Battles / military campaigns Books

Book SynopsisThe 1st SS Panzer Division Leibstandarte Adolf Hitler was the spearhead of the assault by Sepp Dietrich’s Sixth Panzer Armee on the northern flank of the German Ardennes offensive. Divided into Kampfgruppen, the lead was Kampfgruppe Peiper whose armored force included SS Heavy Tank Battalion 501 equipped with King Tigers.The attack was launched on a snowy, freezing December 16, but from the outset, the division lost time against schedule. It captured a fuel dump at Büllingen, but brave defense forced Peiper onto the southern Rollbahn D whose tight, winding roads proved difficult to negotiate and soon the Kampfgruppe was strung out over 25 kilometres with its heavy armor—the King Tigers—slowly losing ground as vehicle after vehicle succumbed to automotive failures. Pushing through Stavelot and Trois Pont, the advanced units of the Kampfgruppe reached Stoumont before lack of fuel—the Americans had retaken Stavelot and closed off the route for German resupply—and US Army action forced it to halt at La Gleize.Six days later, on Christmas Eve, with no hope and no fuel, Peiper and his men abandoned their vehicles and made their way back to their lines: only 770 got there. They left behind 135 armored vehicles including the King Tiger that today stands in front of the museum at La Gleize. They also left scattered on their route the murdered bodies of US servicemen—at Malmedy, Ligneuville, and Wereth—and civilians, massacres that would lead to postwar trials and continued recriminations.The Past & Present Series reconstructs historical battles by using photography, juxtaposing modern views with those of the past together with concise explanatory text. It shows how much infrastructure has remained and how much such as outfits, uniforms, and ephemera has changed, providing a coherent link between now and then.Trade ReviewGreat value and excellent quality – highly recommended. * Editor - Model Boat World *The latest array of titles in Casemate's Past and Present series offers a superb mix of maps and photographs, supplemented by brief but informative text…Outstanding value in terms of both quality and price." *Winner of the 'Miniature Wargames Recommends' award for January 2018* * Miniature Wargames - Chris Jarvis *The titles in the 'Past & Present' series are very much worthwhile having on the bookshelf, as a reference work, or to be enjoyed as a general read. * Gun Mart *This series of books have been planned and executed by Casemate with panache...They would make ideal Christmas presents for younger history buffs because each volume offers just about enough in a single sitting. I cannot fault them. * War History Online *A good addition to this series, and one that would be handy to have in your car with you if you get to visit the area. * Military Model Scene *The author has done a great job of couching the book in such a fashion as to relate the history of the unit, it’s commanders, and the actions that they fought without resorting to the adulation that sometimes seems to follow the Waffen SS. I highly recommend this book, I thoroughly enjoyed reading it. * Army Rumour Service *

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Book SynopsisFrom December 1943 to August 1944, Allied and Japanese forces fought the decisive battles of World War II in Southeast Asia. Fighting centered around North Burma, Imphal, Kohima and the Arakan, involving troops from all over the world along a battlefront the combined size of Pennsylvania and Ohio. The campaigns brought nations into collision for the highest stakes: British and Indian troops fighting for Empire, the Indo-Japanese forces seeking a prestige victory with an invasion of India and the Americans and Chinese focused on helping China and reopening the Burma Road. Events turned on the decisions of the principal commanders - Admiral Louis Mountbatten and Generals Joseph Stilwell, William Slim, Orde Wingate, Mutaguchi Renya, among many others. The impact of the fighting was felt in London, Tokyo and Washington, among other places far away from the battlefront, with effects that presaged postwar political relationships. This was also the first U.S. involvement in Southeast Asia, and Stilwell's operations in some ways foreshadowed battles in Vietnam two decades later.The Burma and India battles of 1944 offer dramatic and compelling stories of people fighting in difficult conditions against high odds, with far-reaching results. They also proved important to the postwar future of the participant nations and Asia as a whole, with effects that still reverberate decades after the war.Trade ReviewKolakowski reminds us of the high stakes at risk for both Allies and Axis powers in Burma, as well as the heroism and willpower of all the combatants concerned. The book is highly recommended to students of World War II, Southeast Asia, and to those who simply want to broaden their understanding of this lesser-known theater of war. * Military Review 07/12/2022 *Kolakowski’s descriptions of the Allied counter-offensive are laid out with enough specificity to satisfy grognards, with plentiful battle maps to follow the maneuver...a fine tactical and operational summary of the late Burma Campaign. * NYMAS Review 02/11/2022 *Table of ContentsAcknowledgements Introduction Prologue: Longcloth 1. Nations in the Balance 2. The Gathering Forces 3. Stilwell’s Advance 4. Battles Front and Rear 5. The Triple Invasions 6. The Critical Weeks 7. “I Believe It Will Be Difficult To Hold” 8. “A Brilliant Feat of Arms” 9. The Balance Tips Epilogue Appendices

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Book SynopsisThe battle of Isandlwana on 22 January 1879 was one of the most dramatic episodes in military history. In the morning, 20,000 Zulus overwhelmed the British invading force in one of the greatest disasters ever to befall a British army. Later the same day, a Zulu force of around 3,000 warriors turned their attention to a small outpost at Rorke's Drift defended by around 150 British and Imperial troops. The British victory that ensued -against remarkable odds -would go down as one of the most heroic actions of all time. In this thrilling blow-by-blow account, Chris Peers draws on first-hand testimonies from both sides to piece together the course of the battles as they unfolded. Along the way, he exposes many of the Victorian myths to reveal great acts of bravery as well as cases of cowardice and incompetence. A brief analysis of the aftermath of the battle and notes on the later careers of the key participants completes this gripping expos of this legendary encounter.

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The Roman conquests of Macedonia in the 2nd century BC led directly to the extension of their authority over the troublesome tribes of Thrace to the south of the Danube. But their new neighbour on the other side of the mighty river, the kingdom of the Dacians, was to pose an increasing threat to the Roman empire. Inevitably this eventually provoked Roman attempts at invasion and conquest. It is a measure of Dacian prowess and resilience that several tough campaigns were required over more than a century before their kingdom was added to the Roman Empire. It was one of the Empire's last major acquisitions (and a short-lived one at that). Dr Michael Schmitz traces Roman involvement in the Danube region from first contact with the Thracians after the Third Macedonian War in the 2nd century BC to the ultimate conquest of Dacia by Trajan in the early years of the 2nd Century AD. Like the other volumes in this series, this book gives a clear narrative of the course of these wars, explaining how the Roman war machine coped with formidable new foes and the challenges of unfamiliar terrain and climate. Specially-commissioned colour plates bring the main troop types vividly to life in meticulously-researched detail.

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Book SynopsisTHE INTERNATIONAL BESTSELLER A rigorous and thoughtful study of what has happened on battlefields over the past eight decades' THE TIMESA hugely important book elegantly written and persuasively argued' DAILY TELEGRAPH** FULLY UPDATED TO INCLUDE NEW MATERIAL ON THE ISRAEL/GAZA CONFLICT **Conflict is both a sweeping history of the evolution of warfare up to Putin's invasion of Ukraine, and a penetrating analysis of what we must learn from the past, and anticipate in the future, in order to navigate an increasingly perilous world.In this deep and incisive study, General David Petraeus, the former CIA director who commanded the US-led coalitions in both Iraq and Afghanistan, and the prize-winning historian Andrew Roberts, explore over seventy years of conflict, drawing significant lessons and insights from their fresh analysis of the past. Petraeus and Roberts show how often critical mistakes have been repeated time and again, and explore the challenge, for statesmen and generals alike, Trade Review‘How has warfare evolved in the eight decades since 1945? And what might it look like in the future? These are the questions posed by the authorial dream team of David Petraeus and Andrew Roberts: respectively a distinguished former US general and spy chief, and one of Britain’s finest military historians. This brilliant history shows how the wars of the future may go. Elegantly written and persuasively argued, Conflict is a hugely important book that explains why wars are still being fought and lost, what we can learn from them, and how we can protect ourselves from malign actors in the future’ DAILY TELEGRAPH, FIVE-STAR REVIEW ‘Charts just about every war fought in Europe, the Middle East and Asia since the defeat of the Nazis… [a] compendious narrative… has all the more force in light of Israel’s retaliatory assault on Gaza’ FINANCIAL TIMES ‘Timely, engaging and instructive, Conflict is the best one-volume study of conventional warfare in the nuclear age. It sets a new benchmark in understanding modern war’ WALL STREET JOURNAL ‘The pairing of Roberts with Petraeus is an engaging choice… They spend little time imagining a world without war, or even a world with less war. Their book – like Clausewitz’s canonical text – is a primer for today’s strategists, brimming with lessons about leadership, counter-insurgency, and intelligence. It’s a guide to effectively prepare for and win wars of the future, to achieve perpetual peace through perpetual strength’ NEW STATESMAN 'It is no exaggeration to call this book exceptional in the sense that it applies the lessons learned by the two authors over two lifetimes of expertise as practitioners and academics of war' NEWSMAX

