Military History Books

19464 products


  • The PIAT

    Bloomsbury Publishing PLC The PIAT

    1 in stock

    Book SynopsisThe innovative PIAT anti-tank weapon equipped British and Commonwealth troops during some of the most important battles of World War II. This ground-breaking study brings together first-hand accounts, technical manuals, contemporary reports, and archive photography to create a definitive overview of the PIAT''s history. Designed in 1942, Britain''s innovative Projector, Infantry, Anti-Tank (PIAT) provided British and Commonwealth troops with a much-needed means of taking on Germany''s formidable Panzers. Replacing the inadequate Boys anti-tank rifle, it was conceived in the top-secret World War II research and development organization known colloquially as Churchill''s Toyshop, alongside other ingenious weapons such as the sticky bomb, the limpet mine, and the time-pencil fuse.Unlike the more famous US bazooka, the PIAT had its roots in something simpler than rocket science. Operated from the shoulder, the PIAT was a spigot mortar which fired a heavy high-explTrade ReviewThe book, full of great illustrations and sectionalised diagrams, will be of interest to weapon collectors, enthusiasts of weapon development and general readers alike. * GunMart *Table of ContentsIntroduction Development Use Impact Conclusion Bibliography Index

    1 in stock

    £13.29

  • Under the Southern Cross

    Bloomsbury Publishing PLC Under the Southern Cross

    1 in stock

    Book SynopsisA vivid narrative history of the Solomons campaign of World War II, one of the key turning points in the U.S. Navy''s campaign against the Japanese in the Pacific.If the Battle of Midway, fought in June 1942, stopped further Japanese expansion in the Pacific, it was the Battle of Guadalcanal and the following Solomons Campaign that broke the back of the Imperial Japanese Navy. Between August 7, 1942 and February 24, 1944 when the Imperial Japanese Navy withdrew its surviving surface and air units from Rabaul, the main Japanese base in the South Pacific, the US Navy fought the most difficult campaign in its history, suffering such high personnel losses during the campaign that for years it refused to publicly release total casualty figures.Unlike the Central Pacific Campaign, which was fought by ''the new Navy,'' the Solomons campaign saw the US Navy at its lowest point, using those ships that had survived the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor and other units of Trade ReviewCleaver skillfully weaves individual narratives from both Allied and Japanese combatants into the overall story … the reader will come away having a greater understanding of the Pacific Theater as a whole, as well as a renewed appreciation for the courage and skill of both Allied and Japanese combatants in that grueling campaign. -- Lynn Ritger, Aviation HistorianThomas Cleaver, whose ‘war stories’ we have come to cherish, has a new one ... a riveting and powerful saga, one rendered vividly, trenchantly, and with empathy – for both sides in the conflict. -- Col. Lawrence Wilkerson, Former Chief of Staff to General Colin PowellUnder the Southern Cross offers a micro-macro history of the South Pacific campaign of 1942–44, shifting from cockpit and flag bridge perspectives to broad strategy. The Guadalcanal campaign especially remains of interest because so much was at stake and the opponents were so evenly matched for a sanguinary six months. Tom Cleaver does right by the subject in this book. -- Barrett Tillman, Author of 'On Wave and Wing: The 100-Year Quest to Perfect the Aircraft Carrier'Recommended for anyone fascinated by aviation's role in World War Two. * Flypast *This is a useful account of the air campaign against Rabaul, bringing together the efforts of the US Marines, USAAF and the US Navy’s carrier aircraft, all of which played a part in the campaign, and which are often seen in isolation. * Historyofwar.org *This is an absorbing story that deserves the wider audience it will undoubtedly receive. -- Neil Smith * Wargames Illustrated *Table of ContentsList of Maps List of Illustrations Foreword by CDR Curtis R. Dosé , USNR (Ret) Introduction 1: Operation Watchtower 2: Battle of the Eastern Solomons 3: The Cactus Air Force 4: Green Hell 5: Marine Aviation’s Finest Hour 6: All In 7: The End of the Beginning 8: Whistling Death 9: Pappy Gunn and the Sunsetters 10: Pearl Harbor Avenged 11: Jay Zeamer’s Eager Beavers 12: Reinforcement 13: The Surprise was Absolute 14: Bloody Tuesday 15: The Jolly Rogers 16: Sixty-One Days 17: Finale in the South Pacific Bibliography Index

    1 in stock

    £13.49

  • Roman Soldier vs Parthian Warrior

    Bloomsbury Publishing PLC Roman Soldier vs Parthian Warrior

    1 in stock

    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

    1 in stock

    £13.29

  • DDay

    Bloomsbury Publishing PLC DDay

    2 in stock

    Book Synopsis6 June, 1944: a vast armada stands off the coast of Normandy; in the pre-dawn gloom gliders carrying British airborne troops approach their target. The first shots are about to be fired in the Great Crusade' to free Europe from Nazi occupation and thousands of troops will fight their way ashore in the teeth of deadly machine-gun and artillery fire from the German defenders. D-Day is about to begin. The Normandy landings are brought alive in this electrifying graphic novel that tells the story of that Longest Day through the eyes of the men who were there. Discover an epic struggle as the Allies sought to overwhelm the German defenders by land, sea and air, who in turn battled desperately to drive the invasion back into the sea. Covering the full range of events from the earliest airborne assault through the struggle on the beaches and the desperate effort to establish a bridgehead inland, D-Day blends an authentic historical narrative with master illustration to reveal the full

    2 in stock

    £17.00

  • To Defeat the Few

    Bloomsbury Publishing PLC To Defeat the Few

    1 in stock

    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

    1 in stock

    £24.00

  • Luftwaffe Special Weapons 194245

    Bloomsbury Publishing PLC Luftwaffe Special Weapons 194245

    1 in stock

    Book SynopsisA highly illustrated study of some of the weapons developed by Nazi Germany to equip the Luftwaffe in their desperate war against the encroaching Allied forces.As the course of World War II turned against the Third Reich after Stalingrad some of the most inventive and radical proposals, and designs, were put forward by armaments manufacturers, scientists and technicians, aircrew, and even private individuals to the Reichsluftministerium (German Air Ministry) for consideration. Some proposals were destined never to leave the drawing board, while others not only underwent trials but were issued to operational units and used in action.In this fascinating new book, leading Luftwaffe historian Robert Forsyth examines the many different types of weapons that comprised the Luftwaffe''s increasing potent arsenal during the second half of the war. This was the period that saw the development and adoption of aerial torpedoes, wire-guided rockets and missiles, batTrade ReviewA concise, well-written account, liberally laced with first-hand accounts compiled by a real expert in this field. * Flypast *A detailed and superbly produced book. * The Armourer *Table of ContentsIntroduction and Acknowledgments 1. The Specialists 2. Heavy Cannon 3. Air-to-Air Weapons 4. Air-to-Ground Weapons 5. Anti-Shipping Weapons 6. Radical Measures 7. The Aircraft as a Weapon Sources and Bibliography Index

    1 in stock

    £28.00

  • US Navy Battleships 18951908

    Bloomsbury Publishing PLC US Navy Battleships 18951908

    5 in stock

    Book SynopsisThe epic story of the American battleships that turned the US Navy into a global power, and were made famous in the cruise of the Great White Fleet. The last predreadnought battleships of the US Navy were critical to the technological development of US battleships, and they were the first tool of international hard power wielded by the United States, a nation which would eventually become the world''s dominant political and military power of the 20th century. These battleships were the stars of the 190709 Great White Fleet circumnavigation, in which the emerging power and reach of the US Navy was displayed around the world. They also took part in the bombardment and landings at Veracruz, some served as convoy escorts in World War I, and the last two were transferred to the Hellenic Navy and were sunk during World War II.This book examines the design, history, and technical qualities of the final six classes of US predreadnought battleships, all Trade ReviewThis book serves as an invaluable guide to US Navy battleships at the turn of the 20th century. * Model Boats Magazine *Table of ContentsIntroduction Development The Battleships The Battle Fleet The Great White Fleet 1907-09 Late Careers 1909-41 Conclusion Select Bibliography Index

    5 in stock

    £11.39

  • Legion Condor 193639

    Bloomsbury Publishing PLC Legion Condor 193639

    1 in stock

    Book SynopsisThe bombing of Guernica has become a symbol of Nazi involvement in the Spanish Civil War, but the extent of the German commitment is often underestimated. The Luftwaffe sent 20,000 officers and men to Spain from 1936 to 1939, and the Condor Legion carried out many missions in support of the Spanish Nationalist forces and played a lead role in many key campaigns of the war. Aircraft that would play a significant role in the combat operations of World War II (the Heinkel 11 bomber, the Me 109 fighter, and others) saw their first action in Spain, fighting against the modern Soviet fighters and bombers that equipped the Republican Air Force. Condor Legion bombers attacked Republican logistics and transport behind the lines as well as bombing strategic targets, German bombers and fighters provided highly effective close air support for the front-line troops, and German fighters and anti-aircraft units ensured Nationalist control of the air. The experience garnered in Spain was vTable of ContentsOrigins Chronology Attacker's Capabilities Defender's Capabilities The Campaign Assessment Bibliography Index

