Jesper's Books

I like to read, I like to read a lot.

From Omaha to Okinawa: The Story of the Seabees (Bluejacket Books)

From Omaha to Okinawa: The Story of the Seabees (Bluejacket Books) - William Bradford Huie, Naval Institute Press, Donald R. Noble A good mix between colourful anecdotes and impressive facts this book has been a joy to read. More than once I chuckled. Maybe - partly - because the 1945 language is courtly and at the same time wonderfully political incorrect after today's measures

Beyond the Beachhead: The 29th Infantry Division in Normandy

Beyond the Beachhead: The 29th Infantry Division in Normandy - Joseph Balkoski After reading many a book about D-day I find it increasingly interesting too read books dealing with fragments of it.

This book is one such book. And what a book it is. Firstly neither this book will leave any doubt in the raeders mind that war is dirty and merciless businesses. And that the landings on Utah June 6th was a grave example. Balkoskis use of personal accounts stresses the point.

However this book was also a kind of 'wwii army divisions for dummies' to me. And the direct comparison in set up with with the 29th direct opponents, the German 352nd infantry and the 3rd Falchirmmjeager dividions, was very educational.

I can only recommend this book wholeheartedly to any reader with an interest in D-day

Utah Beach: The Amphibious Landing and Airborne Operations on D-Day, June 6, 1944

Utah Beach: The Amphibious Landing and Airborne Operations on D-Day, June 6, 1944 - Joseph Balkoski One of the better books of many good books I have read about D-Day.
The idea of 'breaking down' the narratives to the different landing sites makes it a bit more manageable to read.
I'd say that this is a 'must read' for individuals interested in the D-Day landings.
Can't wait to read 'Omaha' from the same author

2nd Tactical Air Force, Vol. 2: Breakout to Bodenplatte (July 1944 to January 1945)

2nd Tactical Air Force, Vol. 2: Breakout to Bodenplatte (July 1944 to January 1945) - Christopher Shores, Chris Thomas A very, very comprehensive series of books. I have a confesion though; I skimmed/speed-red many a page as the level of details is overwhelming
However, I still want to read the next two volumes simply because, well, this is good reading. A 'must' to anyone who studies close air support.

Beyond The Horizon: The Story Of Lockheed

Beyond The Horizon: The Story Of Lockheed - Walter J. Boyne A very interesting story vividly told by Mr. Boyne. Alas it ends with 1998 an a brief mentioning of the JFS

2nd Tactical Air Force Vol.1: Spartan to Normandy - June 1943 to June 1944

2nd Tactical Air Force Vol.1: Spartan to Normandy - June 1943 to June 1944 - Christopher Shores, Chris Thomas Fact eavy and a bit 'dry' this book remains a very interesting read. Look forward to read the next three volumes

The Bombing War: Europe 1939-1945

The Bombing War: Europe 1939-1945 - Richard Overy Heavy on facts this book takes you 'behind the scenes'. A very valid supplement to the more 'pure' air power accounts.

Into the Jet Age: Conflict and Change in Naval Aviation, 1945-1975

Into the Jet Age: Conflict and Change in Naval Aviation, 1945-1975 - E.T. Wooldridge Quite a mixed bag of treats

Heinkel He 219: An Illustrated History of Germany's Premier Nightfighter (Schiffer Military History)

Heinkel He 219: An Illustrated History of Germany's Premier Nightfighter (Schiffer Military History) - Roland Remp As with many other German weapons of WWII; too late too little. Nevertheless and interesting airplane.

Well written Roland Kemp presents a fine account about the Uhu.

History Of Air Intercept Radar And The British Nightfighter: 1935 1959

History Of Air Intercept Radar And The British Nightfighter: 1935 1959 - Ian White With my technical knowledge - or lack there of - about radar, current, radio waves and the like I found this book a real tough one to read. I was lost time and time again.

However, this is not the author to blame but me. And I did get an idea of the timeline and challenges

The book is well written and I am sure that readers with a well founded and basic knowledge of radio and electricity terms and interest in radar will enjoy this book.

Dig in and enjoy

Battle Over Bavaria: The B-26 Marauder Versus German Jets -April 1945

Battle Over Bavaria: The B-26 Marauder Versus German Jets -April 1945 - Robert Forsyth, Jerry Scutts Sometimes I like reading about 'smaller units' in contrary to the broader perspective. It reminds me that it was real humans who fought, died or survived

This account is very specific in time, place and gallery of characters.

A good read, recommendable indeed

Unexplained Mysteries of World War II: Discover the Conspiracies, Cover-ups and Coincidences that Won and Lost the War

Unexplained Mysteries of World War II: Discover the Conspiracies, Cover-ups and Coincidences that Won and Lost the War - Jeremy Harwood I fell across this book in my library and brought it home as a 'gap filler' while waiting the books I have ordered from my library

[bc:Battle Over Bavaria: The B-26 Marauder Versus German Jets -April 1945|2944394|Battle Over Bavaria The B-26 Marauder Versus German Jets -April 1945|Robert Forsyth|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1328862358s/2944394.jpg|2973840] [bc:The History of the Air Intercept Radar and the British Nightfighter 1935-1959|2855178|The History of the Air Intercept Radar and the British Nightfighter 1935-1959|Ian White|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1348331159s/2855178.jpg|2881312]

Many brief accounts on all kinds of WWII mysteries. And done well in a sober sober way. Some of the accounts even got me interested in reading more about the subjects

Hurricane: Victor Of The Battle Of Britain

Hurricane: Victor Of The Battle Of Britain - Leo McKinstry A fine book, enjoyed reading it. And I guess that the author with this book rams it home that the iconic Spitfire did not win the Battle of Britain on its own

I already had fragments of information floating around in the back of my head about the Hurricane having a 'second life' as tank buster in North Africa. But to what extend - and where else - it was used, I did not know.

Highly recommendable

With the Old Breed: At Peleliu and Okinawa

With the Old Breed: At Peleliu and Okinawa - Paul Fussell, Eugene B. Sledge Much praise has - rightfully - been given to this book. And I can't add more to what has already been said and written about it.

What I can say is that it is one of those books that leaves me with a lasting impression

I can only recommend it as a 'must read' to any who study the Pacific War - any war, for that matter - as a reminder that 'War is brutish, inglorious, and a terrible waste' (Page 317) and to carry out most of the overall land war strategy was the 'boots on the ground', the rifleman.

Hercules - oplevelser på danske vinger

Hercules - oplevelser på danske vinger - Thomas Kristensen A pictorial book with contributions from many 'users' and people otherwise working with the Herc. The photos a good and the accounts leaves you with a clear impression of what this magnificent aircraft is capable of.

Flying to the Limit: Testing World War II Single-engined Fighter Aircraft

Flying to the Limit: Testing World War II Single-engined Fighter Aircraft - Peter Caygill I'm really not sure what to say about this book. On one hand, I am sure that it's a fine work of reference with many useful 'hard numbers of performance' like stall speed, climb, turn, roll and so.

As well as the general impression and 'feel' for the aircraft among the test and evaluation pilots from RAF and the Royal Aircraft Establishment

For those who are that much into details I'm sure it's a good book to have on the shelf for . . . . reference.

However, to me - with the 'angle' I have to combat aviation history - the book is a bit dry.

Currently reading

Memories of RAF Witchford
Barry Aldridge, Sue Aldridge
Six Armies in Normandy: From D-Day to the Liberation of Paris; June 6 - Aug. 5, 1944
John Keegan
The Day of Battle: The War in Sicily and Italy, 1943-1944
Rick Atkinson