Description
This revised and updated edition of the classic Cold War novel Team Yankee reminds us once again might have occurred had the United States and its Allies taken on the Russians in Europe, had cooler geopolitical heads not prevailed.
For 45 years after World War II, East and West stood on the brink of war. When Nazi Germany was destroyed, it was evident that Russian tank armies had become supreme in Europe, but only in counterpart to US air power. In 1945 US and UK bombers sent a signal to the advancing Russians at Dresden to beware of what the Allies could do. Likewise when the Russians overran Berlin they sent a signal to the Allies what their land armies could accomplish. Thankfully the tense standoff continued on either side of the Iron Curtain for nearly half a century.
During those years, however, the Allies beefed up their ground capability, while the Soviets increased their air capability, even as the new jet and missile age began (thanks much to captured German scientists on both sides). The focal point of conflict remained in central Germany-specifically the flat plains of the Fulda Gap-through which the Russians could pour all the way to the Channel if the Allies proved unprepared (or unable) to stop them.
Team Yankee posits a conflict that never happened, but which very well might have, and for which both sides prepared for decades. This former New York Times bestseller by Harold Coyle, now revised and expanded, presents a glimpse of what it would have been like for the Allied soldiers who would have had to meet a relentless onslaught of Soviet and Warsaw Pact divisions.
It takes the view of a US tank commander, who is vastly outnumbered during the initial onslaught, as the Russians pull out all the cards learned in their successful war against Germany. Meantime Western Europe has to speculate behind its thin screen of armor whether the New World can once again assemble its main forces-or willpower-to rescue the bastions of democracy in time.
About the Author
Harold Coyle is a graduate of the Virginia Military Institute, Class of '74, the Armor Officers Basic Course at Fort Knox, Ky, the Infantry Officer's Advance Course at Fort Benning, Ga, and the Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth, Ks. He served in Germany from January 1975 to December 1979 with 3rd Battalion, 68th Armor, which was stationed at Sullivan Barracks outside the town of Kafertal. During this time he commanded Company A / 3-68 Armor which was attached to 2nd Battalion, 13th Infantry for training and wartime contingencies. Other assignments included M-1 Branch chief, Weapons Department of the Armor School at Fort Knox; advisor to the National Guard with Readiness Group Devens; assistant operations officer with the Combined Field Army in Korea; G-3 Training officer with the 1st Cavalry Division at Fort Hood; Task Force Operations officer for 1st of the 32nd Armor; admin officer and instructor for the Command and General Staff College's Combat Studies Institute; and executive officer to the Deputy Commanding General of the 3rd Army during Desert Storm.
Reviews
If you enjoy realistic Cold War thrillers then this book is simply a must read and anyone who's interested in armoured vehicles will find this book an entertaining title. * Aviation Enthusiast Book Club - Simon Jakubowski 01/02/2019 *
Book Information
ISBN 9781612006499
Author Harold Coyle
Format Paperback
Page Count 288
Imprint Casemate Publishers
Publisher Casemate Publishers
For 45 years after World War II, East and West stood on the brink of war. When Nazi Germany was destroyed, it was evident that Russian tank armies had become supreme in Europe, but only in counterpart to US air power. In 1945 US and UK bombers sent a signal to the advancing Russians at Dresden to beware of what the Allies could do. Likewise when the Russians overran Berlin they sent a signal to the Allies what their land armies could accomplish. Thankfully the tense standoff continued on either side of the Iron Curtain for nearly half a century.
During those years, however, the Allies beefed up their ground capability, while the Soviets increased their air capability, even as the new jet and missile age began (thanks much to captured German scientists on both sides). The focal point of conflict remained in central Germany-specifically the flat plains of the Fulda Gap-through which the Russians could pour all the way to the Channel if the Allies proved unprepared (or unable) to stop them.
Team Yankee posits a conflict that never happened, but which very well might have, and for which both sides prepared for decades. This former New York Times bestseller by Harold Coyle, now revised and expanded, presents a glimpse of what it would have been like for the Allied soldiers who would have had to meet a relentless onslaught of Soviet and Warsaw Pact divisions.
It takes the view of a US tank commander, who is vastly outnumbered during the initial onslaught, as the Russians pull out all the cards learned in their successful war against Germany. Meantime Western Europe has to speculate behind its thin screen of armor whether the New World can once again assemble its main forces-or willpower-to rescue the bastions of democracy in time.
About the Author
Harold Coyle is a graduate of the Virginia Military Institute, Class of '74, the Armor Officers Basic Course at Fort Knox, Ky, the Infantry Officer's Advance Course at Fort Benning, Ga, and the Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth, Ks. He served in Germany from January 1975 to December 1979 with 3rd Battalion, 68th Armor, which was stationed at Sullivan Barracks outside the town of Kafertal. During this time he commanded Company A / 3-68 Armor which was attached to 2nd Battalion, 13th Infantry for training and wartime contingencies. Other assignments included M-1 Branch chief, Weapons Department of the Armor School at Fort Knox; advisor to the National Guard with Readiness Group Devens; assistant operations officer with the Combined Field Army in Korea; G-3 Training officer with the 1st Cavalry Division at Fort Hood; Task Force Operations officer for 1st of the 32nd Armor; admin officer and instructor for the Command and General Staff College's Combat Studies Institute; and executive officer to the Deputy Commanding General of the 3rd Army during Desert Storm.
Reviews
If you enjoy realistic Cold War thrillers then this book is simply a must read and anyone who's interested in armoured vehicles will find this book an entertaining title. * Aviation Enthusiast Book Club - Simon Jakubowski 01/02/2019 *
Book Information
ISBN 9781612006499
Author Harold Coyle
Format Paperback
Page Count 288
Imprint Casemate Publishers
Publisher Casemate Publishers
