Books by Steven J Zaloga

Book SynopsisIllustrated with original artwork and archive photos, this is the history of Germany''s extensive use of captured tanks in World War II.In this book Steven J. Zaloga, one of the world''s leading armor authorities, uncovers the history of one of the least-known aspects of Germany''s World War II Panzers: the extensive use of captured armored vehicles, Beutepanzer. The best came from the fall of France, and the Somua S 35 and Panhard 178 proved popular in German service. Others, such as the antique Renault FT, were used for secondary tasks such as anti-partisan missions and airfield protection. Most curious of all were the Becker conversions, a private venture of a German artillery officer with family industry, who mechanized his unit's towed artillery and went on to oversee the modernization and upgunning of many French Beutepanzers. These would play a particularly important role in Normandy in 1944.Although the Wehrmacht captured large numbers of Soviet tanks,

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Book SynopsisAn illustrated study of the big guns of Hitler''s army the Wehrmacht''s field artillery, its capabilities and its role in German fighting units of World War II. Often overshadowed in military history by the tanks and aircraft of Blitzkrieg, Germany's artillery was key to its methods of waging war throughout World War II. Field artillery remained the primary killer on the battlefield, often responsible for three-quarters of combat casualties inflicted.Redressing the balance, this book surveys the major Wehrmacht guns of the war, and the basic organizational structure of the German field artillery. Its primary focus is on the divisional field guns, especially the lFH 18 10.5cm field howitzer and the 15cm sFH 18 field howitzer that formed the backbone of German artillery. A brief survey is also made of the infantry guns used at the regimental level, and of corps-level heavy artillery. The issue of the use ofBeutewaffen, captured war-booty field guns, is also looked Table of ContentsIntroduction Artillery organization Infantry guns Light infantry guns Heavy infantry guns Divisional artillery Old and eccentric: the 7.5cm field gun Backbone of the artillery: the 10.5cm light field howitzer 10.5cm gun battery organization 10.5cm leFH 18 operation The 10.5cm mountain howitzer The 15cm heavy field howitzer GHQ artillery 10cm gun 12.8cm K 81 gun 15cm guns 17cm gun K 18 in Mörserlafette 21cm Mörser 18 21cm Kanone Beutegeschütze Rocket artillery 15cm Nebelwerfer 41 21cm Nebelwerfer 42 28/32cm schwere Wurfgerät Artillery in combat Artillery on the Eastern Front 1941–45 Artillery on the Western Front 1944–45 Further reading Index

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Book SynopsisThe first book to examine the Japanese and American tank forces in the Philippines campaigns, which saw the biggest armored clashes of the Pacific War. The Philippines saw the most extensive tank combat of any single theater in the Pacific War. In this book, armor expert Steven J. Zaloga explains the capabilities of the tank forces involved and how they fought. He explains how while the first tank clashes on Leyte were relatively small scale, the fighting for Luzon, including the capital Manila, saw massive use of tanks by Pacific standards, and indeed, Luzon was the only place where a Japanese armored division was thrown into combat against US forces. While there was some tank-vs-tank combat in northern Luzon when the Japanese 2nd Tank Division faced separate US Army tank battalions, most tank fighting in the Philippines involved their use in the traditional infantry support role, including in the largest urban battle of the Pacific War, the horrific struggle

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Book SynopsisA fully illustrated new assessment of the German tank force that won its greatest victory in France during 1940.The German conquest of France in 1940 was arguably the Wehrmacht's greatest military achievement, conquering France in several weeks after having failed to do so in World War I. New Panzer tactics, dubbed ''Blitzkrieg'', were at the heart of the German victory.In this book, renowned armor expert Steven J. Zaloga reassesses the armored force that made the triumph possible, and explains that although the German Panzers won their reputation in France, they were far from being a technological juggernaut. The vast majority were the small PzKpfw I and PzKpfw II light tanks. The more effective medium tanks such as the PzKpfw III and PzKpfw IV were available in relatively small numbers. Their effectiveness had far more to do with training and doctrine than technology. With illustrations including unpublished photos and superb new artwork, this book

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Book SynopsisAn expert account of the development, role, and capabilities of the S-300 and S-400 air defence missile systems, key strategic weapons in Putin's Russia. Few modern missile systems have had such significance as the S-300 family. Highly regarded technically, Russia's most powerful air-defense systems have been a major strategic asset to the country, exported to major powers around the world, and are a key weapon in many international hotspots and in recent wars. In this book, professional missile systems analyst Steve Zaloga uses his specialist knowledge to assess and analyse them in detail. He explains that the S-300 is, in fact, three systems: the S-300P, designed as a replacement for older Soviet strategic SAM systems, the S-300V, developed to defend against Pershing ballistic missiles, and the S-300F, designed for ship defense. He also considers the supplementary S-350 system and the new-generation S-400 system, deployed in Syria and sold to both China and Turkey. An assessmentTrade ReviewThe book is packed with illustrations and photos and technical information. -- Susan Wilson * Army Rumour Service *Table of ContentsINTRODUCTION ORIGINS S-300P Biryuza (SA-10A Grumble) S-300PS Volkhov M6 S-50 Moscow Defense Ring The second generation: S-300PM Volkhov M-6M (SA-20A Gargoyle) S-300PMU Export System Catering to the export market: S-300PMU-2 Favorit (SA-20B Gargoyle) S-350 Vityaz The third generation: S-400 Triumf (SA-21A Growler) The Naval S-300F Fort/Rif (SA-N-6 Grumble) S-300V (SA-12 Giant/Gladiator) S-300VM (SA-23) S-500 Prometey ATBM ASSESSMENT FURTHER READING

