Steel Wind: Colonel Georg Bruchmuller and the Birth of Modern Artillery

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Summary: Solid reading in tactics for professional military
Review: Having been an instructor at the U.S. Army Field Artillery School and searching for information on artillery tactics and the origin of current doctrine, this book was enlightening and contains information that is very relevant to today's combat arms officer. I highly recommend the book as professional reading material. The book contains many lessons learned that will no doubt have to be relearned once again in time of war. Lt Col Zabecki has done the combat arms officer a favor by taking the time to compile the information for this book then to lay it all out in a comprehensible and enjoyable format. If you are interested in warfighting, you will enjoy this book. All my lieutenants will read this book, answer questions formatted by me, and write a review. Btry R, 5th Bn, 10th Marines.

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Summary: A outstanding book on the origins of field artillery tactics
Review: The author of this excellent work is the former commander of the 2-123 FA. In this book he covers the birth of modern field artillery and its father -- COL Georg Bruchmuller. The author covers not only the history of the evolution of artillery from a direct fire weapon through the universal adoption of MET+VE; but also, the fire support tactics and techniques for employing the weapon. COL Bruchmuller started out the war as a medically retired LTC. He ended up as the de-facto FSCOORD for the German Army. Under his direction the German artillery developed MET+VE, the FDC, and the short, violent, multi-phased preparation. Bruchmuller orchestrated four to six hour preps that accomplished what one and two week preps by the allies couldn't -- breakthroughs. Bruchmuller's tactics and techniques are still in use by most of the world's armies today. The Russian fire support doctrine reads very closely to Bruchmuller's. This book is a quick read and is a must read for all artillerymen

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Summary: Want to understand modern artillery? Read this book.
Review: This book discusses Colonel Bruchmuller of the Imperial German Army and his role in developing modern artillery practices and tactics. By the time you finish this book you'll see how artillery went from guesswork to a deadly science. Highly recommended, whether you are a military buff or a professional soldier.