Assault on Normandy: Gold Beach: Battle for the Beachhead

Pegasus Archive review: This is the second of two DVD's on Gold Beach; the first dealt with the assault by the 50th (Northumbrian) Division, and this second describes their subsequent advances inland to secure the beachhead. It is presented with the usual authority, accuracy and attention to detail that we have come to expect from Battlefield History TV, with a number of expert historians walking the ground and describing events as they unfolded, using photographs, archive footage and individual stories to bring these actions to life. The advance involved four infantry brigades with individual battalions within those and a range of supporting arms fighting a series of private actions across a broad area. It is therefore a considerable challenge to describe the progress of the battle without matters descending into a degree of confusion, but frequent references to annotated maps and aerial photographs does much to negate this. Included amongst the famous actions which took place on D-Day and D+1 are the attacks on Crepon, Point 54 and Le Hamel, before the final objectives were reached in Arromanches, Port-en-Bessin and Bayeux, thus completing the vital link-up with the Americans on Omaha and securing the beachhead for the expansion of the Normandy campaign. Price: £12.99. Copies may be purchased from Amazon or http://www.pen-and-sword.co.uk/Assault-on-Normandy-Gold-Beach/p/3753

Assault on Normandy: Pegasus Bridge

This DVD charts the slow development of British airborne forces and the directive given by Churchill in June 1940 to form both the Parachute Regiment and the glider airlanding brigades. We follow the plan to capture the two bridges over the canal and river between Caen and the sea from the germ of an idea, through preparations to its delivery as one of the most successful small unit actions of all time, in the opening hours of D-Day. The DVD is split into four parts and each concentrate on a particular phase of the D-Day fighting: First are the gliders and their pilots who delivered the force, against all odds, in a poor weather and darkness to the bridges. The surprise and pin-point accuracy they achieved contributed significantly to success of the operation. Next to be investigated is the thoroughly prepared and highly successful coup de main assault by Major John Howard's Company of Ox & Bucks Light Infantry on the two bridges. After a badly scattered drop, Colonel Pine Coffin’s 7 Para Battalion, only a fraction of its strength, arrived to relieve the Ox & Bucks and fought an equally epic battle against the growing strength of 21st Panzer Division until they in turn were relieved on the evening of D-Day when ground troops finally arrived from the beaches. The famous Café Gondree is also included on the DVD. Indisputably the first house in occupied France to be liberated by the invading Allies, it was central to the story of Pegasus Bridge, its capture and holding. The family Gondree for their willing help and fortitude have over the years, become as much a part of all elements of Airborne Forces as the red beret! Copies may be purchased from Amazon or http://www.pen-and-sword.co.uk/?product_id=2432

Assault on Normandy: Pointe du Hoc

Pegasus Archive review: Continuing the tradition of superb documentaries from Battlefield History TV, this one devotes an impressive 90 minutes to studying the classic assault on the Pointe du Hoc battery by American Rangers on D-Day. It includes an overview of the formation and training of the Rangers, their equipment, and the special tactics which they employed in the assault to scale the perilous cliff face. A good analysis is made of the battery position as it appears today, with historians walking around the general area to give a very clear impression of the importance of the site and the types of defensive measures which were in place around it. As well as presenting a thorough narrative on the assault and capture of the position, it also describes the landing of the 5th Rangers on Omaha Beach, the capture of the WN-73 feature, and the lesser known defence of Pointe du Hoc for the three days that it took reinforcements to reach and relieve the tired, much-depleted and hard-pressed garrison. Price: £12.99. Copies may be purchased from Amazon or http://www.pen-and-sword.co.uk/Assault-on-Normandy-Pointe-du-Hoc/p/4118

Assault on Normandy: Sword Beach

Pegasus Archive review: Another superior documentary from Battlefield History TV, detailing the various aspects of the operations on Sword Beach on D-Day; the assault landing by the 8th Infantry Brigade, the efforts of the Commandos of the 1st Special Service Brigade to capture Ouistreham and link up with the 6th Airborne Division, the attack on the "Hillman" strong-point by the 1st Suffolks, and the battles fought with the 21st Panzer Division during the advance on Caen. Two hours are devoted to these topics, with a range of historians, very well versed in their subjects, walking the battlefield and meticulously explaining each phase as it unfolded. Price: £13.59. Copies may be purchased from Amazon or http://www.pen-and-sword.co.uk/Sword-Beach-Assault-on-Normandy/p/3406/