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Book SynopsisThis attractively packaged gift book offers a highly illustrated introduction to some of the American Civil War''s most famous and important battles, from the Battle of Fort Sumter in 1861 to the Battle of Appomattox Court House in 1865.The American Civil War was the most cataclysmic military struggle of the late 19th century, and in four bloody years of fighting from 1861 to 1865 over 620,000 American soldiers and sailors lost their lives in more than 8,000 battles, engagements, and skirmishes. U.S. Civil War Battle by Battle tells the story of 30 of the most significant of these battles. These include some of the most famous clashes, such as the battles of Gettysburg and the Fredericksburg, which resonate through American military history, but also the less well known, such as the battles of Brandy Station and Cedar Creek. This highly illustrated introduction, packed full of color artwork, covers every theater of the war and detTrade ReviewJust the thing for US Civil War buffs: snappily written, informative and entertaining. A cracking read. -- Saul David, bestselling author and historianThe book is an excellent introduction to the war’s 30 most famous and significant battles * History of War *Table of ContentsChronology The Battle of Fort Sumter The Battle of First Manassas/ First Bull Run The Battle of Wilson’s Creek/ Oak Hills The Battle of First Lexington The Battle of Ball’s Bluff/ Leesburg The Battle of Fort Donelson The Naval Battle of Hampton Roads The Battle of Glorieta Pass The Battle of Shiloh The Battle of Gaines’ Mill—The Seven Days The Battle of Second Manassas/ Second Bull Run The Battle of Antietam/ Sharpsburg The Battle of Fredericksburg The Battle of Chancellorsville The Siege of Vicksburg The Battle of Brandy Station The Battle of Gettysburg The Second Battle of Fort Wagner The Battle of Chickamauga The Battles of Lookout Mountain and Missionary Ridge The Battle of Okolona The Battle of the Wilderness The Battle of Cold Harbor The Battle of Kennesaw Mountain The Battle of the Crater—Petersburg The Battle of Jonesborough The Battle of Cedar Creek The Battle of Nashville The Battle of Bentonville The Battle of Appomattox Court House Index

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Book SynopsisA highly illustrated introduction to some of World War II''s most famous and important battles, featuring colourful artwork throughout.World War II was the single greatest conflict the world has ever known, fought in theatres all around the globe, and many of its battles Stalingrad, Monte Cassino, the Battle of Britain are household names. While the Western Front in Europe is often what first comes to mind, bitter and bloody battles were also fought in Eastern Europe, Africa, Asia and the Pacific, on land, at sea, and in the air, and their many stories help illuminate both the scale and the varying character of the conflict.This compact gift book takes thirty of World War II''s most significant clashes, both the famous and the lesser known, and presents their stories in a concise, easy to digest format, accompanied by beautiful Osprey artwork plates in full colour that illuminate a key moment in each battle.Trade ReviewA concise overview of the major battles of the Second World War * Battlefield Magazine *Table of ContentsChronology /The Invasion of Poland /The Battle of Belgium /The Battle of Britain /The Sinking of the Bismarck /Operation Barbarossa /The Siege of Leningrad /The Battle of Moscow /The Siege of Sevastopol /The Attack on Pearl Harbor /The Malayan Campaign /The Second Battle of Kharkov /The Battle of Gazala /The Battle of Midway /The Battle of Guadalcanal /The Battle of Stalingrad /The El Alamein Battles /The Battle for Tunisia /The Battle of Kursk /The Battle of Monte Cassino /The Battle of Imphal /The Normandy Landings /The Battle of Saipan /The Battle of the Philippine Sea /The Warsaw Uprising /Operation Market-Garden /The Battle of Hürtgen Forest /The Battle of the Bulge /The Battle of Iwo Jima /The Battle of Okinawa /The Battle of Berlin /Index

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Book SynopsisA groundbreaking historical study, Norman Stone''s The Eastern Front 1914-1917 was the very first authoritative account of the Russian Front in the First World War to be published in the West. In this now-classic history he dispels the myths surrounding a still relatively little-known aspect of the war, showing how inefficiency rather than economic shortage led to Russia''s desperate privations and eventual retreat. He also interprets the connection between the war and the chaos that followed, arguing that although fighting had almost ceased by the end of 1916, Russia was still in turmoil - undergoing a period of change that would inexorably lead towards revolution. ''A landmark in its field ... it is still the best book on the eastern front''  Orlando Figes ''A classic account ... that even after thirty years remains essential reading''  Sunday Times ''Without question one of the classics of poTable of ContentsThe army and the state in Tsarist Russia; the military imperative, July 1914; the opening round - East Prussia; the opening round -Galicia; the first war-winter, 1914-1915; the Austro-Hungarian emergency; the shell-shortage, 1915; the retreat, 1915; the political war-economy, 1916-1917; the second war-winter, 1915-1916; summer 1916; the Romanian campaign, 1916-1917; war and revolution, 1917.

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Book SynopsisCan Jack West unravel the ancient secrets of the Five Greatest Warriors and save the world?With the end of the world fast approaching, Jack West must rebuild the final pieces of the fabled, ancient ''Machine'' - the only thing that can prevent global catastrophe. But he is out of clues . . . until he is presented with an ancient text about five unnamed warriors, great historical figures who were all in some way connected to the mysterious Machine. And so, Jack and his loyal team set out to discover their identities - and their secrets.Soon Jack is on the trail of a legendary list of greats: from Moses to Genghis Khan and Napoleon, and finally to one most unlikely warrior, the unknown ''Fifth'', who, it is said, will be there ''at the end of all things . . .''* * * * *READERS LOVE THE JACK WEST THRILLERS''Indiana Jones in a book . . . Immensely entertaining'' ''Gripping and full of twists''''Heart-Trade Review'Fast-paced, cartoon-like characters and wallops of action.' CATHOLIC HERALD 'If your taste is for high-octane, fast-moving narratives in a blockbusting novel, search no further.' GOOD BOOK GUIDE

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Book SynopsisUNDERSTAND AND EXPERIENCE THE MOST EXTRAORDINARY AERIAL EVER FOUGHTPart of the new Ladybird Expert series, Battle of Britain is an accessible, insightful and authoritative account of the most famous aerial battle in history.Historian, author and broadcaster James Holland draws on the latest research and interviews with participants to bring colour, detail and a fresh perspective to the story.Inside, you''ll discover how tactics, organisation and new technologies were brought to bear, about the different challenges faced by both the RAF and the Luftwaffe, and, above all, the skill, bravery and endurance of the airmen engaged in a contest that was of critical importance to the outcome of the war. Written by the leading lights and most outstanding communicators in their fields, the Ladybird Expert books provide clear, accessible and authoritative introductions to subjects drawn from science, history and culture.Other booksTrade ReviewBattle of Britain shines a light on some of the darkest and most dramatic moments of the six-year conflict. * The Daily Mail *

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Book SynopsisWhen the dying Alexander the Great was asked to whom he bequeathed his vast empire, he supposedly replied to the strongest. There ensued a long series of struggles between his generals and governors for control of these vast territories. Most of these Diadochi, or successors, were consummate professionals who had learnt their trade under Alexander and, in some cases, his father Philip. This second volume studies how they applied that experience and further developed the art of war in a further four decades of warfare. This is a period rich in fascinating tactical developments. The all-conquering Macedonian war machine developed by Philip and Alexander was adapted in various ways (such as the addition of war elephants) by the different successors according to their resources. Siege and naval warfare is also included.