    1 in stock

    £13.49

  • I Will Run Wild

    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

  • Doctor for Friend and Foe

    Bloomsbury Publishing PLC Doctor for Friend and Foe

    1 in stock

    Book SynopsisA unique first-hand narrative of the Falklands war. Rick Jolly was the Senior Medical Officer in the Falklands, setting up and running the field hospital at Ajax Bay, where he and his Royal Marine and Parachute Regiment medical teams treated a total of 580 casualties, of which only 3 died of wounds. The building itself was a derelict meat-packing factory, hastily converted to treat incoming wounded both British and Argentine even though two unexploded bombs lay at the back of the building. Rick''s diary of the campaign and its aftermath is a fast-paced and gripping account of war experience that covers the entire conflict from initial preparations and passage to the South Atlantic on the requisitioned liner Canberra to daily action reports, and observations and interaction with the key players of the conflict Col. H. Jones, Brian Hanrahan, Julian Thompson and Max Hastings. Incredible human stories abound, as Rick, a trained commando, dangles from the rescue winch of a Sea KinTrade ReviewJolly manages to convey so much within a relatively small number of pages, the pace of all 74 days of the conflict immediately apparent. The highs written with dark humour ... The lows are written with a moving sensitivity. I will definitely be reading this one through again very soon. * Rear Party Forum *This is a book for anyone interested in military medicine and psychology, anyone who just wants a fine testament to human endurance, leadership and stoicism in difficult and highly emotional circumstances, but perhaps most of all for veterans of the conflict who had little idea at the time of the miracles being worked on their colleagues as the battles raged around them. Personally, I found it absolutely compelling reading, filling another major jigsaw piece into the complex picture of those few short but bloody weeks in 1982. Highly recommended. * Flagship, the magazine for Seafarers UK *

    1 in stock

    £11.69

  • Battle of the Atlantic 194245

    Bloomsbury Publishing PLC Battle of the Atlantic 194245

    1 in stock

    Book SynopsisThis illustrated study explores, in detail, the climactic events of the Battle of the Atlantic, and how air power proved to be the Allies'' most important submarine-killer in one of the most bitterly fought naval campaigns of World War II.As 1942 opened, both Nazi Germany and the Allies were ready for the climactic battles of the Atlantic to begin. Germany had 91 operational U-boats, and over 150 in training or trials. Production for 194244 was planned to exceed 200 boats annually. Karl Dönitz, running the Kriegsmarine''s U-boat arm, would finally have the numbers needed to run the tonnage war he wanted against the Allies.Meanwhile, the British had, at last, assembled the solution to the U-boat peril. Its weapons and detection systems had improved to the stage that maritime patrol aircraft could launch deadly attacks on U-boats day and night. Airborne radar, Leigh lights, Magnetic Anomaly Detection (MAD), and the Fido homing torpedo all turned the anti-submariTable of ContentsINTRODUCTION CHRONOLOGY ATTACKER'S CAPABILITIES The anti-submarine aircraft comes of age DEFENDER'S CAPABILITIES Hunted hunters CAMPAIGN OBJECTIVES The battle for Europe’s lifeline THE CAMPAIGN The decisive U-boat battles AFTERMATH AND ANALYSIS FURTHER READING INDEX

    1 in stock

    £14.24

  • Napoleons Women Camp Followers

    Bloomsbury Publishing PLC Napoleons Women Camp Followers

    3 in stock

    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

    3 in stock

    £10.79

  • Yugoslav Armies 194145

    Bloomsbury Publishing PLC Yugoslav Armies 194145

    2 in stock

    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

    2 in stock

    £11.39

  • Leyte Gulf 1944 2

    Bloomsbury Publishing PLC Leyte Gulf 1944 2

    1 in stock

    Book SynopsisThe second volume in a two-part illustrated study of the October 23-26 Battle of Leyte Gulf, which resulted in a decisive defeat for the Japanese.The Battle of Leyte Gulfthe largest naval battle in historycomprised four major actions conducted over the course of two days, plus several associated minor clashes. The size and complexity of this epic battle remains unmatched, with two United States Navy (USN) fleets (Third and Seventh) facing a much-reduced Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN), severely outnumbered and fatally lacking in airpower. Complementing the first volume's coverage of the IJN's First Diversion Attack Force at the battles of the Sibuyan Sea and off Samar, this superbly illustrated second volume focuses on the forces supporting the main Japanese thrust. Naval expert Mark Stille reveals how the Japanese Main Body succeeded in its mission of luring the US Third Fleet to the north, but at a tremendous cost in the ensuing Battle off Cape Engaño.Also explored Table of ContentsIntroduction Origins of the Campaign Chronology Opposing Commanders - United States Navy - Imperial Japanese Navy Opposing Fleets - United States Navy - Imperial Japanese Navy - Orders of Battle Opposing Plans - The American Plan - The Japanese Plan - Assessment of Operation Sho-1 The Battle - Sho-1 begins - Operations on October 24 - The Battle of Surigao Strait - Battle off Cape Engaño - The Japanese counter-landing operation Aftermath Bibliography Index

    1 in stock

    £14.39

  • USN Submarine vs IJN Antisubmarine Escort

    Bloomsbury Publishing PLC USN Submarine vs IJN Antisubmarine Escort

    1 in stock

    Book SynopsisThis fully illustrated study examines and compares the roles of the US Navy submarines and the Imperial Japanese Navy's anti-submarine warfare capabilities during World War II.In 1941 and 1942, US Navy submarine operations in the Pacific were largely ineffective, hampered by faulty torpedo design, conservative tactics, and insufficiently aggressive submarine captains. Eventually, though, a new generation of wartime submarine commanders, combined with reliable torpedoes, new generation boats, improved intelligence, and advanced radar, inflicted devastating losses on Japanese shipping. Antisubmarine warfare was initially accorded a low priority by the Imperial Japanese Navy; the lack of ASW escorts and modern weaponry, and an inability to develop tactics, resulted in devastation to vital convoys, and hampered its ability to deter and destroy enemy submarines. This book explores all these factors, and the role that US submarines played in supporting the major fleet operations in thTable of ContentsIntroduction Chronology Design and Development The Strategic Situation Technical Specifications The Combatants Combat Statistics and Analysis Bibliography Index

    1 in stock

    £13.49

  • Medieval Indian Armies 1

    Bloomsbury Publishing PLC Medieval Indian Armies 1

    1 in stock

    Book SynopsisThis fully illustrated study explores the armies of the Hindu, Buddhist and Jain states within what are now India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Nepal during the period AD 5001500, as well as Afghanistan until the early 13th century AD.Following the emergence of a distinct medieval Indian' civilization in the Late Classical and Early Medieval periods, there was a prolonged struggle between this civilization and that of the eastern Islamic world, concluding with the rise of the Mughal Empire at the start of the 16th century. In this fully illustrated study, David Nicolle investigates the traditions and enduring conservatism of non-Islamic medieval Indian warfare, notably evident in recruitment patterns and the significance of archery and cavalry. The role and impact of war-elephants, both positive and negative, are also considered, as well as the influence of climate and weather (notably the seasonal monsoon) on warfare in this region. As well as assessing arms aTrade ReviewThis is a book that I would unreservedly recommend for anyone with any level of interest in the subject. -- Stephen Ede-Borrett * Arquebusier (November Issue) *Table of ContentsIntroduction Chronology Political Systems and Fragmentation Cultural Diversity and Unity Elephants, Horses and Camels Communications, Trade and Technology Arms and Armour Further Reading Plate Commentaries Index

    1 in stock

    £10.79

  • Leuctra 371 BC

    Bloomsbury Publishing PLC Leuctra 371 BC

    2 in stock

    Book SynopsisThis detailed new study explores the battle of Leuctra and the tactics that ultimately led to the complete defeat of Sparta, and freed Greece from domination by Sparta in a single afternoon.The battle of Leuctra, fought in early July in 371 BC was one of the most important battles ever to be fought in the ancient world. Not only did it see the destruction of the Spartan dominance of Greece, it also introduced several tactical innovations which are still studied and emulated to this day. Sparta''s hegemony of Greece (which had been in effect since the Persian wars of 480-79 and especially since the Peloponnesian War in 431404 BC) was wiped away in a single day of destruction. Sparta would never recover from the losses in manpower which were suffered at Leuctra. Sparta''s defeat created a power vacuum in Greece which several states attempted to fill (the Theban Hegemony and the resurgence of Athens) and gave rise to the dominance of Macedon in the 350s when MaceTrade ReviewDahm’s command of the source material is comprehensive and nuanced. He performs that most critical function in both history and law-enforcement/ intelligence work – source analysis. He is skeptical and careful in his appre- ciation of the sources, and reveals a deep understanding of the agendas and personal stories of the writers in question, applying this to his narrative and being sure to alert the reader to those inevitable points (most inevitable in ancient history) where the only data we have must be taken with a rather large grain of salt. -- Myke Cole * International Journal of Military History and Historiography *Table of ContentsOrigins of the Campaign Chronology The Battle of Tegyra 375 BC The Battle of Leuctra 371 BC Aftermath The Battlefields Today Bibliography Index

