I think World War II is and will always be my favorite war.
I watched 'Stalingrad' from the Battlefield series (Battlefield - The Battles that won the Second World War) for the umpteenth time today, and I couldnt help wondering how it would have been to live in those times.
When I think about it, WW2 has it all - clashes of mighty industrial nations who din't shy away from war, charismatic and forceful leaders, spectacular victories and equally spectacular debacles, massive armies and materials and above all, Hitler. You should admit, the cheek of that man was legendary. To rally a nation in tatters towards a single-minded, definitely purpose is not something that any ordinary person could have achieved.
The Battlefield series is here, btw - http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1748705/ and my review is here.
If you are looking for a definitive guide to troop movements, dispositions, etc. in the WW2, there is nothing better than Tim Piggot-Smith's narrative of this series. It is surprising that it is not as popular as BBC's 'World at War' series, but I believe it is because the level of detail can put people off. We aren't so lucky as to get the Military Channel over here, but somebody's uploaded the series in Youtube.
I watched 'Stalingrad' from the Battlefield series (Battlefield - The Battles that won the Second World War) for the umpteenth time today, and I couldnt help wondering how it would have been to live in those times.
Different times, a different map
I realized that this is more than just idle musings. It was watching this series that put my mind on the path of an alternate-history (increasingly restless) idea for a book or atleast a bunch of short stories/novelettes. It spurred me onto read more on not just WW2 but also great conquests of earlier - Alexander the Great's empire and Napoleon's. On a side note, I should say, playing Napoleon Total War has made me realize how much potential the period has for more research material. 'Band of Brothers' and the several WW2 games have only helped.When I think about it, WW2 has it all - clashes of mighty industrial nations who din't shy away from war, charismatic and forceful leaders, spectacular victories and equally spectacular debacles, massive armies and materials and above all, Hitler. You should admit, the cheek of that man was legendary. To rally a nation in tatters towards a single-minded, definitely purpose is not something that any ordinary person could have achieved.
The Battlefield series is here, btw - http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1748705/ and my review is here.
If you are looking for a definitive guide to troop movements, dispositions, etc. in the WW2, there is nothing better than Tim Piggot-Smith's narrative of this series. It is surprising that it is not as popular as BBC's 'World at War' series, but I believe it is because the level of detail can put people off. We aren't so lucky as to get the Military Channel over here, but somebody's uploaded the series in Youtube.
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