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The Occupation of Bosnia and Herzegovina in 1878. By László Bencze. Edited by Frank N. Schubert. Highland Lakes, N.J.: Adantic Research and PubUcations, 2005. Distributed by Columbia University Press, New York. ISBN 978-0-88033-578-2. Notes. Index. Pp. xi, 403. $50.00.
László Bencze was a senior researcher and historian at the Hungarian MiUtary History Institute and Museum of MiUtary History in Budapest (Hungary), from his graduation with degrees in the fields of history, fiterature and philosophy, until his retirement from the institute and the Hungarian army as a Ueutenant colonel. His main field of research remains the effectiveness of die mifitary eUte of the Austro-Hungarian Monarchy in the wars that were turning points in European history. All of his books deal with the gap between the unrealistic goals of imperial political leaders and the abilities of officers and men to implement the politicians' programs.
Frank N. Schubert, a historian at the U.S. Army Center of Military History, met László Bencze in 1990, on his first trip to Budapest. They discussed the few issues that required resolution before the U.S. Army Center of Military History's professional newsletter could publish Bencze 's article on the excesses and wastefulness of the Hungarian People's Army during the early years of Communist rule in Hungary. As is often the case in such meetings, they exchanged copies of their books. Schubert received a copy of Bencze's 1987 book, Bosznia és Hercegovina okkupációfa 1878-ban. When Yugoslavia came apart and Bosnia and Herzegovina became the scene of military conflict, this book took on new interest and importance. The forces of the United States and its NATO allies became involved in the region. László Bencze's operational history of the occupation of Bosnia by the forces of the Habsburg Empire in 1878 looked to be of considerable practical interest. Schubert determined there were no English-language narratives of the Austro-Hungarian operation. With the help of Dr. Bryan van Sweringen, command historian at the U.S. European Command, Schubert made the right connection in the Defence Intelligence Agency to translate Bencze's book in 1998. Schubert edited the translation...