Military Model Scene

Title: GI Collector's Guide, Vol 1
Author: Henri-Paul Enjames
Publisher: Casemate Publishing
ISBN: 978-1-63624-201-9

A new English language edition from Casemate of this first class reference, first published in French by Histoire & Collections in 2003, this is the first of 2 volumes covering the uniforms, webbing, weapons and other equipment used by the American GI in NW Europe during WW2. A 272-page large format hard-cover book packed with fantastic detail.
As well as the Introduction, which includes US Army organisation charts, the rest is divided over 20 major sections, many of which have additional sub-divisions. I can't tell you all of them, that would be too much, but I can offer a couple of examples. In the opening section on Insignia, these include arm brassards, cloth badges for Army Groups, Infantry Divisions, Non-divisional and Phantom units as well as many metal insignia badges, collar disks, Medals & Decorations. All are illustrated with simple notes and official names for each one. Then there are Uniforms, officers and enlisted, summer, winter, dress, field and fatigues again all illustrated with their official catalogue names and numbers even with their makers labels. I hope that gives an idea of the level of detail, but then go on to add weapons, webbing equipment, Tentage, Sleeping & Bivouac Equipment, Rations, Engineer Equipment, Medical, Signals, printed materials and so much more.
The photos illustrate items from the collections of the author and others, super quality photos and with a level of detail that is ideal for collectors, re-enactors and modellers alike. I particularly like the variation in colours, a subject which so often occupies the discussions among modellers but I think this is a good illustration of the wide variation that existed. Something else which made me think is the huge variety of equipment that supply units and quartermasters had to have access to in order to supply the tens of thousands of soldiers they had to provide for. An amazing reference by itself, but of course there is a second volume to follow.
Thanks to Casemate for our review copy.

Robin