Barbed Wire

The father of filmmaker Bob Entrop passed the years between 1943 and 1945 as prisoner of war in the prison camps of Altengrabow and Muhlberg a/d Elbe. He wrote a book about this experience, called Prikkeldraad (Barbed Wire). He belonged to the large group of soldiers who in 1943 were given the choice to report themselves voluntarily or to go into hiding. Now, 65 years later, six men between 90 and 96 years of age speak up, for the first time, about their experiences as prisoners of war and why they reported themselves voluntarily, richly illustrated with unique visual material and shots of the former prison camps. In his search, the filmmaker discovers that these soldiers were not received with open arms on their return and that this cool reception was the reason that they have never talked about that time before. See www.solfilmprodukties.nl for more information.

Battle for Eben Emael - Part 1: Planning & Preparation and Part 2: The Lightning Assault & Battle

Pegasus Archive review: An excellent account on two separate DVD's which describe the brilliantly successful capture of the Eben Emael fortress and the bridges along the Albert Canal in Belgium by a small number of German paratroopers on the 10th May 1940. Several veterans of the assault recount their experiences in some detail, and these, coupled with rare and quite wonderful footage of the Fallschirmjäger in action, paint a vivid picture of a raid which has gone down in history as the first truly successful airborne operation, and one which shocked the world at the devastating impact that a small number of specially trained parachutists could have on a battlefield. Price: £13.59 each. Copies may be purchased from Amazon or http://www.pen-and-sword.co.uk/Battle-for-Eben-Emael/p/3247/ and Amazon or http://www.pen-and-sword.co.uk/Battle-for-Eben-Emael/p/3248/

Battle in the Atlantic

Pegasus Archive review: Rare and excellent footage of warships of all types involved in the struggle for domination of the Atlantic, from the East Coast of America to the paths taken by the Arctic Convoys on their way to Murmansk. The initial probes of German battleships and the efforts which eventually silenced their great threat are documented, but the main thrust of the narrative is, as it must be, concerned with the U-Boat campaign which brought so many German successes until improved Allied technology and strategy gradually eliminated their menace from the ocean. Price: £13.59. Copies may be purchased from Amazon or http://www.pen-and-sword.co.uk/battle-in-the-atlantic-dvd/p/3209/

Battle of the Bulge: Kampfgruppe Peiper

Pegasus Archive review: Another outstanding documentary from the Battlefield History TV team, following the efforts in the last days of 1944 by Jochen Peiper's 1st Panzer Regiment of the 1st "Leibstandarte" SS Panzer Division, to break through the Allied lines in the northern sector of the Ardennes. The excellently informed historians first describe the state of this much reconstituted, fully staffed but in materiel understrength Division, and with the assistance of maps, photographs, archive footage and re-enactors, vividly bring to life the story of their advance. By walking the ground and describing the key phases, they reveal how the Leibstandarte attempted to make rapid progress but were continually hampered by poor roads, blown bridges, and ever stiffening resistance, and show how this frustration culminated in the Malmedy Massacre where almost one hundred American prisoners of war were murdered. The main focus of the narrative, however, is concerned with the Division's spearhead and their constant struggle to maintain the momentum of the advance until brought to a halt by insurmountable opposition and a shortage of fuel. With the offensive at an end, Peiper and his men abandoned their tanks and smuggled themselves through the American lines to rejoin the rest of the Division. Price: £16.99. Copies may be purchased from Amazon or https://www.pen-and-sword.co.uk/Battle-of-the-Bulge-Kampfgruppe-Peiper-DVD/p/10529