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Book SynopsisA new analysis of exactly how Allied and German tanks fought the Battle of the Bulge, one of the great tank battles of World War II. The Battle of the Bulge raises many questions which, until now, have not been adequately answered: How did the major tank types perform during the battle? What were the specific lessons learned from the combat? And did these lessons result in changes to tanks in the subsequent months?Offering detailed answers to these questions, and many more, this book provides a survey of the principal tank and tank-equivalents (such as tank destroyers and Jagdpanzers) that took part in the Ardennes Campaign of December 1944--January 1945. Beginning with a basic overview of the campaign, accompanied by an order of battle of the major armored units, it examines the opposing forces, covering the organization of the two tank forces to explain how they were deployed. Author Steven Zaloga also scrutinizes the technical balance between the opposing Trade ReviewThere is much here for the rules writer or campaign planner. * Wargames Soldiers and Strategy Magazine *Table of ContentsThe Campaign The Tanks, Doctrine and Organization Technical Factors Battle Analysis Further Reading Index

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Book SynopsisA new analysis of the technology and tanks that faced off against each other on opposite sides of the Iron Curtain, during the very height of the Cold War.From the 1960s onwards, there was a generational shift in tank design and warfare with the advent of CBR (chemical, biological, radiological) protection and a move away from HEAT ammunition to APFSDS. This shift confronted the growing threat of guided anti-tank missiles and saw the introduction of composite armor. Soviet heavy tanks and tank destroyer/assault guns became obsolete, giving way to the technological might of the T-62 and T-64, while NATO forces employed the Chieftain, AMX-30, Leopard I, and M60, plus the initial attempt at a common US-German tank, the MBT-70. Using detailed illustrations and contemporary photographs, this companion volume to NVG 301, Tanks at the Iron Curtain 194660 focuses on key battle tanks and their technology to give a comprehensive overall picture of hTrade ReviewThe writer compares tank production figures, gun and ammunition, armour, and estimated combat effectiveness of opponent tanks. A good review of this big subject with photos and impressive artwork, recommended. -- John Ham * Tankette *This is an easy-to-read volume stacked with great images of cold war tanks, this is definitely a book worth picking up especially war gamers wo either play or plan to play A Cold War gone hot scenario. -- Jason Hubbard * Irregular Magazine *Table of ContentsIntroduction The Tanks, Doctrine, and Organization Soviet Union: The Rise of the Missile Tank Warsaw Pact United States: The Missile Tank Debacle; Radical Alternatives; M48/M60 Improvements United Kingdom West Germany France Tanks in Battle Technical Analysis Firepower T-62 vs. NATO tanks Fire control Protection Tank Armor of the 1960s Mobility Tank Comparisons Combat Effectiveness of NATO/Warsaw Pact Tanks: Further Reading Index

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Book SynopsisA new history and analysis of the German and Soviet tank forces that battled on eastern German soil in the final months of World War II.The final months of World War II on the Eastern Front saw the Wehrmacht fighting with exhausted armoured divisions, albeit now armed with the most advanced and heaviest tanks of the war, to slow the Soviet advance. The Red Army meanwhile was rolling relentlessly westwards, with its own highly developed tank forces now equipped with T34/85s and the huge IS-2 heavy tanks, intent on taking Berlin and as much German territory as possible.This book is a history and analysis of the state of these two mighty armoured forces, as their battles decided the fate of Germany. It covers their initial encounters on the German frontier in 1944 (East Prussia), the fighting of the Oder-Vistula offensive in January 1945 and describes the condition of the German tank forces and their Hungarian allies as they were beaten back. It also considers the huge impact of ThTrade ReviewPhotos show tanks and AFVs in various campaign locations, and top-notch artwork by Felipe Rodriguez. Recommended. -- John Ham * Tankette *It is another worthy addition to this series and fans of Zaloga’s previous works will not be disappointed. * The Aviation Historian *Table of Contents(Subject to confirmation) Introduction The Campaign The Tanks, Doctrine and Organization Technical Factors Analysis Further Reading

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Book SynopsisThe history of the little-known yet controversial T-80 and its subsequent variants. The Soviet T-80 Standard Tank was the last tank fielded before the Soviet collapse, and the most controversial. Despite having the most sophisticated fire controls and multi-layer armor ever fielded on a Soviet tank, its turbine power plant (rather than a conventional diesel) remained a source of considerable trouble throughout its career. Steven J Zaloga charts the little-known history of the T-80, covering the initial construction, through the development to the subsequent variants, the T-84 and Russia’s enigmatic “Black Eagle Tank.” Accompanying detailed cut-away artwork illustrates the unusual design features that made the T-80 so controversial.Table of ContentsIntroduction · Design and Development · Construction · Variants · Service History · Conclusion · Colour Plate Commentary · Bibliography · Index

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Book SynopsisA comprehensive and detailed illustrated examination of the development and combat performance of US battle tanks from the end of World War II through to the present day.In this, the second of two highly illustrated volumes telling the full history of the design, development and operational use of US Army and US Marine Corps battle tanks, Steven J. Zaloga draws and expands on material published in Osprey's New Vanguard and Duel series to explain how the US Army attempted to come to grips with the challenges of the nuclear battlefield, as well as the introduction of new tank designs such as the famous Patton tank series. He also covers the short-lived attempts to develop more radical tanks such as the T95 as well as the overly ambitious and failed MBT-70 tank program and the more austere M1 Abrams that followed a tank that proved to be the best US tank design of the post-World War II period and is still in service today.Packed with dozens of intricate color pr

