BOOK REVIEW : MOVING THE UNION ARMY.

This is a reprint of a book published privately in 1901 and written by a highly regarded general officer who was responsible for the military railways of the Union during the early years of the Civil War. The career of this man, Herman Haupt, was quite remarkable both before and after the war. The book gives a huge amount of information about the processes employed in using the railways to support Union forces during several battles including Gettysburg. The complex nature of these activities is very illuminating and given that these took place at such an early point in the military use of railways, makes you wonder a lot about what happened later during the First World War for example. A book by someone so employed during that war would be exceedingly interesting.

Several things strike me in this book including how quickly damaged track could be repaired after destruction by Confederate forces, over a mile a day being usual, and reconstruction of bridges which only took hours on most occasions. The sheer quantities of supplies moved is  noticeable, the Confederates often saying that the Union forces wasted more than the Confederates actually used. There are also a number of insights into some of the most prominent Union generals of the time. These reports provide plenty of evidence as to why the Union army performed so poorly during those early years of the war.

The other thing of note is the astonishing level of corruption in both politics and business during the 19th century in the USA. I have read about this before but never realised that election to political office was more or less a passport to corrupt financial gain from businesses for favours. This activity continued for a long time including the first half of the 20th century where there is ample evidence from the Prohibition era and the activities of the Mafia where politicians and judges could  be bought and sold. This book gives plenty of insight into this sort of thing and the potential impact on individuals caught on the wrong side, that is the honest side !!!!!

Overall an excellent book on many levels if a little heavy in places.

UPDATE.

This update is somewhat later than usual. This is because last weekend we had a three day break to Dorset. Typically we chose the weekend with the worst weather this year to date, nevertheless we had a fun time. This past Monday was the start date for the  long planned refurbishment of our three bathrooms.

Unfortunately things did not go to plan and we sacked the plumber, who came highly recommended, on Thursday before he had even completed the cloakroom. It was quite clear his idea of quality finishing did not match ours. It did make us wonder briefly if we were expecting too much but then we decided that for the money we were paying we had a right to the highest standards possible. The search has resumed for someone who can and will give us what we want !!!!!!

With the above in mind there has not been too much done on the modelling front.. I have today completed the batch of 36 limbers and the Infantry battalion mentioned last time is almost finished. I have continued the vehicle and equipment upgrades and have so far processed 251 light GS trailers, 134 ammunition wagons and 230 heavy GS trailers. I am about 80% through the programme I think.

The latest news on my IMAGI-NATIONS map is that all the geographical features have been drafted and national boundaries, cities and other place names are currently being added. I am looking forward to being able to share the map with readers alongside the many articles I have planned on the adventures of my Armies and the nation they represent.

BOOK REVIEW : BLOOD AND SOIL>

Another very cheap new book from The Works. This book is a bit of a puzzle. The author was from South Tyrol, a German enclave in Northern Italy but prior to 1918, a part of Austria. He joined the Wehrmacht in 1940 and was posted to the Brandenbergers. This was a special unit formed of ethnic Germans who had a second language and was used in the early years of the war to dress in enemy uniforms and use captured vehicles to seize bridges and other important facilities in front of the advancing main army to prevent destruction by the defending forces. The author undertook many such operations during the invasions of the Balkans and Russia.  

A great deal of the book is devoted to the author trying to explain his feelings both before and after the war, why he felt the need to volunteer for the Wehrmacht and how he became disenchanted as the war progressed, reasonable I guess for an autobiography but not the most interesting reading to me. However the combat missions are very interestingly described although the timelines can be very confusing. It is clear a great deal of action has been missed out as there are huge gaps in the authors activities over the years. Indeed he was badly wounded  in 1944 fighting against Greek partisans yet there is not a single word about this action, just that he was wounded and by the time he had recovered and then been sent to officer school, the war had came to an end. The translator speculated in her comments that this could be because the fighting against the partisans in Greece was filled with atrocities on both sides and the author did not wish to recount his part in such events. The other disappointing element relates to the translation itself. The lady responsible clearly has no understanding of German military terminology and we therefore see lots of strange references including getting back on the "cars" rather than trucks and references to "pistols" when you know she means submachine guns. 

Overall only a moderately interesting book that is hard going in places and leaves you wondering more about what is not included than what you just read.

UPDATE.

For this weeks update I can report the batch of limbers has been constructed and painting is in progress. Work continues with the various vehicle and equipment upgrades and the Infantry battalion mentioned last week has now been completed, indeed yet another Infantry battalion has just been started. I have at last also updated the organisation charts on Infantry and Heavy Weapons battalions and brigade structures, the re-organisation of which of course prompted the growth in the number of Infantry battalions and the construction of so much new equipment on which I am now engaged.

With regard to my IMAGI-NATIONS map, I can report that the latest draft has been agreed and now includes the mountain ranges and some small tweaks to the coastlines. The next steps will include addition of rivers and other topographical features.

UPDATE>

I can report for this weeks update that the batch of limbers have been built and the wheels primed. The next step will to paint them olive drab. Work continues on upgrading of light GS trailers, ammunition wagons and heavy GS trailers.

The above photo shows the current batch where spare wheels have been added and tilts fitted to the light GS trailers. The new wheels have been primed and the next step is to refinish the olive drab. Additionally yet another new Infantry battalion has been brought close to completion.
On the subject of my IMAGI-NATIONS map, I am pleased to report that the first draft of the coastal outline has been completed and it is perfect. Work in now ongoing on the mountains, rivers and other topographical features and I look forward to seeing another draft soon.

BOOK REVIEW : THE COMPLETE GUIDE TO BLACKSMITHING.

This book is a recent purchase for me and  is a reprint of a German book translated into English and published in the USA in 1901. Written by a professor at the Dresden Veterinary School, apparently the premiere such establishment in the world at the time. The main topic is horse shoeing but there are good articles on wagon building and painting and even the tools needed for blacksmithing. Clearly very niche subject matter but of interest to me in understanding this important element of horsemastership and the implications on military logistics of the humble horseshoe. Recommended if you need a detailed understanding of this topic or indeed if you really wish to appreciate the logistical issues facing generals of the horse transport era in your wargaming !!!!!