    2 in stock

    £14.39

  • The Bronze Lie

    Bloomsbury Publishing PLC The Bronze Lie

    1 in stock

    Book SynopsisCovering Sparta's full classical history, The Bronze Lie examines the myth of Spartan warrior supremacy.The last stand at Thermopylae made the Spartans legends in their own time, famous for their toughness, stoicism and martial prowess but was this reputation earned?The Spartan hoplite enjoys unquestioned currency as history's greatest fighting man. Spartans were known for their refusal to surrender in the face of impossible odds, even when it meant certain death. But was this simply the success of a propaganda machine?Covering Sparta's full classical history from the foundation of the city-state through to its final overthrow by Rome in the 1st century BC, The Bronze Lie examines the myth of Spartan warrior supremacy and paints a very different picture of Spartan warfare one punctuated by frequent and heavy losses.Author Myke Cole looks at the major battles, with a special focus on previously under-publicized Spartan reverses that have been left largely uTrade ReviewThis book will have a great impact helping people put to right where the Spartan Mirage currently holds sway. * Professor Stephen Hodkinson, Emeritus Professor of Ancient History, University of Nottingham *The "Spartan mirage," as it has been termed, is one of history's greatest distortions -- a myth of Spartan strength built up over millennia, still propagated today in politics and popular culture. With a masterful array of evidence, Myke Cole lifts the curtain to show us the real human beings -- flawed, conflicted, and above all, vulnerable -- who somehow built themselves up into supermen. * James Romm, Professor of Classics and author of 'The Sacred Band: Three Hundred Theban Lovers Fighting to Save Greek Freedom' *As entertaining as it is enlightening, Myke Cole’s The Bronze Lie reveals the fascinating reality behind one of the most pervasive myths of the ages. This is Sparta. * Professor Michael Livingston, The Citadel *Table of ContentsPreface List of Maps PART I: THE MYTH OF SPARTA Introduction PART II: THE REALITY OF SPARTA I. Cuckold Kings and Wolves’ Work: Behind the Spartan Mirage II. Archaic Sparta at War: Early Losses, Foreign Roots III. The Greco-Persian War: The Thermopylae Speed Bump IV. The Peloponnesian Wars: Floundering at Sea, Surrendering on Land V. Masters of Greece? Sparta Squanders its Hegemony VI. The Boeotian War: What Cannot Bend Must Break VII. The End of Sparta: Irreformable and Irrelevant VIII. Conclusion: The Bronze Lie PART III: TANGLING MYTH AND REALITY IX. The “Moron Label”: The Spartans and the Political Far Right Appendix A. Historiography and Objectivity Appendix B. The Fundamentals of Ancient Battle Glossary Bibliography Index

    1 in stock

    £14.39

  • Soviet State Security Services 191746

    Bloomsbury Publishing PLC Soviet State Security Services 191746

    1 in stock

    Book SynopsisFeaturing specially commissioned artwork, this study breaks new ground in covering all the uniformed Soviet security organizations from the Russian Revolution through to World War II.The Bolsheviks'' seizure of power in Russia in late 1917 was swiftly followed by the establishment of the Cheka, the secret police of the new Soviet state. The Cheka was central to the Bolsheviks'' elimination of political dissent during the Russian Civil War (191722). In 1922 the Soviet state-security organs became the GPU and then the OGPU (192334) before coalescing into the NKVD. After it played a central role in the Great Terror (193638), which saw the widespread repression of many different groups and the imprisonment and execution of prominent figures, the NKVD had its heyday during the Great Patriotic War (194145). During the conflict the organization deployed full military divisions, frontier troop units and internal security forces and ran the hated Gulag forced-labor camp systemTable of ContentsForerunners The Cheka The GPU and OGPU The NKVD Aftermath Bibliography Index

    1 in stock

    £13.49

  • Patriot vs Loyalist

    Bloomsbury Publishing PLC Patriot vs Loyalist

    2 in stock

    Book SynopsisFollowing the American Declaration of Independence, communities from Boston to Savannah were forced to make a choice: to strike out for an independent republic, or remain true to the British Crown. This study explores the origins, methods and combat record of the combatants on both sides.The American Revolutionary War was America's first civil war. As the conflict raged from Canada to the Caribbean and from India to Gibraltar, it was in American communities that the war was the most intimate, the most personal, and accordingly the most vicious.In 1775, the inhabitants of British America included those born in North America and newly arrived immigrants; the established landed aristocracy and the indigent; the diverse nations of the Native Americans; and people of African descent, both enslaved and free. The coming of war forced every person to make the choice of whether to side with the Patriots or remain loyal to the British Crown. With so many cross-cuttingTrade ReviewThis excellent work looks at each aspect in turn, such as how the war began, the armies and their respective tactics as well as the branches of the armies. -- Laurent Tirone * Gun Mart & Militaria Mart magazine *Table of ContentsIntroduction The Opposing Sides Westchester County, 1776-83 Oriskany, August 6, 1777 Kings Mountain, October 7, 1780 Analysis Aftermath Select Bibliography Index

    2 in stock

    £13.49

  • UH1 Huey Gunship vs NVAVC Forces

    Bloomsbury Publishing PLC UH1 Huey Gunship vs NVAVC Forces

    1 in stock

    Book SynopsisOften described as the US Army's aerial jeep the UH-1 Iroquois (Huey') was the general-purpose vehicle that provided mobility in a hostile jungle environment which made rapid troop movement extremely challenging by any other means. Hueys airlifted troops, evacuated casualties, rescued downed pilots, transported cargo externally and enabled rapid transit of commanders in the field. Although vertical aviation' had only become a practical reality during the Korean War helicopters evolved rapidly in the decade before Vietnam and by 1965 the US Army and US Marines relied on them as primary combat tools. This was principally because North Vietnam's armed forces had long experience of jungle operations, camouflage and evasion. Generally avoiding set-piece pitched battles they relied on rapid, frequent strikes and withdrew using routes that were generally inaccessible to US vehicles. They commonly relied on darkness and bad weather to make their moves, often rendering them immune to conventionTable of ContentsIntroduction Chronology Design and Development Technical Specifications The Strategic Situation The Combatants Combat Statistics and Analysis Aftermath Further Reading Index

    1 in stock

    £12.59

  • The Moscow Kremlin

    Bloomsbury Publishing PLC The Moscow Kremlin

    1 in stock

    Book SynopsisAn illustrated study of the history of the Moscow Kremlin, a metaphor for Russia, a symbol for its government and an enduring icon of the country.A fortified complex covering 70 acres at the heart of Moscow, behind walls up to 18m high and watched over by 20 towers, the Kremlin houses everything from Russia's seat of political power to glittering churches. This is a fortress that has evolved over time, from the original wooden guard tower built in the 11th century to the current stone and brick complex, over the years having been built, burnt, besieged and rebuilt. Starting with the initial building of a wooden watch tower on the banks of the Moskva river in the 11th century, this book follows the Kremlin''s tumultuous history through rises and falls and various iterations to today, supported by photographs, specially commissioned artwork and maps. In the process, it tells a story of Russia, and also unveils a range of mysteries around the fortress, from the 14th-century undergrTrade ReviewThis well-illustrated book with its photographs of reconstructions to show how may have looked 700 years ago , is a remarkable piece of history telling. -- Laurent Tirone * Gun Mart and Milita Mart Magazine *Table of ContentsIntroduction Chronology The Moscow Gorod – The early wooden incarnations, including detail on design and construction, culminating in the razing of the later fort by the Mongols in the 13th century. A White-Stone Fortress – The construction of the first stone Kremlin by Dmitry Donskoi in the 14th century, again with information on the design and construction. Red Brick Kremlin – The expansion and development of the Kremlin over the years, including the building of new walls and towers and evolution to keep pace with military technologies. Times of Troubles – The 17th century: A summary of the actual combat experiences of the stone Kremlin, especially looking the 1680 siege of the city by the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth. Napoleon and Nicholases – The fate of the Kremlin when Napoleon took it in 1812. Red Fortress – The Kremlin in the 20th century, including a description of the defences added as the Germans approached and attacked Moscow in 194–42. Twenty Towers - Analysis of the 20 towers around the Kremlin walls. Today's Kremlin – An overview of its current roles, including detail about its defences, from the Presidential Regiment barracked in the old Arsenal Building (known as Block 14) to the systems jamming drones and GPS in the area and the helipad built for a rapid evacuation of the president. Bibliography – including a few of the best Russian-language sources. Glossary Index

    1 in stock

    £13.49

  • The Japanese Home Front 193745

    Bloomsbury Publishing PLC The Japanese Home Front 193745

    2 in stock

    Book SynopsisFrom the beginning of the Second Sino-Japanese War in 1937 until the Japanese surrender in August 1945, a multitude of military and civil-defence forces strove to support the Japanese war effort and latterly prepared to defend the Home Islands against invasion. During World War II, Japan was the world's most militarized society and by 1945 nearly every Japanese male over the age of 10 wore some kind of military attire, as did the majority of women and girls. In this volume, Philip Jowett reveals the many military and civil-defence organizations active in wartime Japan, while specially commissioned artwork and carefully chosen archive photographs depict the appearance of the men, women and children involved in the Japanese war effort in the Home Islands throughout World War II.Table of ContentsIntroduction Medical Services The Police The Fire Service The Keibodan Civil-defense Organizations Patriotic Volunteer Groups Air Defenses The Transportation System Industries in Wartime Daily Life in Wartime Japan Bibliography Index