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Book SynopsisSummer 1942 and the war in the Middle East is in the balance; Rommel's Axis forces are posed on the borders of Egypt and all that is needed is one last push. For that to succeed, Rommel needs supplies and for the Allies to be denied supplies. With Malta still active and disrupting the Axis shipping routes across the Mediterranean he is denied those supplies. Meanwhile, the Allied build-up continues, and Montgomery holds at El Alamein and then counter attacks Rommel is pushed back and then in a double blow, the Allies land in Tunisia. The collapse of North Africa leads to the invasion of Italy and contributes to the final Axis defeat. But what if Rommel had won? In this alternate history, Ken Delve proposes that with a few strategic changes by the Axis, poor decision by Allied Commanders, the outcome of could have been very different. In this scenario, the Allied invasion in Tunisia fails, Rommel defeats Montgomery and seizes Egypt, leaving the Germans well-placed to sweep up through the Middle East, capturing oil installations and joining up with German forces in Russia.

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Book SynopsisThere are few moments in American history in which the course of events tipped so suddenly and so dramatically as at the Battle of Midway. At dawn of June 4, 1942, a rampaging Japanese navy ruled the Pacific. By sunset, their vaunted carrier force (the Kido Butai) had been sunk and their grip on the Pacific had been loosened forever. In this riveting account of a key moment in the history of World War II, one of America''s leading naval historians, Craig L. Symonds, paints an unforgettable portrait of ingenuity, courage, and sacrifice. Symonds begins with the arrival of Admiral Chester A. Nimitz at Pearl Harbor after the devastating Japanese attack, and describes the key events leading to the climactic battle, including both Coral Sea--the first battle in history against opposing carrier forces--and Jimmy Doolittle''s daring raid of Tokyo. He focuses throughout on the people involved, offering telling portraits of Admirals Nimitz, Halsey, Spruance and numerous other Americans, as well as the leading Japanese figures, including the poker-loving Admiral Yamamoto. Indeed, Symonds sheds much light on the aspects of Japanese culture--such as their single-minded devotion to combat, which led to poorly armored planes and inadequate fire-safety measures on their ships--that contributed to their defeat. Symond''s account of the battle itself is masterful, weaving together the many disparate threads of attack--attacks which failed in the early going--that ultimately created a five-minute window in which three of the four Japanese carriers were mortally wounded, changing the course of the Pacific war in an eye-blink.Symonds is the first historian to argue that the victory at Midway was not simply a matter of luck, pointing out that Nimitz had equal forces, superior intelligence, and the element of surprise. Nimitz had a strong hand, Symonds concludes, and he rightly expected to win.Trade Review"The Battle of Midway was the hinge on which the war in the Pacific turned. Its story deserves retelling, and Symonds' book does a wonderful job of it." --The American Spectator "Mr. Symonds has marshaled the data of seven decades to produce an account that is clear and readable, benefiting from his easy expertise in naval matters." --The Wall Street Journal "Important...documenting a role too often overlooked and too little understood: the essential role played by the U.S. Navy in winning the war in the Pacific." - The Dallas Morning News "[W]holly satisfying . . . a lucid, intensely researched, mildly revisionist account of a significant moment in American military history." --Kirkus Reviews, starred review "Craig Symonds has delivered yet another outstanding work, a work that will set the standard for studies of the Battle of Midway for years to come. Even if one thinks one knows all there is to know about Midway, Mr. Symonds' plethora of new facts, rationales for what and why each side performed the way it did, human interest stories and more make The Battle of Midway indispensable . . . The story of the battle unfolding and being fought is absolutely outstanding, but the events before and after it are equally well told. In addition, the supporting charts, photographs, references and bibliography are awesome. For anyone at all interested in the Battle of Midway, the Pacific War or the Navy, this is a must read." --The Washington Times Selected as a Best Book of 2011 by Military History Quarterly "Deeply researched, shrewdly argued, and powerfully narrated, The Battle of Midway is a superb work of the historian's craft. It easily takes its place as the best and most comprehensive account of the pivotal battle from the American perspective." -Richard B. Frank, author of Guadalcanal: The Definitive Account of the Landmark Battle and Downfall: The End of the Imperial Japanese Empire "In The Battle of Midway Symonds has effectively synthesized the huge mass of information about the Midway battle into a fast-moving, highly readable account filled with nuggets of fascinating biographical material about many of the principals, both American and Japanese . . . Symonds describes the scenes of the Battle of Midway itself with the knowing eye of a fine historian . . . Craig Symonds has crafted an excellent addition to the pantheon of important literature about the transcendent American naval victory at Midway. The Battle of Midway deserves to be read and enjoyed." --Naval History "Compulsively readable" --The Week "Well documented through interviews, official records, and secondary sources, the book will show readers that Midway was, as Wellington would have said, "a close-run thing." General military history enthusiasts will be fascinated, and specialists will revel in the careful dissection of the action. -- Library Journal "[A] superb narrative, clearly, vividly, and energetically written, with attention to detail that is always relevant to his interpretation . . . this book will be read appreciatively by other non-specialists. Indeed, it demonstrates why military history should not be considered 'merely' a 'niche' subject, but part of the mainstream of the national narrative." --HNN.com "A fascinating and informative retelling of the most important naval battle of the Pacific War. Symonds once again demonstrates his superb mastery of his craft." -Jonathan Parshall, co-author of Shattered Sword: The Untold Story of the Battle of Midway Chosen as one of Proceedings Notable Books of 2011Table of ContentsIntroduction ; 1. CinCPac ; 2. The Kido Butai ; 3. The Brownshoe Navy ; 4. American Counterstrike ; 5. Seeking the Decisive Battle ; 6. Pete and Jimmy ; 7. The Codebreakers ; 8. The Coral Sea ; 9. The Eve of Battle ; 10. Opening Act ; 11. Nagumo's Dilemma (4:00 A.M. to 8:30 A.M.) ; 12. The Flight to Nowhere (7:00 A.M. to 11:20 A.M.) ; 13. Attack of the Torpedo Squadrons (8:30 A.M. to 10:20 A.M.) ; 14. The Tipping Point (7:00 A.M. to 10:30 A.M.) ; 15. The Japanese Counterstrike (11:00 A.M. to 6:00 P.M.) ; 16. Denouement ; Epilogue

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Book Synopsis* * * Special 75th Anniversary Edition * * * Hugh Sebag-Montefiore''s Dunkirk: Fight to the Last Man tells the story of the rescue in May 1940 of British soldiers fleeing capture and defeat by the Nazis at Dunkirk.Dunkirk was not just about what happened at sea and on the beaches. The evacuation would never have succeeded had it not been for the tenacity of the British soldiers who stayed behind to ensure they got away. Men like Sergeant Major Gus Jennings who died smothering a German stick bomb in the church at Esquelbecq in an effort to save his comrades, and Captain Marcus Ervine-Andrews VC who single-handedly held back a German attack on the Dunkirk perimeter thereby allowing the British line to form up behind him. Told to stand and fight to the last man, these brave few battalions fought in whatever manner they could to buy precious time for the evacuation. Outnumbered and outgunned, they launched spectacular and heroic attacks time and again, despite ferocious fighting and the knowledge that for many only capture or death would end their struggle.''A searing story . . . both meticulous military history and a deeply moving testimony to the extraordinary personal bravery of individual soldiers'' Tim Gardam, The Times ''Sebag-Montefiore tells [the story] with gusto, a remarkable attention to detail and an inexhaustible appetite for tracking down the evidence'' Richard Ovary, Telegraph Hugh Sebag-Montefiore was a barrister before becoming a journalist and then an author. He wrote the best-selling Enigma: The Battle for the Code. One of his ancestors was evacuated from Dunkirk.Trade ReviewA searing story . . . both meticulous military history and a deeply moving testimony to the extraordinary personal bravery of individual soldiers -- Tim Gardam * The Times *Sebag-Montefiore tells [the story] with gusto, a remarkable attention to detail and an inexhaustible appetite for tracking down the evidence -- Richard Overy * Telegraph *Several fine books have been written about "the miracle of Dunkirk", but none better than this -- Andrew Roberts * Mail on Sunday *

