Military History Books

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

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Book SynopsisDuring the German occupation of Rome from 1942 to 1944, Monsignor Hugh O'Flaherty ran an escape organisation for Allied POWs and civilians, including Jews. Safe within the Vatican state, he regularly ventured out in disguise to continue his mission, which earned him the nickname 'the Pimpernel of the Vatican'. Kappler, the Gestapo chief in Rome, ordered him captured or killed. When the Allies entered Rome, Monsignor O'Flaherty and his colleagues had saved over 6,500 lives.Trade Review"An affectionate book that at times reads as well as a spy novel." * Books Ireland *"Story of personal bravery well worth retelling." * The Irish Times *"The story it tells is extraordinary." * Irish Independent *"Enthralling and inspiring." * The Catholic Times *"A true thriller." * Scottish Catholic Observer *

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Book SynopsisMore than a century has passed past since German archeologist Heinrich Schliemann discovered the treasures of Bronze Age Mycenae. The richly decorated artefacts of the entombed warriors, whose bodies still lay in their graves, confirmed that Homer's epic The Iliad was based upon true events, and that the Achaeans described in his poems probably did exist. Through a combined study of the mythical tradition, archeological findings and written sources, this fascinating addition to the Warrior series explores the evolution of warfare in the Bronze Age Greek world. Covering weaponry, clothing, helmets and body armour, it provides a richly illustrated guide to the warriors who have shone from the pages of Homer's poem for almost three millennia.Table of ContentsIntroduction Chronology Appearance and equipment On campaign Belief and belonging Experience of battle After the battle Collecting/Museums/Re-enactment Bibliography Glossary Index

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Book SynopsisHitler first considered an invasion of Great Britain in autumn 1940, then scheduled Operation Barbarossa, the conquest of the European part of the Soviet Union, for May 1941. Anxious to emulate Hitler's successes, the Italian dictator Mussolini embarked upon unnecessary military adventures in North Africa and the Balkans, which forced Hitler's intervention, diverting and depleting precious German resources, and a six-week postponement of Barbarossa. In this second of four volumes [Men-at-Arms 311, 316, 326 & 330] on the German Army of the Second World War, Nigel Thomas examines the uniforms and insignia of the forces involved in North Africa and the Balkans. Men-at-Arms 311, 316, 326, 330 and 336 are also available in a single volume special edition titled 'German Army in World War II'.Table of ContentsThe Context of the North African and Balkan Campaigns · Foreign Volunteers · The Strategy in North Africa · Army Uniform in North Africa · Orders of Dress · Uniforms and Insignia of Foreign Volunteers · The Strategy in the Balkans · Army Uniform in the Balkans · Other Insignia · The Plates

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Book SynopsisDuring the occupation of France in WWII the villages around Le Chambon-sur-Lignon pulled off an astonishing and largely unknown feat. Risking everything, they underwent a long-running battle of nerves and daring to hide 5,000 men, women and children, 3,500 of them Jews, from the Nazis and their Vichy stooges. Despite the danger, a whole community rallied together, from the pacifist pastor who defied orders to the glamorous female agent with a wooden leg, from the 18-year-old master forger to the schoolgirl who ran suitcases stuffed with money for the Resistance.Told using first-hand testimonies of many of the survivors and face-to-face interviews conducted by the author, A Good Place to Hide is the thrilling story of ordinary people who thwarted the Nazis and sheltered strangers in desperate need.Trade ReviewA story resonant in our days, the age of refugees, and a grand narrative in its own right, all told with absorbing skill. Peter Grose's tale of the astounding rescue village of Chambon is a tale of the practical deliverance of the hunted from the Nazis. A book to cherish and recommend! -- Thomas Keneally, author of Schindler's ArkIncredibly moving... Ordinary people doing extraordinary things in the most extraordinary circumstances. A book full of love for the region. Grose underlines underlines the role played by the brilliant forger, Oscar Rosowsky. A reminder of the best that humans are capable of, but also an inspiration. * Times Literary Supplement *Peter Grose's book stands out as a complete story about life on the Plateau during World War II. Peter uses only facts to tell us a true story. He is one of those rare raconteurs who can write a history book that reads like a novel. -- Nelly Trocmé, eyewitness and daughter of André and Magda TrocméA fine book and a captivating and heartening story. * Scotsman *Grose has written …ambitious book that covers, among other things, the history of French Protestantism and the policy of the Vichy government, It is, however, the individual stories that stand out. Some striking characters cross their pages. Albert Camus came to the plateau, hoping that the air would be good for his tuberculosis, and wrote the first draft of La Peste there. Virginia Hall, an American adventuress so hard-bitten that she would have made Ernest Hemingway look like Marcel Proust, was sent to contact the local Maquis. She received packets of tea with parachute drops of weapons and refused to accept that having a wooden leg and an atrocious accent might make her an unsuitable guerrilla leader. Above all, this book depicts the mosaic of little tragedies behind the collective tragedy of death and deportation. * Evening Standard *Extraordinary. * Daily Mirror *Fabulous. A page-turning account, told with the full cooperation of many of the survivors. Meticulous and dogged research. Compelling. -- Caroline Sanderson * The Bookseller, 'Ones to Watch' *Well written in a pleasant style and easy to read... A fascinating and inspiring story. * The Association of Jewish Refugees Journal *A compelling story of wartime bravery and the plight of refugees. * France *

