Modern warfare Books

Book SynopsisTells the full story of the battle to capture the Pacific Island of Tinian, one of the Northern Mariana Islands, in July and August 1994.

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Book SynopsisCovers little known subject of AFVs in service with East European allies of the Nazis.

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Book SynopsisExamines the Abwehr's rise to power between 1935 and 1943.

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Book SynopsisAn aspect of Second World War aviation history ignored by authors.

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Book SynopsisElite Allied airborne troops were to provide a corridor into northern Germany, but the Operation failed and more than 6,000 men were captured in around a fortnight.

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Book SynopsisThis detailed, intimate and often visceral account of the Falklands invasion, occupation and war is based on the journals of Graham Bound, the then editor of the Falklands' only newspaper.

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Book SynopsisDeeply moving stories of fourteen pilots of the iconic Spitfire fighter who failed to return.

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Book SynopsisAn unbiased account written soon after the battle by a naval officer for other naval officers.

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Book SynopsisThe author explores the main reasons for the crushing defeat of the Red Army Air Force at the hands of the Luftwaffe in the summer and autumn of 1941.

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Book SynopsisA major new contribution to our understanding the war in the East.

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Book SynopsisSuperb collection of case studies of duels between the lightly armed merchantmen and the U-boats and surface.

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Book SynopsisThis is an updated edition of the first truly concise introduction to the history of World War II in the West. The author, S. P. MacKenzie traces the major events on both fighting front and home front, explaining what happened and, just as importantly, why the balance of fortunes swung first towards the Axis and then towards the Allies. Along with overviews of the origins and consequences of the conflict, the book: Provides a narrative account of the course of events on land throughout the war Contains sections specifically devoted to societies and economies; resistance movements and collaboration; technology and intelligence; alliances and strategy; the war in the air and at sea Assesses the impact of the war and introduces the key historiographical debates surrounding it Far from being a blow-by-blow account, the book shows how the Second World War can only be understood by taking all the contributing factors - military, economic and social Table of ContentsList of maps Note on referencing system Preface AcknowledgementsChronologyWho’s WhoGlossaryPART ONE: BACKGROUND1. THE ROAD TO WARThe Origins of the Second World War Preparing for WarPART TWO: THE SECOND WORLD WAR 2. THE FLOW OF BLITZKRIEG, 1939–42 Campaigns East and West, 1939–40 Strategies for Survival and Expansion, 1940–41 The Limits of Blitzkrieg, 1941–42 3. PEOPLES AT WAR Economies and Societies at War Barbarism and the Holocaust Collaboration and Resistance 4. CONDUCTING WAR Technology and Intelligence Alliances and Strategy Strategic Bombing and the U-Boat War 5. THE EBB OF BLITZKRIEG, 1942–45 The Changing Balance of Fortune, 1942–43 Success and Failure South and East, 1943–44 Closing the Ring, 1944–45 PART THREE: ASSESSMENT 6. THE END OF THE WAR AND AFTER Costs and the Division of Europe Historical Debates Winning and LosingPART FOUR: DOCUMENTS Guide to Further Reading ReferencesIndex

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Book SynopsisIn 1918, the RAF was established as the world''s first independent air force. To mark the 100th anniversary of its creation, Penguin are publishing the Centenary Collection, a series of six classic books highlighting the skill, heroism esprit de corps that have characterised the Royal Air Force throughout its first century.Anglo-American James Goodson''s war began on Sept 3rd 1939, when the SS Athenia was torpedoed and sank off the Hebrides. Surviving the sinking and distinguishing himself rescuing survivors, Goodson immediately signed on with the RAF. He was an American, but he wanted to fight.Goodson flew Spitfires with an RAF Eagle Squadron before later joining his countrymen with the Fourth Fighter Group to get behind the controls of Thunderbolts and Mustangs where he became known as ''King of the Strafers''.Chock full of breathtaking descriptions of aerial dogfights as well as the stories of others of the heroic ''few'', Tumult i

