Feldzug 1914/ Feldzug 1915 by Michael Baldwin

[P.B.]

"Feldzug 1914"

By Michael Baldwin

Published by Military Mode Publishing

HB 166 pages, colour photographs throughout

ISBN 9781624074516

£39.00

"Feldzug 1915"

By Michael Baldwin

Published by Military Mode Publishing

HB 198 pages, colour photographs throughout

ISBN 9781626201859

£39.00

Military Mode Publishing are fairly new to the book scene, but since 2011 they have carved out a niche in producing high-quality, lavishly illustrated reference works on 20th Century military collectibles. Given the growing popularity of WWI among militaria collectors, it's particularly pleasing to see the publication of the "Feldzug" series which, in five volumes, will take a year-by-year look at the German soldier's experience via the medium of surviving uniforms, headgear, equipment and other militaria.

The backbone of this novel approach is the amazing collection of Imperial German militaria assembled over 40 years by it's author, British collector Michael Baldwin. It's worth noting here that the series is not, and is not intended to be, a comprehensive catalogue of WWI German uniforms and insignia with pristine examples and illustrations showing every possible item worn or used during WWI...rather it's a beatifully photographed and captioned record of representative items, many of them field-worn, showing the development of German uniforms and equipment over the 1914-18 period.

Baldwin has chosen to only include items from his own collection, and whilst some might see this as a limitation I think it actually adds to the effectiveness of the books, especially given that there aren't actually that many gaps. Looking through them you almost get the feeling that you're being shown around another enthusiast's collection in person, and if you are a collector yourself then it does show you what can be achieved with patience and dedication to a clear theme.

The items themselves are well selected and include many rare pieces -original M1907 tunics, various models of pickelhaube including a stunning array of ersatz examples and helmet covers, as well as all manner of caps and personal items- that many collectors will not have had the chance to inspect in person. Here I must mention the superb photography which really captures the colour, construction and fine detail of these pieces, and the excellent lay-out of the pages themselves. The different shades and textures of the field-grey wool used for earlier and later tunics is captured for example, as is the construction of the various ersatz pickelhaubes that appeared almost as soon as the war began. Unlike many militaria reference works which contain wonderful photographs but little information, the "Feldzug" series features excellent and concise supporting text describing and discussing each object which elevates it above the coffee-table catergory that many similar books fall into.

In summary the "Feldzug" series takes a new approach to producing militaria reference books in that it explicitly links the material culture of the war to it's wider history, and it does this magnificently via the selection of rare surving items beautifully photographed and packaged in a high-quality volume which -given the degree of full-colour photography and high-end production- is very reasonably priced. If you collect WWI German militaria, or WWI militaria in general, then you have to have these books -if only for the sheer enjoyment of seeing such a great collection so expertly presented. In my opinion they come very highly recommended indeed.

Both books can be obtained directly from Military Mode Publishing, and I'm eagerly looking forward not only to future volumes of "Feldzug" but also the upcoming "Campaign" series which will deliver a similar series on the militaria of the British Army of WWI year-by-year.

Paul.