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Book Synopsis'They Also Serve Who Stand And Wait' tells the story of the U.S. Replacement Depot at Pheasey Farms Estate in Great Barr, Birmingham during World War II. Part of the half-built housing estate was requisitioned by the British forces at the outbreak of the war and in 1942 the first group of American soldiers moved in. The book is a fascinating insight into the day to day activity on the base, with many moving accounts from those involved, and also deals with the impact that the American soldiers had on the surrounding area of Walsall and Birmingham.

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Book SynopsisWRECK RECOVERY IN BRITAIN THEN AND NOW By Peter J. Moran The last 50 years have seen an incredible interest in the excavation of crashed aircraft. Schoolboys of the war period eagerly sought and swapped souvenirs, purloined from crashes under the eyes of the police or RAF guards but, after the surface wreckage was cleared away by Maintenance Units, no one realised that even greater treasures remained underground.   Whereas on the Continent the Missing Research and Enquiry Unit left no stone unturned to try to trace the thousands of airmen who still remained missing, strangely enough no similar operation was carried out by the RAF on crash sites in the United Kingdom. Many of these still contained the mortal remains of pilots whose names had been added to the Memorial to the Missing unveiled at Runnymede in 1953. Perhaps, because the war in the air that followed the Battle of Britain had shifted its focus to Europe, it appeared to fade from people’s memory that a hard-fought battle had taken place over the United Kingdom in 1940.   It is difficult to understand today how it took so long for the realisation to sink in that aircraft wreckage still remained buried. When it did, there followed what can only be described as an unholy scramble to find crash sites and dig them up, heavy plant being employed to make it easier and quicker. At the height of this unfettered exploration period during the 1970s, there were over 30 `aviation archaeology’ groups, or loose affiliations of like-minded individuals at work, particularly in the counties of Essex, Kent and Sussex over which the main battle had been fought. Unrecovered human remains were now being found which understandably raised criticism from some quarters but was defended by the argument that missing airmen should have been recovered by the authorities in former years. Inevitably order had to be restored and the Ministry of Defence stepped in with a `code of conduct’ for digging up crashed aircraft, a measure that was reinforced by an Act of Parliament in 1986. Thereafter a process was introduced whereby the Ministry issued licences before a wreck site could be excavated, and every licence application, whether granted or refused, is listed for the first time in this book. In the end, after all the accessible locations had been exhausted, the exploration of wartime crash sites in Britain largely came to a close. Size: 12” × 8½" - 232 Pages – Over 600 Colour and Black and White Illustrations ISBN: 9 781870 067 942 — Price: £29.95

