Fraught with attempts at standardization, facing tight budgets and political infighting, Green lays out the military requirements and military transport systemsleading through the Mexican-American War and just before the Civil War. Chapter Two brings us through the Civil War and analyzes both theUnion and Confederate Army’s use and limitations throughout the war.This chapter is chock full of weapon systems: Napoleon cannon, Parrotrifles, James rifle, Armstrong, Whitworth, Blakely cannons, siege andWiard artillery, and the introduction of mortars and rockets. Each systemis evaluated on its effectiveness and problems in combat and production. Additionally, the author brings tube material into the discussion, weigh-ing the effectiveness of bronze, steel, iron, wrought iron and rifled versussmoothbore cannon tubes. Chapter Three brings us from a constabulary army on the American frontier through the First World War when an untrained and unequipped American Army went to France and underwent training on French artil-lery systems. This was the age of hurricane bombardments and the nadirof operational military thought, of organization and reorganization, andlarger and larger artillery systems. Chapter Four takes the reader through the planning to raise an armyand learn from the operational advances made in Europe by the French, British and Germans during the inter-war period, the Spanish Civil War and into the beginnings of the Second World War. There was much to learn, from systems to employment, through organi-zation and doctrine, and adding advanced technology to give the infantry american artillery - prelim page vii - press vii soldier a reliable support weapon in the field. Advancements included theproximity fuse and the operational inclusion of ‘time on target’ againstenemy forces. Additionally, technology brought forth self-propelled how-itzers, and rockets launched from tanks and trucks and air defenseartillery. Chapters Five and Six, taken together, show the promise and perfor-mance of technological advances in the research centers and in the field.Nuclear rounds, tactical nuclear weapons, missiles and integrated systemsshowed their promise and failures. Through the Cold War, through Operation DESERT STORM and current warfare in the Middle East, systems planners are working on future systems while engaged in currentoperations, and sometimes actually aiding war-fighters in the field. Whilethe author points out brilliant advances (Paladin, M109A7) he also pointsout dismal failures (Crusader, Future Combat System), and this is thestrength of all his books, including this one.Finally, there is enough operational information to please the armchair general, enough technical information and accompanying photographs toaid the modeler, and enough detailed information to assist the gamer andre-enactor. Additionally, the author gives military historians a greatreadand a great primer on the historical development of artillery and pertinentsource material for further research. Click here to read the book...
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