first of seven major counter-insurgency operations was carried out by Axis forces. These took place in every part of the country, aiming to annihilate the main core of resistance. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eWith stunning artwork, detailed maps and period images, this book reveals the military cultures of the wide range of opposing forces involved. It also covers the planning and execution of each operation, from the autumn 1941 offensive against the Republic of Užice through to the final attack in western Bosnia in spring 1944. The result is a unique visual exploration of one of the most complex and least studied offensives of World War II.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Gardners","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":55897813778805,"sku":"9781472865373","price":16.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0612\/7193\/3106\/files\/9781472865373_c568f1fe-0787-494a-bde3-f00d92b70f79.jpg?v=1786020401"},{"product_id":"9781036106027","title":"How Hitler Evolved the Traditional Army Establishment","description":"Under the surveillance of General von Seeckt the Germans re-established their military, which Hitler utilised for his aggression of recovering Germany’s military greatness. This book explores some of the leading military figures. The often-ignored Field Marshal Keitel is explored, to see if there were any substance in the Allied belief that this Chief of the OKW was the driving force behind initial German success or was he merely Hitler’s lackey and bureaucrat. He was derided by his contemporaries because of his unstinting Prussian obedience to Hitler.This sense of total compliance was also reflected by General Paulus, who although obedient, was reluctant to carry out Hitler’s barbaric orders relating to Jews and prisoners, but otherwise was obedient and trusting of Hitler even though he knew it would lead to military disaster. It took time in a Russian prison camp to turn him against the once adored German dictator where he eventually became anti-Nazi.In striking contrast to the failed Paulus Field Marshal Manstein is examined. He was a skilled strategist and tactician and proved this in his victory in France. He lacked the social sophistication of many other leading military commanders, but he was one of the very few who had the courage to challenge Hitler’s military directions and decisions. He was eventually dismissed by Hitler and postwar wrote two books to regain his reputation, despite the fact he was convicted of war crimes, and whether he deserves a pedestal remains with the reader.","brand":"Gardners","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":56296283701621,"sku":"9781036106027","price":25.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0612\/7193\/3106\/files\/9781036106027_315e3987-3945-4c31-b3ef-8f63c9cdb9ee.jpg?v=1786016899"},{"product_id":"9781036106942","title":"Hitler's New Command Structure and the Road to Defeat","description":"As the war progressed Hitler did not need obedient bureaucrats like Keitel, failures like Paulus and was paranoid about having military leaders who were loyal. The three field marshals in this book were amongst the best.Field Marshal Kesselring gained a reputation in Italy as an expert in defence, and his Allied code name was The Emperor. Kesselring was diplomatic, charming, known as Smiling Albert, but convicted as a war criminal which may not have happened had it not been for the bitter partisan war. Field Marshal Rommel is surrounded by myths which need disentangling. He possessed exceptional qualities of command and leadership, with personal courage and determination, but had problems caused by two major reasons. The first was his relentless ambition, which prevented him from self-criticism and self-evaluation. The second was his meteoric rise in command, and like many other commanders driven by ambition.Field Marshal Model when on the battlefield led his men so well it is surprising that little is known of him. He fought defensive battles in a way hardly matched by any other German general. He had the immense capability of keeping his nerve, but his skills as a commander, were not matched by the sort of personality which may have given him a similar status as with Rommel, and not helped by challenging Hitler. Model had a reputation of being so tough even Hitler claimed he would not want to serve under him, he was known as the Frontschwein (front-line pig).","brand":"Gardners","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":56296287568245,"sku":"9781036106942","price":25.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0612\/7193\/3106\/files\/9781036106942_85be8175-7da5-489b-a67a-61fd9ab83e96.jpg?v=1786016912"},{"product_id":"9781472850140","title":"Assault on the Gothic Line 1944","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eEnjoy a detailed examination of Operation \u003ci\u003eOlive\u003c\/i\u003e as US, British, Commonwealth and Allied forces seek to smash through the last German defensive line in Italy.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe Italian theatre of operations post-summer 1944 was often (and incorrectly) surmised at the time as a quiet sector of World War II, populated with troops who were relieved not to find themselves fighting in North-West Europe. Yet the true nature of the hard fighting that took place here was soon revealed when the Allies began their assault on the Axis Gothic Line defences, known as Operation \u003ci\u003eOlive\u003c\/i\u003e. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIn this book, Italian military historian Pier Paolo Battistelli documents the dual Allied offensive spearheaded by American and British units to smash through what was supposed to be the final Axis defensive line in Italy before the Alps. The overall strategic aims of both the Axis and Allied leaders are explored, together with the organization of the forces committed.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe expertly researched maps and 3D diagrams guide the reader through the progress of the phased battles in challenging terrain. Photographs and specially commissioned artworks show the soldiers that fought on both sides, including American, Canadian, Indian, Brazilian, Polish, New Zealander, British, German and Italian troops, as well as the materiel they employed. The result is an essential illustrated guide to a fascinating and complex late-war campaign.