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Book SynopsisIn the summer of 1940 a handful of volunteer pilots defied their country to fight when we needed them most. This is the story of their Battle of Britain.In the early days of World War Two when Britain stood alone against the terror of Hitler''s all-conquering Third Reich, her future hung in the balance; her defence in the hands of the Spitfires and Hurricanes of the Royal Air Force''s Fighter Command. They were Churchill''s Few. This is their story - and a fresh perspective on the greatest air battle the world has ever seen.''Fine, deeply movingm scintillating...in the battle scenes this book soars heavenward like one of the Spitfires.'' - Andrew Roberts, Sunday Telegraph Trade ReviewFine, deeply moving, scintillating...in the battle scenes this book soars heavenward like one of the Spitfires -- Andrew Roberts * Sunday Telegraph *Praise for Alex Kershaw * - *Kershaw digs deep into the folk memories of young men who survived virtually impossible odds...harrowing, intimate, excellent. * Herald *Outstanding heroism...compelling. Kershaw's writing gives you a sense of "being there" * Daily Express *Fascinating, remarkable, riveting, terrifying. Kershaw does justice to the veterans and makes accessible their amazing story * Big Issue *

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Book SynopsisâOne of the great classics of espionage and special operationsâ (Nigel West) by 'the pre-eminent historian of SOE' (Antony Beevor).Trade Review‘It is impossible to imagine M. R. D. Foot’s position as the pre-eminent historian of SOE ever being challenged.’ -- Antony Beevor

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Book SynopsisThe Sunday Times Top Ten Bestseller.In May 1945, with victory in Europe established, the war was all but over. But on the other side of the world, the Allies were still engaged in a bitter struggle to control the Pacific. And it was then that the Japanese unleashed a terrible new form of warfare: the suicide pilots, or Kamikaze.Drawing on meticulous research and unique personal access to the remaining survivors, Will Iredale follows a group of young men from the moment they joined up through their initial training to the terrifying reality of fighting against pilots who, in the cruel last summer of the war, chose death rather than risk their country's dishonourable defeat and deliberately flew their planes into Allied aircraft carriers. A story of courage, valour and dogged determination, The Kamikaze Hunters is a gripping account of how a few brave young men helped to ensure lasting peace.Trade ReviewA gripping account of a virtually unknown drama. Will Iredale writes with verve and expertise to illuminate the story of the young men who lived and died at the fag end of the war in the battle against Japan in the summer of 1945. His story is laced with vivid anecdotes which wonderfully illustrate the character and calibre of the individuals who took up this great challenge. -- Jonathan DimblebyA gripping account of British fighter pilots in the Pacific -- Rick Stroud, author of * Rifleman *An excellent read * BBC History Magazine *Nerve-shredding stuff * Warships International Fleet Review *

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Book Synopsis''Victor Gregg is the most remarkable spokesman for the war generation'' Dan SnowIn Slaughterhouse-Five, Kurt Vonnegut fictionalised his time as a prisoner of war in Dresden in 1945. Vonnegut was imprisoned in a cellar while the firestorm raged through the city, wiping out generations of innocent lives. Victor Gregg remained above ground throughout the firebombing. This is his true eyewitness account of that week in February 1945.Already a seasoned soldier with the Rifle Brigade, Gregg joined the 10th Parachute Regiment in 1944. He was captured at Arnhem where he volunteered to be sent to a work camp rather than become another faceless number in the huge POW camps. With two failed escape attempts under his belt, Gregg was eventually caught sabotaging a factory and sent to Dresden for execution.Before Gregg could be executed, the British Royal Air Force and the United States Army Air Forces dropped more than 3,900 tons of high-explosive bTrade ReviewVictor Gregg is the most remarkable spokesman for the war generation. Searingly honest in his appraisal of what that conflict did to the world, on society and, above all, on himself. -- Dan Snow * History Hit *This is a small but extremely thought-provoking book about the Allied bombing of Dresden in eastern Germany, written by a soldier who was a prisoner of war and who was there and whose life, upon witnessing such horror, was re-evaluated. Whether you think the bombing was justified (after Coventry had suffered similar) or not, this is such a moving record written from a soldier's perspective about his enemies and the suffering that such bombing created. Read, think and read again. -- Bruce Kemble-Johnson * Let's Talk *It is an engaging tale and the author writes with a witty sarcasm that keeps the narrative flowing. -- Patrick Shrier * Military-History.us *Table of Contents1. Note of Remembrance 2. Grim Truth 3. Overture to Hell 4. Slaughter of the Innocents 5. Aftermath 6. The General 7. Day Four 8. Day Five 9. Day Six Afterword: Was this the greatest war crime of all? A Note on the Authors Also Available by the Author