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Book SynopsisWithin the pages of this fully illustrated book you will be able to follow the author's detailed research showing how Hitler escaped war torn Berlin, at the end of the war and able to flee Europe, reaching the relative safety of South America, then on to secret Nazi bases in Antarctica. A phantom convoy of U-boats was used to move Hitler and others to those hidden underground bases built in Antarctica and he describes how these well stocked underground complexes would continue developing weapons and war machines for defence and future world domination, Wunderwaffe weapons according to conspiracy theories are the ones that were used to attack the American fleet during Operation HighJump in 1947 explaining why so many American ships returned damaged.Trade ReviewReviewed by Steve Wroe British Science Association ex British Antarctic Survey Nazi Antarctic Exploration Hitler’s Escape to South America & Secret Nazi Bases in Antarctica By Ladislas Szabo Published By Nicholas Reardon Let me start by saying that I’m not a believer of conspiracy theories. There, that’s got that off my chest. When I reviewed this book I was aware of a certain ‘notoriety’ that surrounded it. I knew that it had experienced some problems on social media, particularly with the US. This was, primarily with the title, but apart from that I had no preconceived ideas. The book is well presented and well structured which makes it very ‘readable’ with informative photographs inserted at appropriate places throughout. This improves the book as it gives the photographs ‘relevance’ and helps to explain the narrative at a time of great uncertainty throughout the world. The end of WW2! The first part of this book focuses on the uncertainty and the shambles that the world was in at the final moments of World War two. The fact that nobody knew the true number of U boats that were still at sea or had taken sanctuary in friendly ports or waters is evidence of this.This uncertainty was compounded when two U boats arrived unexpectedly in the Argentinian port of Mar del Plata. The circumstances surrounding these boats were unusual for a number of reasons. The U boats were carrying far larger crews than they were designed for. In addition, there was confusion with regards the true identity of one of the U boats. All of this at a time when it was uncertain as to whether Hitler was dead or alive and theories were rife. Was Hitler alive and fleeing to Argentina or simply biding his time in Antarctica? The second part of this book is a general précis of Antarctic exploration during this wartime setting and explains the presence of warring nations who found themselves in Antarctica. Thereby setting the scene for the possibility of Nazi (dare I use that phrase?) activities in Antarctica during WW2. I would refer the reader to page 78. The author describes the activities of German Corsair raiding ships operating in Antarctic waters of which we are already aware. It is this activity which led to the top secret British wartime operation. Operation Tabarin, of which many books have been written. The book is a collection of interesting factual detail but my difficulty as a reviewer, is that some of the conclusions which the author offers, are an opinion based upon an interpretation of some of those facts. To quote C. P. Snow the founding editor of the Guardian Newspaper ‘Opinions are free, but facts are sacred’ The book is interesting for its historical factual content but as to whether some of the conclusions offered by the author bear scrutiny, I leave that for you, the reader to decide. To summarise, the book tells an interesting tale and is of historical value at a period of time where the world was mired in doubt and uncertainty and the fate of Hitler was unknown. The book presents you with facts and is enhanced by photographs with other contemporary supporting documentation and I would invite you to draw your own conclusions based upon these facts. Finally, whilst as a reviewer, I feel it is beyond my remit to get embroiled in the dispute about the title of this book, my understanding is that at that time, Germany was ruled by the Nazi Party.

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Book SynopsisThe letters of 2nd Lt. Victor George Ursell 1913 -1917 and War Diary of the 8th Kingâ??s Shropshire Light Infantry. With a Mathematics scholarship to Oxford in 1912 the hopes and aspirations of Victorâ??s parents and teachers are riding high, but his exuberance, vitality, sporting ability and his engagement to what the family refer to as his â??Russian Princessâ?? Lena, are thrown into jeopardy by the unfolding horror of war. His fiancÃe has to return to Moscow and Victor enlists, commencing a journey that will take him to France, Salonika, Malta, England and back to France again. If any story illustrates the loss, both personal and national during the First World War it can be found in these letters.