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Gardners","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":56300405752181,"sku":"9781472850140","price":16.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0612\/7193\/3106\/files\/9781472850140_ba8c7392-1baa-4680-b196-7c3cb68b21f9.jpg?v=1786020926"},{"product_id":"9781472842572","title":"The Balkans 1940–41 (1)","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eThe first of two volumes on the Axis campaigns in the Balkans, exploring Mussolini's fateful decision to move against Greece in October 1940, when the Greek President Metaxas rejected the Italian ultimatum with a famous ‘Oxi’ ('No').\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIn the wake of Italy's rapid annexation of Albania in April 1940, Mussolini’s decision to attack Greece in October that year is widely acknowledged as a fatal mistake, leading to a domestic crisis and to the collapse of Italy’s reputation as a military power (re-emphasized by the Italian defeat in North Africa in December 1940). The Italian assault on Greece came to a stalemate in less than a fortnight, and was followed a week later by a Greek counter-offensive that broke through the Italian defences before advancing into Albania, forcing the Italian forces to withdraw north before grinding to a half in January 1941 due to logistical issues. Eventually, the Italians took advantage of this brief hiatus to reorganize and prepare a counteroffensive, the failure of which marked the end of the first stage of the Axis Balkan campaign. This book offers a detailed overview of the Italian and Greek armies, their fighting power, and the terrain in which they fought.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eComplemented by rarely seen images and full colour illustrations, it shows how expectations of an easy Italian victory quickly turned into one of Mussolini’s greatest blunders.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Gardners","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":56301118980469,"sku":"9781472842572","price":16.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0612\/7193\/3106\/files\/9781472842572_5a3b2172-fb3d-45d0-8cc5-452a4a5748b5.jpg?v=1786020779"},{"product_id":"9781472855695","title":"The Winter Campaign in Italy 1943","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eA gripping tale of three crucial battles fought at the end of 1943 as Allied forces approached the Gustav Line in Italy.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAfter repulsing the German counter-attack at Salerno in September 1943, the US Fifth Army and British Eighth Army advanced up the Italian Peninsula. By October, the Allied armies had reached the Volturno Line, forcing a critical decision in German strategy: a prolonged defence would be conducted in southern Italy, contesting the Allied advance using the complex terrain features. By mid-November, the two Allied armies were approaching the German defensive lines along the Garigliano and the Sangro rivers. Here, US 5th Army would attack through the Mignano gap towards San Pietro Infine, while British Eighth Army would seize Ortona on the Adriatic coast and Orsogna. A brutal struggle ensued, with the German defenders attempting to hold their positions. The fighting at Ortona in particular (labelled a 'mini Stalingrad') would be particularly grueling for the Canadian forces involved. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis fascinating work focuses on several little-known battles fought in Italy following the German withdrawal from the Salerno bridgehead and from Taranto. Maps and diagrams present an easy to follow overview of the multiple operations of this complex campaign. The forces of the opposing sides (including American, German, Canadian, New Zealand and British troops), and the three decisive battles fought in late 1943, are brought vividly to life in period photos and superb battlescene artworks.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Gardners","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":56301131202933,"sku":"9781472855695","price":16.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0612\/7193\/3106\/files\/9781472855695_0ad27d20-dc98-4be9-a248-0ceff99c15f8.jpg?v=1786021045"},{"product_id":"9781472842619","title":"The Balkans 1940–41 (2)","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eThis concise yet detailed overview gives a balanced account of this key Blitzkrieg campaign in the Balkans during the opening years of World War II.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe Wehrmacht’s last Blitzkrieg campaign was indeed a lightning war, since German forces were required to seize both Yugoslavia and Greece before redeploying immediately to the East ready to attack the Soviet Union in a matter of weeks. Although the plans for the conquest of Yugoslavia were developed in haste, the campaign was extremely successful: in a short space of time, both Yugoslavia and Greece had fallen, accompanied by the capture of large numbers of British, Australian and New Zealand troops. The 1941 Balkan campaign was an apparently brilliant military accomplishment that demonstrated once again the superiority of the Wehrmacht, and its cutting-edge campaigning skills. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis superbly detailed work details the opposing forces that took part in this campaign, documents their weapons and analyzes the effectiveness of their tactics. It explores the initial Axis campaign against Yugoslavia, the breakthrough of the Metaxas Line and advance into Macedonia and the withdrawal of Allied troops south. Detailed battlescenes depict key moments in the land, sea and air battles that took place in the Balkans, vividly bringing to life events of almost 80 years ago.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Gardners","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":56301199688053,"sku":"9781472842619","price":15.