Bracketing the Enemy: Forward Observers in World War II cover art

Bracketing the Enemy: Forward Observers in World War II

Preview

Try for $0.00
Pick 1 audiobook a month from our unmatched collection.
Listen all you want to thousands of included audiobooks, Originals, and podcasts.
Premium Plus auto-renews for $14.95/mo + applicable taxes after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Bracketing the Enemy: Forward Observers in World War II

Written by: John R. Walker
Narrated by: Bob Johnson
Try for $0.00

$14.95 a month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy Now for $26.82

Buy Now for $26.82

Confirm purchase
Pay using card ending in
By confirming your purchase, you agree to Audible's Conditions of Use and Amazon's Privacy Notice. Tax where applicable.
Cancel

About this listen

After the end of World War II, General George Patton declared that artillery had won the war. Yet howitzers did not achieve victory on their own. Crucial to the success of these big guns were forward observers, artillerymen on the front lines who directed the artillery fire. In Bracketing the Enemy, John R. Walker offers the first full-length history of forward observer teams during World War II. As early as the US Civil War, artillery fire could reach as far as two miles, but without an "FO" (forward observer) to report where the first shot had landed in relation to the target, and to direct subsequent fire by outlining or "bracketing" the targeted range, many of the advantages of longer-range fire were wasted. During World War II, FOs accompanied infantrymen on the front lines. Now, for the first time, gun crews could bring deadly accurate fire on enemy positions immediately as advancing riflemen encountered these enemy strongpoints. According to Walker, this transition from direct to indirect fire was one of the most important innovations to have occurred in ground combat in centuries.

Using the 37th Division in the Pacific Theater and the 87th in Europe as case studies, Walker presents a vivid picture of the dangers involved in FO duty and shows how vitally important forward observers were to the success of ground operations in a variety of scenarios.

Army Historical Foundation, Distinguished Writing Award. The book is published by University of Oklahoma Press.

©2013 University of Oklahoma Press (P)2016 Redwood Audiobooks
20th Century United States Wars & Conflicts Military War Air Force Interwar Period
activate_Holiday_promo_in_buybox_DT_T2

What the critics say

"A must read for specialists, and of equal value to any person wishing to better understand the evolution of forward observers from concept to practice." ( On Point)

What listeners say about Bracketing the Enemy: Forward Observers in World War II

Average Customer Ratings

Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.