Synopses & Reviews
Steel Wind is a piece of historical detective work that explains how Colonel Georg Bruchmuller, an obscure German artillery officer recalled from retirement, played a pivotal role in the revolution of offensive tactics that took place in 1917-18. Ironically, the methods developed by Bruchmuller ultimately were rejected by the German Army of World War II, but they were taken up and applied with a vengeance by the emerging Red Army. The Soviets further developed Bruchmuller's principles and incorporated them into their doctrine, where they remain to this day. Through Soviet doctrine, they have become fundamental to the practice of many other armies. Bruchmuller's influence in shaping the former Soviet Army has also been mirrored in the shape of those armies designed to oppose it.
Review
The author gives a good general overview of artillery tactics of the great powers during the first three years of the Great War, and fits Bruchmuller's contribution nicely into the broad context of the development of artillery tactics.Choice
Review
His lucid drafting and generous explanatory notes make his text jump from the page. This is recommended reading for students of World War One tactics.The Western Front Association
Synopsis
A piece of historical detective work that explains how an obscure German officer recalled from retirement for World War I played a pivotal role in the revolution of offensive tactics that took place in 1917-18.
Table of Contents
Illustrations
Acknowledgments
Foreword by J.B.A. Bailey
Introduction
Artillery Combat in the First World War
The Tactical and Technological Environment
The Phases of Artillery Use in World War I
Riga: Movement Returns to the Battlefield
The Man Who Synchronized Fire and Maneuver
Bruchmuller's Tactics
Neutralization
Organization for Combat
Preparation of the Battlefield
Combined Arms Coordination
Operational Security and Surprise
Fire Support Planning
Fire Support for Ludendorff's 1918 Offensives
The St. Quentin Offensive
The Lys Offensive
The Chemin des Dames Offensive
The Noyon Offensive
The Champagne-Marne Offensive
The Aftermath
Bruchmuller's Legacy
Bruchmuller's Lessons of the (First) World War
Influence on the German Army
Influence on the British, French, and U.S. Armies
Influence on the Russian and Soviet Armies
Echoes of Bruchmuller
Epilogue
Appendix A: The Military Career of Georg Bruchmuller
Appendix B: Bruchmuller's Military Decorations and Orders
Appendix C: Bruchmuller's World War I Staff
Appendix D: The Imperial German Artillery in the First World War
Appendix E: Glossary of World War I Era Artillery and Military Terms
Bibliography
Index