Bruneval Raid: Operation Biting

Pegasus Archive review: A superb account of the famous raid by the fledging Parachute Regiment. A number of very well informed historians describe not only the birth of Britain's airborne capability and its state in February 1942, but they also provide considerable background information to the development of the radar technology which the raiders were to steal. With this stage set, they walk the ground around Bruneval to describe each phase of the action as it unfolded, from the landing of Major John Frost's "C" Company, 2nd Parachute Battalion, to the capture of the radar equipment, the withdrawal to the beach and their troubled evacuation to Britain, where they were greeted with considerable acclaim. Price: £13.59. Copies may be purchased from Amazon or http://www.pen-and-sword.co.uk/Bruneval-Raid-Operation-Biting/p/3523/

Celts & Teutons

Pegasus Archive review: A most interesting overview of the appearance and evolution of megalithic monuments across northern Europe, offering explanations for their emergence and theories on their purpose. This is a German language DVD, happily with the option of an English soundtrack, and though there is a heavy slant towards the Germanic perspective, the monuments of the British Isles feature strongly and many fine examples, not always the famous ones with which we are familiar, are discussed. Price: £11.99. Copies may be purchased from Amazon or http://www.pen-and-sword.co.uk/Celts-amp-Teutons-DVD/p/2944/

Defensive Battles on the Western Front

Pegasus Archive review: Outstanding footage of all arms of the German war machine in action, grouped under the most broad subject of defensive operations in the west from 1942 to 1945. It begins with the formation of the Atlantic Wall, including detailed film of bunkers, artillery emplacements and fortress systems under construction along the entire coastline of German-occupied Europe. The successful break-through of the straits of Dover by the battleships Scharnhorst, Gneisenau and Prinz Eugen is covered, as is the ill-fated Dieppe Raid of 1942, when Canadian troops were met by an alerted and fully prepared defence. The strength of the Atlantic Wall was not to be properly tested, however, until the Normandy landings in June 1944, when it was swiftly overrun by the Allies. Thereafter, the documentary focuses on a series of defensive actions carried out by the Wehrmacht from France to the German border, culminating in their failed offensive through the Ardennes in December 1944. Price: £13.59. Copies may be purchased from Amazon or http://www.pen-and-sword.co.uk/defensive-battles-on-the-western-front/p/3331/

Fallschirmjäger & Panzers Attack

Pegasus Archive review: Newsreel and archive footage describing the German perspective of the Battle of France in 1940, beginning with their preparations for the offensive, including some rare and fascinating footage of paratroopers on the ground, practicing their exit drills and landing techniques. The film of the attack itself largely follows the progress of the infantry and tanks on their rapid advance through France, but it also shows artillery of all calibres in action, from light, horse-drawn models to heavy, train-mounted guns. With the defeat of France, the film ends with extensive footage of the military parade through Paris and the signing of the surrender at Compiègne. Price: £13.59. Copies may be purchased from Amazon or http://www.pen-and-sword.co.uk/fallschirmjager-panzers-attack/p/3311/

German Army in Normandy: 1st Leibstandarte Adolf Hitler SS Panzer Division

Pegasus Archive review: A superior documentary describing the actions of the 1st SS Panzer Division in Normandy. It begins by exploring the origins of the SS and follows the evolution of the Leibstandarte from a ceremonial bodyguard to an elite force which participated in numerous campaigns, including several spells on the Eastern Front. Stationed in the Pas-de-Calais and dogged by air attacks, it was not until the 24th June that the Division was able to enter the Normandy battle, being committed piecemeal against the British and Canadians around Caen. As with all Battlefield History TV documentaries, a number of superbly informed historians walk the ground and explain key moments in the brutal fighting, which initially took the form of German counter-attacks and then a series of grim defensive battles as they struggled to contain the Allies. Included amongst these is a very detailed account of Operation Goodwood and the Division's role in halting the offensive of three British armoured divisions, and the Leibstandarte's ill-fated attempt to cut-off the American break-through in the West, culminating in the horrors of the Falaise Gap from which they narrowly escaped. Price: £12.99. Copies may be purchased from Amazon or http://www.pen-and-sword.co.uk/1st-Leibstandarte-Adolf-Hitler-SS-Panzer-Division-DVD/p/3454

