History Books
Amberley Publishing Stirling Through Time
Book SynopsisThis fascinating selection of photographs traces some of the many ways in which Stirling has changed and developed over the last century.
£999.99
Bloomsbury Publishing PLC British Destroyers 193945
Book SynopsisAs the possibility of war loomed in the 1930s, the British Admiralty looked to update their fleet of destroyers to compete with the new ships being built by Germany and Japan, resulting in the commissioning of the powerful Tribal-class. These were followed by the designing of the first of several slightly smaller ships, which carried fewer guns than the Tribals, but were armed with a greatly enlarged suite of torpedoes. The first of these, the J/K/M class was followed by a number of wartime variants, with slight changes to their weaponry to suit different wartime roles.Designed to combat enemy surface warships, aircraft and U-boats, the British built these destroyers to face off against anything the enemy could throw at them. Using a collection of contemporary photographs and beautiful color artwork, this is a fascinating new study of the ships that formed the backbone of the Royal Navy during World War II.Table of ContentsIntroduction /Design & Development /Operational History /Destroyer Roles /Camouflage /Life on Board /Destroyers in Action /Specifications /Bibliography
£11.39
Amberley Publishing West Riding Pauper Lunatic Asylum Through Time
Book SynopsisThis fascinating selection of photographs traces some of the many ways in which the West Riding Pauper Lunatic Asylums have changed and developed over the last century.
£14.39
Amberley Publishing Secret Eastbourne
Book SynopsisExplore Eastbourne's secret history through a fascinating selection of stories, facts and photographs.
£14.39
Bloomsbury Publishing PLC French Naval Colonial Troops 18721914
Book SynopsisFrance''s colonial wars in sub-Saharan Africa and Southeast Asia were very largely fought by an organization completely separate from both the home-defense Metropolitan Army and the Armée d''Afrique in Algeria. The Naval Troops (Troupes de la Marine) were volunteers, and earned a reputation for greater toughness and hardiness than the conscripted Metropolitan Army. Spread throughout the French Empire, Naval Troops in this period were characterized by very large infantry and artillery regiments based in France, mixed race regiments (Régiments Mixtes), and entire native regiments raised in West Africa, Madagascar, and Indochina. The latter, the so-called Tirailleurs, were organized and led by officers and cadres from the Naval Troops, and wore very varied and colorful uniforms based on formalized versions of traditional local costumes.French Naval & Colonial Troops 18721914 uses rich and detailed full color plates as well as thorough Table of ContentsIntroduction – organization of French forces for overseas service/ Chronology/ Campaigns: Indochina, from 1883 – West Africa, from 1886 – Dahomey, from 1890 – Madagascar, from 1885 – China, 1900/ Locally raised units: Tirailleurs & Spahis Sénégalais – Tirailleurs Haoussas – Tirailleurs & Spahis Soudanais – Tirailleurs Sakalaves & Malgaches – Tirailleurs Annamites, Tonkinois & Cambodgiens/ Minor island garrisons/ Plate Commentaries
£12.34
Dundurn Press On the Lam
Book SynopsisFascinating stories of the age-old tug-of-war between prisons desperate to keep inmates inside and the escapees pursuing freedom. A convict who returned to the prison he had recently escaped from to foment a mass breakout; a murderer on the run who veered from folk hero to persona non grata after killing a police dog; a fugitive from the United States who was recaptured in Canada after she was featured on America's Most Wanted these are just a few of the felons whose prison break adventures continue to enthrall and terrify.Along with probing the origins, structure, and failings of a collection of historic and contemporary correctional institutions, On the Lam brings into sharp focus the attempts of masterminds, tricksters, villains, and innocents to claw their way to freedom sometimes successful, sometimes abortive, often deadly.
£16.14
Bloomsbury Publishing PLC Latin American Wars 19001941
Book SynopsisFrom the Mexican Revolution to the Zarumilla War, in the first 40 years of the 20th century the nations of Central and South America were frequently disturbed by border clashes, civil wars, and revolution. Many of these conflicts became known as Banana Wars. Some involved only lightly armed guerrillas, but others saw armies operating artillery and armored vehicles supported by aircraft and river navies. The conflicts in Honduras and Nicaragua saw the intervention of US Marines, and later wars involved armor and aircraft acquired from Europe.Using detailed color plates and a wealth of contemporary photographs, this book shows the uniforms, equipment, and strategies of the armies involved in these conflicts little known in the West. Covering wars crossing the length and breadth of the continent, this is the fascinating account of the wars that helped shape modern Latin America.Table of ContentsIntroduction: overview of military affairs in Latin America in the period covered /Chronology /Central American conflicts, 1900–1940: Panama, Honduras, El Salvador, Costa Rica, Nicaragua (Sandino Rebellion and 'Banana Wars'), plus Cuba/ Mexican Civil Wars: De Huerta rebellion 1924, Cristero War 1927, rebellion of 1929/ South American Wars 1910–1930: Brazil's Contestado War 1914, and 1920s civil wars/ South American Wars 1930–41: Paulista War, Brazil, 1932; Leticia War, Peru and Colombia, 1932–34; Zarumilla conflict, Peru and Ecuador, 1941/ Plate Commentaries
£12.34
Amberley Publishing Westbury Cement Works
Book SynopsisWith an array of original and archive photography, take a fascinating look at the history behind the famous Westbury Cement Works.
£13.49
State University Press of New York (SUNY) Privatizing the Polity
a huge range and FREE tracked UK delivery on ALL orders.