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Book Synopsis 'Extraordinary...serious naval history and a detective story, told with passion.' The Times'Vividly detailed...compelling yet comprehensive.' Los Angeles Times'Simply outstanding.' Booklist (starred review)'Gripping... This yarn has it all.' USA TodayThe sinking of the USS Indianapolis is still the biggest single loss of life at sea to be suffered by the United States navy. From a crew of 1,196 men, only 317 survived. Torpedoed by the Japanese, dying of thirst and eaten by sharks. For 70 years, the story of the USS Indianapolis has been told as a sinking story, or a shark story, or a story of military justice gone awry. But in Indianapolis, the true story of this mighty vessel is revealed. As the USS Arizona embodies theTrade Review‘A wonderful book . . . Thanks to Indianapolis, we now have a complete and accessible story of this saga. It is a gripping and engaging tale that features grievous mistakes, extraordinary courage, unimaginable horror, and a cover-up. . . . Vincent and Vladic spent years talking to the dwindling band of survivors and giving voice to their stories. . . . This exhaustive and comprehensive assessment is as complete an account of this tragic tale as we are likely to have. It is compelling history.’ * Christian Science Monitor *‘Sharks, torpedoes, deadly secrets . . . In Indianapolis, Lynn Vincent and Sara Vladic expose what really happened that day in 1945 when a Japanese submarine torpedoed the Navy cruiser.’ * New York Times Book Review *‘Gripping . . . This yarn has it all . . . Stories of courage, cowardice, and sharks—lots of sharks . . . The disaster has been the subject of numerous books . . . [and] you wouldn’t think there would be much left to say. But, as it turns out, there is. Vincent and Vladic have delivered an account that stands out through its crisp writing and superb research. Indianapolis also goes where past books haven’t, to the full story behind the decades-long movement to clear the captain’s besmirched name. . . . Somehow, Vincent and Vladic manage to weave the story of the fateful voyage with events occurring fifty-five or more years later, making for taut action throughout the book. Is this the definitive and final narrative of the Navy’s worst sea disaster? Indianapolis is sure to hold its own for a long time.’ * USA Today *‘Vividly detailed . . . In a brisk, fact-based narrative, Indianapolis mixes horror and scandal. . . . With diligent reporting and sharp writing, Lynn Vincent and Sara Vladic have accomplished a daunting chore facing writers of historic nonfiction: take a story whose outline is known to the public and craft an account that is compelling yet comprehensive.’ * Los Angeles Times *‘Enthralling . . . Meticulously researched . . . A gripping study of the greatest sea disaster in the history of the U.S. Navy and its aftermath.’ * Kirkus Reviews (starred review) *‘Simply outstanding . . . Indianapolis is a must-read . . . Sea battles, adventures, the secret mission to deliver materials for the assemblage of the atomic bomb to the Pacific Islands, tragedy, disaster, an epic ordeal—sharks included—in the open ocean, courtroom drama, political intrigue, and the uphill battle by the band of survivors to exonerate the ship’s captain will all have readers unable to put this book down. . . . Vincent and Vladic have produced a tour de force of true human drama.’ * Booklist (starred review) *‘The story of USS Indianapolis is movingly and vividly captured in this visceral account, the result of more than a decade’s research and interviews conducted by its authors. . . . This is an eye-popping book, with as many twists and turns as an airport thriller. . . . Vincent and Vladic’s extraordinary book morphs from high seas adventure to courtroom drama and congressional hearing. . . . It is a work of serious naval history and a detective story, told with passion.’ * The Times *‘Chilling . . . The facts are more horrible than fiction.’ * New York Daily News *‘Indianapolis is a gripping and emotional read. You may know part of the story from the famous speech in Jaws, but this book goes far beyond that. The product of extraordinary research, it is a brilliant, stunning, and stirring book.’ -- Don Winslow, author of The Force and The Cartel‘It was the worst sea disaster in U.S. naval history and Indianapolis, by Lynn Vincent and Sara Vladic, tells the grisly story without flinching. Their tale has almost everything. There’s a secret mission, an honorable enemy and a scapegoated captain. There’s madmen, heroes and cannibals. There’s enough in this tale for several movies.’ * San Diego Union-Tribune *‘Simultaneously a gripping narrative, a convincing analysis, and a pitiless exposure of institutional mendacity . . . The systemic oversights and misjudgments that enabled this tragedy remained obscure until this investigation, which drew upon new sources clarifying how the file was amended. This exposé will be valuable for scholars and general readers alike.’ * Publishers Weekly *‘Valuable and illuminating. Vladic and Vincent’s work brings to life the history of this valorous and extraordinary ship.’ -- Doug Stanton, # 1 New York Times bestselling author of In Harm’s Way and The Odyssey of Echo Company‘Our hearts quickened while racing through this page-turning book. You may think you know the story of the worst seafaring disaster in the history of the United States Navy. You would be wrong. As Lynn Vincent and Sara Vladic’s propulsive narrative segues from wartime action-adventure to riveting courtroom drama, their newly unearthed mountain of details encompassing this tragedy and its shape-shifting aftermath will not only enhance your understanding of the courage, sacrifice, and dedication of the American sailors so evocatively portrayed in Indianapolis, but shine a light on their dogged pursuit of truth and justice. It is astonishingly rare when such a significant work of history also brings tears to your eyes. Vincent and Vladic’s ultimate tale of redemption accomplishes just that feat.’ -- Bob Drury and Tom Clavin, #1 New York Times bestselling coauthors of Halsey’s Typhoon, The Heart of Everything That Is, and Valley Forge‘Vincent and Vladic have rendered this long-overdue story in a way few writers of narrative nonfiction could ever achieve. They are consummate storytellers, and their research is impeccable, including accounts not only from the sailors and officers who survived, but also from the Japanese kamikaze and submarine commanders who were there. The authors reveal all that is good and all that is bad about humanity: the destruction and the courage, the selfishness and selflessness, and ultimately the shared respect and dignity of those who were once enemies. Few other books will satisfy a reader’s longing for a true and truly great story more than Indianapolis.’ -- Gary Kinder, New York Times bestselling author of Ship of Gold in the Deep Blue Sea‘This is an absorbing book. The attention to detail is superb, the clear result of lots of plain hard work. Yet the detail doesn’t get in the way, but rather serves, along with a driving narrative, to get the reader as close to experiencing this most tragic episode of World War II as is possible without living through it.’ -- Karl Marlantes, New York Times bestselling author of Matterhorn‘The voices of the Greatest Generation come alive in Indianapolis. Through first-person accounts we hear horrific stories of fear, pain, and anger but also of resilience, hope, and courage. Stories of the friendships the sailors forged with each other on board and the sacrifices they made for each other in their darkest hours are inspirational. Ultimately, Indianapolis is about the sacrifice these men made for our country at a time of unparalleled risk and of their lifelong search for justice for the captain of their ship. It’s a beautifully told and incredibly detailed narrative that brings this famous disaster to life.’ -- Kate Andersen Brower, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Residence and First Women‘This is a brilliant, highly readable, and ultimately groundbreaking account of a proud ship’s life and times, not simply a rendering of her tragic ending. Absolutely superb.’ -- James Stavridis, U.S. Navy Admiral (Ret.), Supreme Allied Commander at NATO (2009-2013), and Dean of the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University