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Book SynopsisA new illustrated history of one of the key air campaigns of late World War II the American effort to cripple Germany''s oil production, and grind its armed forces to a halt.With retreating German forces losing their oilfields on the Eastern Front, Germany was reliant on its own facilities, particularly for producing synthetic oil from coal. However, these were within range of the increasingly mighty Allied air forces. In 1944 the head of the US Strategic Air Forces, General Carl Spaatz was intent on a new campaign that aimed to cripple the German war machine by depriving it of fuel. The USAAF's Oil Campaign built up momentum during the summer of 1944 and targeted these refineries and plants with its daylight heavy bombers. Decrypted German communications made it clear that the Oil Campaign was having an effect against the Wehrmacht. Fuel shortages in the autumn of 1944 forced the Luftwaffe to ground most of its combat units except for fighters involved in the defense ofTrade ReviewThis author really needs no accolade from the likes of me. Once again, he provides an excellent description and analysis of WWII equipment, tactics, operational method, and strategic impact in a well-blended and thoroughly researched manner. Allied industrial/military intelligence identified the German oil industry as a critical point in their infrastructure, the crippling of which would lead not only to severe logistics issues (including the loss of associated key chemical by-products such as nitrogen for explosives) but also attrition of German fighter defences in aerial combat. The book focuses on the operational and strategic aspects of the campaign rather than detailed (but still adequate) descriptions of equipment – aircraft and anti-aircraft, radar and anti-radar – so is ideal for that level of wargaming. There are numerous tables of bomb tonnage, sorties, oil production, fighter strength, etc set against a background of mammoth air ‘missions’, with up to 2,000 Allied bombers and fighters at a time. German fighter losses in the later engagements were horrific – up to 50% of aircraft engaged. An excellent account, with a good bibliography too. -- Chris Jarvis * Miniature Wargames *This fascinating book packed with key photos and illustrations examines the controversies and debates over the focus of the US bombing campaign in the final year of the war, and the impact it had on the war effort overall. This campaign was so successful the Luftwaffe had to ground most of its aircraft due to the fuel shortage caused by the campaign. -- Jason Hubbard * Irregular Magazine *The 12 pages of exceptional artwork covering the type’s various colour schemes are by Polish artist Janusz Swiatlon, and will no doubt be of great value to scale modellers. Recommended. * Aviation News *Table of ContentsINTRODUCTION CHRONOLOGY ATTACKER’S CAPABILITIES Allied bomber strength in 1944 Royal Air Force US Army Air Forces DEFENDER’S CAPABILITIES Luftflotte reich Luftwaffe organization Luftwaffe daylight tactics Luftwaffe night tactics Luftwaffe Flak CAMPAIGN OBJECTIVES The crucial commodity The Oil Plan THE CAMPAIGN Collapsing the German war economy Mission 353: May 12, 1944 Ploesti attacks resume Impact of the initial Oil Campaign German countermeasures Bomber Command joins the battle Post-invasion USSTAF Oil Campaign August Oil Campaign Ploesti subdued Summer assessment The Fall 1944 Oil Campaign October missions The November reprieve Hitler’s December gamble Bodenplatte January 1945 Luftwaffe demoralization The February decline The final campaign ANALYSIS FURTHER READING INDEX

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Book SynopsisA study of the Soviet and NATO armored forces that faced each other off in Central Europe in the early Cold War, and how their technology, tactics, and doctrine were all rapidly developed.For 45 years, the most disputed point in the World was the dividing line between East and West in Europe; here the use and development of tanks was key. In this fully illustrated study, author Steve Zaloga, describes how Soviet and NATO tanks were deployed in the early years of the Cold War, and how a generation of tanks such as the Soviet T-44/T-54 and IS-3, British Centurion, US Army M26/M46 Pershing (all developed during World War II) saw extensive service after the war had ended. Initial post-war generation tanks including the Soviet T-54A, T-10 heavy tank, British late-model Centurions, Conqueror, US Army M41, M47, M48 and the French AMX-13 are examined in detail alongside the most important technical trends of the era: the development of shaped-charge anti-tank projectiles, theTable of ContentsIntroduction The tanks, doctrine, and organization Tanks in battle Technical analysis Further reading Index

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Book SynopsisA new study of tank warfare used in the Soviet offensive of Operation Bagration, which destroyed Army Group Center. Operation Bagration, the 1944 summer campaign on the Russian Front, has been called Hitler''s Greatest Defeat. The operation involved substantial tank and armored vehicles on both sides but the German forces were severely hampered by the transfer of dozens of Panzer divisions to France to repel an expected Allied invasion. Forced to make hard decisions, German tank forces in the central Belarus sector were weak compared to the heavy concentration of Panzers in northern Ukraine. The Red Army exploited this vulnerability, crushing Army Group Center, and pushing beyond the Soviet frontier into Poland and East Prussia. With this crucial victory secured, the Red Army conducted successive offensives beyond the Carpathian Mountains, arriving at the Vistula river in Poland, and forcing Romania to switch sides. The Red Army had embarked on aTrade ReviewIt’s an accessible introduction to a large subject and one of the most pivotal battles of World War II. * Military Modelcraft International *Table of ContentsINTRODUCTION DOCTRINE AND ORGANIZATION - Wehrmacht - Axis allies - Other Axis allies - The Red Army - Red Army allies TECHNICAL FACTORS - Wehrmacht - Red Army THE CAMPAIGN - Operation Bagration - The Lvov-Sandomierz Offensive - The Iasi-Chisinau Offensive BATTLE ANALYSIS FURTHER READING INDEX