German Army in Normandy: 6th Fallschirmjaeger

Pegasus Archive review: Another superb documentary from the Battlefield History TV team, focusing on the impressive performance of the 6th Fallschirmjaeger Regiment in Normandy. It begins by examining the formation of Germany's airborne troops and their experience in Crete, Russia and Italy, paying close attention to their highly capable and chivalrous commander, whose impact on their training cannot be understated. The movements of the Regiment on D-Day are superbly described, from the unsuccessful counter-attack against the 101st Airborne Division to the disastrous withdrawal to St Come du Mont where one battalion was destroyed. Driven back to Carentan, a pivotal town dominating the flooded ground between the Omaha and Utah beaches, the heavily outnumbered paratroopers fought a series of skilful and brutal engagements which imposed a serious delay on the American advance. Surrounded and out of ammunition, the "Lions of Carentan" were eventually compelled to break out and take their place in the front line, fighting a number of brilliant defensive and counter-attacking actions until, the German front line being broken to their east, they narrowly escaped again to regroup deeper inside France, having lost all but a few dozen of the 4,000 men who started the campaign. Price: £16.99. Copies may be purchased from Amazon or http://www.pen-and-sword.co.uk/The-Germans-in-Normandy-6th-Fallschirmjaeger-DVD/p/4163

German Army in Normandy: 12th Hitlerjugend Panzer Division

Pegasus Archive review: A quite brilliant account of the young soldiers of the Hitler Youth who were formed into this most feared, notorious, highly skilled and motivated of SS Panzer Divisions. Moved to the Normandy sector before D-Day and initially tasked with counter-attacking the Canadian sector, they fought with a reckless determination to contain the Allies in their beachheads, and, having been in continuous action throughout almost the entire campaign, they perhaps did more than any other formation to frustrate Montgomery's efforts to breakout. The DVD is very balanced in its narrative, describing several atrocities perpetrated by the Division whilst also giving full credit to their remarkable fighting ability. An almost day by day account of the Division's activities is presented, which, coupled with guided tours of the actual battlefields, most vividly describes their part in the defence of Normandy. Highly recommended. Price: £13.59. Copies may be purchased from Amazon or http://www.pen-and-sword.co.uk/The-German-Army-in-Normandy/p/3308/

German Fighter Squadrons

Pegasus Archive review: An excellent film assessing the strengths and weaknesses of German air power, as was demonstrated during various campaigns, as well as the importance of air supremacy and precision tactical bombing. The great strength of this documentary, however, lies in the abundance of rare and superb archive footage of aircraft in action, both Axis and Allied, which is played throughout almost the entire duration of the DVD. Innumerable examples of bombing, strafing and aerial combat are included. Price: £11.99. Copies may be purchased from Amazon or http://www.pen-and-sword.co.uk/German-Fighter-Squadrons-DVD/p/3151/

German Fighting Tanks

Pegasus Archive review: A splendid documentary tracing the development of Germany's armoured capability from the experimental pre-war era to the use of Panther and Tiger tanks in the last years of the Reich. The narrative occasionally wanders away from its topic to express some opinions on history which might be considered to be heavily slanted at best, but this should not be allowed to detract from what is an excellent film which, almost throughout its entire duration, is composed of rare and impressive footage of German tanks on exercises and in action. Price: £11.99. Copies may be purchased from Amazon or http://www.pen-and-sword.co.uk/German-Fighting-Tanks-DVD/p/3152/

German U-Boats

Pegasus Archive review: German U-Boats follows the course of the Battle of the Atlantic, particularly in the area of the Arctic Convoys sailing for Murmansk, and the struggle by both sides to develop the technologies and tactics which were to decide its outcome. The DVD is composed throughout of rare and excellent archive footage of German submariners in action, fascinating to watch. Price: £11.99. Copies may be purchased from Amazon or http://www.pen-and-sword.co.uk/German-U-Boats-DVD/p/3153/

