Military Model Scene

Title: The Complete Knight's Cross Vol 2
Author: Kevin Brazier
Publisher: Fonthill Media
ISBN: 978-1-78155-782-2

The Years of Stalemate 1942-1943, the second volume of this catalogue of those awarded the coveted Knight's Cross during WW2. A 591-page hardcover book, though also available as an e-book.
A hefty book which lists all the recipients of the Knight's Cross over the period of 1942/43. It is the second of a planned series of 3 books which will provide a complete reference to the recipients of the Knight's Cross. A total of 7,364 were awarded, and this second volume lists numbers 1268-3685, all in the order in which they were awarded. It provides the details of name, rank and reason for the award, along with when/where they died/ were buried, if known. Some entries have more to them than others, depending on just how much information was available. A follow-on from the earlier 'Blue Max', which could only be awarded to officers, the Knight's Cross could be awarded regardless of rank. Some were due to a particular act of bravery, or it could have been because of a career or series of actions which were deemed worthy of the award. Many of the names will be unknown to most of us, but not all. Just to select one example, the most decorated man in Germany, Oberleutnant Hans-Ulrich Rudel, the 'Eagle of the Russian Front'. The records do also include those who won the extra recognition of higher awards of Oak Leaves, Swords and Diamonds.
This isn't a book I would read from start to finish but it is a first class reference to keep on hand. The author has done an impressive job of collating all the information to be found in here, as well as the useful background and notes in his introduction which supports the work as a whole. The third and final volume will cover the final years of the war , The Years of Defeat, awards 3686-7364,
Thanks to Fonthill Media for the review copy.

Robin