£54.20
Bloomsbury Publishing PLC Tsushima 1905
Book SynopsisJapan was closed to the world until 1854 and its technology then was literally medieval. Great Britain, France, and Russia divided the globe in the nineteenth century, but Japan was catching up. Its army and navy were retrained by Western powers and equipped with the latest weapons and ships. Japan wanted to further emulate its European mentors and establish a protectorate over Korea, yet Japanese efforts were blocked by Imperial Russia who had their own designs on the peninsula.The Russo-Japanese War started with a Japanese surprise naval attack against an anchored enemy fleet still believing itself at peace. It ended with the Battle of Tsushima, the most decisive surface naval battle of the 20th century. This gripping study describes this pivotal battle, and shows how the Japanese victory over Russia led to the development of the dreadnought battleship, and gave rise to an almost mythical belief in Japanese naval invincibility.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
£14.39
State University Press of New York (SUNY) Race Nation and Refuge The Rhetoric of Race in Asian American Citizenship Cases
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£54.20
Bloomsbury Publishing PLC Operation Linebacker II 1972
Book SynopsisAfter the failed April 1972 invasion of South Vietnam and the heavy US tactical bombing raids in the Hanoi area, the North Vietnamese agreed to return to the Paris peace talks, yet very quickly these negotiations stalled. In an attempt to end the war quickly and ''persuade'' the North Vietnamese to return to the negotiating table, President Nixon ordered the Air Force to send the US' ultimate conventional weapon, the B-52 bomber, against their capital, Hanoi. Bristling with the latest Soviet air defence missiles, it was the most heavily defended target in Vietnam. Taking place in late December, this campaign was soon dubbed the Christmas Bombings'. Using specially commissioned artwork and maps, ex-USAF fighter colonel Marshall Michel describes Linebacker II, the climax of the air war over Vietnam, and history''s only example of how America''s best Cold War bombers performed against contemporary Soviet air defences.Table of ContentsIntroduction /Chronology /Attackers' Capabilities /Defenders' Capabilities /Campaign Objectives /The Campaign /Analysis and Conclusion /Further Reading /Index
£15.29
Amberley Publishing Margate Through Time
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£14.39
Amberley Publishing Ilfracombe Through Time
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£14.39
Bloomsbury Publishing PLC The Etruscans
Book SynopsisAncient Rome had deep roots in the Villanovan culture that we call today the Etruscans. Their long-lived civilization can be traced to 900--750 BC in northwest Italy. They were a sea-faring people trading with and competing against Greek and Phoenician peoples, including the Carthaginians. They were also a great land-based power, especially in the Classical period, where they expanded their power north into the Po Valley and south to Latium. In the 6th century BC an Etruscan dynasty ruled Rome, and their power extended southwards to the Amalfi coast. In 509 BC the Romans rose up to expel their kings, which began the long Etruscan twilight when their power was squeezed by the Samnites and, most especially, the Romans. Drawing on archeological evidence including warrior tombs, paintings, sculptures, and fully illustrated throughout, this study examines one of the early rivals to Ancient Rome.Table of ContentsIntroduction – chronology * The Villanovan warrior culture – the Villanovan army * Arms and equipment of the Villanovan era: offensive weapons – defensive equipment: helmets, shields and armour – ranks symbols and insignia – clothing * The Classical and late Etruscan armies – organization * Arms and equipment: offensive weapons – defensive equipment: helmets, shields and armour – rank symbols and insignia – clothing * Chariots and cavalry * Select bibliography [Plate commentaries dispersed throughout].
£13.49
Amberley Publishing Letchworth Garden City Through Time
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£14.39
University of North Carolina Press Ashoka
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£21.84
Bloomsbury Publishing PLC Hellcat vs ShidenShidenKai
Book SynopsisBy the early months of 1944 in the Pacific, the US Navy''s burgeoning force of carrier-based F6F-3/5 Hellcats had pretty much wiped the skies clear of Japanese fighters during a series of one-sided aerial engagements. However, starting in October they faced the superb Kawanishi N1K1/2 Shiden/Shiden-Kai, a formidable fighter with improved armament, a powerful engine, and excellent maneuvrability that in contrast to earlier Japanese fighters had the ability to withstand a greater degree of battle damage.Japanese pilots using this aircraft would claim more than 170 aerial victories over Kyushu and whilst escorting Kamikazes attacking Allied ships off Okinawa. US Navy Hellcat pilots in turn were credited with many of the scores of Shiden-Kais that were downed attempting to defend Japan. This fully illustrated book compares these two fascinating aircraft, using specially commissioned artwork, first-hand accounts, and a thorough technical analysis.Table of ContentsIntroduction /Chronology /Design and Development /Technical Specifications/ The Strategic Situation /The Combatants /Combat /Statistics and Analysis /Aftermath /Further Reading /Index
£13.99
University of North Carolina Press High School Students Unite
£27.00
Bloomsbury Publishing PLC We March Against England
Book SynopsisIn May 1940 Nazi Germany was master of continental Europe. The only European power still standing was Great Britain--and the all-conquering German armed forces stood poised to cross the Channel. After the RAF fighter forces had been destroyed, the Channel swept of mines, and the Royal Naval defenders worn down, two German army groups were set to storm the beaches of southern England. Despite near-constant British fears from August to October, the invasion never took place, first being postponed to spring 1941 before finally being abandoned entirely.Robert Forczyk, author of Where the Iron Crosses Grow, looks beyond the traditional British account of Operation Sea Lion, complete with plucky Home Guards and courageous Spitfire pilots, at the real scale of German ambition, plans and capabilities. Forczyk examines, in depth, how Operation Sea Lion fitted in with German air-sea actions around the British Isles as he shows exactly what stopped Hitler from invaTable of ContentsIntroduction Chapter 1: Strategic Setting, June–July 1940 Chapter 2: Improvising an Invasion Force Chapter 3: Diplomacy, Espionage and Intelligence Chapter 4: Kriegsmarine and Luftwaffe Capabilities Against England, 1940–41 Chapter 5: Countdown to Sea Lion Chapter 6: British Anti-invasion Capabilities, 1940–41 Chapter 7: Feasibility of S-Tag, 25 September 1940 Chapter 8: The Isle of Wight Gambit Chapter 9: Siege Operations against Great Britain, October 1940–May 1941 Chapter 10: Sea Lion Redux, May 1941 Chapter 11: Hidden Benefits of Sea Lion: Germany Gains an Amphibious Capability for other Theatres Chapter 12: The Reckoning Glossary Appendices Notes Bibliography Index