Germany at War: Allied Bombers over the Reich

Pegasus Archive review: Presented in two parts, this absorbing documentary draws heavily upon German and some Allied newsreel footage complete with their naturally biased commentators. Included is some superb footage of the German anti-aircraft defences in action with remarkable scenes of aerial combat between the fighters and the bomber streams, and also film showing the considerable damage which was done to their targets. Price: £11.99. Copies may be purchased from Amazon or http://www.pen-and-sword.co.uk/Germany-At-War-Allied-Bombers-Over-the-Reich-DVD/p/3166/

Germany at War: Prussia & Berlin up to 1945

Pegasus Archive review: This DVD of unique archive footage, presented with an almost complete absence of dialogue, has been separated into two distinct parts. The first explores the cultural and architectural development of Prussia and Berlin through the medium of rare footage of the 1920's and 30's. Although the scenes are arranged in no obvious pattern, they are nevertheless most intriguing for their depictions of ordinary Berliners going about their daily business, featuring clips from parks to palaces, and fishmongers to circus acrobats and orchestras. The second film shows extensive footage of the Wehrmacht's spectacular parade through Berlin in April 1939, on the occasion of Adolf Hitler's 50's birthday. A singular subject to be sure, but fascinating for the sheer quantity of equipment on display. Price: £11.99. Copies may be purchased from Amazon or http://www.pen-and-sword.co.uk/Germany-At-War-Prussia-and-Berlin-up-to-1945/p/3168/

The Glider Pilot Regiment

Pegasus Archive review: A quite magnificent account of the history of the Glider Pilot Regiment, beginning with its conception and the training of its personnel, then operations in Sicily, Normandy, Arnhem, the Rhine Crossing, the Far East, and ending with its disbandment after so short a life. Interviews with veterans and an authoritative narrative make for a most informative documentary which is far above the level of what one might expect from television. Highly recommended to anyone with an interest in airborne warfare. Price: £15.99. Copies may be purchased from Amazon or http://www.pen-and-sword.co.uk/The-Glider-Pilot-Regiment-DVD/p/2568/

Guderian's Tanks

Pegasus Archive review: A splendid two-disc DVD set focusing on the career of Heinz Guderian, whose inspired vision masterminded the creation and expansion of Germany's tank arm, and established the strategic principles that they would follow to great effect in battle. Yet this is more so the story of the panzers themselves, from the days of pre-war testing to those models which saw extensive service on the Eastern Front, culminating in the much feared Panther and King Tiger tanks. Accompanying the main feature are three bonus documentaries and numerous photo galleries. Price: £17.59. Copies may be purchased from Amazon or http://www.pen-and-sword.co.uk/Guderians-Tanks/p/3210/

Hitler's War Machine: Afrika Korps 1941-1942

Pegasus Archive review: A DVD of original German newsreel footage as it would have been broadcast to the public at the time, showing the arrival and parading of the Afrika Korps in Tripoli and their subsequent advance on Tobruk. As one would expect the commentary is very biased and makes for an interesting study in propaganda, particularly in its repeated attempts to portray Britain's colonial troops as sacrificial pawns. The film footage often focuses on artillery exchanges and the advance of motorised columns, but in between are segments which cover a very broad range of aspects of life in the desert, including anti-aircraft and anti-tank guns in action, the work of medical staff, signallers, the typical daily routine of any German soldier, and the unloading and stockpiling of stores in supply dumps. It also follows the arrival of these stores from Europe in the heavily protected convoys which were repeatedly attacked by the Royal Navy, and includes some superb footage of the Luftwaffe engaging the RAF and strafing British tanks. Price: £9.99. Copies may be purchased from Amazon or https://www.pen-and-sword.co.uk/Afrika-Korps-1941-1942-DVD/p/3694