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Book SynopsisTo give political legitimacy to his Empire, in just fifteen years Emperor Napoléon I created an enduring image of Napoléonic France as the contemporary equivalent of Imperial Rome. He did this by the deft use of iconography and what today would be called ‘branding’, which he applied to every aspect of his family, the government, the military, the monuments to his achievements, his palaces and their furnishings. The tangible remains of this grand, imperial ‘theatre’ has excited royal and other collectors ever since. The Imperial Impresario take a wholly new look at Napoléon and the First Empire by interpreting the era in theatrical terms: the players, the sets, the props, the costumes, the tours and the script, much of which has survived. The fully illustrated book includes a wide range of Napoléonica in royal, national, regimental and private collections, as well as lost treasures such as the Emperor’s campaign carriage, captured in the immediate aftermath of Waterloo and destroyed in a fire at Madame Tussaud’s in 1925. For readers coming to the subject for the first time, The Imperial Impresario is a fascinating and informative introduction to the Napoléonic era; for those already steeped in the period, it is an invaluable companion to existing books about Napoléon and his Empire.Trade Review‘This book provides a fascinating look at the by-products of the Napoléonic era.’ The Duke of Richmond and GordonTable of ContentsForeword by the Duke of Richmond Acknowledgements Timeline of the rise and fall of Napoléon Authors’ Note Introduction 1. Creating the Star Role 2. Other Starring Roles 3. Principal and Supporting Players 4. Props 5. Building and Dressing the Set 6. On Tour 7. Merchandise 8. Collectables 9. The Fan Club 10. The Final Curtain About the Authors Index

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Book SynopsisPeter is just an ordinary boy, who loves playing football with his friends and eating cake – until war comes to his city and the whole family have to go into hiding. This powerful graphic novel is based on a true story. “Engrossing, and superbly told in graphic format” – Books for Keeps “Told with amazing depth in a simple and effective way” – Angels and Urchins “This is a book that is needed now more than ever” – Read It, Daddy A United States Board on Books for Youth (USBBY) 2018 Outstanding International Book Trade Review"A well as the historical aspect, the book is very relevant to the situation in many countries today - we need to learn from the past, and books like this are excellent in helping the younger generation to understand these issues. It's emotional and dramatic, drawing the reader in superbly, and is accessible even for reluctant readers." * Parents in Touch *"Illustrated in graphic novel style, with the story told through a series of images and dialogue with short bursts of text. Although the events are horrific, there is always a sense of hope and the reader feels the courage of the Jewish families. It is even more poignant as at the end of the book we meet Peter and his family as they are now." * Books for Topics *"Because it is told from a young person’s perspective, there is an ignorance to what is actually happening around him – but from the action the reader will understand that Peter survived round-ups of Jewish people by moving hiding places several times, the only constant being a colouring book; he frequently faces hunger and cold. Despite the removal of the more harrowing elements of the Holocaust, the reader will understand that this was a horrific time, challenging and frightening for even the luckiest child." * Minerva Reads *"Moving, accessible and offering a less well-known perspective on WW11 and the Holocaust, with its skilful balance of illustration and text, this is definitely a book to include in a primary school KS2 collection." * Red Reading Hub *"Moving and vividly told." -- Fiona Noble * The Bookseller *"As Budapest crumbles around him, and Nazis search, seize, and deport friends and family, Peter and a cousin are moved to several hideouts in this biographical graphic novel. Juxtaposing the mundane aspects of life in hiding with the horror of why they have to hide gives this book its impact." * School Library Journal *"The warmth of humanity shines through the story. There are many great books retelling the experience of WW2 and this is special because of its graphic format which will capture some who might find continual text off-putting." * School Librarian *"This book, which establishes 'the right to life and to live in freedom and safety' could not be more pertinent for the current political climate, not only here in the UK, but also further afield." * IBBY Link *"Even young children will get a sense of what it means to become the custodian of a memory." * Jewish Chronicle *"An engrossing true story...superbly told in graphic format. Words and pictures are skillfully combined and from the start of this first person narrative, young readers will identify with Peter." * Books for Keeps 5 star review *"Helen's graphic illustrations are just right for this kind of book, and should go down well with quite young readers. Let's hope, too, that they can see the similiarities with what's happening today in far too many places. If it was wrong then, it's wrong now." * Bookwitch *"A true story about a young Jewish boy...told with amazing depth in a simpler and effective way. Our teen reviewer was very moved." * Angels and Urchins *"Learn, in an accessible way, more about the second world war...a moving and true story that will make readers think and help them to understand more about the experience of the war for children of their own age." * Armadillo *"Without a doubt, this is the sort of book that is needed now more than ever, to educate children about the terrible atrocities of war, and how ordinary children like themselves became caught up in the conflict, taken far away from their homes and everything they knew and loved. At times it's quite a tough read, certainly a title for older children but it imparts its story with sensitivity and thought. This is the sort of book we'd truly love to see championed in schools and libraries." * Read It, Daddy *"This moving, true story of the Second World War tells Peter's story in his own words, accompanied by excellent illustrations which really convey the sombre feel of the story. Moving and very effective." * Parents in Touch *"This début graphic novel delicately balances the horror of those war years with a child’s eye view of events, allowing young (and older) readers to gently explore some of the aspects of the Holocaust without it becoming overwhelming. There’s a great deal of humour, and a real sense that children will always be children, however bad things get, finding ways to make new friends and creating new games to play even in the darkest hours, thereby giving us hope for better things to come….Peter’s story is moving but also funny, horribly sad and sometimes frightening, before a page turn makes you smile. It is peppered with moments of laughter and is pitched just right for, say, upper Primary school aged kids." * Playing by the Book *"This is definitely a worthy entry to the non-fiction shelves for the very young… It's a non-scary but still evocative primer for the fact that you didn't have to live in Germany to suffer at the hands of Nazis." * The Book Bag *"This moving graphic novel is published in September 2016 and well worth pre-ordering. Peter is just an ordinary boy, who loves playing football with his friends and eating cake - until war comes to his city and the whole family have to go into hiding.." -- Sita Brahmachari * The Guardian *