£11.69
Bloomsbury Publishing PLC Velikiye Luki 194243
Book SynopsisA highly illustrated study of one of the most dramatic yet overlooked episodes on the Eastern Front in World War II, the siege of Velikye Luki by Soviet forces in 1942--43.Velikiye Luki had been an important Russian fortress city since the 13th century and had become an important rail-hub by the 19th century. In August 1941, the Germans occupied the city of 30,000 during Operation Barbarossa and made it a bulwark on the boundary between Heeresgruppe Nord and Heeresgruppe Mitte. In the winter of 1942--43, while Soviet forces were encircling Stalingrad, the Stavka (High Command) conducted a simultaneous offensive to isolate and destroy the 7,500-man German garrison in Velikiye Luki. After surrounding the city on November 27, 1942, the Soviet 3rd Shock Army gradually reduced the city to rubble, while the German garrison, sustained by Luftwaffe air lifts, hunkered down in the medieval city and awaited rescue. This illustrated title reveals the full story oTable of ContentsOrigins of the Campaign Chronology Opposing Commanders Opposing Forces Opposing Plans The Campaign Aftermath The Battlefield Today Further Reading Index
£999.99
Bloomsbury Publishing PLC USAF F105 Thunderchief vs VPAF MiG17
Book SynopsisThe F-105D Thunderchief was originally designed as a low-altitude nuclear strike aircraft, but the outbreak of the Vietnam War led to it being used instead as the USAF's primary conventional striker against the exceptionally well-defended targets in North Vietnam and Laos. F-105 crews conducted long-distance missions from bases in Thailand, refuelling in flight several times and carrying heavy external bombloads.The MiG-17 was the lightweight, highly manoeuvrable defending fighter it encountered most often in 196568 during Operation Rolling Thunder. A development of the MiG-15, which shocked UN forces during the Korean War, its emphasis was on simplicity and ease of maintenance in potentially primitive conditions.Fully illustrated with stunning artwork, this book shows how these two aircraft, totally different in design and purpose, fought in a series of duels that cost both sides dearly.Table of ContentsIntroduction /Chronology /Design and Development /Technical Specifications/ The Strategic Situation /The Combatants /Combat /Statistics and Analysis /Aftermath /Further Reading /Index
£12.59
Bloomsbury Publishing PLC Ploesti 1943
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
£14.24
Bloomsbury Publishing PLC British Rifleman vs French Skirmisher
Book SynopsisFeaturing specially commissioned artwork and full-color maps, this book evaluates the origins, tactics, armament, and combat effectiveness of the British riflemen and French skirmishers who clashed on three bloody battlefields of the Napoleonic Wars. The battles between British and French forces during the Peninsular War (1807--14) and the Hundred Days campaign of 1815 saw both sides deploy specialist units of skirmishers trained in marksmanship and open-order combat. These light troops fulfilled several important roles on the battlefield, such as masking large bodies of close-order troops as they maneuvered in battle, firing upon enemy troops to provoke them into attacking prematurely, and harassing enemy artillery crews and senior officers with aimed fire. On occasion, the skirmishers were tasked with special missions requiring individual initiative, such as the capture or defense of key battlefield positions, especially those situated in difficult terrain.Table of ContentsIntroduction The opposing sides Roliça Barba Del Puerco La Haye Sainte Analysis Aftermath Unit Organizations Bibliography Index
£14.39
Bloomsbury Publishing PLC Union Sharpshooter vs Confederate Sharpshooter
Book SynopsisDuring the American Civil War, the Union and the Confederacy both fielded units of sharpshooters. Sometimes equipped with firearms no better than those of their infantry brethren, they fought in a manner reminiscent of Napoleonic-era light infantry. Siege warfare placed a premium on marksmanship and the sharpshooter became indispensable as they could drive artillerymen from their guns. They could also become expert scouts and, for the Confederacy, impressive raiders one raid netted almost 250 prisoners. Initially, Union marksmen enjoyed the upper hand, but as the Confederates began raising and training their own sharpshooters, they proved themselves as worthy opponents. In this study, Gary Yee, an expert in firearms of the period, assesses the role played by sharpshooters in three bloody clashes at the height of the American Civil War the battle of Fredericksburg, the siege of Vicksburg, and the siege of Battery Wagner.Table of ContentsIntroduction / The opposing sides / Combat 1 / Combat 2 / Combat 3 / Analysis / Aftermath / Bibliography / Index
£13.99
Bloomsbury Publishing PLC SU76 Assault Gun
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
£10.79
Bloomsbury Publishing PLC Macedonian Phalangite vs Persian Warrior
Book SynopsisAlexander''s phalangites clash with Persian foot-soldiers in three key battles of the Ancient World.In this highly illustrated study, a noted authority assesses the origins, combat role and battlefield performance of Alexander''s phalangites and their Persian opponents in three key battles of the era--the Granicus River, Issus and Gaugamela--at the dawn of a new way of waging war.In August 334 BC, Alexander the Great invaded the Persian Empire and systematically set about its conquest. At the core of Alexander''s army were 10,000 members of the phalanx, the phalangites. Armed with a long pike and fighting in formations up to 16 ranks deep, these grizzled veterans were the mainstay of the Macedonian army. Facing them were the myriad armies of the peoples that made up the Persian Empire. At the center of these forces was the formation known as the Immortals: 10,000 elite infantry, armed with spears and bows.Trade ReviewAn inspiring account, well-written, and with clear battlefield maps and descriptions. * Miniature Wargames *Table of ContentsIntroduction / The opposing sides / Combat 1 / Combat 2 / Combat 3 / Analysis / Aftermath / Bibliography / Index