    2 in stock

    £13.49

  • Armies of the IranIraq War 198088

    Bloomsbury Publishing PLC Armies of the IranIraq War 198088

    3 in stock

    Book SynopsisThis study explores the organization, appearance, and equipment of both sides'' ground forces during the IranIraq War (198088).Driven by the Iranian Revolution of 1979 and the insecurities it provoked in Saddam Hussein''s Iraqi dictatorship, the IranIraq War would become the largest conventional conflict of the period. Curiously little-known considering its scale and longevity, the struggle between Iran and Iraq was primarily fought along the 1,458km border in a series of battles which, despite both sides being armed with modern small arms, armour and aircraft, often degenerated into attritional struggles reminiscent of World War I. Such a comparison was underlined by frequent periods of deadlock, the extensive use of trenches by both sides, and the deployment of chemical weapons by Iraq. Fully illustrated with specially commissioned artwork, this study investigates the organization, appearance and equipment of the ground forces of both sides in the IranTable of ContentsIntroduction Iran-Iraq War Chronology The Iranian Army The Pasdaran The Basij Iran's Other Paramilitary Forces Iranian Weaponry and Equipment The Iraqi Army The Iraqi Republican Guard Iraqi Paramilitary Forces Iraqi Weapons and Equipment Conclusion Further Reading Index

    3 in stock

    £13.49

  • Hungarian Soldier vs Soviet Soldier

    Bloomsbury Publishing PLC Hungarian Soldier vs Soviet Soldier

    1 in stock

    Book SynopsisOn 26 June 1941, unidentified bombers attacked the Hungarian town of Kassa, prompting Hungary to join its Axis partners in Operation Barbarossa, Hitler's invasion of the Soviet Union. Hungary's contribution to Barbarossa was designated the Carpathian Group, its most powerful component being the Mobile Corps, which fielded motorized rifle, cavalry, bicycle and light armoured troops. The Hungarians faced Soviet forces belonging to the Kiev Military District, deployed in four armies along a 940km-long front.On the defeated side in World War I, Hungary had seen its borders redrawn and its armed forces constrained by treaty, but was determined to recover territories lost to adjoining countries. When Hungary decided to participate in Operation Barbarossa, however, the Royal Hungarian Army was deployed in the Soviet Union and not against its neighbours. Meanwhile, the Red Army, while remaining among the most formidable armies of the era, had been seriously weakTable of ContentsIntroduction The Opposing Sides Openaing Battles, 1-14 July 1941 Golovanevsk, 6 August 1941 Zaporozh'ye, 1-6 September 1941 Analysis Aftermath Unit Organizations Bibliography Index

    1 in stock

    £12.59

  • F3DEF10 Skyknight Units of the Korean and Vietnam

    Bloomsbury Publishing PLC F3DEF10 Skyknight Units of the Korean and Vietnam

    1 in stock

    Book SynopsisThe Douglas F3D Skyknight was an early but effective attempt at combining new technologies together in a lethal package capable of shipboard operation. Whereas most fighters relied on speed and maneuverability, the portly, straight-winged F3D relied on three radars, four 20mm cannon, and most importantly darkness. Having first flown in March 1948, the Skyknight's first taste of war came in September 1952, when Marine Night Fighter Squadron 513 [VMF(N)-513] deployed to Korea. The most important job assigned to VMF(N)-513 was the escorting of USAF B-29 bombers over northern Korea. Whereas Chinese and North Korean MiG-15s relied on ground-controlled intercept radar for steering guidance into firing positions, the F3D, with its own onboard radars, was autonomously lethal it could detect, track and target MiGs all on its own. Skyknight crews ended the Korean War with six nocturnal kills in exchange for one combat loss. After the war, 35 Skyknights were converted into electronic warfareTable of ContentsChapter 1 Skyknights over Korea Chapter 2 Cold War Elint Chapter 3 'Whales' over Vietnam Appendices Colour Plates Commentary Index

    1 in stock

    £14.39

  • SBD Dauntless vs A6M Zerosen

    Bloomsbury Publishing PLC SBD Dauntless vs A6M Zerosen

    2 in stock

    Book SynopsisThe SBD Dauntless and Zero-sen are two of the most recognizable and iconic aircraft of World War 2 and this illustrated study describes the fighting capabilities of both aircraft when engaged in aerial combat.The SBD Dauntless dive-bomber was a key cog in the US Navy''s aerial arsenal throughout the Pacific War. Although a product of aviation design in the mid to late 1930s, the type soldiered on even as more advanced aircraft were appearing from American factories as the war progressed. Despite its classification as a dive-bomber and rather dated appearance, the SBD Dauntless could more than handle its own against the feared A6M Zero-sen -- a regular opponent, especially during the first 18 months of the campaign in the Pacific. The SBD was credited with 138 victories in aerial combat (principally in 1942), 107 of which were fighters and the rest bombers. Seven SBD units claimed five or more aerial victories, with future ace Lt(jg) John Leppla of VS-2 being credited Table of ContentsIntroduction Chronology Design and Development Technical Specifications The Strategic Situation The Combatants Combat Statistics and Analysis Aftermath Further Reading Index

    2 in stock

    £12.59

  • German and Italian Aircraft Carriers of World War

    Bloomsbury Publishing PLC German and Italian Aircraft Carriers of World War

    1 in stock

    Book SynopsisThe history of Nazi Germany''s attempt to build a modern aircraft carrier, and the other aviation ships that Germany and Italy designed or operated.The quest for a modern aircraft carrier was the ultimate symbol of the Axis powers'' challenge to Allied naval might, but fully-fledged carriers proved either too difficult, expensive, or politically unpopular for either to make operational. After the Anglo-German Naval Agreement of 1935, Hitler publicly stated his intention to build an aircraft carrier, the Graf Zeppelin, which was launched in 1938. A year later, the ambitious fleet-expansion Z-Plan, was unveiled with two additional aircraft carriers earmarked for production. However, by the beginning of World War II, Graf Zeppelin was not yet completed and work was halted. Further aircraft carrier designs and conversion projects such as the ocean liner Europa and heavy cruiser Seydlitz were considered but, in January 1943, all constructTrade ReviewInformative text coupled with archive images and some first class artwork by illustrator Paul Wright. -- Robin Buckland * Military Model Scene *Table of ContentsINTRODUCTION GERMANY German seaplane carriers, 1914-1918 German aircraft carrier project SMS Ausonia, 1918 Flush-deck aircraft carriers and Plan Z Graf Zeppelin-class aircraft carriers German carrier aircraft Messerschmitt Bf 109T “Toni” Junkers Ju 87C and E “Trägerstukas” Messerschmitt Me 155 Wartime auxiliary carrier conversion projects ITALY Experimentation in the First World War Interwar projects Aquila Sparviero CONCLUSION BIBLIOGRAPHY

    1 in stock

    £11.39

  • US Navy Special Warfare Units in Korea and

    Bloomsbury Publishing PLC US Navy Special Warfare Units in Korea and

    1 in stock

    Book SynopsisThis fully illustrated study describes the vital combat roles of the US Special Warfare units, latterly including the renowned SEALs, during two of the deadliest conflicts of the Cold War.During the Korean War and the Vietnam War, US Navy Special Warfare units played a variety of vital combat roles amid two of the deadliest conflicts of the Cold War. In Korea, underwater demolition teams (UDTs) surveyed beaches for amphibious operations, cleared sea mines from harbors, conducted seaborne raids against inshore targets, and served as scouts for the infiltration of Korean guerrillas and British Royal Marine Commando raids along the North Korean coast. In South Vietnam, UDTs surveyed beaches and demolished Viet Cong bunkers, supply caches, and river obstacles in the Mekong Delta. The SEALs (Sea Air Land teams) deployed entire platoons into the Mekong Delta and the Rung Sat Special Zone to conduct guerrilla warfare against the Viet Cong that included ambushes, reconnaissanTrade ReviewPlenty of interesting stories about the work of these largely covert teams while the background also accompanies the helpful artwork illustrations which I think will attract many modellers who will get plenty of inspiration from them. -- Robin Buckland * Military Model Scene *Table of ContentsIntroduction US Navy UDTs in the Korean War: Organization and Equipment UDT Operations in Korea US Navy UDTs in the Vietnam War: Organization and Equipment UDT Operations in Vietnam US Navy SEALs in the Vietnam War: Organization and Equipment SEAL Operations in Vietnam Aftermath Select Bibliography Index

    1 in stock

    £13.49

  • Bloomsbury Publishing PLC Douglas XB19

    Out of stock

    Book SynopsisIn 1935 the USAAC wanted to build a potential intercontinental bomber, a ''Guardian of the Hemisphere,'' and granted Donald Douglas a contract to build the world's largest bomber. The groundwork for the intercontinental bomber had been laid in the previous two decades by the courageous military and civilian pilots who risked their lives to set new distance and endurance records. After World War I the future Axis and Allied nations built larger aircraft and finally during World War II Germany and Japan became intent on developing intercontinental bomber to retaliate against America. While the XB-19 never flew as an intercontinental bomber or even as a combat bomber; its contributions as a ''Flying Laboratory'' significantly influenced the development of the Consolidated B-36 Peacemaker, the world's first true intercontinental bomber. Since the XB-19 project was top secret and there was only one example built there is little information remaining for researchers. Over the years BiTable of ContentsIntroduction Origins Development Flight test Influence Bibliography Index

