• A compelling story of the German Home GuardFeatures first hand combat reports and over 150 previously unpublished photographs

A companion volume to the very successful In a Raging Inferno - Combat Units of the Hitler Youth, Hans Kissel's study offers a highly detailed account of the German Volkssturm, or Home Guard.

Formed from men unfit for military service, the young, and the old, this ad-hoc formation saw extensive combat during the desperate defence of the Reich, 1944-45.

The author describes the Volkssturm's training, leadership, organisation, armament and equipment, in addition to its active service on both the Eastern and Western fronts. The text is supported by an extensive selection of appendices, including translations of documents and many fascinating eyewitness combat reports.

This edition also includes over 150 previously unpublished b/w photos, and 4 pages of specially commissioned colour uniform plates by Stephen Andrew.

REVIEWS

A large format account of the German Home Guard, the Volkssturm, written by the man who ran it until his demise.
Windscreen

.... an invaluable source for military historians and wargamers interested in these last ditch formations.... there is a terrible poignancy, especially in the photographs, in this story of hopeless resistance that an evil regime demanded of its patriotic population.
Military Illustrated

It's actually a fascinating production and the book makes valid use of screen grabs from cine-footage from the last days of the war along with some interesting and occasionally unusual still-photos...
Model Magazine International