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Book Synopsis''I loved this book, as I love any good adventure story sublimely told . . . a gloriously exciting high, followed by a crushing realisation of war''s enormous waste'' Gerard deGroot, The Times''Absorbing . . . The extraordinary bravery of the participants shines out from the narrative'' Patrick Bishop, Sunday Telegraph_________________________________FROM THE AUTHOR OF BRIDGE OF SPIES: A dramatic and colourful new account of the most daring British commando raid of World War TwoIn the darkest months of the Second World War, Churchill approved what seemed to many like a suicide mission. Under orders to attack the St Nazaire U-boat base on the Atlantic seaboard, British commandos undertook the greatest raid of all, turning an old destroyer into a live bomb and using it to ram the gates of a Nazi stronghold. Five Victoria Crosses were awarded -- more than in any similar operation.Drawing on offiTrade ReviewI loved this book, as I love any good adventure story sublimely told...This book has the same effect as that drug. It's a gloriously exciting high, followed by a crushing realisation of war's enormous waste -- Gerard deGroot * The Times *Enthralling . . . the heroism on display that night was unsurpassed, and Whittell is right to call his book The Greatest Raid -- Simon Griffith * Mail on Sunday *Absorbing . . . The extraordinary bravery of the participants shines out from the narrative -- Patrick Bishop * Sunday Telegraph *A story of extraordinary courage . . . Without Chariot there might have been no further raids such as the much larger, and ultimately disastrous, attack on Dieppe five months later -- Jonathan Boff * Spectator *A compelling page-turner, the work of a master storyteller. The drama of the March 1942 operation is cinematic in its sweep and detail -- and Whittell's detective work on the real reasons for the raid is extraordinary. It is also beautifully written -- Matthew d'AnconaA spellbinding account of one of the most astonishing episodes of the whole war. Thrilling and tragic in equal measure, it is a story of self-sacrifice, comradeship and courage on an unimaginable scale -- Julia Boyd, author of Travellers in the Third ReichChurchill called St Nazaire "a deed of glory intimately involved in high strategy." This vivid and moving book shows why -- David Reynolds, author of Island Stories: An Unconventional History of BritainGiles Whittell's crisp, tight, prose is perfectly suited to record one of World War 2's great moments of heroism: his journalistic skills tease apart the flaws in the plan, while expertly bringing back to life the rich cast of protagonists -- Charles Spencer, author of The White ShipWorld War Two's Operation Chariot against Nazi Germany's battleship repair facility is the greatest commando raid of all time. So bravo to Giles Whittell for this meticulously researched and utterly gripping account of the heroism at St Nazaire. The Greatest Raid does great justice to its subjects -- Dr Amanda Foreman

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Book SynopsisAndrew Swanston read law at Cambridge, but was inspired to write by his lifelong interest in early modern history. His Thomas Hill novels The King's Spy, The King's Exile and The King's Return are set against the backdrops of the English Civil War, Cromwell's Commonwealth and the early Restoration respectively. He is also the author of Waterloo: The Bravest Man and Beautiful Star and Other Stories. His first historical thriller set during the reign of Elizabeth I Incendium (published in paperback as The Incendium Plot) introduced readers to the academic, lawyer and intelligencer Dr Christopher Radcliff, whose adventures continue in Chaos. Andrew Swanston lives in Surrey.

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Book SynopsisPart of the ALL-NEW LADYBIRD EXPERT SERIES.____________Why was North Africa such a key component in Britain''s success over Mussolini and his Italian Army?How did they blunt Italy''s actions?What challenges did they face?And what new technologies were brought to bear?When fascist dictator Mussolini declared war against Britain he was taking a huge risk . . . Italy lacked natural resources, and Britain and France''s wealth.He hoped to create a new Roman Empire across the Mediterranean and into Africa. And with Hitler and the Nazi''s by his side he had a great chance of doing so - but what was it that stopped him?Discover the answers and more inside James Holland''s The Desert War, the thrilling and accessible account that explains what happened, who the key figures were and the tactics, triumphs and failures on both sides . . .Trade ReviewPraise for WW2 Ladybird Experts Series * - *Shines a light on some of the darkest and most dramatic moments of the six-year conflict. * Daily Mail *The artwork is gloriously retro, echoing the original Ladybird house style but containing completely up to date information. * Shiny New Books *

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Book SynopsisOffers a detailed analysis of the end of the Vicksburg Campaign and the forty-day siege. Ranging in scope from military to social history, contributors examine the role of Grant's staff, contributions of African American troops to the Union Army of the Tennessee, both sides' use of sharpshooters, the use of West Point siege theory, and more.Trade ReviewAn impressively informative body of original Civil War scholarship."—James A. Cox Midwest Book Review"Topically diverse in addressing matters on and off the battlefield (mostly the former), Vicksburg Besieged is another solid entry in the ongoing Civil War Campaigns in the West series and a notable contribution to our understanding of the still relatively understudied siege phase of the Vicksburg Campaign."—Andrew Wagenhoffer Civil War Books and Authors"Drawing on many decades of study, the contributors to Vicksburg Besiegedsupply welcome new perspectives on a pivotal moment in Civil War history. While these well-written essays will appeal chiefly to students of the war’s military history, historians of the environment, health, food, and the senses will discover much fodder for their future work."—Brian Matthew Jordan Civil War Monitor"Despite the battlefield being preserved in the Vicksburg National Military Park, the Siege of Vicksburg garners much less attention than other phases of the campaign. Yet its importance as the capstone of the campaign, where victory and defeat finally came, cannot be diminished. Scholars are slowly beginning to turn more attention to these events, and this collection of topical essays provides a wonderful introduction to several areas of importance in the siege."—Timothy B. Smith, author of The Decision Was Always My Own: Ulysses S. Grant and the Vicksburg Campaign"This collection of essays includes some of the best recent history written about the events during the siege of Vicksburg. It illuminates the importance of Vicksburg and how its surrender was a blow from which the Confederacy could not recover. The loss of Vicksburg was a turning point in the Civil War, because it effectively isolated the Trans-Mississippi from the rest of the Confederate states, and this excellent book provides a new look at various activities during the siege."—Anne J. Bailey, author of The Chessboard of War: Sherman and Hood in the Autumn Campaigns of 1864Table of Contents List of Illustrations Acknowledgments Introduction Charles D. Grear 1. “By Hazard and by Spasms”: Grant and HisStaff at the Siege of Vicksburg Andrew S. Bledsoe 2. “Standing on the Banks”: African American Troops in the Vicksburg Campaign Scott L. Stabler and Martin J. Hershock 3. Plying the Deadly Trade: The Sharpshooters’ War at the Siege of Vicksburg Jonathan M. Steplyk 4. Nights at Vicksbur Steven E. Woodworth 5. Andrew Hickenlooper and the Vicksburg Mines Justin S. Solonick 6. A Community Besieged: Civilians of the Vicksburg Campaign John J. Gaines 7. Mournful Melodies: LouisianansPlayed the Swan Song of the Army of Relief Richard H. Holloway 8. “West of the Mississippi to UsIsNearly a Sealed Book”: Trans-Mississippians and the Fall of Vicksburg Charles D. Grear Contributors Index

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Book SynopsisGreat War Land Girls were all very different individuals - they radiated vitality, resolve and determination. In this book, their sense of fun and infectious humour shines through the myriad of humorous stories and poems penned whilst doing their National Service. Amidst the troubling times they worked through, their ability to stick it if it kills' no matter what, earnt them a richly-deserved respect. Using previously unpublished photographs from personal collections that intimately depict the ups and downs of their daily lives, this book attempts to immerse readers in the quirky and unusual world of the Great War Land Girl and discovers exactly how they interacted, lived together, socialised, relaxed, fell in love, went off the rails and got through difficult times. The minutiae of life as a recruit in land organisations, (established early on in the war) and later in the Women's Land Army, is vividly brought back to life through previously untold accounts. Ultimately, their lega

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a huge range and FREE tracked UK delivery on ALL orders.