£12.59
Bloomsbury Publishing PLC The Aleutians 194243
Book SynopsisAleutians 194243 is the full story of the forgotten battle to liberate American soil from the Japanese during World War II.It is often forgotten that during World War II, the Japanese managed to successfully invade and conquer a precious part of American home soil--the first time this had happened since 1815. Capturing the Aleutian Islands, located in Alaska territory, was seen by the Japanese as vital in order to shore up their northern defensive perimeter. Fighting in the Aleutians was uniquely brutal. It is a barren, rugged archipelago of icy mountains and thick bogs, with a climate of constant snow, freezing rains, and windstorms. These geographic conditions tended to neutralize traditional American strengths such as air power, radar, naval bombardment, and logistics. The campaign to recapture the islands required extensive combined-ops planning, and inflicted on the United States its second highest casualty rate in the Pacific Theater. Featuring the largeTrade ReviewA really fine account. * Miniature Wargames *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
£15.29
Bloomsbury Publishing PLC Men of Bronze
Book SynopsisMen of Bronze is a wargame that allows you to play out Classical Greek hoplite battles on the tabletop. Players are Strategoi (generals) leading phalanxes of bronze-clad warriors in pursuit of fame, glory, and the honor of their city-states. To win such prizes, however, you must prove your mettle, display your valor, and bring the other Strategoi to their knees!Designed to recreate small battles or larger skirmishes with 5080 figures per side, each army will have its own unique mix of rules, advantages, backgrounds, and abilities. Strategoi must understand and appreciate the strengths and weaknesses of their forces in order to win glory on the battlefield. Of course, there''s no telling what tricks a rival Strategos might have up their tunic sleeves . . .Table of ContentsIntroduction / Rules / Scenarios
£12.34
Bloomsbury Publishing PLC Raiders from New France
Book SynopsisSupported by full-color illustrations, this study explores in startling new detail the musket and tomahawk forest warfare by which the French colonists and their allies battled to ensure the survival of New France.Though the French and British colonies in North America began on a level playing field, French political conservatism and limited investment allowed the British colonies to forge ahead, pushing into territories that the French had explored deeply but failed to exploit. The subsequent survival of New France can largely be attributed to an intelligent doctrine of raiding warfare developed by imaginative French officers through close contact with indigenous tribes and Canadian settlers. The groundbreaking new research explored in this study indicates that, far from the opportunism these raids seemed to represent, they were in fact the result of a deliberate plan to overcome numerical weakness by exploiting the potential of mixed parties of French soldiers, CanaTable of Contents* Introduction: early Iroquois raids on New France, pre-1666 * Exploration and the fur trade – the voyageurs and coureurs du bois. * Warfare resumes, 1680s; Louis XIV sends French troops to garrison the colony. * Development of specific forest tactics by e.g. Charles Le Moyne and Hertel de la Fresnière. * First major mixed French/Indian raid on Hudson's Bay forts (1686); French/Canadian/Indian raids on New England and Iroquois villages (1690-97). * French expansion westwards – the Fox Wars (1715-35). * Raiding warfare keeps British colonies on defensive (1702-1750s). * Who were the raiders? * Planning, executing, and withdrawing from raids – the fate of prisoners. * How 'Canadian' military doctrine was disseminated, and its achievements summarized.
£14.24
Bloomsbury Publishing PLC The Long March 193435
Book SynopsisThis study tells the epic story of how a routed group of Chinese Communists marched tens of thousands of miles with Mao on a journey that would lead to their eventual triumph and rule of the whole of China. Every nation has its founding myth, and for modern China it is the Long March. In the autumn of 1934, the Chinese Nationalists under Chiang Kai-shek routed the Chinese Communists and some 80,000 men, women, and children left their homes to walk with Mao Zedong into the unknown. Mao''s force had to endure starvation, harsh climates, and challenging terrain whilst under constant aerial bombardment and threatened by daily skirmishes. The Long March survivors had to cross 24 rivers and 18 mountain ranges, through freezing snow and disease-ridden wilderness to reach their safe-haven of Yan''an. In military terms, the Long March was the longest continuous march in the history of warfare and it came as a terrible cost--after one year, 6,000 miles, and countless battles, fTable of ContentsStrategic Situation / Chronology / Opposing Plans / Opposing Commanders / Opposing Force / Order of Battle / The Campaign / Aftermath / Further Reading / Glossary / Index
£16.14
Bloomsbury Publishing PLC A Seamans Pocketbook
Book SynopsisAt the height of the Second World War this small pocket-book was issued to all ratings on board ships of the Royal Navy. In straight period prose it outlines all the basic expressions and tasks a seaman needed to know to perform his duties efficiently. Chapters are broken down into: Sea Terms; Navigation; Steering the Ship; Rigging; Anchors and Cables; Boatwork; Miscellaneous (which includes details on uniform and folding a hammock, etc); and Ship Safety. Functional black line illustrations are used throughout, as well as a few pages of colour (used sparingly) for flag recognition. Faithfully reproduced, with a short introduction by Brian Lavery, which explains the importance of a book like this to a navy that had to take on vast numbers of civilians or Hostilities Only men to meet the manning needs of the war, this volume provides a real mixture of wartime nostalgia and historical authenticity. It makes a world now lost to us accessible again, explaining as it does the terms,