Hitler's War Machine: Afrika Korps 1942-1943

Pegasus Archive review: Consisting throughout of original German newsreel footage, this DVD follows the Afrika Korps and their Italian allies during the advance on Egypt in late 1942, and subsequent retreat into Tunisia during the following year. It begins with their great success at Gazala, using maps to explain the progress of the campaign and the defences encountered, and goes on to look at the fall of Tobruk and the retreat from El Alamein. Complete with its original, enormously biased commentary, it also makes for an interesting study in propaganda; with triumphant marching music, seemingly easy victories and doubtlessly satisfying columns of British prisoners, it proceeds with a great fanfare when the Afrika Korps was winning but is not so forthcoming during their retreat and ultimate eviction from the continent. There are several scenes of infantry and armour advancing through British artillery fire, but most of the action naturally takes place in the rear areas, around anti-tank weapons and artillery, but also shows reinforcements being flown to North Africa in Ju 52's, and supplies of all types being ferried across the Mediterranean, amongst which there is some simply stunning footage of British torpedo bombers attacking the convoys at close range. Price: £9.99. Copies may be purchased from Amazon or www.pen-and-sword.co.uk/Afrika-Korps-1942-1943-DVD/p/3764

Hitler's War Machine: The Finnish Front: 1941-1944

Pegasus Archive review: The fighting that took place in Finland is one of the more obscure aspects of the Second World War. Beginning with the Winter War of 1939-40, and then the Finnish involvement in the subsequent German invasion of Russia, this DVD gives a gripping insight into these events and may also be used as a study in propaganda, as it consists entirely of German newsreel footage complete with its original and naturally very biased commentary. The five-minute episodes document periods throughout the three-year campaign, and as such encompass a very broad spectrum of events, covering everything from the construction of log roads in the arctic and the transport of supplies to the front, be it by ship, truck or reindeer, to a miscellany of action scenes, including German artillery, machine gun and mortar teams in combat, patrols by Finnish ski troops, and Luftwaffe fighters intercepting Russian bombers. Some episodes are dedicated to specific events, including the attacks on Salla, Suursaari Island and Petroskoi, the funeral of General Dietl, and Hitler's visit to Marshal Mannerheim. Price: £9.99. Copies may be purchased from Amazon or http://www.pen-and-sword.co.uk/The-Finnish-Front-1941-1944-DVD/p/7427

Hitler's War Machine: The Siege of Leningrad 1941-1944

Pegasus Archive review: The 900-day siege of Leningrad was one of the great titanic struggles of the Second World War, admirably documented in this DVD which consists throughout of German newsreel footage complete with its original, very biased commentary. The recurring anti-Communist overtones and attempts to make light of the dreadful winter conditions make for an interesting study in wartime propaganda alone. The footage, however, is entirely real and encompasses an extremely broad range of activities. In the rear areas, these include the repair of damaged bridges, delivery of supplies by railway, anti-partisan patrols, and the appalling struggle against the mud roads which followed the autumn rains and the spring thaw. On the front line there is the usual footage of artillery, mortar and machine gun teams in action, but also of bombing raids, infantry fighting off repeated Russian counter-attacks, and what must be rare scenes of the Dutch Waffen SS in action. Price: £9.99. Copies may be purchased from Amazon or http://www.pen-and-sword.co.uk/The-Siege-of-Leningrad-DVD/p/6279

Hitler's War Machine: The War in Italy

Pegasus Archive review: A quite marvellous collection of German newsreel footage documenting the Italian campaign. It begins with the Fallschirmjager, who play a prominent role throughout the subsequent reels, parachuting into Sicily and participating in several skirmishes before Axis forces are withdrawn from the island, and included is some superb footage of Allied bombing raids on shipping exiting Messina. Switching to mainland Italy, the newsreels cover reinforcements of all types arriving from the North and initial resistance to the Allied landings at Salerno in the South. Several peripheral actions are documented, including extensive coverage of the freeing of Mussolini, before the film looks at the preparation of and fighting around the numerous defensive lines which typified German tactics in Italy, culminating in considerable footage of the struggle around Monte Cassino. Although the camera is naturally often in the rear areas, where there is a heavy emphasis on artillery and flak defences, it does frequently wander forward to show the Fallschirmjager in action, and gives an impressive sense of the severity of the fighting which took place. The newsreels are accompanied by their original commentary, translated into English on captions, and although naturally biased it is not excessively so and gives a valuable insight into wartime propaganda. Price: £9.99. Copies may be purchased from Amazon or http://www.pen-and-sword.co.uk/The-War-in-Italy/p/6033