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Book SynopsisThe crossing of the river Rhine marked the beginning of the end of the Third Reich, but the Wehrmacht would fight ferociously on its home soil until the fall of Berlin. The Battle of Germany saw the most advanced tanks of the Allies pitted against the remnants of the once-formidable Panzerwaffe, now exhausted and lacking many of the essentials of armored warfare, but equipped with the biggest and most powerful tanks they would ever field. In these last months the Allies were now equipped with the most advanced Shermans such as the M4A3E8, as well as some of the types that would go on to have successful postwar careers such as the Pershing, Comet, and Chaffee. In contrast the Panzer forces had pinned their hopes on small numbers of monstrous types such as the Jagdtiger and Tiger II, as well as the workhorse Sturmgeschütz and Panzer IVs and Vs. But with German forces crumbling, the Panzerwaffe lacked trained crews, replacement vehicles and fuel, while the Allies' well-supported tTrade ReviewThis is a book that contains something for all military interests, from modellers and wargamers, to the general reader and the battlefield tourist. -- John Norris * Gun Mart & Militaria Mart magazine *Table of ContentsINTRODUCTION THE CAMPAIGN DOCTRINE AND ORGANIZATION -Wehrmacht -US Army -British/Canadian Armies TECHNICAL FACTORS -Wehrmacht -US Army -British/Canadian Armies BATTLE ANALYSIS FURTHER READING INDEX

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Book SynopsisA highly illustrated study of Operation Lüttich, the German Panzer counteroffensive against the Normandy bridgehead in August 1944 that backfired, leading to a collapse of the German position in northern France.Fully illustrated with stunning full-color artwork, this book tells the story of Operation Lüttich, the failed offensive which ended any prospect of Germany winning the battle of Normandy.Following the successful landings in Normandy on D-Day and consolidation during Operation Cobra, the Wehrmacht was ordered to begin a counteroffensive named Operation Lüttich. The plan was to send a large Panzer force across the First US Army sector, cutting off its spearheads, and finally reach Avranches on the coast. Had this succeeded, it not only would have cut off the First US Army spearheads, but also Patton''s newly deployed Third US Army operating in Brittany. However, thanks to an intercepted radio message, thTable of ContentsOrigins of the campaign/Chronology/Opposing commanders/Opposing armies/Orders of battle/Opposing plans/The campaign/Aftermath/The battlefields today/Further reading/Index

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Book SynopsisA comprehensive and detailed illustrated examination of the development and combat performance of US battle tanks from World War I to the end of World War II. In this, the first of two highly illustrated volumes examining the complete history of US Army and US Marine Corps battle tanks, Steven J. Zaloga focuses on the history of the tank in American service from the first experiments with armored vehicles in the early years of the 20th century through to the end of World War II. Expanding on material published in Osprey series including New Vanguard, Campaign, and Duel, US Battle Tanks 19171945 explores the concepts and practice of tank development from the Renault FT, through the M4 Sherman to the M26 Pershing. It describes the experiences of the crews who saw combat, the performance of each tank in battle, and how each American armored fighting vehicle compared with the enemy armor it faced, as well as the key lessons learned from combat

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Book SynopsisA comprehensive, illustrated account of the new generation of advanced tanks to emerge during the last 15 years of the Cold War, showcasing major improvements in armor protection, gunsights, and fire-control systems.Focusing on the technology of the period, author Steven J. Zaloga explains how the demands of a potential Cold War battlefield spurred the development of the 20th century's most advanced tanks. He considers the final versions of the Soviet T-72, T-64, and T-80 and assesses their strengths and weaknesses. He also explores how the failure of the US-German MBT-70 project led to America's development of the M1 Abrams tank, and to Germany's all-new Leopard II. The British development of the Challenger tank is also considered, as is the lesser-known Leclerc tank developed by France, the smallest and lightest of any of the western designs. Featuring superbly detailed new illustrations and many photos, this volume pinpoints the key technology of the era, incluTable of ContentsINTRODUCTION THE TANKS, DOCTRINE, AND ORGANIZATION Soviet Union United States Germany UK France TANKS IN BATTLE TECHNICAL ANALYSIS Protection Firepower Combat effectiveness FURTHER READING INDEX

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Book SynopsisA highly illustrated study of the T-90, the backbone of the armoured units of Putin''s Russia.In the wake of the T-72 tank's poor performance in the 1991 Gulf War, the Kremlin instructed the Russian tank industry to drop the discredited T-72 designation in favour of the T-90 Vladimir. The T-90 was in fact a further evolution of the T-72 family, but the name change represented an important break in Russian/Soviet tank design history.The T-90 has become the principal export tank of Russia, and is in service in large numbers in many countries including Algeria, India, and many of the former Soviet republics. Using detailed illustrations and full colour artwork, this book also describes the evolution of the T-90''s many failed successors including the little known Bokser, Molot, and T-95, as well as its likely successor, the new T-14 Armata, and the wide range of specialized vehicles based on the T-90 chassis such as the formidable Terminator tank support vehicle.