£9.49
Bloomsbury Publishing PLC The Mosquito Pocket Manual
Book SynopsisThe Mosquito Pocket Manual collates authentic period sources including pilot''s notes and other Air Ministry publications to provide a unique guide to this iconic aircraft.The de Havilland DH.98 Mosquito was a British multi-role combat aircraft with a two-man crew that served during and after the Second World War. It was one of few operational front-line aircraft of the era constructed almost entirely of wood and was nicknamed The Wooden Wonder.The Mosquito was also known affectionately as the Mossie to its crews. Originally conceived as an unarmed fast bomber the Mosquito was adapted to a wide range of bombing roles. It was also used by BOAC as a fast transport to carry small high-value cargoes to, and from neutral countries through enemy controlled airspace.The book collates a variety of pamphlets and manuals on the plane that were produced throughout the war for the benefit of pilots and others associated with the aircraft.Trade ReviewRecommended. There are great images, in the form of photographs and drawings, through the body of the book. An amazing and iconic aircraft, covered so effectively by this handbook. * Firetrench *
£9.49
Bloomsbury Publishing PLC The First AngloSikh War 184546
Book SynopsisA highly illustrated account of the First Anglo-Sikh War of 184556, a dramatic, hard-fought, and colorful conflict during Britain''s rule of India.This fully illustrated study of the First Anglo-Sikh War tells the story of one of the major colonial wars of the nineteenth century, as the British East India Company attempted to wrest control of the Punjab region from a Sikh Empire riven by infighting.The First Anglo-Sikh War broke out due to escalating tensions between the Sikh Empire and the East India Company in the Punjab region of India in the mid-nineteenth century. Political machinations were at the heart of the conflict, with Sikh rulers fearing the growing power of their own army, while several prominent Sikh generals actively collaborated with the East India Company.The British faced a disciplined opponent, trained along European lines, which fielded armies numbering in the tens of thousands. The war featured a number of closely contested battleTable of ContentsOrigins of the campaign /Chronology /Opposing commanders /Opposing armies /Orders of battle /Opposing plans /The campaign /Aftermath /The battlefields today /Further reading /Index
£16.14
Bloomsbury Publishing PLC Case White
Book SynopsisNow available in paperback, this fascinating title from renowned World War II historian Robert Forczyk tells the story of Case White, the German invasion of Poland in 1939.The German invasion of Poland on September 1, 1939, designated as Fall Weiss (Case White), was the event that sparked the outbreak of World War II in Europe. The campaign has widely been described as a textbook example of Blitzkrieg, but it was actually a fairly conventional campaign as the Wehrmacht was still learning how to use its new Panzers and dive-bombers. The Polish military is often misrepresented as hopelessly obsolete and outclassed by the Wehrmacht, when in fact it was well-equipped with modern weapons and armor. Indeed, the Polish possessed more tanks than the British and had cracked the German Enigma machine cipher. Though the combined assault from GermTable of ContentsIntroduction 1: Poland is Not Lost 2: Poland Prepares for the Next Round 3: The Threat Emerges 4: Countdown to War 5: Opening Moves 6: Total War 7: Apotheosis 8: Occupation Epilogue Officer Rank Table Abbreviations Appendices Notes Bibliography Index
£15.29
Bloomsbury Publishing PLC Kos and Leros 1943
Book SynopsisAn illustrated account of the disastrous British-led effort to occupy the Dodecanese in autumn 1943, as Winston Churchill attempted to secure the Aegean islands in the wake of the Italian armistice. The occupation was a gamble intended to increase pressure against Germany and at the same time possibly provide encouragement for Turkey to join the Allies. Spearheaded by the Special Boat Squadron and the Long Range Desert Group, garrison troops were deployed to the Italian-occupied Dodecanese, but they were too late to prevent the Germans from taking control of the key island of Rhodes and its all-important airfields. An all-out German offensive followed. Air force and naval units supported a series of assaults by infantry and paratroopers, including specialist forces of the Division Brandenburg. Within three months, only Castelorizzo was still in British hands. Rhodes, Kos and Leros remained under German occupation until May 1945 and the end of the war in Europe. The Dodecanese wouTable of ContentsOrigins of the campaign /Chronology /Opposing commanders /Opposing armies /Orders of battle /Opposing plans /The campaign /Aftermath /The battlefields today /Further reading /Index
£999.99
Bloomsbury Publishing PLC German Flak Defences vs Allied Heavy Bombers
Book SynopsisSince the end of World War II, the strategic bombing of Germany has inspired numerous studies, countless books and several documentary films, and it is not surprising. With more than one million tons of bombs dropped, close to 300,000 civilians killed, 700,000 wounded and in excess of 3,500,000 industrial and residential structures destroyed, the Allied bomber offensive was industrial war on a grand scale. The air battle that raged over Germany has often been described as a battle between Allied and German fighters but what has been frequently missed by historians on all sides is the impact of German anti-aircraft defences (flak). Though often dismissed as ineffective and a waste of valuable material and personnel, the German flak arm made a major contribution to the defence of the Third Reich at least half of the American aircraft shot down over Germany fell to flak, and according to the RAF Official History, it was estimated that flak accounted for 1229 of 3302 aircraft loTable of ContentsIntroduction /Chronology /Design and Development /Technical Specifications/ The Strategic Situation /The Combatants /Combat /Statistics and Analysis /Aftermath /Further Reading /Index
£12.59
Bloomsbury Publishing PLC Dettingen 1743
