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by Antonio J. Munoz.
Hardback (6.3×9.5 inches). 306 pages. 2025.
Subtitle: The Battle Behind the Eastern Front 1939-1945
Who knew Polish partisans were so many and so active once the country fell to the Germans in 1939…but they were and the Germans were forced to send more and more units to garrison the country.
In exquisite detail, especially with OOBs, unit personnel numbers, and commander bios, the story of the German SS garrison units and partisans play out as the war expanded to other fronts. The partisans accounted for 732 trains derailed, 979 railroad cars destroyed, 19,058 cars damaged (443 set on fire), 4,326 military vehicles destroyed and damaged, 28 planes damaged, 1,167 gas storage tanks destroyed, and 122 warehouses burned (p82). From independent units to organized camps, the Germans murdered between 5.6 million and 6 million Poles (p82).
Contrary to post-war memoirs, the German Army participated in executions and other mass murders of Jews and Poles — it wasn’t just the SS. Eyewitness accounts punctuate the text.
The Polish uprising in Warsaw dominates the back half of the book, as that was the signature uprising against the Germans. Most partisan bands remained in the forests during the war and were disarmed by the Soviets when the war ended.
The book contains 40 black and white photos, 22 black and white maps, and 22 black and white illustrations.
The book examines an oft-overlooked aspect of WWII and could be used as the basis for a different type of skirmish wargame. It adds to the already impressive line-up of Munoz’s well-researched partisan books.
Enjoyed it.
— Reviewed by Russ Lockwood