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Book SynopsisThe author analyses the way in which both the British and German Intelligence services played a part in the Battle of Britain.

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Book SynopsisThe Second World War Italian campaign in over 300 wartime photographs.

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Book SynopsisA full and exhaustive reappraisal of the events of 1066 in a fashion not previously attempted.

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Book SynopsisIn March 1944, the Japanese Fifteenth Army launched an offensive into India from Burma. Named U Go, its main objective was the capture of the town of Imphal, which provided the easiest route between India and Burma. Whoever controlled it, controlled access between the two countries. Facing off against the Japanese was the British Fourteenth Army and its Imphal-based 4 Corps. For the next four months, over 200,000 men clashed in the hills and valley of Manipur in what has since been described as one of the greatest battles of World War II.Although numbers vary, it is estimated that some 30,000 Japanese soldiers died and 23,000 were injured at ImphalKohima in 1944 due to fighting, disease and in the retreat back to Burma. It remains the largest defeat on land ever for the Japanese Army. With fully commissioned artwork and maps, this is the complete story of the turning point in the Burma campaign in World War II.

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Book SynopsisIn 1519, the Conquistador Hernán Cortés landed on the mainland of the Americas. His quest to serve God, win gold, and achieve glory drove him into the heartland of what is now Mexico, where no European had ever set foot before. He marched towards to the majestic city of Tenochtitlan, floating like a jewel in the midst of Lake Texcoco. This encounter brought together cultures that had hitherto evolved in complete isolation from each other Catholic Spain and the Aztec Empire. What ensued was the swift escalation from a clash of civilizations to a war of the worlds. At the conclusion of the Conquistador campaign of 151921, Tenochtitlan lay in ruins, the last Aztec Emperor was in chains, and Spanish authority over the native peoples had been definitively asserted. With the colourful personalities Cortés, Malinche, Pedro Alvarez, Cuitláhuac, Cuauhtémoc driving the narrative, and the vivid differences in uniforms, weapons, and fighting styles between the rival armies (displayed

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Book SynopsisA highly illustrated updated study of Patton's daring attempt to bounce the river Rhine in March 1945. In January 1945, the collapse of the German front along the Siegfried Line led to a large-scale dissolution of German combat forces and capability. Pressed hard by Allied forces advancing eastward, German units often found themselves trapped west of the Rhine River. With his eye on history, US Lt. Gen. George S. Patton, Jr. was determined to be the first leader since Napoleon to make an assault crossing of the Rhine. The most logical crossing-place was at Mainz, as it served as a major railroad logistical link from west to east. However, Patton was aware that this would be obvious to the Germans, and therefore he and his staff made rapid plans for another site at Nierstein and Oppenheim, about 12 miles south of Mainz. The crossing began at 2230 hours on 23 March, when the first boats carrying 11th Infantry Regiment troops left the western bank of the Rhine. They met with little opTable of ContentsOrigins of the campaign Chronology Opposing Commanders Opposing Forces Opposing Plans The Campaign Aftermath The Battlefield Today Further reading Index

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Book SynopsisA new illustrated study of the devastating, but little-known, Soviet armored blitzkrieg against the Japanese in the last weeks of World War II, and how it influenced Soviet tank doctrine as the Cold War dawned.Although long overshadowed in the West by the dropping of the atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, the USSR''s lightning strike into Manchuria in August 1945 was one of the most successful and unique campaigns of the era. Soviet forces, led by over 5,500 tanks and self-propelled guns, attacked across huge distances and deserts, marshes, and mountains to smash Japan''s million-strong Kwantung Army in a matter of days.Japanese forces were short of training and equipment, but nevertheless fought fiercely, inflicting 32,000 casualties on the Soviets. Red Army operations were characterized by surprise, speed, and deep penetrations by tank-heavy forces born of the brutal lessons they had learned during years fighting the Wehrmacht. Lessons from the campaiTrade ReviewIt can be confidently said that this text will obtain a very good reputation as a concise summary of the campaign and any enthusiast of the Soviet / Japanese / Chinese campaign ought to obtain a copy. * Military Archive Research *Despite my lifelong interest in the history of WW2, this is a story I knew nothing about beforehand, so I found this one especially fascinating. * Military Model Scene *Table of ContentsINTRODUCTION - Red Blitzkrieg SOVIET ARMORED FORCE EVOLUTION, ORGANIZATION, AND DOCTRINE TECHNICAL FACTORS - Self-propelled guns - Miscellaneous AFVs THE CAMPAIGN - Forces and plans - Across deserts and mountains: The Trans-Baikal Front - Through the fortified hills and forests: The First Far Eastern Front’s attack - Supporting attack: The Second Far Eastern Front - Amphibious operations on the flanks - Surrender and seizing the spoils BATTLE ANALYSIS - Japanese tank, antitank tactics, and operations AFTERMATH FURTHER READING INDEX

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Book SynopsisThis book examines the role of the Grumman F4F Wildcat, the US Navy''s standard carrier fighter at the start of the Pacific War, and its clashes against the Imperial Japanese Naval Air Force''s Mitsubishi A6M Zero-sen.The US Navy went to war in December 1941 with the tubby Wildcat, the first of Grumman''s famed ''cats'', as its principal carrier fighter. Ruggedly built and well armed, the F4F''s performance was inferior to the Japanese Zero-sen, yet in the carrier battles of 1942 between the US Navy and the IJN the Wildcat pilots more than held their own against some of the finest naval aviators in the world. Many of the Wildcat pilots that saw action in the South Pacific comprised what respected naval historian John Lundstrom has called the ''First Team'' the small group of highly trained prewar pilots who manned the bulk of the US Navy''s carrier fighter squadrons. Illustrated with specially commissioned artwork, including armament views and ribbon diagramTable of ContentsTable of Contents (Subject to Confirmation) 1. In Battle 2. Setting the Scene 3. Path to Combat. 4. Weapon of War 5. Art of War 6. Combat Aftermath Appendices Index

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Book SynopsisA gripping, illustrated narrative of the longest and most brutal land battle of the 190405 Russo-Japanese War.Growing rivalry between Imperial Russia and Imperial Japan over territorial control in China and Korea led to the outbreak of war in February 1904. Japan struck the first blow with a surprise naval attack against the anchored Russian Pacific Fleet at its base in Port Arthur. Once the fleet had been neutralized, the Japanese landed their Second Army on the Liaotung Peninsula in May 1904, in order to besiege Port Arthur. The fighting that followed has become legend in military history. Respected military historian Robert Forczyk describes the Russian relief operation towards Port Arthur (the Battle of Telissu), and the lengthy siege of the Russian-held town and harbour. The initial Japanese attempts to capture the port by assault are documented in detail, together with the Japanese progress through the heavily fortified lines protecting Port Arthur. Table of ContentsORIGINS OF THE CAMPAIGN CHRONOLOGY OPPOSING COMMANDERS Japanese Russian OPPOSING FORCES Japanese Russian Orders of Battle OPPOSING PLANS Japanese Russian THE CAMPAIGN Opening moves Fight for the outer perimeter The siege begins The shift to trench warfare The siege reaches its climax AFTERMATH Analysis THE BATTLEFIELD TODAY FURTHER READING INDEX