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Book SynopsisOswald Boelcke was Germanys first ace in World War One with a total of forty victories. His character, inspirational leadership, organisational genius, development of air-to-air tactics and impact on aerial doctrine are all reasons why Boelcke remains an important figure in the history of air warfare. Paving the way for modern air forces across the world with his pioneering tactics, Boelcke had a dramatic effect on his contemporaries. The fact that he was the Red Barons mentor, instructor, squadron commander and friend demonstrates the influence he had upon the German air force. He was one of the first pilots to be awarded the famous Pour le Mérite commonly recognised as the Blue Max. All of this was achieved after overcoming medical obstacles in his childhood and later life with a willpower and determination. Boelcke even gained the admiration of his enemies. After his tragic death in a midair collision, the Royal Flying Corps dropped a wreath on his funeral, and several of his victims sent another wreath from their German prison camp. His name and legacy of leadership and inspiration live on, as seen in the Luftwaffes designation of the Tactical Air Force Wing 31 Boelcke. In this definitive biography RG Head explores why Oswald Boelcke deserves consideration as the most important fighter pilot of the 20th century and beyond; but also for setting the standard in military aviation flying. This book will appeal to enthusiasts of the German air force, military aviation in general and World War One in particular.

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Book SynopsisWhen the German army launched Operation Barbarossa - the invasion of the Soviet Union - on June 22, 1941, it was expecting to face and easily defeat outdated and obsolete tanks and for the most part it did, but it also received a nasty shock when it came up against the T-34. With its powerful gun and sloped armour, the T-34 was more than a match for the best German tanks at that time and the Germans regarded it with awe. German Field Marshal von Kleist, who commanded the latter stages of Barbarossa, called it the finest tank in the world'. Using original wartime documents author and historian Peter Samsonov, creator of the Tank Archives blog, explains how the Soviets came to develop what was arguably the war's most revolutionary tank design.

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Book SynopsisA departure from the Cold War for the Boys series! Researched many years ago by the author for a project which did not come to fruition, Beaufighter air and ground crew gave freely of their stories which ranged from complete memoirs to brief anecdotes. And there were a plethora of original photographs for him to choose from. Graham Pitchfork has built on these reminiscences to trace the roles of Beaufighter squadrons spread across all the theatres of World War Two operations. From home bases, through north-west Europe, North Africa, Malta and the Mediterranean to the far Far East and south-west Pacific, the Beaufighter served far and wide as did the crews of the RAF, RAAF, SAAF and New Zealand and Canadian squadrons. All are covered in this quite unique book to be savoured by all those interested in the war in the air from 1939-1945.