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Book Synopsis‘A fascinating, superbly researched and revelatory book – told with tremendous pace and excitement’ William Boyd‘Rick Stroud writes brilliantly about war … an astonishing book … a wonderful story’ Ben Macintyre'Enthralling, edge-of-smart exciting and also heart-breaking...Stroud's book is a reminder and fitting testimony to their immense bravery' James Holland On 18 June 1940 General de Gaulle broadcast from London to his countrymen in France about the catastrophe that had overtaken their nation – the victory of the invading Germans. He declared: ‘The flame of French Resistance must not and will not be extinguished.' The Resistance began almost immediately. At first it was made up of small, disorganised groups working in isolation. But by the time of the liberation in 1944 around 400,000 French citizens, nearly 2 per cent of Trade Review‘A fascinating, superbly researched and revelatory book – told with tremendous pace and excitement’ -- William Boyd‘This compelling and complete account of the extraordinarily courageous women of SOE is at turns enthralling, edge-of-the-seat exciting and also heart-breaking. The way in which they were sent into Nazi-occupied Europe and left to face unspeakable danger remains astonishing and Stroud's book is a reminder and fitting testimony to their immense bravery’ -- James Holland‘Stroud has a storyteller’s eye for human detail matched with a researcher’s diligence.’ * Independent on Sunday *‘Each of the lives that Stroud relates so well offers a shining example of heroism – dauntless, patriotic readiness to risk everything for the cause of human decency.’ -- Nigel Jones * Sunday Telegraph *‘In this superb book, Rick Stroud honours their awe-inspiring bravery and self-sacrifice by telling their stories with an historian’s attention to detail and a novelist’s empathy and sense of drama… it is a pacy chronological account… vividly and concisely delivered by a writer with an encyclopaedic knowledge of World War Two.’ -- Rebecca McQuillan * The Herald *‘Written with genuine vigour, this book pays tribute to truly outstanding female bravery...this is a book that lingers in the mind long after the last page’ -- Elizabeth Fitzherbert * The Lady *'A gripping narrative' -- Marcus Binney * Country Life *'Fascinating ... a hugely engaging account, that weaves the women’s stories together with increasing momentum towards its poignant conclusion.’ -- Clare Mulley * Spectator *'A timely and important book...we are in awe of their courage' -- Alan Ogden'Superbly written' -- Elizabeth Buchan