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Book SynopsisA highly illustrated introduction to some of the greatest battles in world history, from the iconic encounters of the Ancient World such as Thermopylae and Cannae, through to the major clashes of the 20th century epitomized by Stalingrad and Khe Sanh.This concise study by renowned military historian Angus Konstam examines one hundred of the most famous battles from world history. It includes great naval engagements such as Salamis, Trafalgar, Jutland and Midway; pivotal land battles that decided the fate of nations, such as Hastings, Yorktown, Gettysburg and the Somme; and the impact of the new dimension of aerial warfare in the 20th century at Pearl Harbor, in the Battle of Britain and in the skies over Hiroshima.This highly illustrated book features 100 full-colour battlescene artworks from Osprey''s comprehensive archive and is the ideal introduction to the battles that changed the course of history.Trade ReviewAn enjoyable pocket-filler. * The Armourer *Table of ContentsIntroduction THE ANCIENT WORLD Marathon, 490 BC Thermopylae, 480 BC Salamis, 480 BC Plataea, 479 BC Leuctra, 371 BC The Granicus, 334 BC Cannae, 216 BC Zama, 202 BC Carrhae, 53 BC Alesia, 52 BC Pharsalus, 48 BC Actium, 31 BC The Teutoburgerwald, AD 9 Strasbourg, AD 357 Adrianople, AD 378 Châlons, AD 451 THE MEDIEVAL WORLD Constantinople, AD 718 Tours, AD 732 Hastings, 1066 Manzikert, 1071 Hattin, 1187 Lake Peipus, 1242 Hakata Bay, 1281 Bannockburn, 1314 Kulikovo, 1380 Tannenberg, 1410 Agincourt, 1415 Constantinople, 1453 Castillon, 1453 Bosworth, 1485 THE RENAISSANCE Tenochtitlan, 1521 Pavia, 1525 Cuzco, 1536–37 Malta, 1565 Lepanto, 1571 Gravelines, 1588 Sekigahara, 1600 Osaka, 1614–15 Lützen, 1632 Marston Moor, 1644 Vienna, 1683 The Boyne, 1690 THE AGE OF REASON Blenheim, 1704 Fontenoy, 1745 Rossbach, 1757 Leuthen, 1757 Ticonderoga, 1758 Quebec, 1759 Saratoga, 1777 Yorktown, 1781 THE NAPOLEONIC ERA Toulon, 1793 The Nile, 1798 Marengo, 1800 Trafalgar, 1805 Austerlitz, 1805 Wagram, 1809 Salamanca, 1812 Borodino, 1812 Leipzig, 1813 Waterloo, 1815 THE AGE OF EMPIRES The Alamo, 1836 Solferino, 1859 Volturno, 1860 First Bull Run, 1861 Vicksburg, 1863 Gettysburg, 1863 Isandlwana, 1879 San Juan Hill, 1898 Tsushima, 1905 WORLD WAR I Tannenberg, 1914 First Marne, 1914 Verdun, 1916 Jutland, 1916 The Somme, 1916 Cambrai, 1917 Amiens, 1918 Warsaw, 1920 WORLD WAR II Sedan, 1940 The Battle of Britain, 1940 Taranto, 1940 Moscow, 1941 Pearl Harbor, 1941 Singapore, 1941–42 Midway, 1942 El Alamein, 1942 Guadalcanal, 1942–43 Stalingrad, 1942–43 Kharkov, 1943 Kursk, 1943 Imphal and Kohima, 1944 Saint-Lô, 1944 Leyte Gulf, 1944 Hiroshima and Nagasaki, 1945 THE MODERN AGE Inchon, 1950 Dien Bien Phu, 1954 The Golan Heights, 1967 Khe Sanh, 1968 Hue, 1968 The Sinai, 1973 Desert Storm, 1991

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Book SynopsisAn exploration into why and how Thermopylae is one of the most blood-soaked patches of ground in history and what its past can tell us about our future.''Brilliantly demonstrated.'' - Tom HollandSince the dawn of the Classical Era up to World War II, thousands have lost their lives fighting over the pass at Thermopylae. Historians Cole and Livingston provide an exciting account of each of the 27 battles and holding actions that took place. The epic events of 480 BC when 300 Spartans attempted to hold the pass has been immortalised in poetry, art, literature and film. But no history has ever detailed the other events from the very first battle through to the battles fought by Romans, Byzantines, Huns and Ottomans during the early and late medieval periods and finally the two desperate struggles against German occupying forces during World War II. The Killing Ground details the background and history of each conflict, the personalitiTrade ReviewHighly recommended. * Adrian Goldsworthy *A timely look at the history of war, geography, and myth-making, told through the fascinating story of one of the world’s most recurrent battlefields. * Douglas Boin *A survey spanning millennia of a pass that, as the authors have brilliantly demonstrated, is as well fitted to host battles as any corner of the globe. * Tom Holland *In The Killing Ground Myke Cole and Michael Livingstone combine their proven talents as military historians to examine why the long, narrow stretch of land called Thermopylae in Greece was the site of twenty-seven battles that occurred there over 2,500 years. Their myth busting account of the legendary battle of 480 BC is a tour de force! * Lindsay Powell, author of 'Augustus at War: The Struggle for the Pax Augusta' *Table of ContentsPreface List of Illustrations List of Maps Introduction: The Killing Ground 1. The First Action: The First Battle of Thermopylae, Date Unknown 2. The Second Action: The Second Battle of Thermopylae, 480 BC 3. The Third Action: Crossing, 355 BC 4. The Fourth Action: Holding, 352 BC 5. The Fifth Action: Seizure, 346 BC 6. The Sixth Action: The Third Battle of Thermopylae, 323 BC 7. The Seventh Action: Holding, 316 BC 8. The Eighth Action: The Fourth Battle of Thermopylae, 315 BC 9. The Ninth Action: The Fifth Battle of Thermopylae, 279 BC 10. The Tenth Action: Holding, 224 BC 11. The Eleventh Action: The Sixth Battle of Thermopylae, 207 BC 12. The Twelfth Action: The Seventh Battle of Thermopylae, 191 BC 13. The Thirteenth Action: Crossing, 146 BC 14. The Fourteenth Action: Holding, AD 251 15. The Fifteenth Action: The Eighth Battle of Thermopylae, AD 254 16. The Sixteenth Action: Crossing, AD 396 17. The Seventeenth Action: The Ninth Battle of Thermopylae, AD 447 18. The Eighteenth Action: The Tenth Battle of Thermopylae, AD 517 19. The Nineteenth Action: The Eleventh Battle of Thermopylae, AD 539 20. The Twentieth Action: The Twelfth Battle of Thermopylae, AD 559 21. The Twenty-First Action: The Thirteenth Battle of Thermopylae, AD 997 22. The Twenty-Second Action: Crossing, AD 1203 23. The Twenty-Third Action: The Fourteenth Battle of Thermopylae, AD 1204 24. The Twenty-Fourth Action: The Fifteenth Battle of Thermopylae, AD 1822 25. The Twenty-Fifth Action: The Sixteenth Battle of Thermopylae, AD 1941 26. The Twenty-Sixth Action: Sabotage, AD 1942 27. The Twenty-Seventh Action: Sabotage, AD 1943 Conclusion: A Cauldron of War Notes Index

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Naval warfare is the unsung hero of ancient Greek military history, often overshadowed by the more glorified land battles. Owen Rees looks to redress the balance, giving naval battles their due attention. This book presents a selection of thirteen naval battles that span a defining century in ancient Greek history, from the Ionian Revolt and Persian Invasion to the rise of external naval powers in the Mediterranean Sea, such as the Carthaginians. Each battle is set in context. The background, wider military campaigns, and the opposing forces are discussed, followed by a narrative and analysis of the fighting. Finally, the aftermath of the battles are dealt with, looking at the strategic implications of the outcome for both the victor and the defeated. The battle narratives are supported by maps and tactical diagrams, showing the deployment of the fleets and the wider geographical factors involved in battle. Written in an accessible tone, this book successfully shows that Greek naval warfare did not start and end at the battle of Salamis.

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Book SynopsisContains full colour, high resolution images of the various items of uniform and equipment. A valuable reference source for historians, re-enactors, modellers and war-gamers.