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Book SynopsisBy his own, modest, admission Norbert Hannig was a Frontflieger, or operational pilot, who really did nothing special during World War Two. He was just, he says, one of the many rank and file pilots fighting for his country and not for the Führer. But his wartime career makes for fascinating and highly informative reading on an aspect of the 1939–45 war not often covered in the English language; primarily that of the campaign against the Soviet Union. Norbert started flying during high school on gliders and joined the German air force as volunteer and officer cadet, one of the midwar-generation of Luftwaffe fighter pilots. He began operations with JG54 on the eastern (Leningrad) front in March 1943; initially he flew Messerschmitt Bf 109s before transitioning to the Focke-Wulf FW 190. After a year’s fighting, he was ordered back to Germany as a flight instructor to oppose the bomber streams of the AAF and RAF. Returning to Russia at the end of 1944, he became a Staffel CO and claimed many aircraft shot down. In April 1945 he converted to the first jet fighter, the Me 262, in south Germany, and flew his last missions with this aircraft. Also serving with JV44 (whose CO was Adolf Galland), Norbert Hannig finished the war with 42 victories from more than 200 missions. Many and varied were his experiences in action against the rejuvenated Soviet air force in the east, and the powerful western Allies over the homeland during the final chaotic months of hostilities, which culminated in his captivity. John Weal’s skilful translation ensures that the fluid descriptive style of the author is preserved. Thankfully, also, Norbert was a keen photographer who shot a profusion of images, many of which appear in this important book.Trade Review“This well-illustrated book gives the reader an excellent insight into the conditions faced by Hannig and his fellow pilots on the Eastern Front. It deserves the attention and acclaim of Aeroplane readers.” Aeroplane’s Book of the Month [May 2005] “This is an important book, not only for the abundant tales of combat flying, but for the careful recounting of what life was really like in the Luftwaffe.” Aviation History “An excellent account from the enemy’s point of view.” WINGSPAN

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Book SynopsisThe Folland Gnat was used by the RAF mainly in the advanced training role, in the 1960s and 70s, where it proved to be an ideal lead-in trainer for high-performance aircraft such as the iconic Lightning, the first RAF supersonic fighter. It was also the aircraft used by the famous Yellowjacks formation aerobatic team, formed in 1964, the forerunner of the world-famous Red Arrows team which was equipped with the Gnat for over a decade before being replaced by the Hawk in 1980. Lesser known, the Gnat was also used as a lightweight fighter by both the Indian and Finnish air forces. In the case of India, the Gnat, later called the ‘Ajeet’ (Midge), saw combat experience in the Indo-Pakistani wars, most notably in the Battle of Boyra. Today, over 60 years since the aircraft first flew, several Gnats continue to be operated from North Weald Airfield in Essex by the Heritage Aircraft Trust under the brand, the Gnat Display Team. This book relates the history of the aircraft and includes many fascinating and untold stories by those who flew the aircraft, many of them well-known and distinguished aviators including those from the Indian and Finnish air forces. There is also a focus on the civilian life of the Gnat in the 21st century with accounts from those who continue to fly the aircraft with the Heritage Aircraft Trust. Gnat Boys is set to become one of the most sought-after books about aviation covering a very special era in aviation history, a must read for everyone with an interest in stories of human trial and endeavour.

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Book SynopsisAcclaimed author Andrew Thomas has chosen fifty fascinating cameos of individual actions or incidents across a wide variety of major and minor campaigns and scenarios ranging from the First World War to the present day. Each selection is accompanied by relevant, often rare, photographs. So, from the Battle of Mons in 1914 through shooting down a Zeppelin over Teeside, to WW2 Timor Ace ‘Butch’ Gordon in his Beaufighter in 1943 and a nightmare for Halifaxes over Nuremburg in 1944, to SAAF fighters over Angola in September 1985 and army support tasks in Mali in 2021, with many more in between, the author’s hand-picked personal choices make for gripping reading. A must for all those interested in the war in the air throughout history.

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Book SynopsisThe Me 262 was the world’s first operational military jet. Hitler believed that it would become Germany’s ‘miracle weapon’ and took a great personal interest in its development. Pilot Mano Ziegler was involved from its inception and contributed to its design and testing. Could the Me 262 have broken Allied supremacy in the air? Why did it take so long to come into service and why were hundreds of German pilots sacrificed in developing it? Most important of all, why did the Me 262 prove not to be the unparalleled success that Goering claimed it would be and what role did Hitler play in this ultimate failure? These are some of the questions this compelling book answers.