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Book SynopsisThe Russian T-72 Ural tank is the most widely-deployed main battle tank of the current generation. Used by the armies of the former Warsaw pact and Soviet Union, it has also been exported in large numbers to many of the states in the Middle East. This book reveals the previously secret history behind the tank. Steven J Zaloga examines the conditions under which the T-72 was designed and produced. Technical aspects of the weapon are also discussed, including its EDZ reactive armour which, when it first appeared in December 1984, gave NATO a nasty shock.Table of ContentsDesign and Development · Foreign T-72 Development · Inside the T-72M1 · Operational Use · T-72 Variants

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Book SynopsisAllied success in invading Fortress Europe (the area of Continental Europe occupied by Nazi Germany) depended on getting armor onto the beaches as fast as possible. This book explains how the Allies developed the specialist tanks it needed, their qualities, deployment and numbers, and how they performed on the two crucial days when France was invaded, firstly in Normandy and then in Provence. The focus of this volume will be on the specialized tanks developed for the Operation Neptune amphibious landings including the Duplex Drive amphibious Sherman tanks used on both the US and British/Canadian beaches. It also covers the specialized engineer tanks called Armoured Funnies of the British 79th Armoured Division and addresses the popular myth that US Army refusal to employ the Armoured Funnies was a principal cause for the high casualties at Omaha Beach. There is also coverage of Operation Overlord's Forgotten D-Day, the amphibious landings of Operation DragoTable of ContentsINTRODUCTION Lessons learned? SPECIALIZED TANKS FOR OVERLORD The CDL Canal Defence Light Night-Fighting Tank The Sherman Duplex Drive Amphibious Tank Deep-Wading Tanks Churchill AVRE AVRE Bridging Devices AVRE Carpet Layers Crab Flail Mine-Clearing Tank Churchill Crocodile Flamethrower Tank T1 Armored Engineer Vehicle M1 Tank-Dozer US Army acquisition of Armoured Funnies TANKS, DOCTRINE, AND ORGANIZATION 21 Gunfire support groups Armored engineer support THE CAMPAIGN 25 Sword Beach Juno Beach Gold Beach Omaha Beach Utah Beach The other D-Day BATTLE ANALYSIS 45 FURTHER READING 47 INDEX 48

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Book SynopsisNoted authority Steven J. Zaloga charts the development, combat use, and influence of man-portable air defense systems, from the late 1960s to the present day.The first attempts at developing a man-portable air defense system (MANPADS) based around a guided missile began in the mid-1950s, as a response to the increased speed and maneuverability of jet aircraft. This book charts the technological evolution of the MANPADS and explores their combat usage and the lessons from these encounters. Besides detailing the missiles, it also surveys the various methods developed as countermeasures to the MANPADS threat.The first generation of MANPADS, such as the US Army's Redeye and the Soviet Strela-2 (SA-7 Grail), saw combat use in the Vietnam War in 1972 and the Yom Kippur War of 1973. The next generation of infrared-guided MANPADS, such as the US Stinger and Soviet Igla, came to prominence following the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan in 1979. Since the 1970s, MANPADS have been used in iTable of Contents[provisional] Introduction Development Use Impact Conclusion Bibliography Index

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Book SynopsisPublished to coincide with the centenary of the campaign, this highly illustrated title from Steven Zaloga explores the 1920 Battle of Warsaw, a David and Goliath conflict which saw the survival of the newly independent Poland in the face of the Soviet Red Army. The Battle of Warsaw in August 1920 has been described as one of the decisive battles of European history. At the start of the battle, the Red Army appeared to be on the verge of advancing through Poland into Germany to expand the Soviet revolution. Had the war spread into Germany, another great European war would have ensued, dragging in France and Britain. However, the Red Army was defeated by the miracle on the Vistula. This campaign title explores the origins and outcomes of this momentous battle. In May 1920, the Polish Army intervened in war-torn Ukraine, pushing all the way to Kiev, but the Red Army, by now triumphant in most of the theaters of the Russian Civil War, turned its attention to thisTable of ContentsOrigins of the campaign Chronology Opposing Commanders Opposing Forces Opposing Plans The Campaign Aftermath Further reading Index

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Book SynopsisIn this riveting book, Steven Zaloga describes how American foot soldiers faced down Hitler’s elite armored spearhead—the Hitler Youth Panzer Division—in the snowy Ardennes forest during one of World War II’s biggest battles, the Battle of the Bulge. Zaloga carefully reconstructs how American G.I.s stymied Hitler’s panzers and grand plans.

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Book SynopsisThe T-64 tank was the most revolutionary design of the whole Cold War, designed to provide the firepower and armor protection of a heavy tank in a medium-weight design. It pioneered a host of sophisticated new technologies including laminate armor, stereoscopic tank rangefinders, opposed-piston engines, smooth-bore tank guns with discarding sabot ammunition, and gun-fired guided projectiles. These impressive features meant that the Russians were loath to part with the secrets of the design, and the T-64 was the only Soviet tank type of the Cold War that was never exported. Written by an armor expert, this detailed technical history sheds light on the secrets behind the Cold War''s most controversial tank, revealing how its highly advanced technologies proved to be both a blessing and a curse.Table of ContentsIntroduction Design & Development Operational History Bibliography Index

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Book SynopsisWorld War II marked the zenith of railway gun development. Although many of the railway guns deployed at the start of the conflict were of World War I vintage, Germany''s ambitious development programme saw the introduction of a number of new classes, including the world''s largest, the 80cm-calibre Schwerer Gustav and Schwerer Dora guns, which weighed in at 1,350 tons and fired a huge 7-ton shell.This book provides an overview of the types of railway guns in service during World War II, with a special focus on the German railway artillery used in France, Italy and on the Eastern Front, and analyzes why railway guns largely disappeared from use following the end of the war.Table of ContentsIntroduction / French Railway Artillery / Belgian Railway Artillery / German Railway Artillery / Italian Railway Artillery / Soviet Railway Artillery / Finnish Railway Artillery / Japanese Railway Artillery / British Railway Artillery / US Railway Artillery / Conclusion / Bibliography / Index