Last Boat to Normandy

Pegasus Archive review: This DVD follows a group of veterans, including a large number who served with the 6th Airborne Division, making what may well be their final pilgrimage to the battlefields of Normandy. Each gives a vivid, sobering and gripping account of his experiences on the 6th June 1944. Price: £12.00. Copies may be purchased from Amazon or http://www.pen-and-sword.co.uk/Last-Boat-To-Normandy/p/3023/

Operation Market Garden - Arnhem: The Battle for the Bridges

Pegasus Archive review: Part of a series of films examining various aspects of Operation Market Garden, this superb DVD follows the efforts of the 1st Parachute Brigade to reach Arnhem Bridge and the famous battle fought to defend it. There have been any number of documentaries which have chosen this same and perhaps overly familiar subject, yet this one is in a league far above them as it devotes two hours to this one aspect of the battle and as such is packed with detail. Coupled with interviews of veterans and the insights of a group of highly knowledgeable historians, who walk the ground around Arnhem and explain each phase of the battle as it unfolded, the result is a most authoritative account that will not disappoint even those who have a very thorough understanding of the battle. Price: £15.99. Copies may be purchased from Amazon or http://www.pen-and-sword.co.uk/Arnhem-The-Battle-for-the-Bridges/p/3490/

Operation Market Garden - Arnhem: The Battle of the Woods

Pegasus Archive review: A part of the superb Operation Market Garden series, which is surely the definitive DVD study of the ill-fated campaign. This episode follows the progress of the 4th Parachute Brigade during the first three days of their part in the battle, from the heavily opposed landing on Ginkel Heath and the failed attempt to reach their objectives by breaking through the strong and well-prepared German defences, to the desperate fighting which took place in the woods to the west of Oosterbeek as the shattered remnants of the Brigade attempted to reach the comparative safety of the Divisional Perimeter. As with all Battlefield History TV programmes, a group of highly knowledgeable historians walk the battlefield and, with the assistance of several veterans, discuss each phase of the Brigade's movements. Price: £12.79. Copies may be purchased from Amazon or http://www.pen-and-sword.co.uk/arnhem-battle-of-the-woods/p/3495/

Operation Market Garden - Arnhem: The Battle for the Oosterbeek Perimeter

Pegasus Archive review: A part of the superb Operation Market Garden series, this episode charts the gradual formation of the Oosterbeek Perimeter by the 1st Airborne Division, from Tuesday 19th to Friday 22nd September. It starts by summarising the withdrawal, thoroughly described in previous chapters, of the threadbare elements of the 1st and 4th Parachute Brigades, and looks in detail at the key engagements of the first few days at Oosterbeek, particularly around the critical Westerbouwing Heights and Lonsdale Force areas. In the process it draws attention to the command and control problems, not just the well-documented ones of the British, but the lesser known German difficulties as well. Moving further afield, the courageous efforts of the RAF to drop supplies are included, as is the landing of the Polish Brigade at Driel and the attempts of XXX Corps to reach them as they advanced beyond the Nijmegen bridgehead against increasingly stubborn resistance. As with all Battlefield History TV documentaries, highly informed historians walk the ground and, with the assistance of several veterans, re-enactors and archive footage, discuss each phase of the Battle as it unfolded, all of which helps to give a vivid sense of the ferocious, close-quarters fighting which took place. Price: £12.99. Copies may be purchased from Amazon or http://www.pen-and-sword.co.uk/Arnhem-Battle-of-the-Oosterbeek-Perimeter-Market-Garden-Collection-DVD/p/3467

Operation Market Garden - Hell's Highway

Pegasus Archive review: A part of the superb Operation Market Garden series, providing what is surely the definitive DVD study of the battle. The fighting which took place at Arnhem has been very well documented over the years, but the events further down the airborne corridor have received markedly less attention. This DVD is solely concerned with the efforts of the 101st US Airborne Division to capture their numerous objectives around Eindhoven, and, after the 2nd British Army arrived, the difficult and crucial fighting which developed for control of "Hell's Highway", as repeated German counter-attacks threatened to cut this single road to Arnhem. As with all Battlefield History TV documentaries, an authoritative narrative combined with the insights of historians and veterans results in a most impressive and comprehensive study of all the major engagements. Price: £13.59. Copies may be purchased from Amazon or http://www.pen-and-sword.co.uk/Hells-Highway-Market-Garden-Collection/p/3405/