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Book SynopsisDuring five years of research for the four volumes of the Fleet Air Arm Boys book series covering the post-war FAA, former personnel not only contributed a huge quantity of stories but also sent many thousands of photographs, largely taken by themselves, and mostly never previously seen. It soon became clear that what was needed was a stand-alone photograph-heavy book, showing off many of these superb photos to best effect by giving them up to a full page or more with high quality reproduction. Whereas the ‘Boys’ books are all about fascinating stories supported by photos, here you have fascinating photos supported by some explanation and the occasional short supporting story. The opportunity has also been taken to expand the coverage to cover the whole history from the start of the Royal Naval Air Service (RNAS) before the First World War to today, illustrating the changing equipment and roles of the service. Coverage is not limited to just a large representative group of aircraft, but also includes many ships and air stations. Most importantly, air and ground crew are highlighted throughout, both at work and at play, and those who lost their lives are suitably remembered. Flying with the Navy is a once-in-a-lifetime publication and a must-have for all devotees of this truly astounding branch of the armed forces.

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Book SynopsisThe second edition of this book presents a new and expanded exploration of the unusually varied coinage and currency of the ‘Great Rebellion’ of 1642-1660, a pivotal period in British history. It builds on further research available since its original publication in 1990, notably a fresh appraisal of the West Country mints of Sir Richard Vyvyan and new insights into the numerous hoards of the time. Along the way, we meet more of the people who willingly or unwillingly did business with the wartime mints. Following a description of the currency in circulation in 1642 and a survey of the organisation of royalist minting during the war, the royalist mint-franchises are considered in turn. Foreign coinage, siege issues and the emergency coinages of Ireland are all described; and the story of the Tower Mint under Parliament is followed through the Interregnum of 1649-60 to the Restoration of Charles II. Minting methods at a time of transition from manual to mechanised production form an important subsidiary theme. Edward Besly was Numismatist at the National Museum of Wales (Amgueddfa Cymru) from 1986-2018, having previously worked at the British Museum. He is best known for his studies of Romano-British coin hoards and of the coinages of the time of Charles I (1625-49). In 2003 he was awarded the John Sanford Saltus Medal of the British Numismatic Society.

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Book SynopsisThis striking photographic collection looks at the large variety of RAF aircraft involved in the Cold War. These included air defenders such as Lightnings and Phantoms, which were often held ready to fly within ten minutes of an alert; strike/attack aircraft such as Buccaneers, Jaguars and Harriers, based in Germany; Victors, Tristars and VC10s for refuelling; and Nimrods for maritime surveillance and antisubmarine action. As the war progressed, some types of aircraft would be replaced by other, more advanced machines. The iconic Vulcan was eventually replaced by the Tornado GR1 in the UK, the Tornado F3 took over the UK air defense role from the Lightning and TWU Hawks were introduced as part of the Mixed Fighter Force. This book brings these classic aircraft to life with stunning photography, displaying them in all their glory, flying through the skies of a world divided by an iron curtain.

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Book SynopsisFor Operation Telic, the 2003 campaign in Iraq, the UK was the junior partner alongside their American allies but still contributed a substantial force. This was based around the 1st Armoured Division consisting of 7th Armoured Brigade, 16 Air Assault Brigade and 102 Logistics Brigade, with the Marines of 3 Commando Brigade under command. This photographic diary concentrates on 16 Air Assault Brigade's two parachute battalions, 1 and 3 Para. Beginning with the invasion and operations in the southern oilfields, the story follows 3 Para's successful entry into Basrah, before the action switches to 1 Para and a move to Baghdad to secure the British Embassy. This is followed by a look at life at the Embassy and on patrol in the city before 3 Para's return south. Written by a media escort and photographer with 3 Para, who was himself a Para for 23 years and continued to serve as a reservist, this book shows how paratroopers looked and fought during the campaign. Illustrated with over 200 colour photographs, it shows the reality of British forces in a modern-day war, with insights into the Parachute Regiment's equipment and operations.

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Book Synopsis THE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER Two sisters, one war and an extraordinary family secret1939. In the nation's hour of need, brave sisters Patricia and Jean Owtram answered the call of duty.With their fierce intelligence and steely determination, these remarkable young women would stop at nothing to help crack the Enigma code, support Allied troops, and defeat the Nazis.Their top-secret mission would finally see the tide of war turn in Britain's favour...This is their incredible true story.

