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

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"Steel Wind" is a piece of historical detective work that explains how Colonel Georg Bruchmuller, an obscure German artillery officer recalled from retirement, played a pivotal role in the revolution of offensive tactics that took place in 1917-18. Ironically, the methods developed by Bruchmuller ulimately were rejected by the German Army of World War II, but they were taken up and applied with a vengeance by the emerging Red Army. The Soviets further developed Bruchmuller's principles and incorporated them into their doctrine, where they remain to this day. Through Soviet doctrine, they have become fundamental to the practice of many other armies. Bruchmuller's influence in shaping the former Soviet Army has also been mirrored in the shape of those armies designed to oppose it.

Reviews

His lucid drafting and generous explanatory notes make his text jump from the page. This is recommended reading for students of World War One tactics.-The Western Front Association
The author gives a good general overview of artillery tactics of the great powers during the first three years of the Great War, and fits Bruchmuller's contribution nicely into the broad context of the development of artillery tactics.-Choice
"His lucid drafting and generous explanatory notes make his text jump from the page. This is recommended reading for students of World War One tactics."-The Western Front Association
"The author gives a good general overview of artillery tactics of the great powers during the first three years of the Great War, and fits Bruchmuller's contribution nicely into the broad context of the development of artillery tactics."-Choice

Author Bio

DAVID T. ZABECKI, an Engineer by profession, is a Lieutenant Colonel in the U.S. Army Reserve. He is a field artillery officer with an additional skill designator as a historian. He is currently a contributing editor to Military History magazine. In 1987 he received the General John J. Pershing Award as the Distinguished Honor Graduate of the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College. Presently, he is enrolled in the U.S. Army War College. In 1968 he served as an infantry rifleman during the Vietnam War's Tet Offensive.