Book SynopsisThe death of the Emperor Charles VI in 1741 was the catalyst for a conflict ostensibly about the female inheritance of the Hapsburg patrimony but, in reality, about the succession to the Imperial Throne. The great European powers were divided between those, such as Britain, who supported the Pragmatic Sanction and the rights of the Archduchess Maria-Theresia, daughter of Charles VI, and those who challenged it, including Bavaria which were supported by France.The conflict quickly escalated into what is now known as the War of the Austrian Succession, and a series of turbulent political events brought the crisis to a head on the road to Hanau, near Dettingen. There, the French moved to put into place a complex manoeuvre which had the potential to end the war at a single stroke. A column of French troops would cross the Main near Dettingen and block the road to Hanau, their orders being to simply hold their ground and bar the route of the Allied British and Hanovarian advance.Table of ContentsOrigins of the Campaign Chronology Opposing Commanders Opposing Forces Opposing Plans The Campaign Aftermath The Battlefield Today Bibliography Index
£15.19
Bloomsbury Publishing PLC In Cold War Skies
Book SynopsisFrom acclaimed aviation historian Michael Napier, this is a highly illustrated survey of the airpower deployed by NATO and Warsaw Pact countries throughout the Cold War.Throughout the second half of the 20th century, international relations across the globe were dominated by the Cold War. From 1949 until the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989, US and Soviet strategic forces were deployed across the Arctic Ocean in North America and Northern Russia, while the best-equipped armed forces that the world had ever seen faced each other directly across the Iron Curtain in Europe. In Cold War Skies examines the air power of the major powers both at a strategic and at a tactical level throughout the 40 years of the Cold War. In this fascinating book, acclaimed historian Michael Napier looks at each decade of the war in turn, examining the deployment of strategic offensive and defensive forces in North America and Northern Russia as well as the situation in EuropeTrade ReviewA fantastic looking book. -- Duncan Evans * The Armourer *Packed with superb illustrations... [this] is a very interesting and well-written account of a crucial and sometimes highly dangerous period of recent history. * Aviation News *Table of ContentsINTRODUCTION 1: A Peace That Is No Peace, 1949–59 2: We Will Bury You! 1960–69 3: Freezing Frontiers, 1970–79 4: Tear Down This Wall! 1980–89 In Neutral Skies AFTERWORD APPENDIX - Air Orders of Battle INDEX GLOSSARY ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
£28.00
Bloomsbury Publishing PLC Jackals
Book SynopsisA Sword & Sorcery roleplaying game set in a Fantasy Bronze Age inspired by the legends and cultures of the Ancient Near East.The Zaharets, the land between the Vori Wastes and the Plains of Aeco, is well-known as the Land of Risings. Dominated by the rising city-states of Ameena Noani and Sentem, facing each other along the great War Road, the Zaharets has always been home to powerful civilizations. Beastmen ruins dot the landscape, a constant reminder of the Kingdom of Sin and the fragility of the Law of Men. Even older are the great ruins of the Hulathi, the legendary sea peoples, and the Hannic mansions sealed beneath the mountains, awaiting those who would seek out the Lost Folk. Scars abound from the wars between ruined Keta in the north and Gerwa in the south. And, far to the east, the legends of Muadah still beckon occultists and Jackals who seek to plunder its corrupted ruins.Inspired by the myths, cultures, and history of the Ancient Near East, and byTrade ReviewIn short, it’s outstanding! * Tabletop Almanac *As soon as I purchased it I wanted to sit down and play. * DrivethruRPG *I give Jackals a very solid 8.5 * TheGamingGang *This is an excellent set-up and makes for great community tension -- Pookie * Ryleh Reviews *Table of ContentsIntroduction Background Cultures Character Creation The System Gazetteer Bestiary Adventures
£21.25
Bloomsbury Publishing PLC Roman Soldier vs Parthian Warrior
Book SynopsisIn 53 BC, Roman and Parthian forces collided in a confrontation that would reshape the geopolitical map and establish a frontier between East and West that would endure for the next 700 years. From the initial clash at Carrhae through to the battle of Nisibis more than 250 years later, Roman and Parthian forces fought a series of bloody campaigns for mastery of the Fertile Crescent.As Roman forces thrust ever deeper into the East, they encountered a civilization unlike any they had crossed swords with before. Originating in the steppes of Central Asia, the Parthians ruled a federated state stretching from the Euphrates to the Indus. Although Rome's legions were masters of the battlefield in the Mediterranean, the Parthians refused to fight by the rules as Rome understood them. Harnessing the power of the composite bow and their superior manoeuvrability, the Parthians' mode of warfare focused exclusively on the horse. They inflicted a bloody defeat on the legions at Carrhae aTrade ReviewThe information on Parthian organisation and equipment is entirely welcome and not readily available elsewhere. * Ancient Warfare Magazine *Table of ContentsIntroduction The Road to War The Opposing Sides Carrhae, 53 BC Carrhae to Phraaspa Phraaspa, 36 BC Phraaspa to Nisibis Nisibis, AD 217 Analysis Conclusion Bibliography Index
£13.29
Bloomsbury Publishing PLC In Good Faith
Book SynopsisIn Good Faith is the first of a two-volume, accessible narrative history of America's involvement in Indochina, from the end of World War II to the Fall of Saigon in 1975.The books chart the course of America's engagement with the region, from its initially hesitant support for French Indochina through the advisory missions following the 1954 Geneva Accords, then on to the covert war promoted in the Kennedy years, the escalation to total war in the Johnson era, and finally to the liquidation of the American war under Nixon. Drawing on the latest research, unavailable to the authors of the classic Vietnam histories, In Good Faith tells the story from the Japanese surrender in 1945 through America's involvement in the French Indochina War and the initial advisory missions that followed. It describes how these missions gradually grew in both scope and scale, and how America became ever more committed to the region, especially following the Gulf of Tonkin incident in 1Table of ContentsList of Maps 1. The Serpent in Eden, 1945–60 2. Kennedy’s Finger in the Dyke, 1960–62 3. Annus Horribilis, January–November 1963 4. Mopping the Floor, November 1963–July 1964 5. Shooting at Flying Fish, August–December 1964 6. Jupiter’s thunderbolt, January–December 1965 Notes Bibliography Index
