Search the Community

Camouflage & Markings, Cassino January - May 1944 Model Centrum Progress The Battle of Monte Cassino was one of the most important battles of World War Two. Monte Cassino effectively blocked the Allies route north to Rome and had to be taken despite the difficulties of doing so from a military point of view. From a religious/cultural viewpoint, there was also the famous monastery at Monte Cassino that would almost certainly be damaged by any attack or destroyed. By the end of the Battle of Monte Cassino, the monastery had been destroyed but the hill had been captured leaving the route open to Rome. This book covers the whole period in which the Allied forces attempted and finally captured Monte Cassino. The comprehensive narrative is accompanied by numerous photographs taken at the time. Along with an introduction which covers the whys are wherefores leading up to the invasion of Italy and the Allied forces eventual arrival at Monte Cassino, the book also covers the First, Second, Third and final push to capture the hilltop Monastery. There is a short section of each of the British, American, French and last, but certainly not least, the Polish sectors. Whilst the photographs are very interesting in a modelling viewpoint there is great poignancy when viewing the photographs of destroyed vehicles, particularly when some of the tank Commanders names are known. It is these photographs that are the most powerful, in that the reader knows that men died in these vehicles and this should give them a reason to pause, reflect, and remember these men and what/who they died for. The book includes comments as to the camouflage of each tank and vehicle plus any personal markings they carried. Sometimes, when you’re only subjected to war films on TV or at the Cinema you’d think that the only tank the Allied forces had was the Sherman. Well, this book shows that this was not the case, as there are photographs of Stuarts, Shermans, (ok they are the most numerous), White Scout Cars, Bren Gun Carriers, Bulldozers, Jeeps, M-10s, Priests, Grants, Churchills and even a Valentine Bridgelayer. The last 7 pages of the book contain full colour plates of some of the vehicles with colour descriptions and this is where it is really useful for the modeller, particularly when used in conjunction with some of the photographs from which could for the basis of a dramatic diorama. Conclusion Where do I start, this book has affected more than anything I’ve reviewed to date. Normally we just write about the vehicles and give scant consideration for those who took these vehicles to war. Well, this book brings that sharply into focus. I may be getting slightly melodramatic, but I think every military vehicle modeller needs this book in their collection to keep it real, it’s not just about the accuracy of the styrene. Very Highly Recommended. Review sample courtesy of