By Henri-Paul Enjames Publisher:
Histoire & Collections ISBN: 978-2-35250-079-7 I'm
sure that all of you either own, or at least know of Government Issue: U.S.
Army European Theater of Operations Collectors Guide, Volume 1. It was an
amazing piece of work, an obvious labor of love, and one of the most useful reference
books ever published on the subject. It is almost "required reading"
is you are attempting just about any aspect of modeling U.S. Army troops, in a
European country, at any time during World War II. Now, we have Government
Issue: US Army European Theater of Operations Collectors Guide, Volume II.
This is also by Henri-Paul Enjames, and also published by Histoire & Collections.
That's where the similarities end. While the first volume contained just about
anything and everything that your basic Army soldier would need, use or be issued,
the second volume, in my opinion, falls flat. Don't
get me wrong, the book is useful, to an extent. It does contain a nice order of
battle for infantry, armored and airborne divisions. But, beyond that, it goes
into areas that most, if any, of us modelers would seldom need or have an interest
in. It was said that after the first volume was published, that many collectors
and even veterans, sent mail discussing what wasn't in the book, hence
Volume 2, said to contain everything that not included in the first. Well, there's
a reason for that. It's not that interesting! Very
little is included as to combat troops. Sure, there are a picture or two, with
the appropriate description, of some combat gear, a jacket or set of boots, or
the assault vests made famous in Saving Private Ryan. There is a section
on small arms and crew served weapons also, but this consists of an M1 Garand,
a Thompson submachine gun, and a Browning .30 cal. MG on a tripod, all things
covered in greater depth in Volume 1. A majority of the book covers training
camp items, gas protection equipment, POW items, and a section on WACs. You may
want to buy the book simply to see what slips and nylon panties issued to WACs
looked like in the 1940s. There's a large section devoted to publications, both
Army and civilian. Also included is the somewhat useful selection on U.S. Army
Rations. But I think the largest section in on U.S. Army Chaplains. Considering
everything that was in the first volume, the second volume should have been titled
An Afterthought to U.S. Army Gear. And
price will become a consideration to us all as well. I purchased the first volume,
brand new, for less than $35, including shipping. Volume 2, with shipping, was
just over $69.50! Double the price for a less than great book. I'm not
going to tell you to skip it, or don't buy it. Always judged that for yourself.
You may want, as I did, to have both books simply because the subject has now
been completely covered by the author. This is just my take on it, even if it
does sound a little harsh. Combined, Volume 1 and 2 should have every aspect of
U.S. Army equipment reference covered for about $100. Not a bad deal. And if you
are into collecting instead of modeling then these two books will be invaluable
to you. Someone told me years ago, when you have to make a choice between spending
your hobby dollar on either a new kit, or a new book, always buy
the book. That's what I've done, and I rarely regret it. Kits come and go, either
through reissue, going through an online auction site, at vendors tables, or talking
a modeling buddy out of one in his stash, but good needed books almost always
are hard to get after printing stops. That
said, there's my take on this book. Use you own judgment. -Rod Crisman |