    Out of stock

    £999.99

  • Americas Few

    Bloomsbury Publishing PLC Americas Few

    1 in stock

    Book SynopsisUsing the parallel stories of Gregory Pappy Boyington and Joseph Smokey Joe Foss, the two top-scoring US Marine Corps fighter aces of all time, this fascinating new book explores US Marine Corps aviation over the South Pacific.America''s Few delves into the history of US Marine Corps aviation in World War II, following the feats of the Corps'' top-scoring aces in the skies over Guadalcanal. Marine Corps aviation began in 1915, functioning as a self-contained expeditionary force. During the interwar period, the support of USMC amphibious operations became a key element of Marine aviation doctrine, and the small force gradually grew. But in December 1941 came the rude awakening. Within hours of Pearl Harbor, heroic Marine aviators were battling the Japanese over Wake Island. In the South Pacific, the aviators of the US Marine Corps came out of the shadows to establish themselves as an air force second to none. In the summer of 1942, when Allied airpower Trade ReviewAmerica's Few describes Marine Corps aviation's few: the two dozen ‘double digit’ aces who gained hard-won air superiority in the first year of the Pacific War, many of whom contributed en route to VJ Day. Bill Yenne not only describes their combat careers but the youthful backgrounds that shaped who they were beyond what they did. * Barrett Tillman, author of 'U.S. Marine Corps Fighter Squadrons of World War II' *Readable and well researched, America’s Few chronicles the combat history of the ‘double-digit’ fighter aces, an elite cohort of Marine Corps aviators who shot down ten or more Japanese warplanes while flying the famed F4F Wildcat and F4U Corsair. An essential addition to the bookshelf of readers interested in the F4U Corsair and the remarkable pilots who flew them. * Steven K. Bailey, author of 'Bold Venture: The American Bombing of Japanese-Occupied Hong Kong, 1942–1945' *Author Bill Yenne captures the true essence of this great generation of young pilots who sacrificed so much. In 1942 the War in the Pacific Theater was not going well for the Allies and, the USMC pilots had an uphill battle to wage. The reader is immediately drawn into each dogfight, as Yenne displays a unique talent for capturing precise details. For the pilots, the obstacles were significant and an enormous psychological weight to bear. Base operations were austere, shoot down the enemy or be shot down, AAA threats, will the aircraft hold up under the stress. Every second in the air were the vivid haunting threats—bailing out over the ocean or crashing in the jungle. Will I be quickly killed or, become a POW of the Japanese? Yenne preserves the legacy of a generation of USMC airmen that deserve lasting respect. * Erik Simonsen, author of 'A Complete History of US Combat Aircraft Fly-Off Competitions' *Table of ContentsList of Illustrations Introduction Double-Digit US Marine Corps Aces of World War II Squadron Names PART I: ORIGINS 1: Marine Corps Aviation from Flanders to Wake Island 2: Who They Were 3: Taking to the Air 4: First Combat PART II: THE FEW 5: That Place Called Guadalcanal 6: First Blood 7: New Blood 8: Changing of the Guard 9: The Coach Takes the Field 10: Joe Foss Takes the Lead 11: Tipping Points 12: Matching the Ace of Aces 13: The Long Season of the Dancing Bears PART III: NO LONGER A MERE FEW 14: The Corsair and the Changing Game 15: Corsair Aces Over the Solomons 16: Slow Rolls and Victories Over the Slot 17: The Ace and the Albatross 18: Finding Their Momentum 19: A Wanderer in the Wings 20: The Black Sheep Go to War 21: Three Aces Reach Double-digits 22: The Major Leagues 23: Two Squadrons Over Kahili 24: Cherry Blossom Over Bougainville 25: Two Aces Over Rabaul 26: Everything They Had Left 27: At the Top of Their Game 28: The Ending of Eras PART IV: COUNTDOWN TO VICTORY 29: Second Acts 30: Unfinished Business 31: Victory Achieved PART V: POSTWAR LIVES 32: In War and Peace 33: The Black Sheep and the Governor 34: Final Flights Appendix Abbreviations and Acronyms Bibliography Index

    1 in stock

    £21.25

  • Hitlers Navy

    Bloomsbury Publishing PLC Hitlers Navy

    1 in stock

    Book SynopsisA complete illustrated study of the German Kriegsmarine throughout World War II.Hamstrung at first by the terms of the Treaty of Versailles, during the 1930s, the German Navy underwent a program of rearmament in defiance of the restrictions, building modern warships under limitations which forced technological innovation. Submarines were strictly prohibited by the treaty, and yet, following years of covert development, they became one of the Kriegsmarine''s most deadly weapons. Blooded in the Spanish Civil War, the surface ships of the Kriegsmarine went on to play a crucial role in the opening salvoes of World War II during the invasions of Poland and Norway, although serious losses here set back plans for the invasion of Britain, and by the end of the war, only a handful of surface vessels remained to be divided up among the Allies. From the beginning of the war, but especially after the fall of France, the dreaded and extraordinarily successful U-boats stalkTrade ReviewLavishly illustrated, packed with facts, figures, and historical narration, this book is a superb reference work for historians of World War II naval history. * The Naval Review *With superb production standards and plenty of contemporary photos, this is an excellent guide to the Kriegsmarine in WWII. * The Armourer *Table of ContentsINTRODUCTION THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE KRIEGSMARINE Strategy and Doctrine CHAPTER ONE OPERATIONAL OVERVIEW 1939 The Polish Campaign Commerce Raiding 1940 Denmark and Norway Commerce Raiding 1941 Battle of the Denmark Strait The Sinking of the Bismarck E-boats and U-boats 1942 The Channel Dash Operation Rösselsprung Battle of the Barents Sea 1943 Battle of the North Cape The Last Capital Ship: Tirpitz 1944–45 The Sinking of Tirpitz CHAPTER TWO HITLER’S SHIPS Capital Ships Pre-Dreadnoughts The Scharnhorst Class The Bismarck Class Cruisers The Deutschland Class The Admiral Hipper Class Light Cruisers Auxiliary Cruisers Destroyers Aircraft Carriers U-Boats CHAPTER THREE COASTAL AND MISCELLANEOUS VESSELS E-boats The Security Branch (Sicherungsverbände) Minesweepers (Minensuchboote) Outpost or Patrol Boats (Vorpostenboote) Sub-Chasers (U-Jagd Boote) General-Purpose Boats (Mehrzweckboote) Barrier-Breakers (Sperrbrecher) Escort Boats (Geleitboote) Torpedo Boats Fleet Auxiliary Supply Ships (Tross-Schiffe) Tenders/Escorts Miscellaneous Vessels Accommodation Ships (Wohnschiffe) Miscellaneous Vessels Kleinkampfverbände der Kriegsmarine CHAPTER FOUR SERVICE IN HITLER’S NAVY Seamen, NCOs and Officers Other Service Roles CONCLUSION FURTHER READING GERMAN NAVAL RANKS AND EQUIVALENTS INDEX

    1 in stock

    £24.00

  • The Kamikaze Campaign 194445

    Bloomsbury Publishing PLC The Kamikaze Campaign 194445

    2 in stock

    Book SynopsisAn illustrated history of how Japan devised and launched a new kind of air campaign in late 1944 the suicidal assaults of the kamikaze units against the approaching Allied fleets.As summer changed to autumn in 1944, Japan was losing the war. Still unwilling to surrender, Japan''s last hope was to try to wear down US resolve enough to reach a negotiated settlement. Extraordinary measures seemed necessary, and the most extraordinary was the formation of Special Attack Units known to the Allies as the kamikazes. The concept of organized suicide squadrons was first raised on June 15, 1944. By August, formations were being trained. These formations were first used in the October 1944 US invasion of the Philippine Islands, where they offered some tactical success. The program was expanded into a major campaign over the rest of the Pacific War, seeing a crescendo during the struggle for Okinawa in April through May 1945. This highly illustrated histTrade ReviewThis well-illustrated book gives a comprehensive narrative history of the campaign, including the tactics of the adversaries. -- . * Seapower Magazine *Table of ContentsINTRODUCTION CHRONOLOGY ATTACKER’S CAPABILITIES The last of Japanese airpower Aircraft Facilities and infrastructure Weapons and tactics DEFENDER’S CAPABILITIES The encroaching fleet Aircraft Facilities and infrastructure CAMPAIGN OBJECTIVES The last throw of the dice Japanese objectives and plans Allied objectives and plans THE CAMPAIGN Dying for the Emperor The first round: October 25–November 30, 1944 Countering the kamikazes: December 1, 1944–January 13, 1945 Formosa, Iwo Jima, and long-range raids: January 14–March 26, 1945 The long grind, Okinawa: March 27–June 30, 1945 Downfall: June 30, 1944–March 1946 AFTERMATH AND ANALYSIS Surviving aircraft and ships FURTHER READING INDEX

