"Blood and Iron tells the story of one of the most dramatic but little-known campaigns of World War II, the German conquest of the Crimean Peninsula and the port of Sevastopol. This is the first book-length account of this campaign to appear in English. The dramatic seesaw battles for the Crimea in 1941-1942 were fought at the height of the Nazi war machine's power, and the campaign resulted in the last major German victory of the war. C. G. Sweeting has included more than one hundred rare photographs and other illustrations to bring this campaign to life. World War II buffs will appreciate the appendix on the air war by German ace Lt. Gen. Guenther Rall (275 victories), as well as Sweeting's in-depth descriptions of German and Soviet weapons and equipment. Blood and Iron is fascinating reading for anyone interested in the war on the Eastern Front." -- From the book jacket.

Foreword /Conrad Crane -- Storm across the steppe -- Luftwaffe : the "air weapon" in action -- Breakthrough at Perekop Isthmus -- Crimean combat -- The siege of Sevastopol -- Appendices. A. Crimean combat report by Lt. Gen. Guenther Rall, German Air Force (retired) -- B. Ranks, uniforms, insignia, medals -- C. Weapons of Barbarossa -- D. The "Karl" Geraet super howitzer -- E. Sunday Punch : "Dora," the world's biggest cannon.