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Book SynopsisThe inside story of Stalingrad from the viewpoint of the German high command

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Book SynopsisThe Battle of El Alamein is well established as a pivotal moment of the Second World War. Following the wildly fluctuating fortunes of the opposing sides, there was a real risk that Rommel s Afrika Korps and his Italian allies would break through and seize Cairo with catastrophic strategic and political implications for the Allies. That this never happened is, of course, well known but, as this highly readable yet authoritative work reveals, there were moments of extreme peril and anxiety. Churchill s bold, nay desperate, decisions concerning key appointments, Montgomery s stubborn refusal to be rushed, Rommel s chronic logistic problems and critical air superiority are all examined in expert detail. The author s description of the actual fighting is brought to life by personal accounts as well as his complete grasp of the plan and tactics involved. The result, seventy-five years on, is a delightfully fresh and fascinating account of one of the iconic battles, not just of the War but in military history.

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Book SynopsisThe Battle of the Bulge took the Allied armies by surprise in 1944\. It was a result of the extraordinary recovery of Hitler's panzer divisions following crushing defeats on the Eastern and Western fronts. In a daring offensive he hoped his panzers would unhinge the American and British push on the Rhine by charging through the Schnee Eifel, thereby prolonging the war. The consequence was one of the best-known battles of the entire conflict, and Anthony Tucker-Jones's photographic history is the ideal introduction to it. The story is told through a sequence of revealing contemporary photographs and a concise text. They give a sharp insight into the planning and decision-making, the armoured forces involved, the terrain and the appalling mid-winter conditions, the front-line fighting and the experience of the troops involved. The armoured battle, which was critical to the outcome, is the main focus. Through a massive tank offensive the Germans aimed to cut through the US 1st Army to Antwerp and Brussels, in the process trapping three Allied armies. The confusion and near collapse of the Americans as their defences were overrun is vividly recorded in the photographs, as is their resistance and recovery as the German spearheads were slowed, then stopped.

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Book SynopsisA visit to the battlefield of Verdun is usually dominated by the forts of Douamont and Vaux, the museum at Fleury and the striking, huge Ossuary, Although this gives a flavour of the horrific fighting that took place in the area, particularly in 1916, the visitor will be hard pressed to get much more than an impression from such places.This book seeks to guide the battlefield pilgrim into parts of the battlefield that get rarely visited by means of a series of walks, a number of which include the major sites. The four tours have been carefully walked. All are practicable for a reasonably healthy adult; the tours vary in length, most taking a half day to complete and the longest (the last) a day. In a twist to the usual walks to be found in the Battleground series, Christina makes full use of the numerous field graves and isolated memorials that are to be found on the Verdun battlefield, a number of which will bring visitors to the most visited sites. In the course of these walks many physical remnants will be found, such as gun positions, bunkers and trench systems, the significance of which is fully explained. The walks have not been chosen at random: by following these the tourer will get a far greater understanding of why the fighting at Verdun developed as it did and why such places as Fort Vaux were so significant to both sides. The field graves and memorials to the combatants, very often of individuals, provide an opportunity to give their story and the unit action in which they were fighting when they were killed. Verdun is a battlefield where the story of units and individuals can easily become lost in the horror of the incessant fighting that raged over ten months; and over ground which is extremely difficult to read because of the post war forestation programme. Profusely illustrated and with excellent mapping, a hallmark of Christina Holstein's books, a visitor who follows the walks in this book will be left with a far clearer idea of the men who fought and died here and of the features of the battlefield and their significance in this battle that so challenged the endurance of the armies of two nations.

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Book SynopsisOn 1st June 1666, during the second Anglo-Dutch War, a large but outnumbered English Fleet engaged the Dutch off the mouth of the Thames in a colossal battle that was to involve nearly 200 ships and last four days. False intelligence had led the English to divide their fleet to meet a phantom fleet from France and although the errant squadron rejoined on the final day of the battle, it was not enough to redress the balance. More than 1,500 English sailors were killed, 2,000 taken prisoner and two vice admirals killed. The battle ended when the English escaped into a fog bank, both fleets by this time having expended their ammunition. Like many a defeat, it sparked controversy at the time, and has been the subject of speculation and debate ever since. The battle was an event of such overwhelming complexity that for centuries it defied description and deterred study, but this superbly researched book is now recognised as the definitive English-language account. First published in 1996, it provides the only clear exposition of the opposing forces, fils many holes in the narrative and answers most of the questions raised by the actions of the English commanders. The narrative is totally engrossing and worthy of what was the greatest battle anywhere in the age of sail, and this new paperback edition will bring the story to new readers who missed the book in its earlier editions.

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On the morning of 3 July 1815, the French General R mi Joseph Isidore Exelmans, at the head of a brigade of dragoons, fired the last shots in the defence of Paris until the Franco-Prussian War sixty-five years later. Why did he do so? Traditional stories of 1815 end with Waterloo, that fateful day of 18 June, when Napoleon Bonaparte fought and lost his last battle, abdicating his throne on 22 June. So why was Exelmans still fighting for Paris? Surely the fighting had ended on 18 June? Not so. Waterloo was not the end, but the beginning of a new and untold story. Seldom studied in French histories and virtually ignored by English writers, the French Army fought on after Waterloo. At Versailles, Sevres, Rocquencourt and elsewhere, the French fought off the Prussian army. In the Alps and along the Rhine other French armies fought the Allied armies, and General Rapp defeated the Austrians at La Souffel - the last great battle and the last French victory of the Napoleonic Wars. Many other French commanders sought to reverse the defeat of Waterloo. Bonapartist and irascible, General Vandamme, at the head of 3rd and 4th Corps, was, for example, champing at the bit to exact revenge on the Prussians. General Exelmans, ardent Bonapartist and firebrand, likewise wanted one final, defining battle to turn the war in favour of the French. Marshal Grouchy, much maligned, fought his army back to Paris by 29 June, with the Prussians hard on his heels. On 1 July, Vandamme, Exelmans and Marshal Davout began the defence of Paris. Davout took to the field in the north-eastern suburbs of Paris along with regiments of the Imperial Guard and battalions of National Guards. For the first time ever, using the wealth of archive material held in the French Army archives in Paris, along with eyewitness testimonies from those who were there, Paul Dawson brings alive the bitter and desperate fighting in defence of the French capital. The 100 Days Campaign did not end at Waterloo, it ended under the walls of Paris fifteen days later.

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Book SynopsisThe strategic importance of Malta sitting astride both the Axis and Allied supply routes in the Mediterranean was obvious to both sides during WW2. As a result the Island became the focal point in a prolonged and dreadful struggle that cost the lives of thousands of servicemen and civilians. After setting the scene for the action, this book tells the story of the Island's stand against the might of the Axis powers that led to the unprecedented award of the George Cross to the whole by King George VI. It not only covers the struggle by the British and Maltese forces on the ground but the vicious fighting in the skies above. At one point the Island's only aircraft were the three antiquated Gloster Gladiators, nicknamed Faith, Hope and Charity. Then of course there was the naval effort to run convoys through with essential supplies not just of war material and oil but food for the starving population. The losses endured were appalling but repeated attempts to run the gauntlet had to be made. This was indeed a great siege involving every man and women on the Island. David Wragg tells the story using many first hand accounts and yet skilfully explains the strategic situation. The result is an inspiring book worthy of the courage shown by the Islanders and their defenders.

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Book SynopsisBy early 1944, offensives undertaken by the United States armed forces had driven the Japanese from many of their conquests in the south and central Pacific. The next American move was to sever Tokyo's communications with the remaining Japanese garrisons and interdict the supplies of raw materials essential to Japan's war effort. Before this could be achieved it was considered essential to eliminate the land-based air forces in the Philippines which were regarded as too powerful to by-pass. The American plan was to land on the eastern Philippine island of Leyte and, once fully established there, to move against the island of Mindoro. At this point, US forces would then launch their main assault upon Luzon and the Philippine capital, Manila. On 20 October 1944, the US Sixth Army began landing on Leyte's eastern coast, supported by the US Navy's 3rd and 7th fleets, which were assisted by ships from the Royal Australian Navy. The Japanese were aware that the Americans were poised to attack the Philippines and planned to draw the American warships into one last great battle to try and stave off the otherwise inevitable defeat. Over the course of the following three days, the two naval forces engaged in four separate engagements. Involving more than 360 ships and 200,000 naval personnel, the battle was the greatest naval encounter of the Second World War and possibly the largest naval battle in history. The result was disastrous for the Japanese who lost three battleships, four aircraft carriers, ten cruisers and eleven destroyers, along with almost 300 aircraft - the greatest loss of ships and crew the Japanese had ever experienced. In _Battle of Leyte Gulf_, the actions of the warships as well as the accompanying amphibious landings on Leyte by the US Sixth Army are vividly revealed through a dramatic collection of photographs depicting the ships, sailors, airmen and soldiers who made history.

