Iron Cross

Iron Cross is the UK’s only magazine of German military history from the First World War to the end of the Second World War. Covering all aspects of German military history including the Imperial German forces of the Great War, the Weimar period and the Nazi period. Iron Cross prides itself on the highest quality production with stunning content in the unique and ground-breaking features, often revealing untold stories and publishing photographs that have never been seen before. Iron Cross features specially commissioned and innovative artwork in all issues.

Iron Cross

Editorial

Introducing our new Editor, Tony Holmes

CONTRIBUTORS • Introducing you to some of our main contributors for this issue:-

Surviving Bismarck • In the early hours of 24 May 1941, the battleship Bismarck sank HMS Hood. As Martin Mace reveals, in terms of the number and strength of ships involved, the resulting pursuit of the pride of Hitler’s Kriegsmarine was unique in naval history. When Bismarck was sunk, her survivors told a harrowing tale of the ship’s demise.

Bismarck’s Officers • A list of officers known by naval intelligence to have been on board Bismarck.

Interrogation of Survivors • In August 1941, the Naval Intelligence Division was able to produce a 59-page report based around the interrogation of the 75 men selected for questioning. In its detail, the content is often visceral, but the following extract is the opening summary of that report. The following excerpt from the Naval Intelligence Division’s report gives some insight into what it meant to survive Bismarck.

General Characteristics of the Battleship Bismarck

The Heuschrecke • How the Wehrmacht tried to solve the requirement for effective and highly mobile artillery for operations on the Eastern Front is set out by Thomas Anderson. The solutions were beset with difficulties, not least the precarious situation with the production of war material in the crumbling Third Reich.

On The Run • When the five crew members of a Heinkel 111 were forced to bale-out of their stricken bomber over England in July 1940, three of them went on the run and decided not to give up easily. Andy Saunders describes their unusual adventures whilst evading capture.

BOOKS & PRODUCTS

INTRODUCING GUIDL TO IRON CROSS READERS

FELDPOST • We are always delighted to hear from our readers on German military history subjects – especially with follow-up comments on articles that have appeared in the magazine. From time-to-time, we will publish a selection of your letters. Please write to us at: tony.holmes@warnersgroup.co.uk

Operation Marneschutz-Reims • The final German offensive on the Western Front took place in July 1918 and involved the Württembergische Gebirgs Regiment as attempts were made to cross the River Marne. Florian Wein charts the fighting and visits the battlefields today.

Indirect Firing Devices • When every look over the parapet could be a soldier’s very last act, then devices to protect soldiers from that danger were inevitably a welcome addition to the front-line infantryman’s equipment. Michael Heidler describes devices from the First and Second World War.

Panzerschreck Indirect Firing Device

A Last Appeal to Reason • By the beginning of July 1940, with his forces victorious in Western Europe, Hitler turned his attention to the question of Britain’s defiance. He issued instructions on the matter on 16 July 1940, although, as MartinMace notes, this was followed just three days later by a ‘Last Appeal to Reason’.

The Siebel Ferries

The Leaflet Raiders

Failure of the Luftwaffe

Mapping Barbarossa • The daily situation maps produced by German High Command to chart Operation Barbarossa reveal the fallibility of the much-vaunted Wehrmacht as the armies of...