    2 in stock

    £13.49

  • Barents Sea 1942

    Bloomsbury Publishing PLC Barents Sea 1942

    2 in stock

    Book SynopsisA gripping examination of the Battle of the Barents Sea, fought in the near darkness and icy cold of the northern winter, in which the Kriegsmarine sought to sever the crucial Allied Arctic Convoy route once and for all.The Arctic convoys that passed through the cold, dangerous waters of the Barents Sea formed a vital lifeline a strategic link in tanks, supplies and above all goodwill between the Western Allies and the Soviet Union. In December 1942, under Operation Regenbogen (Rainbow), the German Kriegsmarine sought to strike a crippling blow on the Arctic convoys and finally sever this all-important sea route.In this fascinating work, renowned naval expert Angus Konstam documents the fate of the Allied Convoy JW 51B as it came under attack from some of the Kriegsmarine''s most powerful surface warships a pocket battleship, a heavy cruiser and six destroyers. Illustrated with stunning battlescene artworks, maps, 3D diagrams and photographs, it explores theTable of ContentsINTRODUCTION Origins of the campaign CHRONOLOGY OPPOSING COMMANDERS The Kriegsmarine The Royal Navy OPPOSING FORCES The Kriegsmarine The Royal Navy Orders of battle OPPOSING PLANS The Kriegsmarine The Royal Navy THE BATTLE OF THE BARENTS SEA JW-51A heads north The forces converge The northern pincer closes Captain Sherbrooke’s fight Kummetz springs his trap Burnett’s attack AFTERMATH REMEMBERING THE BATTLE FURTHER READING INDEX

    2 in stock

    £14.39

  • East China Sea 1945

    Bloomsbury Publishing PLC East China Sea 1945

    1 in stock

    Book SynopsisThis study describes the air-sea offensive supporting the ground-force invasions of Iwo Jima and Okinawa in February and April 1945, which led to the sinking of the Yamato and the onslaught of the Japanese kamikaze.The island invasions of Iwo Jima and Okinawa were the last two major ground campaigns to be initiated during the Pacific War. This superbly illustrated volume explores the airsea aspects of these pivotal battles. Among the events covered are the ''death ride'' of the Japanese battleship Yamato (the largest ever built), and the mass kamikaze attacks off Iwo Jima and Okinawa, as well as the amphibious invasions themselves, including the airsea bombardment of the two islands. By early 1945, the US Navy had reached an exceptional level of coordination in its amphibious operations and was able to overrun and subdue Japanese territories efficiently. Faced with the increasing might of these forces and to prevent further defeat, Japan deployed its squadron of kamikTable of ContentsINTRODUCTION The strategic setting Origins of the campaign CHRONOLOGY OPPOSING COMMANDERS Japanese Allied OPPOSING FORCES Japanese Allied Operation Iceberg orders of battle, April 1, 1945 OPPOSING PLANS Japanese Allied THE CAMPAIGN Commencing Detachment, February 16–20, 1945 Kamikaze attacks against Fifth Fleet, February 21 Winning Iwo Jima, February 24–March 26 Iceberg preliminaries, March 1945 L-Day at Okinawa, April 1 The Great Onslaught: Kikisui No. 1, April 6–7 Ten-Ichi-Go: Yamato’s death ride, April 6–7 Kikisui No. 2, April 12–13 Kikisui No. 3, April 16 Kikisui No. 4, April 27–28 Kikisui No. 5, May 3–4 Kikisui No. 6, May 10–11 Kyushu diversion, May 13–14 Air and naval gunfire support of Tenth Army Kikisui No. 7, May 23–25 Kikisui No. 8, May 27–29 Okinawa secured, June–July 1945 AFTERMATH THE WARSHIPS TODAY FURTHER READING ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS INDEX

    1 in stock

    £14.39

  • SU152ISU152 vs Tiger

    Bloomsbury Publishing PLC SU152ISU152 vs Tiger

    1 in stock

    Book SynopsisThis fully illustrated volume compares two of the most iconic AFV''s: the SU-152/ISU-152 and the Tiger, used on the Eastern Front during World War II.On the Eastern Front in 1943, the Tiger-equipped heavy Panzer battalions gave German armoured divisions an unmatched capability that cost the Red Army dearly. The Tiger's 88mm gun had the potential to carve through Soviet defences in the attack and cause havoc amongst advancing Soviet armoured formations when used in defence. Neither of the Red Army's heavy tanks (the KV-1 and KV-2) could match the Tiger's gun, and, more importantly, penetrate its armour at anything approaching standard combat range. The Soviet response was a stopgap Tiger-killing vehicle that mounted a 152mm artillery piece onto the KV tank's chassis: the SU-152. The latter would evolve into the ISU-152 in late 1943 (mounting the same powerful gun on an IS chassis). This fascinating book describes the mighty duels fought between these opposing AFVs. The colour illTrade ReviewAn absorbing work -- John Norris * Gun Mart & Militaria Mart magazine *Number 120 in the Osprey Duel series, an 80-page soft-cover book in the usual style for this series with plenty of archive images, maps and colour artwork. An opening Introduction sets the scene, along with a Chronology of key events. Then come the Design & Development story for both the German & the Soviet machines. The SU 152 was built on the KV chassis, while the ISU 152 was built on the IS tank chassis. The SU/ISU 152 was not built with the idea of a Tiger destroyer, more as an infantry support weapon capable of tackling fortifications. This is followed by an examination of the Technical Specifications, including the details of the guns, sights, ammunition, armour protection etc. There are some nice colour illustrations of the different ammunition rounds used by the German and Soviet vehicles, helpful detail for modellers. Combatants is the next section, looking at the units and organisation used by each side, before tackling several examples of Combat clashes which are described, such as the Belgorod-Kharkov Offensive in August 1943, Cherkassy in January-February 1944, Pleskau in April 1944 and Memel in October 1944, among others. That leaves just enough room for a closing Analysis. The two vehicles being considered are different in many ways, a turreted tank against a turretless SPG, albeit with a large calibre weapon. Interesting text throughout and some useful archive images to support the narrative, along with the good quality artwork by Ian Palmer. Thanks to Osprey for our review copy. -- Robin Buckland * Military Model Scene *Table of ContentsIntroduction Chronology Design and Development Technical Specifications The Combatants Combat Analysis Bibliography Index

    1 in stock

    £13.49

  • Going Downtown

    Bloomsbury Publishing PLC Going Downtown

    2 in stock

    Book SynopsisThis vivid narrative history tells the full story of the US Air Force's involvement in the wars in the air over Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia.The involvement of the US Air Force in the Southeast Asian Wars began in 1962 with crews sent to train Vietnamese pilots, and with conflict in Laos, and finally ended in 1972 with the B-52 bombing of Hanoi, though there were Air Force pilots unofficially flying combat in Laos up to the end in 1975. The missions flown by USAF aircrews during those years in Southeast Asia differed widely, from attacking the Ho Chi Minh Trail at night with modified T-28 trainers, to missions Downtown, the name aircrew gave Hanoi, the central target of the war. This aerial war was dominated by the major air operations against the north: Rolling Thunder from 1965 to 1968, and then Linebacker I and II in 1972, with the latter seeing the deployment of America's fearsome B-52 bombers against the North Vietnamese capital Hanoi. These operations wTrade ReviewAs ever, the author provides a sublimely distilled and perfectly readable account of a grueling period of history. * Flypast *A fascinating inside story of what it was like for pilots over south east Asia. * The Armourer *An outstanding overview of the Air Force’s war in Vietnam…This is combat history in the words of the aviators themselves… and shaped by the author's detailed archival research, oral history interviews, and a commanding knowledge of the available literature… [A] riveting account that constitutes at once both an outstanding history and a tribute to the airmen who flew across Southeast Asia more than a half-century ago. * Dr Richard P Hallion, former Historian of the US Air Force and author of 'Rolling Thunder 1965-68: Johnson's Air War Over Vietnam' *In Going Downtown Thomas McKelvey Cleaver provides a rare combination, a macro-micro view of the war in the air. In setting the context of Southeast Asian air operations, the author adroitly combines Vietnam history with some heart-pounding combat episodes. * Barrett Tillman, author of 'Dragon's Jaw: An Epic Story of Courage and Tenacity in Vietnam' *There are many “I was there” books telling the USAF story in Vietnam; but Going Downtown: The U.S. Air Force in Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia 1961–75 by Thomas McKelvey Cleaver paints a much broader picture of that air war. In this extensively researched and well written book, Cleaver gives you the action from the cockpits of both the North Vietnamese MiGs as well as the American jets. This book gives you the perspective of the decision makers in Washington, the generals in theater, and the pilots and crews in the cockpits. If you want to get a true understanding of USAF operations up North Going Downtown is for you. * Thomas E. Rodgers, Lt.Col., USAF (ret.) *Table of ContentsList of Maps and Illustrations Preface Foreword 1. “Zorro-16 - Nail-43. You are on Fire. What Are Your Intentions?” 2. Good Intentions and Ignorance 3. Planning for the Wrong War 4. Early Days – 1962–65 5. Going up North – 1965–66 6.Feather Duster 7. Bridges, Sams, and MiGs – the Widening War 8. Blackman and Robin 9. The MiGs Fight Back 10. Bloody May and June 11. The Hot Summer of 1967 12. Rolling Thunder’s Zenith 13. The End of Rolling Thunder 14. Interregnum – 1968–72 15. The Easter Offensive 16. Operation Linebacker 17. The Christmas Bombing 18. The Final Wars in Southeast Asia Bibliography Glossary Index

