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Will Fowler (1) (1947–)

Author of Battle for the Falklands 1: Land Forces

For other authors named Will Fowler, see the disambiguation page.

47+ Works 1,086 Members 8 Reviews

About the Author

Will Fowler has worked in journalism and publishing since 1972, specialising in military history. He was Army editor of the British magazine Defence from 1983-90. He has written over 15 books. He served with the 7th Armoured Brigade in the Gulf War (1990-91). He now lives in Hampshire, UK

Series

Works by Will Fowler

D-Day: The First 24 Hours (2003) 85 copies
KURSK: The Vital 24 Hours (2005) 49 copies
The Royal Marines 1956-84 (1984) 45 copies
Jeep Goes to War (1993) 22 copies
POLAND (Blitzkrieg, 1) (2002) 12 copies
The encyclopedia of combat techniques (2002) — Joint Author — 12 copies
Battle Story: Ypres 1914-15 (2011) 11 copies
Russia 1942-1943 (2003) 9 copies
The Vietnam Story (1983) 7 copies

Associated Works

Strategy & Tactics of War (1979) — Editor — 35 copies
The History Encyclopedia (2006) — Contributor — 20 copies
Religion, Science, Medicine & Warfare: Illustrated History Encyclopedia (2000) — Contributor, some editions — 10 copies

Tagged

Common Knowledge

Members

Reviews

Although I tend to find the numbers in Osprey's "Warrior" series to be best described as workmanlike, there is no denying that if you want information on recruitment, training and "battle rattle" they do fill a nitch. Perhaps the most interesting trend examined here is about the evolution of the Royal Marines from adjuncts to the Royal Navy (pre-1939), to their acquisition of the elite raider role (post-1945), to becoming specialists in surviving and fighting in extreme climactic conditions (the bulk of the Cold War); with side trips to Northern Ireland.… (more)
½
 
Flagged
Shrike58 | Nov 22, 2019 |
This is an excellent history of a small unit action set in the wider context of the war, and well explained for those not steeped in military history or the second world war.

The author starts with setting the background, explaining the grand sweep of the war and the events that lead to the formation of the commandos in mid-1940 and then a high-level overview of the commando training and the early operations so that you understand what commandos are all about, and the strategic context that lead to the assault on Dieppe in late summer 1942.

The build up to the attack is well covered, based heavily on the account by the embedded journalist that accompanied 4 Commando. After that the assault narrative splits into two, one for each of the groups that landed, and based on a mixture of accounts and interviews with various survivors of the operation.

All it needs to make it 5 stars are some maps of the area of operations (which I assume are in the paper versions).
… (more)
 
Flagged
jmkemp | Jul 5, 2016 |
This book was read between August 21 and 24, 2011.

This booklet was excellent. It was a very enjoyable short read.

This is one of the Osprey Raid series. It is about a raid by British glider-borne troops from a reinforced company of the Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry, against the Germans, in France, during World War II. The operation code name is 'Deadstick' and it takes place on the night of June 5/6, 1944, D-Day. It occurs inland of the Normandy beaches, on the English Channel, opposite of Sword beach. It is planned as a 'coup de main' operation to capture the Benouville (Pegasus) and Ranville (Horsa) bridges. As with all Raid booklets, it is profusely illustrated with good maps. There is no Glossary.

Pros:
There is good humor and some very touching, joyful moments.
Mentioning the glider simulator training film of the model was appreciated. As well as the mentioning of the dead and dying livestock.

Cons:
There should have been an overall map of France and the English Channel, as well as one of the Normandy beaches.
There should be a Glossary and it should contain CLE, GFM, OHMS, PIAT (Projectile, Infantry, Anti-Tank), HMSO (His Majesty's Stationary Office), etal.
What is a Tobruk stand?
Every place mentioned should be able to be located on a map. It doesn't have to actually be on a map (but that is best), but it must be able to be clearly located: 5 miles north of ..., next to ..., between ... and ...., etc.
The artwork should have included the No. 36 grenade.
Mentioning 'coup de main' was far too repetitive.

This seemed to be more of a tour guide, than a history. Way too much about current events at the sight. Some of it is quite appropriate, but it is way overdone. Too many current photographs. There have to be good period photographs of a PIAT, etal. There is no data of British or German casualties. There is very little combat information about the actual battle. There had to have been more than killing a couple of guards, using a PIAT against a couple of armored vehicles and boats, and snipers.

I have to admit that I particularly liked the mentioning of "busting for a pee". It was all of that British tea (see my review of "The Bruneval Raid: Operation Biting 1942", by Ken Ford).

It was very well written!
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Flagged
TChesney | 1 other review | Aug 24, 2011 |

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Statistics

Works
47
Also by
4
Members
1,086
Popularity
#23,654
Rating
3.8
Reviews
8
ISBNs
155
Languages
9

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