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Book SynopsisAs the final month of fighting in Europe in 1945 dawned, the Allies embarked upon a series of mopping-up operations, destroying the last centers of German resistance as the essentially defeated Wehrmacht fought on in increasingly desperate conditions, driven by the explicit no-surrender order issued by Hitler.Yet at the same time, the Allies were already on shaky ground--as German resistance was crushed, the Allies began to eye one another nervously across a battle-torn Europe. These politically driven military decisions would have a huge impact on the future of the continent. This book traces the final operations of the war, from the liberation of Denmark, the Allied drive toward the Baltic straits, incursions in Yugoslavia, Hungary, Czechoslovakia, and engagements in Eastern and Western Germany, while also analyzing how the Allied strategies in the final days of the war were a hint of the future difficulties that would drive the Cold War.Table of ContentsIntroduction/Chronology/Opposing commanders/Opposing armies/Opposing plans/The campaign/Aftermath/The battlefield today/Further reading/Index

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Book SynopsisOver the last 150 years, gun designers have sought to transform warfare with artillery of superlative range and power, from William Armstrong's 19th-century monster guns to the latest research into hypersonic electro-magnetic railguns.Taking a case study approach, Superguns explains the technology and role of the finest monster weapons of each era. It looks at the 1918 Wilhelm Gun, designed to shell Paris from behind the German trenches; the World War II V-3 gun built to bombard London across the Channel; the Cold War atomic cannons of the US and Soviet Union; and the story of Dr Gerald Bull's HARP program and the Iraqi Supergun he designed for Saddam Hussein. Illustrated throughout, this is an authoritative history of the greatest and most ambitious artillery pieces of all time.Table of ContentsIntroduction /The 19th Century: William Armstrong's 'Monster Guns' /World War I: The Paris Gun /World War II German Superguns: Dora and the V-3 /Cold War Superguns: US Atomic Cannon and Soviet Oka and Kondensator /Gerard Bull's Superguns: HARP and Project Babylon /Current Developments /Bibliography /Index

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Book SynopsisSince the Gulf War, the Abrams tank has undergone a transformation, while fighting in conflicts across the world. Its M1A1 and M1A2 variants have seen great improvements made to this iconic tank, including in fire-control, armour protection, and thermal imaging technology. Involvement in the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan necessitated a number of upgrades and modifications as the United States fought two of its longest wars. Recent years have seen new variants of the series such as the ABV Assault Breacher Vehicle and M104 Wolverine Heavy Assault Bridge. Over the past few decades, the M1A1 Abrams has also been extensively exported and is license produced in Egypt. The long-awaited follow-up to NVG 2 M1 Abrams Main Battle Tank 198292 (1993), this fully illustrated study examines the Abrams tanks' last quarter-century of service with both the United States and its various foreign operators with a focus on its combat history.

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Book SynopsisOperation Tidal Wave was one of the boldest and most controversial air raids by the United States Army Air Forces (USAAF). At the time, the Romanian Ploesti oil fields produced about a third of all Axis oil, and was Germany's single most important fuel source. In the summer of 1943, the USAAF decided to stage a major raid on Ploesti from air bases in Libya. The resulting Operation Tidal Wave raid on 1 August 1943 was one of the costliest to date, losing 53 aircraft, about a third of the starting force. Of the more than 150 bombers that took part in the raid, only 88 B-24s returned to Libya, 55 of which were damaged. On the other hand, of the 17 Medals of Honor awarded to US soldiers and airmen from Pearl Harbor in 1941 to D-Day in 1944, 5 were awarded to pilots of the Tidal Wave mission in recognition of their extraordinary performance. Although undoubtedly bold and heroic, the mission had questionable results. Initial assessments argued that the mission caused Trade ReviewThis is an excellent volume. -- Chris Jarvis * Miniature Wargames *Table of ContentsIntroduction /Chronology /Attacker's Capabilities /Defender's Capabilities /Campaign Objectives /Order of Battle /The Campaign /Analysis /Conclusion /Bibliography /Index

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Book SynopsisAn expert history of the great Soviet armored assault gun of World War II, the SU-76.Featuring full color artwork and written by an expert on tank warfare during World War II, this fascinating study describes one of the Soviet Union''s most important armored vehicles during its struggle with Nazi Germany.The SU-76 assault gun was the second most widely manufactured Soviet armored fighting vehicle of World War II, out-numbered only by the legendary T-34. Inspired in part by the German Marder series of tank destroyers, Soviet designers realized that the chassis of the obsolete T-70 light tank could be adapted to a much more substantial gun if it was placed in a fixed casemate rather than in a turret. This led to the design of the SU-76, which saw its combat debut at Kursk in the summer of 1943. The SU-76 was deployed primarily as an infantry direct support weapon, becoming the infantry tank of the Red Infantry, much as the StuG III became the infantry tank of th

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Book SynopsisIn the summer of 1944, the Red Army staged a massive armoured assault up the Karelian Isthmus with the intent of eliminating any remaining German and Finnish forces facing the Leningrad region. Most of the Soviet units sent into Finland were new to the region, moving mainly from the fighting in the Leningrad area. As a result, some had the latest types of Soviet equipment including the new T-34-85 tank, fielded alongside the older T-34-76. Germany refused to sell the Finns new tanks without a reinforced military alliance, but in 1943 began selling them a few dozen StuG III assault guns. This made the StuG III battalion the most modern and powerful element of the Finnish armoured division, and it saw very extensive combat in the JuneJuly summer battles. Featuring specially commissioned artwork and an array of archive photographs, this is the absorbing story of the parts played by Soviet and Finnish armour in the epic battles in Finland during June and July 1944.Table of ContentsIntroduction /Chronology /Design and Development /The Strategic Situation /Technical Specifications /The Combatants /Combat /Statistics and Analysis /Conclusion /Bibliography /Index