    2 in stock

    £13.49

  • British Cavalryman vs German Cavalryman

    Bloomsbury Publishing PLC British Cavalryman vs German Cavalryman

    1 in stock

    Book SynopsisFully illustrated, this book casts light on the utility and role of the German and British cavalry in the early stages of World War I on the Western Front.In the early months of World War I, before the fighting degenerated into static trench warfare, there was a brief period of mobile combat as the German Army advanced through Belgium and northern France, forcing the French and British forces facing them to retreat. Both sides in the escalating conflict deployed substantial numbers of cavalry units to screen their infantry forces, conduct reconnaissance and harness their superior mobility to undertake aggressive combat operations. In the summer of 1914, the British cavalry had the difficult task of covering the withdrawal of the British Expeditionary Force and the German cavalry, the equally demanding task, after weeks of combat and forced marches, of maintaining contact with a rapidly retiring enemy.In this book a comparative assessment is made of each side's doctrine, organizaTable of ContentsIntroduction The Opposing Sides Casteau, 22 August 1914 Cérizy-Moÿ, 28 August 1914 Le Montcel, 7 September 1914 Analysis Aftermath Unit Organizations Bibliography Index

    1 in stock

    £13.49

  • When the Shooting Stopped

    Bloomsbury Publishing PLC When the Shooting Stopped

    1 in stock

    Book SynopsisVictory in Japan Day (VJ Day) on August 15, 1945 officially marked the end of World War II, but in fact conflict continued throughout the month. This fascinating title from Barrett Tillman explore the final weeks of the war, until the shooting finally stopped.In the 44 months between December 1941 and August 1945, the Pacific Theater absorbed the attention of the American nation and military longer than any other. Despite the Allied grand strategy of Germany first, after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, the U.S. especially was committed to confronting Tokyo as a matter of urgent priority. But from Oahu to Tokyo was a long, sanguinary slog, averaging an advance of just three miles per day. The U.S. human toll paid on that road reached some 108,000 battle deaths, more than one-third the U.S. wartime total. But by the summer of 1945 on both the American homefront and on the frontline there was hope. The stunning announcements of atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Trade ReviewA superb achievement. This fast-paced and riveting account of the final weeks of the Pacific War is filled with fresh material, including personal stories and vivid historical detail. Another Barrett Tillman triumph. * Robert J. Mrazek, award-winning author of 'The Indomitable Florence Finch: The Untold Story of a War Widow Turned Resistance Fighter and Savior of American POW's' *[A] shrewd, fast-paced, and wide-angle account exploring one of the most intriguing but seldom pursued topics about all of World War II: the ragged ending of the Asia Pacific War. There was no neat finale on the decks of the Missouri in Tokyo Bay. This work musters the full panorama of days, weeks, and longer that shaped the fates of nations and peoples, but colors it brightly with well-chosen stories of individuals in combat, in liberation, in defeat, in tragedy, and in joy. * Richard B. Frank, author of Downfall: The End of the Japanese Empire *It's all here in this excellent account of the last month of WWII. * The Armourer *This is an excellent study of the last few weeks of the Second World War, showing that the surrender of Japan was a rather more complex and confused affair than the earlier collapse of Nazi Germany.” -- John Rickard * Historyofwar.org *It's a complex story, very well told here. - New York Journal of BooksOnly an author of Tillman’s experience, breadth and skill could pull off such a work: a multi-layered, nuanced and compelling book… . When the Shooting Stopped is a fine work, worthy of the author’s reputation. Readable, informative, and compelling, it is deserving of the time to contemplate and absorb. - Naval Historical FoundationTable of ContentsPrologue: August 1945 List of Illustrations Introduction 1. War or Peace? 2. August Storm 3. The Day the Shooting Stopped 4. Around the World 5. Uneasy Peace 6. Tokyo Bay 7. Downstream from VJ Day Acknowledgments Endnotes Bibliography Index

    1 in stock

    £21.25

  • Tanks in the Easter Offensive 1972

    Bloomsbury Publishing PLC Tanks in the Easter Offensive 1972

    1 in stock

    Book SynopsisThis study explains how the armies of North and South Vietnam, newly equipped with the most modern Soviet and US tanks and weaponry, fought the decisive armored battles of the Easter Offensive.Wearied by years of fighting against Viet Cong guerillas and North Vietnamese regulars, the United States had almost completely withdrawn its forces from Vietnam by early 1972. Determined to halt the expansion and improvement of South Vietnamese forces under the U.S. Vietnamization program, North Vietnam launched a major fourteen-division attack in March 1972 against the South that became known as the Easter Offensive. Hanoi's assault was spearheaded by 1,200 tanks and was counteracted on the opposite side by Saigon's newly equipped armored force using U.S. medium tanks. The result was ferocious fighting between major Cold War-era U.S. and Soviet tanks and mechanized equipment, pitting M-48 medium and M-41 light tanks against their T- 54 and PT-76 rivals in a variety of combat environmentsTable of ContentsINTRODUCTION THE TANKS, DOCTRINE, AND ORGANIZATION Army of the Republic of Vietnam North Vietnamese Army TECHNICAL FACTORS Medium tanks Light tanks Armored personnel carriers and other AFVs Self-propelled antiaircraft guns (SPAAGs) THE OFFENSIVE Quang Tri: the offensive begins An Loc: attacks on the road to Saigon Kontum: attack in the Central Highlands ARVN counterattack in the north BATTLE ANALYSIS Strategic, operational, and tactical lessons TECHNICAL LESSONS Tank against tank Airpower ATGMs RPGs and LAWs THE AFTERMATH: VIETNAM, 1973–75 FURTHER READING INDEX

    1 in stock

    £10.79

  • ANZAC Soldier vs Ottoman Soldier

    Bloomsbury Publishing PLC ANZAC Soldier vs Ottoman Soldier

    1 in stock

    Book SynopsisIn 191518, ANZAC and Ottoman soldiers clashed on numerous battlefields, from Gallipoli to Jerusalem. This illustrated study investigates the two sides' fighting men.The Gallipoli campaign of 191516 pitched the Australian and New Zealand volunteers known as the ANZACs into a series of desperate battles with the Ottoman soldiers defending their homeland. In August 1915, the bitter struggle for the high ground known as Chunuk Bair saw the peak change hands as the Allies sought to overcome the stalemate that set in following the landings in April. The ANZACs also played a key part in the battle of Lone Pine, intended to divert Ottoman attention away from the bid to seize Chunuk Bair. The Gallipoli campaign ended in Allied evacuation in the opening days of 1916. Thereafter, many ANZAC units remained in the Middle East and played a decisive role in the Allies' hard-fought advance through Palestine that finally forced the Turks to the peace table. The fateful battle of Beersheba in OctTrade ReviewIf you haven't read much about the Ottomans and ANZACs in WW1, this is a good introduction. * The Balkan Wargamer *Table of Contents(Subject to confirmation) Introduction The Opposing Sides Lone Pine, 6–10 August 1915 Chunuk Bair, 7–19 August 1915 Beersheba, 31 October 1917 Analysis Aftermath Bibliography Index

    1 in stock

    £14.39

  • Bf 109DE

    Bloomsbury Publishing PLC Bf 109DE

    1 in stock

    Book SynopsisUsing first-hand accounts and brand-new artwork, this book brings to life the realities of flying the Bf 109 in combat during the very first battles of World War II.The Bf 109 was one of the principal fighter aircraft types in the Luftwaffe''s inventory during the opening months of World War II and it was central to many of Germany''s early victories, before coming up against the unbeatable RAF during the Battle of Britain.This book presents first-hand experiences of the pilots who flew the Bf 109E, the aircraft which first featured a Daimler-Benz DB 601 powerplant, and which was in the front line in the skies over Poland, the Low Countries and France, and the older Bf 109D, still in use in the Polish campaign.The early variants of the Messerschmitt fighter, the Bf 109E-1, Bf 109E-2 and Bf 109E-3, swept all before them during the opening wartime campaigns, their successes only fading at the Battle of France, when the Bf 109''s seasoned pilots encounterTrade ReviewYou will not find any books out there with this high level of detail supported by superb artwork at such an affordable price. I highly recommend this book to any Luftwaffe historians, Bf 109 enthusiasts, or anyone wanting to learn more about early Luftwaffe fighter capabilities, design, and employment in the first year of the war. -- Todd Shughart * Aviation News Magazine *The swooping illustrations of individual actions add drama, being accompanied by a step by step explanation of the action. All this makes for a fascinating and original look at a well-documented subject material -- Gary Hatcher * Scale Aircraft Modelling *Table of ContentsChapter 1 In Battle Two case studies of aerial combat in the opening phases of World War II, these being the initial actions over Poland and the start of the Battle of France Chapter 2 Setting the Scene Design, development, production, early actions, the Polish campaign explained leading to detailed analysis of the Bf 109E’s participation in the Battle of France against French and British aerial opposition Chapter 3 Path to Combat Charting the careers of two Luftwaffe pilots who flew the Bf 109E in combat during the opening phases of World War 2, including Johannes ‘Hannes’ Trautloft who the author has studied in depth Chapter 4 Weapon of war A brief technical appraisal of the Bf 109E-1 and E-3, detailing their development and the weaponry they employed Chapter 5 Art of War Tactics for Bf 109E units at the start of World War II were in their infancy, and drew on combat experience during the Spanish Civil War and the actions of the Legion Condor. This chapter will look for example at the employment of the revolutionary ‘finger four’ combat formation, and how it revolutionised fighter combat to the point where all other air arms eventually adopted it as a standard offensive formation. The ‘Split S’ manoeuvre and the evolution of the Rotte and Schwarm tactical formations will also be explained. Chapter 6 Combat In this chapter, Bf 109E pilots explain what it was like fly the ‘Emil’ in combat against the widely differing opposition that was encountered in the opening months of World War 2, from such obsolete, but highly agile, types as the Polish PZL P.11 to the French Morane-Saulnier MS.406 and British Hawker Hurricane fighters that had comparable performance to the ‘Emil’. Appendices Listing of early Bf 109E units, aces and performance data Index