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Book SynopsisIn December 1941, as the Japanese army led by Yamashita scythed through Malaya to capture Singapore, Britain''s defence of its Asian colonies collapsed. Poor preparation and inadequate leadership saw the British exposed to a new type of warfare in the Far East, a Japanese blitzkrieg that proved every bit as effective as Hitler''s in France the previous year.When the Japanese advanced into Burma and approached the gates of India and China, Churchill and his generals had little idea how to counter the seemingly unstoppable offensive. Defeat seemed inevitable. Yet only four years later, the Japanese army would be in full-scale retreat. A crushing victory would be achieved by Britain and her allies. From Malaya and Burma to India and China - across jungle, mountain and desert prairie - the Burma campaign proved the longest continuous campaign of the Second World War. In The Generals, highly acclaimed military historian Dr Robert Lyman examines the role of militaryTrade ReviewA sophisticated synthesis and enjoyable read - BBC History Magazine

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Book Synopsis1941. Before Montgomery''s victory at El Alamein and the American entry into the war, Britain and her Empire stood alone and on the brink of defeat. As Hitler launched Barbarossa, a triple threat emerged from the Middle East - nationalists in Iraq sought an alliance with Germany, the Vichy regime in Syria was ready to welcome Nazi troops and Iran''s neutrality threatened supply and communication channels to the Empire and the ailing Soviet Union.Further, control of the Middle East meant control of oil, the essential lubricant of modern warfare. For the British war effort, the cost of defeat in the region was unthinkable.Churchill was wrong when he famously pronounced ''Before El Alamein Britain never had a victory; after El Alamein she never suffered a defeat''. In First Victory, the acclaimed historian Robert Lyman tells agripping narrative of a series of vital victories that heralded the real turning point in Britain''s fortunes. Until now, these extraor