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Book SynopsisWorld War II was a significant period of development for American missile programs, during which time the US built pioneering examples of guided weapons systems. However, whilst the German missiles of World War II are famous around the world, their American counterparts have remained shrouded in secrecy, despite the fact that they formed the basis for the later revolutions in precision warfare.Among the most sophisticated missiles of World War II was the US Navy's radar-guided Bat anti-ship missile, which was on the verge of deployment in the final months of the war. The war also saw the first use of guided assault drones, including the US Army Air Force's Aphrodite program of 1944, and the US Navy's Project Anvil and TDR-1.This book draws back the veil on these weapons, examining the principal avenues of missile development in America during World War II, including the early glide bombs, radio-controlled bombs and electro-optically controlled bombs. Some of the more peculiTable of ContentsIntroduction Cruise Missiles Guided Glide Bombs Guided Vertical Bombs Air Defense Missiles Air-to-Air Missiles Surface-to-Surface Ballistic Missiles Analysis Further Reading

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Book SynopsisA concisely detailed guide to the Allied tanks that fought from D-Day to the break out from Normandy, their qualities, numbers and performance, and how they were used on the battlefield.When Allied tanks began to roll off the landing craft on D-Day, it marked the start of one of the great periods of tank warfare in World War II. Often outgunned by the German Panzers, and fighting in the close confines of bocage country, they nevertheless managed to break out of Normandy and begin the liberation of Europe. It was a battle that was dominated by the Americans'' legendary Sherman, but also saw a wide and complex range of armour committed to battle across the many armies involved, from British Churchills and special-purpose ''Funnies'' to the Canadians'' Ram tank.This book explains the qualities, strengths and weakness of the major British and US tank types as well as associated Allied units in Normandy including those of the Canadians, Poles and French, and descriTable of ContentsTHE CAMPAIGN DOCTRINE AND ORGANIZATION British tank organization in Normandy US tank organization in Normandy TECHNICAL FACTORS British tanks and AFVs British cruiser tanks British infantry tanks British tank destroyers British light tanks US TANKS AND AFVS IN NORMANDY BATTLE ANALYSIS Organizational and doctrinal lessons Technical lessons Tank casualties FURTHER READING INDEX

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Book SynopsisWritten by one of the world''s leading experts on D-Day, Smashing Hitler''s Guns is a ground-breaking new history of the legendary Rangers'' attack on Pointe-du-Hoc.The Ranger attack on the German gun batteries at Pointe-du-Hoc in the early morning hours of D-Day is the stuff of legend. The gun batteries were strategically positioned between the two American D-Day landing beaches, and were considered the main threat to the Operation Neptune landings. In spite of the confusion and chaos of the June 6, 1944 mission, the Rangers succeeded in scaling the 100-foot cliffs, but the guns were nowhere to be found.Spreading out in all directions, a Ranger team managed to find and spike the guns at their hidden location south of Pointe-du-Hoc. For two days, this small force fought off repeated German attacks, until an American relief force finally arrived on 8 June, by which time more than half the Rangers were casualties. The heroic Ranger missioTrade ReviewWell written and researched and essential reading for those interested in US Special Forces. * Army Rumour Service *Table of ContentsList of Illustrations Introduction Author’s Note Acknowledgements Chapter 1: The Guns of Pointe-du-Hoc Chapter 2: The Coastal Gun Threat Chapter 3: “Hard Men for Dirty Work” Chapter 4: Refining the Ranger Plan Chapter 5: Spying on Pointe-du-Hoc: The Intelligence Battle Chapter 6: Softening Pointe-du-Hoc Chapter 7: Obliteration Chapter 8: Assault Group O-4 Chapter 9: Carnage on Charlie Beach Chapter 10: The Stormy Voyage to Pointe-du-Hoc Chapter 11: Force A Strikes Pointe-du-Hoc Chapter 12: Spiking the Guns Chapter 13: The Germans Strike Back Chapter 14: Night Attack Chapter 15: Ranger Force C on Dog Green Beach Chapter 16: The Crazy March on D+1 Chapter 17: Relief from the Sea Chapter 18: Final Mission: The Maisy Gun Batteries Chapter 19: Battle Analysis Afterword: The Rangers in Cinema Appendix A: Ranger Organization, Equipment, and Combat Awards Appendix B: The Pointe-du-Hoc Guns: Doctrine and Technology Appendix C: Naval Fire Support for the Rangers Appendix D: The Guns of Maisy Endnotes Further Reading Glossary Index

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Book SynopsisA fascinating exploration of the often-overlooked gunnery duels between the formidable artillery weapons in the Atlantic Wall defences and the mighty US and Royal Navy battleships.Amphibious landings were an essential tool of Allied military strategy in World War II. The Royal Navy and the US Navy provided operational mobility that allowed the Allies to strike unexpectedly across the vast coastlines of the Mediterranean and Atlantic. Nazi Germany did not have sufficient naval power to seriously contest this, and consequently relied heavily on the huge and costly Atlantic Wall fortification programme. By 1944, the French coast featured more than 1,900 coastal guns over 75mm in calibre. At the heart of this fascinating book by renowned military historian Steven J. Zaloga is the clash between Batterie Hamburg (defending Cherbourg) and the Allied naval bombardment group led by the battleship USS Texas on 25 June 1944. Stunning artworks reveal details of theTable of ContentsIntroduction Chronology Design and Development The Combatants The Strategic Situation Combat Analysis Aftermath Bibliography Index

