Battles / military campaigns Books

Book SynopsisJulie Peakman is an historian and author. She is a Fellow of the Royal Historical Society and Honorary Fellow at Birkbeck College, University of London. She lives in London and on Leros.Table of ContentsIntroduction List of Illustrations Chapter One The Island of Leros Chapter Two Behind Enemy Lines Chapter Three Drop into Rhodes Chapter Four Troops to Leros Chapter Five Fall of Kos Chapter Six Making Preparations Chapter Seven Waiting Under Bombs Chapter Eight The First Day of Battle Chapter Nine Central Collision Chapter Ten And the Fight Goes On Chapter Eleven Inbound Royal West Kents Chapter Twelve Tired, Hungry and Lost Chapter Thirteen Final Day of Battle Chapter Fourteen Surrender or Escape Chapter Fifteen The Rescuing Parties Chapter Sixteen Prisoners of War Chapter Seventeen The German POW Camps Chapter Eighteen Aftermath Considerations Chronology Glossary Bibliography Index

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Book SynopsisThe siege of Constantinople in AD 71718 was the supreme crisis of Western civilization. The Byzantine Empire had been reeling under the onslaught of Arabic imperialism since the death of the Prophet, whilst Jihadist armies had detached Syria, Palestine, Egypt, and Carthage from imperial control and were in the process of imposing their ascendancy at sea. The Empire had been reduced to its Anatolian and Balkan heartland, and Arab incursions threatened even this Arab naval forces had appeared under the walls of Constantinople every year from AD 674 to 678. But all this was only a prelude to the massive combined-arms invasion force that advanced on the capital in 717. This title offers a comprehensive study of the ensuing clash between the ascendant Caliphate and the Empire at bay. It details the forces available to each side, with their respective advantages and vulnerabilities, evaluating the leadership qualities of the rival commanders and assessing their strategicTable of ContentsOrigins of the campaign Chronology Opposing Commanders Opposing Forces and Plans The Siege of Constantinople, 717-18 Aftermath Bibliography Index

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Book SynopsisThe hard-hitting history of the Pacific War''s ''forgotten battle'' of Peleliu a story of intelligence failings and impossible bravery. In late 1944, as a precursor to the invasion of the Philippines, U.S. military analysts decided to seize the small island of Peleliu to ensure that the Japanese airfield there could not threaten the invasion forces. This important new book explores the dramatic story of this forgotten' battle and the campaign's strategic failings. Bitter Peleliu reveals how U.S. intelligence officers failed to detect the complex network of caves, tunnels, and pillboxes hidden inside the island's coral ridges. More importantly, they did not discern nor could they before it happened that the defense of Peleliu would represent a tectonic shift in Japanese strategy. No more contested enemy landings at the water's edge, no more wild banzai attacks. Now, invaders would be raked on the beaches by mortar and artillery fire. Then, as the enemy penetrated deepeTrade ReviewThe months-long struggle for Peleliu was one of the hardest fought campaigns of the Pacific War. It should be better known and now, thanks to Joseph Wheelan’s exhaustively researched and beautifully and sensitively crafted study, it will take its rightful place alongside the iconic battles of Tarawa, Saipan, Iwo Jima and Okinawa. * Saul David, author of 'Crucible of Hell' *Using his signature deep research and powerful narrative, Joseph Wheelan tells us the story of this too often overlooked campaign through the actions of the men on both sides that fought on this island and the commanders who led them… A great read for anyone interested in the Pacific War or in general military history. * James P. Duffy, author of 'Return to Victory' and 'War at The End of The World' *[A] gripping account. * The Armourer *Table of ContentsPrelude List of Illustrations List of Maps Chapter 1: The “Old Breed” Chapter 2: Second Thoughts, A Brash Prediction Chapter 3: The Japanese Chapter 4: The Bloody Beaches Chapter 5: The Point, The Airfield Chapter 6: Into the Ridges Chapter 7: Combat on Angaur and Peleliu Chapter 8: The Destruction of the First Marines Chapter 9: Isolating the Pocket Chapter 10: The Fifth Marines Take Over Chapter 11: The Army’s Turn Chapter 12: The End Chapter 13: Aftermath Epilogue Endnotes Bibliography Index

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