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Book SynopsisThe extraordinary true story of the unlikely friendship between three women — Mussolini’s daughter, a German spy, and an American socialite — who conspired to assist the Allies. In 1943, Edda Mussolini, daughter of the fascist dictator, gave her father and Hitler an extraordinary ultimatum: release her husband, Italy’s former foreign minister, Galeazzo Ciano, from prison, or risk her leaking her husband’s incendiary diaries to the press. Instead, Hitler and Mussolini vowed to do everything in their power to destroy the diaries — even if it meant killing Edda. They ordered Hilde Beetz, a German spy, to seduce Ciano in prison in order to learn the diaries’ location. But Beetz fell in love with Ciano, and joined forces with Edda to try to save him from execution. When this failed, Edda fled with Hilde’s assistance. Upon learning of Edda’s escape, US intelligence sent in socialite Frances de Chollet to find Edda and get her to hand over the diaries to the Americans. Against all expectations, what developed was a rich and humanising friendship. With all the twists and turns of a spy thriller, this is the story of three women whose lives were drawn together in one of the most unlikely rescues of the Second World War.Trade Review‘Intelligent and compelling, Mazzeo’s probing book delves intriguingly into the “moral thicket” into which a group of strangers found themselves plunged during the long, dark days of World War II. A tantalisingly novelistic history lesson.’ * Kirkus Reviews *‘University of Montreal literature professor Mazzeo unravels a tangled knot of Fascist intrigue and family infighting in this riveting WWII history … Mazzeo efficiently relates these complex events and renders empathetic portraits of the story’s main players. WWII buffs will be enthralled.’ * Publishers Weekly *Praise for Irena’s Children: the extraordinary story of the woman who saved 2,500 children from the Warsaw ghetto: ‘[An] incredible account.’ * New York Times Book Review *Praise for Eliza Hamilton: the extraordinary life and times of the wife of Alexander Hamilton: ‘Drawing from an impressive breadth of sources … this is an expertly told story that’s certain to captivate Hamilton fans and intrigue anyone interested in early US history.’ * Publishers Weekly *Praise for The Secret of Chanel No. 5: the intimate history of the world's most famous perfume: ‘Mazzeo has written an account of the rarest of things — an international olfactory icon — that fairly rushes off the pages. Here is the life of one of the 20th century’s most interesting and deeply complicated women, a fascinating cultural history, and the story of an extraordinary perfume.’ -- Chandler Burr, New York Times scent critic and author of The Perfect Scent‘Reads like a John le Carré novel, too incredible to be true — and yet it is … This little-known but very important WWII story has the pacing of a thriller novel with the research acumen expected from this excellent writer.’ * Booklist *‘Told primarily through the eyes of fictional sisters Yvette and Gabby, the story can be seen as an homage to the women whose brave actions were integral to the underground French resistance … The book has it all: high fashion, spies, romance, loss, healing, mystery, sisterhood, friendship, and strong female protagonists … it is a fast-paced, well-told story that transports the reader to a memorable time in world history.’ * Historical Novel Society *‘A little-known history finally comes to light in Sisters in Resistance.’ * Town and Country *‘A nail-biting account of state crimes and secrets, real world action pitting spy versus spy and diplomat versus diplomat.’ * Library Journal *‘Compelling … a tangled web of deceit, corruption, betrayal, courage, and family intrigue. It reads like a spy thriller, moving at a fast pace, and even though the reader knows the successful outcome, the suspense never lets up.’ * Wall Street Journal *‘Fascinating … It’s a story too good not to tell … Mazzeo handles her formidable quantity of material with copious notes and sources. If ever there was a case for proving how history can be stranger than fiction, this story is it.’ -- Amanda Hopkinson * Jewish Chronicle *‘Sisters in Resistance is a unique real-life story with many twists and turns along the way … what shines through is the courage of the central characters in these extraordinary events in history.’ -- Karen McMillan * NZ Booklovers *

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Book Synopsis

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Book SynopsisFilmed as The Sea Wolves, this is the story of the secret exploit in WW2. A group of civilian bankers, merchants and solicitors , the remains of an old territorial unit called The Calcutta Light Horse, were tasked to sink German ships in the neutral harbour of Goa which were guiding U-boats against Allied shipping in the Indian Ocean.

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