£15.29
Bloomsbury Publishing PLC To Defeat the Few
Book SynopsisThis history, based on an exhaustive study of German records, explores The Battle of Britain through the eyes of the Luftwaffe. Over the past 80 years, histories of the Battle of Britain have consistently portrayed the feats of The Few' (as they were immortalized in Churchill's famous speech) as being responsible for the RAF's victory in the epic battle. However, this is only part of the story. The results of an air campaign cannot be measured in terms of territory captured, cities occupied or armies defeated, routed or annihilated. Successful air campaigns are those that achieve their intended aims or stated objectives. Victory in the Battle of Britain was determined by whether the Luftwaffe achieved its objectives. The Luftwaffe, of course, did not, and this detailed and rigorous study explains why. Analysing the battle in its entirety in the context of what it was history's first independent offensive counter-air campaign against the world's first integrated air defence system Trade ReviewAn incredible book offering insights into the crucial air battle over England never before revealed. It provides an operational-level view of the war from the German perspective yielding a unique study that is a must-read for students and practitioners of airpower alike. -- Lt Gen David A. Deptula, USAF (Ret.); Dean, Mitchell Institute for Aerospace StudiesSuperbly illustrated book... To Defeat the Few will find pride of place on the shelves of many readers, offering an interesting and intermediate level between the entirely strategic study of this campaign and the battles as close as possible to the pilots and crew. * Aerostories.org *Unlike previous literary works on the subject, this brilliantly written and epic rendering details the Luftwaffe’s all-out attempt to crush RAF Fighter Command during the two most decisive months of the Battle of Britain from the German perspective. The authors have successfully placed the reader behind the Luftwaffe’s strategic and tactical decisions employed in their quest to establish air-superiority for their planned cross-Channel invasion. This deeply researched work is of the highest quality containing original photos, illustrations, charts, and graphs on almost every page in support of their script and belongs in every library of those interested in the historical defense of England during this most critical time of World War II! -- Rick Bishop, Lt Col, USAF (Ret)This is a very worthwhile book and represents a more than laudable effort on the part of Douglas Dildy and Paul Crickmore... a 'must have/must read' for those who study the battle. Highly recommended. -- Andy Saunders * Iron Cross *Table of ContentsForeword by Paul E. Eden Prologue 1. Westfeldzug: Why the Battle of Britain occurred 2. Fall Gelb: Prologue to the Battle of Britain 3. Dunkirk: Triumph without victory 4. ‘Was nun?’: Hitler’s strategic options, July 1940 5. The Luftwaffe’s Capabilities: Germany’s only real means to defeat Great Britain 6. The Luftwaffe’s Opponent: RAF Fighter Command 7. Kanalkampf (Channel Battle): The Luftwaffe’s maritime air campaign 8. Seelöwe (Sea Lion): Hitler’s plan to invade Britain 9. Adlerangriff Stage 1: 12–16 August 1940 10. Adlerangriff Stage 2: 17–19 August 1940 11. Adlerangriff Stage 3: 24 August to 6 September 1940 12. Adlerangriff Stage 4: 7–17 September 1940 13. Defeat Dies Slowly: 17 September through 31 October 1940 14. Analysis: Assessing the Battle of Britain from the Luftwaffe’s perspective Appendices Glossary Bibliography Endnotes Index
£24.00
Bloomsbury Publishing PLC Malaya Dutch East Indies 194142
Book SynopsisJapan's attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941 was quickly followed by a rapid invasion of Malaya, a plan based entirely on the decisive use of its airpower. While the British was inadequately prepared, they likewise relied on the RAF to defend their colony. The campaign was a short match between Japanese airpower at its peak and an outgunned colonial air force, and its results were stunning.The subsequent Dutch East Indies campaign was even more dependent on airpower, with Japan having to seize a string of island airfields to support their leapfrog advance. Facing the Japanese was a mixed bag of Allied air units, including the Dutch East Indies Air Squadron and the US Far East Air Force. The RAF fell back to airfields on Sumatra in the last stages of the Malaya campaign, and was involved in the last stages of the campaign to defend the Dutch colony.For the first time, this study explores these campaigns from an airpower perspective, explaining how and why the Japanese were Table of ContentsIntroduction Chronology Attacker's Capabilities Defender's Capabilities Campaign Objectives The Campaign Analysis and Conclusion Bibliography Index
£14.24
Bloomsbury Publishing PLC I Will Run Wild
Book SynopsisThis fascinating volume--now available in paperback offers a vivid narrative history of the early stages of the Pacific War, as US and Allied forces desperately tried to slow the Japanese onslaught that began with the sudden attack on Pearl Harbor in December 1941.In many popular histories of the Pacific War, the period from the Japanese attack at Pearl Harbor to the US victory at Midway is often passed over because it is seen as a period of darkness. Indeed, it is easy to see the period as one of unmitigated disaster for the Allies, with the fall of the Philippines, Malaya, Burma, and the Dutch East Indies, and the wholesale retreat and humiliation at the hands of Japan throughout Southeast Asia.However, there are also stories of courage and determination in the face of overwhelming odds: the stand of the Marines at Wake Island; the fighting retreat in the Philippines that forced the Japanese to take 140 days to accomplish what they had expected would take 50Trade ReviewAuthoritative and colourful—a must-read account of the initial phase of the war in the Pacific. * Kirkus Reviews, starred review *I Will Run Wild paints a vivid picture of the first six months of the Pacific War, with the Japanese frantically trying to achieve a quick victory and the Allies desperately hanging on by their fingernails. Tom Cleaver deftly illustrates the strategy of the sprawling Pacific War through the stories of the men who staved off catastrophe and bought America time to strike back. * Chris Bucholtz, author of Thunderbolts Triumphant: The 362nd Fighter Group vs. Germany’s Wehrmacht *We have all heard stories and details of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, the Flying Tigers, the Doolittle Raid on Tokyo, and the Battle of Midway. All these have generated classic and modern movies that make us feel like we were there. We know all about this important history, or do we?