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0612\/7193\/3106\/files\/9781472842619_ad1f42a7-dffb-4b51-99b9-30ad0e908c9a.jpg?v=1786020780"},{"product_id":"9781472859242","title":"Yugoslavia and Greece 1940–41","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eA new illustrated history of the German and Italian air campaigns in the invasions of Greece and Yugoslavia, the last full-scale Axis air offensives before Operation \u003ci\u003eBarbarossa\u003c\/i\u003e.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe Greece campaign was launched by Italy in October 1940, the first large-scale campaign of the Italian Air Force outside North Africa, and its last major solo effort. With the German involvement in April 1941, and with the invasion of Yugoslavia, the Balkans saw the last large-scale Axis air campaign in Europe before the invasion of the USSR. It was also the campaign that saw expeditionary units of the RAF fighting alongside the Greeks – most famously, the handful of Hurricanes that fought to the end from makeshift olive-grove airfields, among them the Hurricane ace and future novelist Roald Dahl.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIn this book, renowned historian Pier Paolo Battistelli and air power expert Basilio di Martino explain how this unique campaign was fought. They highlight elements such as the Italians’ development of air-to-ground support while carrying out, for the first and only time, an airborne operation, and how the Germans refined their tactics from the 1940 campaign in the West, while now also playing a major anti-shipping role.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIllustrated throughout with rare photos, superb original paintings, maps and 3D diagrams, this is an expert account of the air war over the eastern Mediterranean.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Gardners","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":56312441176437,"sku":"9781472859242","price":16.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0612\/7193\/3106\/files\/9781472859242_4f84d252-4973-405d-804a-e421b4f18e0a.jpg?v=1786021118"},{"product_id":"9781472870506","title":"Florence 1944","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eA highly illustrated look at the Allied push to stop the Germans across central Italy, culminating in a battle in the middle of Florence. \u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eFollowing the fighting at Anzio and Cassino in 1944, the Allies were in pursuit of the Germans, who had managed to get away when the Americans took Rome. With experienced troops recalled from Italy to participate in the invasions of Normandy and southern France, the Allied numbers dwindled, only partially replaced by three divisions. The Allies pushed on, following the Germans into central Italy in a bid to stop them getting to the Gothic Line. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eFighting across Rome, Pisa, Leghorn, Lake Trasimene, Ancona and Florence, the Allies pushed their advance across the country. Troops from the US, UK, France, New Zealand, South Africa, Poland, and India fought in these campaigns, chasing the Germans as they withdrew to safety. With detailed maps, diagrams and period images, Italian historian Pier Paolo Battistelli sets the scene for this last push from Rome, showcasing the highly motorised fighting in multiple cities across central Italy, and explains why this was an Allied tactical failure.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Gardners","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":56368894804341,"sku":"9781472870506","price":16.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0612\/7193\/3106\/files\/9781472870506_12bd8848-4d42-4e4c-b894-077cb09ceae3.jpg?v=1786034371"},{"product_id":"italian-medium-tanks","title":"Italian Medium Tanks","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eSeveral factors delayed and greatly hampered the development of an Italian medium tank during World War II.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eLight tanks were preferred as these were deemed much more suitable for the narrow roads and bridges of the Alps, along the borders of neighbours France and Yugoslavia. Development was also hampered by limited industries, with fragmented production. Thus, the first prototype of an Italian medium tank – the M 11 – did not enter production until 1939.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis book examines the Italian M tanks which, although technically inferior to their German and Allied counterparts in 1941–43, proved to be effective when used by experienced crews with adequate combat tactics. Alongside illustrations throughout, Filippo Cappellano and Pier Paolo Battistelli discuss the types, as well as the experiments that produced interesting prototypes such as the anti-aircraft semovente.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Gardners","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":57490346869109,"sku":"9781849087759","price":12.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0612\/7193\/3106\/files\/9781849087759.jpg?v=1786442236"},{"product_id":"el-alamein-1942","title":"El Alamein 1942","description":"The Second Battle of El Alamein marked a major turning point in the Western Desert Campaign of the Second World War. El Alamein saw two of the greatest generals of the war pitted against each other: Rommel and Montgomery. Through key profiles and a chapter devoted to ‘The Armies’ El Alamein 1942 explores what made these men inspired leaders and what led to their respective defeat and victory. Montgomery’s success ensured that the Axis army was unable to occupy Egypt and therefore gain control of the Suez Canal or the Middle Eastern oil fields, thereby preventing a major source of income and power for them. The background and impact of the battle are explored in separate chapters, so offering the reader a clear insight into why what happened in this remote part Egypt was so central to the Allied cause. Through quotes and maps the text explores the unfolding action of the battle and puts the reader on the frontline. If you truly want to understand what happened and why – read El Alamein 1942.","brand":"Gardners","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":57680309223797,"sku":"9781837055012","price":12.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}]}],"url":"https:\/\/backstory.london\/collections\/author-pier-paolo-battistelli.oembed","provider":"Backstory","version":"1.0","type":"link"}