Military Model Scene

Title: Gothic Line 1944-45
Author: Thomas McKelvey Cleaver
Publisher: Osprey
ISBN: 978-1-4728-5341-7

'The USAAF starves out the German Army', number 31 in the Air Campaign series from Osprey. A 96-page soft cover book, with artwork by Anastasios Polychronis.
I think this is a story that is largely overlooked, as other events during the closing stages of WW2 have overshadowed it. The Introduction explains how the German forces in Italy were able to gradually retreat northwards, until they reached the defensive positions of the Gothic Line. These were intended to defend the southern route into Germany for the Allies. Following an introduction which sets the scene there are interesting sections on the capabilities of both the Allied attackers and German defenders. Then the objectives of both parties in fighting this particular campaign in these final stages of the war in Europe. While the Gothic line held out against ground attacks, they relied on re-supply from Germany, which relied heavily on the ability of rail transport across the alps to keep them going. The campaign itself is then examined in detail. Archive photos, maps and artwork all help illustrate the main text. It largely involves not the heavy bombers this time, but more the mediums, in this case especially the B-25 Mitchell. Attacks went in on railway bridges and marshalling yards while the Brenner Pass was a particular target. They suffered losses from the enemy, especially flak, and others to the weather.
Victory came to the Allies as we know. One element included in the final section, Aftermath, is a reference to the film Catch 22 which I found an interesting extra to reading a detailed account of a campaign I hadn't really known about before. Well worth reading.
Thanks to Osprey for our review copy.

Robin