{"title":"Pier Paolo Battistelli","description":"\u003cp\u003ePier Paolo Battistelli’s works delve into the complexities of military history with a particular focus on the Second World War and its key figures, campaigns, and equipment. Readers can explore detailed accounts of military leaders, armoured warfare, and significant battles, presented with clarity and insight.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eHis books combine thorough research with engaging narrative, shedding light on units like Panzer divisions and the Italian Blackshirts, as well as pivotal theatres such as Florence in 1944 and the Balkans campaigns. This collection is essential for those interested in understanding the strategic and operational facets of twentieth-century conflict.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"erwin-rommel-by-pier-paolo-battistelli-9781846036859","title":"Erwin Rommel","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNicknamed 'The Desert Fox' for his cunning command of the Afrika Korps, Erwin Rommel remains one of the most popular and studied of Germany's World War II commanders.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eHe got his first taste of combat in World War I, where his daring command earned him the Blue Max, Germany's highest decoration for bravery. He followed this up with numerous successes early in World War II in both Europe and Africa, before facing his biggest challenge – organising the defence of France. Implicated in the plot to kill Hitler, Rommel chose suicide over a public trial.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eErwin Rommel\u003c\/em\u003e looks at the life of this daring soldier, focusing on his style of command and the tactical decisions that earned him his fearsome reputation.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Allen \u0026 Unwin","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46849058570476,"sku":"9781846036859","price":42.99,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/7096043482845.jpg?v=1759014220"},{"product_id":"heinz-guderian-by-pier-paolo-battistelli-9781849083669","title":"Heinz Guderian","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eA focused, military biography of Heinz Guderian, perhaps the most highly respected tank commander of World War II.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eGuderian was a typical product of the Prussian military elite; the son of a general in the army, there was little doubt that he would follow in his father's footsteps. Some consider Guderian to be the founding father of blitzkrieg warfare, and he certainly brought the whole concept to public attention and prominence, chiefly through the publication of his book \u003ci\u003eAchtung Panzer\u003c\/i\u003e in 1937.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eHe commanded the XIX (Motorized) Army Corps in the 1939 Polish campaign, and Panzergruppe Guderian during Operation Barbarossa. In March 1943, he became chief inspector of the Panzer forces, but even the great tank commander could achieve little more than to delay the inevitable defeat of Germany.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Allen \u0026 Unwin","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46849247215852,"sku":"9781849083669","price":42.99,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/62a4269ab0946195e9b4ffe59e041ddd.jpg?v=1759045384"},{"product_id":"italian-blackshirt-193545-by-piero-crociani-9781846035050","title":"Italian Blackshirt 1935–45","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis book documents the experiences of the Italian armed Fascist militia, the Camicie Nere (Blackshirts), from the Italian–Ethiopian war of 1935–36, through the Spanish Civil War to the end of World War II.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eIt explores their origins, development, recruitment, training, conditions of service, uniforms and equipment, battle experience, political and ideological motivation. The Blackshirt legions were raised under army control from 1928, and were employed in 1933 in Libya in counterinsurgency operations against the Senussi tribes; from 1935 in Italy's war against Ethiopia; and during the Spanish Civil War.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eFollowing the outbreak of World War II, the Blackshirts fought in North Africa, Greece, Croatia, on the Eastern Front and finally in Italy itself following the Allied invasion.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eItalian Blackshirt 1935–45\u003c\/em\u003e by Piero Crociani, Pier Paolo Battistelli delivers an insightful examination of this unique group, combining elements of military history with political and ideological analysis.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Allen \u0026 Unwin","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46849341096172,"sku":"9781846035050","price":42.99,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/7077953482845.jpg?v=1759042256"},{"product_id":"italian-light-tanks-by-filippo-cappellano-9781849087773","title":"Italian Light Tanks","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBy November 1918, only one Italian training unit equipped with French Schneider and Renault tanks had been formed.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eConsequently, during the 1920s, the Italian army had just one single tank type in its armoured inventory – the Fiat 3000. Only in 1927 was the first tank unit formed as a branch of the infantry and not as an independent organisation.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003ePier Paolo Battistelli and Filippo Cappellano explore the development of these tanks in \u003cem\u003eItalian Light Tanks\u003c\/em\u003e. Between 1933 and March 1939, a further 2,724 CV 33 \/ L 3 tanks were built, 1,216 of which were exported all over the world. By the time Italy entered the war in June 1940, the army had 1,284 light tanks, 855 of which were in combat units, including three armoured divisions.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eFeaturing detailed illustrations, this compact guide covers all of these types, including variants of the CV 33 \/ L 3 tanks that included flame-throwers, bridge-layers, recovery vehicles, and a radio command tank.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Allen \u0026 Unwin","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46849341391084,"sku":"9781849087773","price":36.99,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/9519393482846.jpg?v=1759042311"},{"product_id":"panzer-divisions-by-pier-paolo-battistelli-9781846033384","title":"Panzer Divisions","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOn 22 June 1941, Germany attacked the Soviet Union and her Panzer divisions were to play a major role in this titanic struggle.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eAlthough overwhelmed by Soviet numbers, the superior skill and capability of the German Panzer divisions meant that in three months the Germans had advanced deep into Soviet territory. However, after these initial successes, the German offensive began to falter, culminating in the disastrous defeat at Kursk.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003ePanzer Divisions\u003c\/em\u003e describes the organisational history of the Panzer divisions, from the early successes of 1941 through to the introduction of revised Blitzkrieg tactics as the war progressed.