Fighting in Ukraine: A Photographer at War is another excellent entry in Pen and Sword’s Images of War series.

The photos in the book, as the foreword explains, were taken by Walter Grimm, a professional photographer conscripted into the German army. Serving in a communications unit, Grimm compiled a unique and personal record of the daily life of ordinary German soldiers as well as various other subjects in which he was interested.

Author David Mitchelhill-Green’s foreword and introduction provide context for the images and a short history of the German armed forces’ experiences in Ukraine during World War II, but the images largely stand alone. His detailed and knowledgeable captions, however, sometimes send the reader back for a second look at a photo. Compiled into several sections covering various subjects, the black and white photos provide insight into the everyday life of German soldiers as well as a detailed look at their equipment. The subjects of Grimm’s photos range from the expected communications equipment and duties with which he was associated, to the great range of foreign vehicles employed by the Wehrmacht, to food preparation, the occupation of Ukraine, and of course the elements.

Like other books in this series, Fighting in Ukraine provides a welcome change from the typical photographic coverage of the war, in which the same images seem to be used in volume after volume. The detail and subject matter of these 300 images will prove a treasure trove for military modelers and historians alike.