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Book SynopsisThe gallant stand of the 101st Airborne Division at Bastogne has long become part of historical and media legend. But how many students of the war realize there was already a U.S. unit holding the town when they arrived? And this unit—the 10th Armored Division—continued to play a major role in its defense throughout the German onslaught.Trade ReviewThis book vividly portrays the battle with a series of interviews, medal citations and after action reviews. These are well attributed in the end notes, together with some brief statistics and a list of staff roles. The style should appeal to the general reader as well as military readers and there are good maps and illustrations...Most of the books on their role are out of print so this book is a useful addition on the subject. * Army Rumour Service *The maps are very good to support the text and the photographs are full of atmosphere and convey how troops maintained their morale throughout the fighting. A great book to add another chapter to the famous battle. * Gun Mart *Collins and King uncover and reveal some surprising secrets relating to the battle of Bastogne. These accounts of bravery above and beyond the call of duty are the stuff of legend - you would think that there were no such stories left to tell, but you'd be wrong. Amazing. * Books Monthly *

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Book SynopsisMade famous by her final commanding officer, John F. Kennedy, PT-109 is one of the most celebrated warships in American history. However, a full chronicle of PT-109’s wartime story has heretofore been lacking. Behind the familiar account of the future president and the boat’s violent demise is the little-known record under two previous officers during the swirling battles around Guadalcanal.In these mainly nocturnal fights, when the Japanese navy was at its apex, America’s small, fast-boat flotillas would sally out to probe enemy strength, vying with enemy destroyers, who were similarly roaming the waters and able to blast a PT-boat out of the water if main armament could be brought to bear. It was constant hit-and-run and dodging between searchlights across Iron Bottom Sound, as the PT-boats darted in among the enemy fleet, like a“barroom brawl with the lights turned out.”Bryant Larson and Rollin Westholm preceded Kennedy as commanders of PT-109, and their fights with the brave ship and its crew hold second to none in the chronicles of US Navy daring. As the battles moved on across the Pacific the PT-boat flotillas gained confidence, even as the Japanese, too, learned lessons in how to destroy them.Under its third and final commander, Kennedy, PT-109 came a cropper as a Japanese destroyer suddenly emerged from a dark mist and rammed it in half. Two crewmen were killed immediately but Kennedy, formerly on the swim team at Harvard, was able to shepherd his wounded and others to refuge. His unsurpassed gallantry can not resist retelling, yet the courage of the book’s previous commanders have not till now seen the light of day.This book provides the complete record of PT-109 in the Pacific, as well as a valuable glimpse of how the American Navy’s daring and initiative found its full playing field in World War II.Trade ReviewA useful and comprehensive niche contribution to naval history. * Army Rumour Service 13/03/2019 *

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Book SynopsisThe battle of the Falaise Pocket, in August 1944, was the turning point in the Normandy campaign. By early August the German Army was in turmoil: while it was managing to hold back the Allies, the defense involved resources that could not be replaced, and the Allies ruled the skies above. In late July, American troops broke through the American lines and pushed south and east, while British and Canadian troops pushed south. Although unable to counter these offensives, Hitler refused to permit the commander Army Group B, Field Marshal von Kluge, to withdraw. Instead he was ordered to launch a counteroffensive at Mortain, the result being that the Germans ended up further into the Allied envelopment. On 8 August Montgomery ordered that the Allied armies converge on the Falaise area—by 21 August the Allies had linked up and sealed the pocket, trapping around 50,000 Germans inside. While many soldiers did eventually escape the encirclement, the losses were catastrophic and by the end of the month Army Group B had retreated across the Seine, ending the battle of Normandy. This illustrated account examines the battle from the failed offensive at Mortain, looking at both German and Allied perspectives, using maps, diagrams and profiles to complete the story.Trade ReviewThis is a superb series, primarily for the photos…’ * Miniature Wargames 11/07/2019 *A great read, a great resource, recommended. * Scale Military Modelling International Magazine 29/04/2019 *This glossy, illustrated title features all the leaders, profiles the tanks and vehicles, and mixes the history with copious photos from the area. It’s a handy guide to the end of the Normandy Campaign. * The Armourer 03/06/2019 *

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Book SynopsisSeptember 1944: With the Allies closing in on the Rhine, Adolf Hitler orders a counterattack on General Patton's Third Army in France. Near the small town of Arracourt, France, elements of the US 4th Armored Division met the grizzled veterans of the 5th Panzer Army in combat. Atop their M4 Shermans, American tank crews squared off against the technologically superior Mark V Panther tanks of the Wermacht. Yet through a combination of superior tactics, leadership, teamwork, and small-unit initiative, the outnumbered American forces won a decisive victory against the 5th Panzer Army.Indeed, of the 262 tanks and mobile assault guns fielded by German forces, 200 were damaged or destroyed by enemy fire. The Americans, by contrast, lost only 48 tanks. Following the collapse of the German counterattack at Arracourt, General Patton's Third Army found itself within striking distance of the Third Reich's borderlands.The battle of Arracourt was the US Army's largest tank battle until the Ardennes Offensive in December 1944. It helped pave the way for the final Allied assault into Germany, and showed how tactical ingenuity and adaptive leadership can overcome and an enemy's superior size or technological strength.Trade Review...an interesting study of small-unit leadership that emphasizes the importance of tank-crew training, the value of a reliable logistics system and effects of weather on battlefield activities. * ARMOR Magazine 21/12/2022 *This is an excellent resource for someone new to wargaming WWII, as it explains most of the basics. For the more experienced gamer, the excellent photos and analysis may be appreciated. * The Miniatures Page 07/09/2022 *Table of ContentsTimeline of Events Introduction Opposing Forces The Campaign Afterword Further Reading Index

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Book SynopsisEdwin Lutyens' Memorial to the Missing of the Somme at Thiepval in Northern France, visited annually by tens of thousands of tourists, is arguably the finest structure erected by any British architect in the twentieth century. It is the principal, tangible expression of the defining event in Britain's experience and memory of the Great War, the first day of the Battle of the Somme on 1 July 1916, and it bears the names of 73,000 soldiers whose bodies were never found at the end of that bloody and futile campaign. This brilliant study by an acclaimed architectural historian tells the origin of the memorial in the context of commemorating the war dead; it considers the giant classical brick arch in architectural terms, and also explores its wider historical significance and its resonances today. So much of the meaning of the twentieth century is concentrated here; the Thiepval Memorial to the Missing casts a shadow into the future, a shadow which extends beyond the dead of the Holocaust, to the Gulag, to the 'disappeared' of South America and of Tianenmen. Reissued in a beautiful and striking new edition for the centenary of the Somme.Trade Review[a] moving and eloquent book * Literary Review *as a piece of architectural analysis it is impressive * The Spectator *Stamp has provided an invaluable, detailed and illuminating study * Guardian *the value of Stamp's book lies in its eloquent account of the genius of the vision of Edward Lutyens ... who created in the Monument to the Missing at Thiepval the central metaphor of a generation's experience of appalling loss. * Observer *This book is a gem...an eloquent, moving lament for the futile waste and industrialised killing of the First World War, and indeed of the 20th Century - an elegy which resonates powerfully today. * Sunday Telegraph *Much, much more than architectural history, for here, encapsulated in marmoreally angry prose, is an account of that collective act of mass murder, without parallel in history, known as the Great War. An unforgettable, passionate book. -- A.N. Wilson * Evening Standard *Perfectly formed and beautifully written, this book is a minor masterpiece, a paragon of its genre. It will move all but the hardest heart to tears at the folly, and the glory, that is man. -- Ross Leckie * The Times *

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