Operation Market Garden - Nijmegen

Pegasus Archive review: A part of the superb Operation Market Garden series, which is surely the definitive DVD study of the battle. The Battle of Arnhem usually overshadows all discussions of Market Garden, yet it was the fiercely contested fighting for control of Nijmegen which became the decisive factor in its outcome. The 82nd US Airborne Division were assigned the most complex tasks of the three airborne divisions involved, with orders to take Nijmegen, its vital road bridge and a plethora of other significant objectives scattered across the wider area. In this splendid DVD, historians walk the ground and explain each phase of the battle as it unfolded, from the landings on the Groesbeek Heights and the successful capture of Grave Bridge to the struggle by the Americans and Grenadier Guards to secure Nijmegen, culminating in the famous assault crossing of the River Waal by the 3rd Battalion 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment; an action which was universally acclaimed by observers as the most remarkable and courageous that they had witnessed. Highly recommended. Price: £13.59. Copies may be purchased from Amazon or http://www.pen-and-sword.co.uk/nijmegen/p/3549/

Panzer Battles on the Eastern Front

Pegasus Archive review: A captivating documentary describing the desperate efforts of the Wehrmacht to contain the irresistible weight of the Red Army during the final twelve months of the war. Remarkable archive footage, often played with a translation of the original and somewhat optimistic propaganda narrative, shows German troops in action on all sectors of the front, including attacks by the remnants of the Luftwaffe and the efforts of the Kriegsmarine to ferry supplies to the forward positions and evacuate stranded civilians and troops. Price: £13.59. Copies may be purchased from Amazon or http://www.pen-and-sword.co.uk/Panzer-Battles/p/3332/

Panzer Battles on the Western Front

Pegasus Archive review: More accurately described by its subtitle, Battles on the Western Front 1939-1941, this excellent documentary details the German perspective on the Phoney War, the Battle of France and the stalemate which followed on either side of the English Channel. The narrative itself is not remarkable, but as with all History Films productions, its true value lies in the superb range of rare archive footage on display, which in this instance draws on a considerable array of film from both sides of the West Wall and the Maginot Line, painting a riveting picture of events as they unfolded. Price: £13.59. Copies may be purchased from Amazon or http://www.pen-and-sword.co.uk/Panzer-Battles-on-the-Western-Front/p/3330/

Sea Warfare in the North Atlantic

Pegasus Archive review: Wonderful footage taken from both sides of the Battle of the Atlantic. Featuring battleships, aircraft carriers, cruisers, destroyers, transports and U-Boats in action, this documentary describes the course of this most decisive of battles from 1939 to 1944, outlining the strategic difficulties faced by the Kriegsmarine in the initial phases, the tactics which they then developed to inflict terrible damage on the convoys, and, ultimately, the technologies and practices adopted by the Allies which turned the tide against the U-Boats; making the hunters the hunted. Price: £13.59. Copies may be purchased from Amazon or http://www.pen-and-sword.co.uk/Sea-Warfare/p/3266/

What Hitler's Butler Said

Pegasus Archive review: Karl Wilhelm Krause served as Adolf Hitler's personal valet from 1934 to 1943, and was, therefore, in a unique position to observe, not just the man himself, but also the inner workings of the Third Reich. The first disc of this volume mixes archive film and photographs with an interview of Krause, in which he vividly describes the man whom he served; his strengths, frailties and peculiarities, as well as the quite unfamiliar human side of the monster. In this respect it is an important historical document as few others were so privileged to have such intimate access to the most notorious man of the 20th Century. The second disc consists of a brief documentary about the life of Hitler, extensive footage of the impressive military parade through Berlin in 1939, as well as numerous photo galleries. Price: £17.59. Copies may be purchased from Amazon or http://www.pen-and-sword.co.uk/What-Hitlers-Butler-Said/p/3613/