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Book SynopsisThe invasion of the Soviet Union saw the Red Army's vast tank fleets crushed by the outnumbered Germans. Fully illustrated and packed with data, this book explains how and why. Contrary to popular belief, the largest tank battles of World War II were not during the Kursk campaign of 1943, but during Operation Barbarossa in the summer of 1941. The Soviet tank fleet was enormous about 24,000 tanks facing about 3,500 Panzers. But despite the gross numerical imbalance in their favor, the summer 1941 campaign was a disaster for the Red Army. In this book, based on documents previously unpublished in the English language, world-renowned armor expert Steven J. Zaloga analyses why the Red Army performed so badly in Barbarossa. During the summer months, the Red Army lost about 15,000 tanks including most of its best new tanks such as the T-34s and KVs, and by winter, most of the pre-war arsenal had been lost. It was dubbed the Tankoviy pogrom: the Tank Massacre. Illustrated with archive photos and meticulously detailed original illustrations, it examines the organization and doctrine of the Red Army in 1941 as well as the principal tank types, including information and illustrations on unusual and little-known types such as the multi-turreted T-28 and T-35 heavy tanks.

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Book SynopsisIn the summer of 1944, plans began for a complex operation to seize a Rhine river bridge at Arnhem in the Netherlands. The American portion of the airborne mission was to employ two divisions of the US XVIII Airborne Corps to seize key terrain features that otherwise might delay the advance of British tanks towards the bridge. The 82nd and 101st Airborne Divisions succeeded in their tasks of capturing the vital bridges at Eindhoven at Nijmegen in the face of fierce German resistance. However, the delays caused to the British armored advance, combined with stronger than expected fighting at Arnhem led to the withdrawal of the remnants of the British 1st Airborne Division in one of the Western Allies’ most costly defeats of World War II. Contemporary photographs, maps and detailed color artwork complement extensive archival research that reveals the successes of those American airborne missions, largely overshadowed by the failure of the operation as a whole.Table of ContentsOrigins of the campaign /Chronology /Opposing commanders /Opposing armies /Orders of battle /Opposing plans /The campaign /Aftermath /The battlefields today /Further reading /Index

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Book SynopsisThe first title in Osprey''s survey of the D-Day landings of World War II (1939-1945). The D-Day landings of 6 June 1944 were the largest amphibious military operation ever mounted. The greatest armada the world had ever seen was assembled to transport the Allied invasion force across the Channel and open the long-awaited second front against Hitler''s Third Reich. Of the landings on the five assault beaches, Omaha Beach was the only one ever in doubt. Within moments of the first wave landing a third of the assault troops were casualties. Yet by the end of D-Day the Atlantic Wall had been breached and the US Army''s V Corps was firmly entrenched on French soil.

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Book SynopsisAn examination of the German invasion of Poland in 1939, which introduced the world to a new style of warfare - blitzkrieg. Having conducted graduate research in Poland, the author has amassed material that, he feels, dispels several persistent myths about the campaign.

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Book SynopsisIn this book Steven J Zaloga offers a fascinating comparison of the combat performance of the two most important tanks involved in the crucial fighting of 1944, the Sherman and the Panther. Examining the design and development of both tanks, Zaloga notes the obvious superiority that the Panther had over the Sherman and how the highly engineered German tank was eventually beaten back, not necessarily by the improvements made to the Sherman, but rather by the superior numbers of tanks that the Allies were able to put into the field.Putting the reader into the heart of this battle between quality and quantity Zaloga examines the tactical intricacies of the battles between these two rivals. Using a compelling account of the ferocious fighting in the Ardennes region to explain the successes and failures of each tank he also highlights the fact that a tank can only be as good as its crew, weighing up the impact of low morale, high cost and mediocre crew training on the Panthers su

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Book SynopsisOperation Dragoon, the Allied landings in southern France on August 15, 1944, was one of the most controversial operations of 1944, leading to a deep divide between United States and British planners. This book tells the story of this operation.

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Book SynopsisThe Iosef Stalin tanks were the ultimate heavy tanks developed by the Soviet Union and were popularly called 'Victory tanks' due to their close association with the defeat of Germany in 1945. Yet in spite of their reputation, the Stalin tanks emerged from a troubled design, had a brief moment of glory in 1944 and 1945, and disappeared in ignominy after 1960. This title covers the events contributing to the Soviet Union's need to design the new series, with particular reference to the unsuccessful KV series and the advent of a new generation of heavy German tanks including the Tiger. It also covers their development, operational history and myriad variants.Table of ContentsDevelopmental History · Operational History · Post War History · Stalin Tanks in Foreign Service · Variants · Variants in Foreign Service

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Book SynopsisThe T-34-85 tank is one of those rare weapons that have remained in service for more than half a century. First introduced in 1944, it has seen combat in nearly every corner of the globe. Steven Zaloga and Jim Kinnear look at this long-serving tank at length. Although long obsolete in Europe, it has proven a reliable and potent weapon in many Third World conflicts, and is still in service with more than a dozen armies around the world.Table of ContentsDesign and Development · Operational History · Variants · Late-War Production Improvements · Inside the T-34-85 · Post-War Modifications · Technical Support Variants · T-34-85 in Post-War Combat

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