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Allen \u0026 Unwin Aotearoa New Zealand","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46849663762668,"sku":"9781846033384","price":54.99,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/7061293482845.jpg?v=1759058844"},{"product_id":"panzer-divisions-194445-by-pier-paolo-battistelli-9781846034060","title":"Panzer Divisions 1944–45","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCompleting Osprey's mini-series on the German Panzer division, a detailed look at their organizational structure from the collapse of the Eastern front until the fall of Berlin.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003ePanzer Divisions 1944–45\u003c\/em\u003e provides a comprehensive examination of the late-war changes to the German Army Panzer forces. It offers an in-depth look into the formation of new units, starting from the collapse on the Eastern Front, through operations on the Western Front in Normandy and the Ardennes, to the final battle for Berlin in 1945. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe major organizational changes that took place during this intense period are thoroughly examined, alongside the adaptation of German armoured doctrine, tactics, and command. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eDetails of unit histories and operations are illustrated with colour maps, offering a packed and detailed treatment of this critical phase in military history.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Allen \u0026 Unwin Aotearoa New Zealand","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46849663795436,"sku":"9781846034060","price":54.99,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/7068053482845.jpg?v=1759058848"},{"product_id":"yugoslavia-194144-by-pier-paolo-battistelli-9781472865373","title":"Yugoslavia 1941–44","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eA unique visual exploration of partisan and anti-partisan warfare in Yugoslavia between 1941 and 1944.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eFollowing the Axis invasion and occupation of Yugoslavia in April 1941, a brutal insurgency—based both on ethnic and political affiliations—broke out in the German- and Italian-occupied areas. The result was a protracted multi-partite struggle. The key forces opposing the Axis occupation were Tito’s communist Partisans and, initially, Draža Mihailovic’s royalist Chetniks, with Allied allegiances shifting over time. Widespread ethnic cleansing and ideological warfare were waged by the occupiers and their internal allies under the ‘anti-Partisan’ moniker.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eIn 1942, the first of seven major counter-insurgency operations was carried out by Axis forces. These took place in every part of the country, aiming to annihilate the main core of resistance.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eWith stunning artwork, detailed maps, and period images, \u003ci\u003eYugoslavia 1941–44\u003c\/i\u003e reveals the military cultures of the wide range of opposing forces involved. It also covers the planning and execution of each operation, from the autumn 1941 offensive against the Republic of Užice through to the final attack in western Bosnia in spring 1944. The result is a unique visual exploration of one of the most complex and least studied offensives of World War II.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Allen \u0026 Unwin","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47071509610732,"sku":"9781472865373","price":34.99,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/10791253482712.jpg?v=1765021789"},{"product_id":"the-balkans-194041-2-by-pier-paolo-battistelli-9781472842619","title":"The Balkans 1940–41 (2)","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eThe Balkans 1940–41 (2)\u003c\/em\u003e offers a concise yet detailed overview, providing a balanced account of this pivotal Blitzkrieg campaign in the Balkans during the opening years of World War II.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe Wehrmacht's last Blitzkrieg campaign was indeed a lightning war, requiring German forces to seize both Yugoslavia and Greece before immediately redeploying to the East in preparation to attack the Soviet Union in just a matter of weeks. Although the plans for the conquest of Yugoslavia were developed hastily, the campaign proved to be extremely successful. In a short span, both Yugoslavia and Greece had fallen, leading to the capture of large numbers of British, Australian, and New Zealand troops.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe 1941 Balkan campaign was an apparently brilliant military accomplishment that demonstrated once again the superiority of the Wehrmacht and its cutting-edge campaigning skills.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThis superbly detailed work examines the opposing forces involved in this campaign, documents their weapons, and analyses the effectiveness of their tactics. It explores the initial Axis campaign against Yugoslavia, the breakthrough of the Metaxas Line, the advance into Macedonia, and the withdrawal of Allied troops to the south.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eDetailed battle scenes illustrate key moments in the land, sea, and air battles that occurred in the Balkans, vividly bringing to life events from almost 80 years ago.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Allen \u0026 Unwin","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47072682672364,"sku":"9781472842619","price":36.99,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/10563713482712.jpg?v=1765126028"},{"product_id":"florence-1944-by-pier-paolo-battistelli-9781472870506","title":"Florence 1944","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eA highly illustrated look at the Allied push to stop the Germans across central Italy, culminating in a battle in the middle of Florence.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eFollowing the fighting at Anzio and Cassino in 1944, the Allies were in pursuit of the Germans, who had managed to get away when the Americans took Rome. With experienced troops recalled from Italy to participate in the invasions of Normandy and southern France, the Allied numbers dwindled, only partially replaced by three divisions. The Allies pushed on, following the Germans into central Italy in a bid to stop them getting to the Gothic Line.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eFighting across Rome, Pisa, Leghorn, Lake Trasimene, Ancona and Florence, the Allies advanced across the country. Troops from the US, UK, France, New Zealand, South Africa, Poland, and India fought in these campaigns, chasing the Germans as they withdrew to safety. With detailed maps, diagrams and period images, Italian historian Pier Paolo Battistelli sets the scene for this last push from Rome, showcasing the highly motorised fighting in multiple cities across central Italy, and explains why this was an Allied tactical failure.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eFlorence 1944\u003c\/em\u003e by Pier Paolo Battistelli provides a unique perspective on these historic events, combining visual elements and expert analysis for a comprehensive account of the battle in Florence.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Allen \u0026 Unwin Aotearoa New Zealand","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48334238417132,"sku":"9781472870506","price":38.99,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/9781472870506-florence-1944-1.jpg?v=1788913933"}],"url":"https:\/\/bookhero.pro\/collections\/pier-paolo-battistelli.oembed","provider":"Book Hero","version":"1.0","type":"link"}