    1 in stock

    £12.59

  • B36 Peacemaker Units of the Cold War

    Bloomsbury Publishing PLC B36 Peacemaker Units of the Cold War

    1 in stock

    Book SynopsisA fully illustrated study into the extraordinary Convair B-36 during the Cold War.Conceived during 1941 in case Germany occupied Britain, when US bombers would then have insufficient range to retaliate, the B-36 was to be primarily a 10,000-mile bomber' with heavy defensive armament, six engines and a performance that would prevent interception by fighters. Although rapid developments in jet engine and high-speed airframe technology quickly made it obsolescent, the B-36 took part in many important nuclear test programmes. The aircraft also provided the US nuclear deterrent until the faster B-52 became available in 1955. It was one of the first aircraft to use substantial amounts of magnesium in its structure, leading to the bomber's Magnesium Overcast' nickname. It earned many superlatives due to the size and complexity of its structure, which used 27 miles of wiring, had a wingspan longer than the Wright brothers' first flight, equivalent engine power to 400 cars, the same inteTable of Contents1. Bigger and Bolder 2. Birth of a Heavyweight 3. Test and Development 4. Service Entry 5. Doomsday Bomber 6. Global Reach 7. Many Crew, Many Tasks 8. Massive Changes Appendices Colour Plates Commentary Index

    1 in stock

    £14.39

  • British Celtic Warrior vs Roman Soldier

    Bloomsbury Publishing PLC British Celtic Warrior vs Roman Soldier

    1 in stock

    Book SynopsisAn illustrated study of the British tribal warriors and Roman auxiliaries who fought in three epic battles for control of Britain in the 1st century AD. Following the Roman invasion of Britain in AD 43, the tribes of the west and north resisted the establishment of a Roman peace', led in particular by the chieftain Caratacus. Even in the south-east, resentment of Roman occupation remained, exploding into the revolt of Boudicca's Iceni in AD 60. Roman auxiliaries from two particular peoples are known to have taken part in the invasion of Britain: the Tungrians, from what is now Belgium, and the Batavians, from the delta of the River Rhine in the modern Netherlands. From the late 80s AD, units of both the Batavians and the Tungrians were garrisoned at a fort at Vindolanda in northern Britain. The so called Vindolanda tablets' provide an unparalleled body of material with which to reconstruct the lives of these auxiliary soldiers in Britain.Featuring full-colour maps and speciallyTrade ReviewInformative and plenty of detail throughout. -- Duncan Evans * The Armourer Magazine *This is a great book for anyone thinking of recreating the Roman Conquest of Briton. This will provide a great deal of background information, and a great place to start any research for ideas and info. -- Jason Hubbard * Irregular Magazine *Table of ContentsIntroduction The Opposing Sides Caratacus' last stand, AD 50 The invasion of Mona, AD 60 Mons Graupius, AD 83 Analysis Aftermath Bibliography Index

    1 in stock

    £13.49

  • Desert Armour

    Bloomsbury Publishing PLC Desert Armour

    2 in stock

    Book SynopsisRobert Forczyk covers the development of armoured warfare in North Africa from the earliest Anglo-Italian engagements in 1940 to the British victory over the German Afrikakorps in Operation Crusader in 1941. The war in the North African desert was pure mechanized warfare, and in many respects the most technologically advanced theatre of World War II. It was also the only theatre where for three years British and Commonwealth, and later US, troops were in constant contact with Axis forces. World War II best-selling author Robert Forczyk explores the first half of the history of the campaign, from the initial Italian offensive and the arrival of Rommel's Panzergruppe Afrika to the British Operation Crusader offensive that led to the relief of Tobruk. He examines the armoured forces, equipment, doctrine, training, logistics and operations employed by both Allied and Axis forces throughout the period, focusing especially on the brigade and regimental level of operations.Fully illTrade ReviewWe heartily recommend this book on the early part of the desert war as a terrific addition to your library. * History of War *It's an essential read for anyone interested in armoured warfare. * Britain at War *Table of ContentsAcknowledgements Preface Introduction CHAPTER 1: Pre-war doctrinal and technological influences CHAPTER 2: The opposing armoured forces in 1940–41 CHAPTER 3: Early armoured operations in 1940–41 CHAPTER 4: The Afrika Korps arrives CHAPTER 5: The clash of armour Glossary Rank table Appendices Bibliography Notes Index

    2 in stock

    £28.00

  • Texian Volunteer vs Mexican Soldier

    Bloomsbury Publishing PLC Texian Volunteer vs Mexican Soldier

    1 in stock

    Book SynopsisFully illustrated with specially commissioned artwork and mapping plus carefully chosen archive illustrations, many in color, this lively study investigates the Mexican soldiers and Texian volunteers who fought one another in three key battles during the Texas Revolution.Following unrest throughout Mexico, in 1835 a revolt began in Texas among the Anglophone and Tejano-speaking settlers, known as Texians. Having retreated after their defeat at Bexar in December 1835, Mexican troops were ordered to re-occupy Texas in early 1836. In this volume, US military history expert Ron Field explores in detail three key battles that ensued. From February 23, Mexican forces besieged the Texian forces at the Alamo at San Antonio de Bexar; in the subsequent battle on March 6, almost all of the Texian defenders were killed. On March 19, forces en route to join the main Texian army were surrounded by Mexican troops at Coleto Creek. Following their surrender, about 340 Texian prisonersTable of ContentsIntroduction The Opposing Sides The Alamo, March 6, 1836 Coleto Creek, March 19-20, 1836 San Jacinto, April 20-21, 1836 Analysis Aftermath Orders of Battle Select Bibliography Index

    1 in stock

    £14.39

  • Bolt Action Campaign Italy Soft Underbelly

    Bloomsbury Publishing PLC Bolt Action Campaign Italy Soft Underbelly

    1 in stock

    Book SynopsisWith the Axis Powers ejected from North Africa, the Western Allies look to take the fight across the Mediterranean and into Mussolini's Italy. This supplement for Bolt Action focuses on Operation Husky, the airborne and naval invasion of Sicily, the hard-fought battles in the villages and rugged mountain passes of that island, and the advance up the Italian Peninsula towards Rome. With a host of scenarios, new units, special rules, and Theatre Selectors this book contains everything players need to refight these important battles in defence of the Regno d'Italia or to strike at the underbelly of Axis-controlled Europe.

    1 in stock

    £21.25

  • McDonnell XP67 Moonbat

    Bloomsbury Publishing PLC McDonnell XP67 Moonbat

    1 in stock

    Book SynopsisPacked with never-before-seen photos, plans and meticulous new digital artwork, this is the first history of the USAAF''s futuristic World War II prototype interceptor, the XP-67 Moonbat.The series of X-planes that sprang from the US Army's Request for Data R40C, focused on high-altitude, high-speed, long-range bomber interceptors. Among these aircraft was the McDonnell Aircraft Company's first ever clean sheet design, the XP67. Its futuristic lines promised performance that it was ultimately unable to deliver, but development was still underway when disaster struck. Just before Army performance demonstration flights were scheduled to begin, an engine fire destroyed the only XP-67 prototype, leaving a host of unanswered questions about what might have been, and leading to decades of continuing fascination with the XP-67 among aviation buffs and aircraft modelers.The authors of this book have uncovered new sources of information and a wealth of photographs and line drawings that Trade ReviewNot just an interesting story of a prototype design at a time when there was so much going on in aircraft development, but many archive images of this futuristic looking design show us what it looked like, and they are accompanied by some more superb artwork by Adam Tooby. Another good value, well researched book from Osprey in their X Planes series. -- Robin Buckland * Military Modelscene *A most worthwhile volume. * Aeroplane *Table of ContentsIntroduction Origins Prototype Design Test and Development Influence on Frontline Types Conclusion Bibliography Index

    1 in stock

    £13.49

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