…This valuable book details a compelling story of US and Allied forces, with antiquated airplanes, bravely facing combat-experienced Japanese pilots in superior airplanes. But the production might of the US quickly stepped up and supplied the new airplanes, carriers and pilots needed to turn the tide. * Commander Curtis Dosé, US Navy (ret.) *I Will Run Wild is a fascinating glimpse into the early days of the war in the Pacific. Meticulously researched, this is a compelling story of individual sacrifice against the backdrop of vast impersonal conflict, a work that stands shoulder to shoulder with the literary tradition of Herman Wouk and Samuel Eliot Morison.’ * Chief Warrant Officer Jim Wright, US Navy (ret.), and founder of www.stonekettle.com *Table of ContentsList of Maps List of Illustrations Foreword by RADM H. Denny Wisely USN (Ret.) Introduction 1: “I Knew My Plans Had Changed” 2: The Rising Sun 3: Preparation in the Philippines 4: “All Hands Have Behaved Splendidly” 5: Opening Blow in the Philippines 6: A Fighting Retreat 7: The Forgotten Campaign 8: The Malay Barrier 9: Reinforcement 10: The Tigers of Burma 11: The Great Escape 12: Indies Finale 13: The Guarantee of Victory 14: “Go Forward, Fight Well, and Do Us Honor” 15: The Forty-Niners 16: “Our Target is Tokyo” 17: Ramsey’s Lambsies 18: Victory Disease 19: “A New and Shining Page ” 20: Six Deadly Minutes 21: The Cornerstone of Victory Bibliography Index
£14.24
Bloomsbury Publishing PLC Napoleons Women Camp Followers
Book SynopsisResearched from genuine primary sources in regulations and memoirs, this is the first book to explain and illustrate the organization, activities, and personal stories of the female support staff who played a major role in the day-to-day life of Napoleon''s armies.The cantinières who accompanied Napoleon''s armies to war have an iconic status in the history of the Grande Armée. Sutler-women and laundresses were officially sanctioned members of the regiment performing a vital support role. In a period when the supply and pay services were haphazard, their canteen wagons and tents were a vital source of sustenance and served as the social hubs of the regiment. Although officially non-combatants, many of these women followed their regiments into battle, serving brandy to soldiers in the firing line, braving enemy fire.This book is a timely piece of social history, as well as a colorful new guide for modelers and re-enactors. Through meticulous research of Table of ContentsINTRODUCTION Definitions, and popular status WOMEN AND THE ARMIES Military marriages Soldier-sutlers Chaos in spring 1793 Bonaparte’s early campaigns: officers’ indiscipline Prostitution The Civil Code, 1804 ORGANIZATION Decree of 30 April 1793 – identification, and numbers Decree of 26 July 1800 Army of Germany, 1809 Grande Armée, 1812 THE ROLE OF VIVANDIÈRES & CANTINIÈRES Goods and services Sutlers’ tents Discipline Civilian canteens BLANCHISSEUSES In barracks and camp On campaign COSTUME The early 1790s From Revolution to Directory and Empire Revolutionary cockades THE REGIMENTAL CHILDREN The ancien régime Law of 26 July 1800 THE LEGEND OF MARIE TÊTE-DU-BOIS SELECT BIBLIOGRAPHY PLATE COMMENTARIES INDEX
£10.79
Bloomsbury Publishing PLC Yugoslav Armies 194145
Book SynopsisThis volume describes, lists, and illustrates the several combatant forces raised in Yugoslavia during World War II.In March 1941, an anti-German coup in the Kingdom of Yugoslavia prompted Hitler to order an invasion using allied Italian, Hungarian, Bulgarian. and Romanian forces. Operation Marita was an invasion of Yugoslavia and simultaneously Greece. At the same time, the constituent region of Croatia broke away from Yugoslavia and joined the Axis powers. Royal Yugoslav armed forces, despite advancing against the Italians in Albania were forced to surrender after 11 days'' fighting and some 1,000 soldiers, airmen, and sailors escaped to British-occupied Egypt to form Free Yugoslav units. From there, guerrilla resistance to the Axis occupiers broke out and continued with increasing strength until the end of the war under Mihailovic''s royalist ''Chetniks'' and Tito''s Communist ''Partisans'' (both supported by Britain). However, hostilities between the two moTable of ContentsINTRODUCTION -Birth of the Yugoslav state -Inter-war developments THE YUGOSLAV ARMY IN 1941 -Army Groups -Uniforms -Branch-specific items -Rank titles & service-uniform insignia THE APRIL WAR, 6–18 APRIL, 1941 -Order of battle & anticipated plans -Campaigns ROYAL YUGOSLAV FORCES IN THE MIDDLE EAST, 1941–45 -Royal Guards Battalion - Uniforms & insignia -7 (Yugoslavian) Troop, No. 10 (Inter-Allied) Commando -Yugoslav Air Force YUGOSLAV ARMY IN THE HOMELAND, 1941–45 -1941: Formation of the Chetniks -1942: Establishment -1943: Civil war -1944: The defence of Serbia -1945: Defeat -Uniforms & insignia YUGOSLAV PEOPLE’S LIBERATION ARMY, 1941–45 -1941: Organization -1942: Organization -1943: Organization -1944: Campaigns -1945: Campaigns -Uniforms & insignia SELECT BIBLIOGRAPHY PLATE COMMENTARIES INDEX
£999.99
Bloomsbury Publishing PLC The Numidians 300 BCAD 300
Book SynopsisThis fascinating study combines the latest archaeological research with an analysis of the available literary and non-literary evidence to examine the organization, equipment, and tactics of the Numidian warriors who fought in conflicts across the ancient Mediterranean as part of the armies of Carthage and Rome between 300 BC and AD 300.The Numidian light cavalry were among the best-known horsemen in the ancient world: riding without saddles or bridle, carrying only hide shields for defense and clutching a handful of light javelins, they were renowned for their darting attacks, swift retreats, and skirmishing prowess. Yet, as much as they were respected by their allies and enemies, they were unfairly derided for their indiscipline, their perceived lack of culture, and their fecklessness, and dismissed as uncivilized, nomadic barbarians from beyond the fringes of the cultured, settled Mediterranean world. The famous portrayal of Numidian horsemen on Trajan''s Column, oTable of ContentsIntroduction Historical Background Numidian Forces Appearance and Clothing Weapons and Equipment Conclusion Select Bibliography Plate Commentaries Index
£11.39