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Book SynopsisFrom Diana Darke, the acclaimed author of My House in Damascus and The Merchant of Syria, comes the extraordinary true story of a heroic ambulance driver who created a cat sanctuary in the midst of war-torn Aleppo.I''ll stay with them no matter what happens. Someone who has mercy in his heart for humans has mercy for every living thing.When war came to Alaa Aljaleel''s hometown, he made a remarkable decision to stay behind, caring for the people and animals caught in the crossfire. While thousands were forced to flee, Alaa spent his days carrying out perilous rescue missions in his makeshift ambulance and building a sanctuary for the city''s abandoned cats. In turn, he created something unique: a place of tranquility for children living through the bombardment and a glimmer of hope for those watching in horror around the world. As word of Alaa''s courage and dedication spread, the kindness of strangers enabled him to feed thousandsTrade ReviewThe Last Sanctuary in Aleppo is a gentle, easy read... awe-inspiring and heart-­warming... The tragic stories are leavened in part by Aljaleel's gentle sense of humour. * The National (AE) *The cat man of Aleppo, Mohammad Aljaleel, touched the hearts of millions * BBC News *

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Book SynopsisFeaturing full-color artwork, specially drawn maps and archive photographs, this study offers key insights into the tactics, leadership, combat performance and subsequent reputations of six representative German and Soviet infantry battalions pitched into three pivotal actions that determined the course of the Barbarossa campaign at the height of World War II.The Axis invasion of the Soviet Union on 22 June 1941 pitted Nazi Germany and her allies against Stalin''s forces in a mighty struggle for survival. Three German army groups - North, Center and South - advanced into Soviet-held territory; Generalfeldmarschall Fedor von Bock''s Army Group Center, the largest of these three, was tasked with defeating General of the Army Dmitry Pavlov''s Western Front in Belarus, and was assigned two Panzer Groups to achieve this. Bock''s command would complete the encirclement and destruction of vast numbers of Soviet personnel and matériel at battles such as Bialystok-Minsk in June-July Table of ContentsIntroduction /The opposing sides /Zhlobin: 6 July 1941 /Smolensk: 15–23 July 1941 /Vas’kovo–Voroshilovo: 23–27 July 1941 /Analysis /Aftermath /Unit organizations /Bibliography /Index

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Book SynopsisWith stunning artwork and detailed analysis, this volume provides a pilot's view of the dramatic clashes between these two legendary fighters, as some of the most gifted and big name' aces of World War II went head to head in the skies of North-West Europe. As the Battle of Britain approached its conclusion, two new versions of the famous Spitfire and Messerschmitt Bf 109 arrived on the scene. The RAF could see that the Luftwaffe were stepping down their incursions into British airspace, and went on to the offensive. The Spitfire Mark II, and increasingly the Mark V, would fly over the picturesque English channel in fighter sweeps, or to escort vulnerable Blenheim bombers waiting for them was the Bf 109F Friedrich'. Yet despite the reversal of offensive and defensive dispositions, and despite the Luftwaffe deploying the bulk of their fighter strength to the Eastern Front in 1941, the Jagdflieger were able to inflict severe losses on their RAF counterparts.Table of ContentsIntroduction /Chronology /Design and Development /Technical Specifications /The Strategic Situation /The Combatants /Combat /Statistics and Analysis /Aftermath /Further Reading /Index

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Book SynopsisMuch has been written of the titanic clashes between the Wehrmacht and the Red Army at Stalingrad, but this volume tells the other, equally important half of the story of Fall Blau (Case Blue). Learning from their experiences during the sweeping advances of Operation Barbarossa a year before, Wehrmacht commanders knew that Nazi Germany''s lack of oil was a huge strategic problem. Seizure of the Caucasus oilfields, which were responsible for 82% of the Soviet Union''s crude oil, would simultaneously alleviate the German army''s oil shortages whilst denying vital fuel resources to the Red Army. While Army Group B advanced along the Volga towards Stalingrad, Army Group A, spearheaded by Ewald von Kleist''s elite Panzerarmee 1 was to advance into the Caucasus to seize the oilfields of Maikop, Grozny and Baku. Featuring full-color artwork, archival photos and detailed analysis, this book follows the vicious, intense fighting that characterized one of the most important campaigns of World WaTable of ContentsOrigins of the campaign /Chronology /Opposing commanders /Opposing armies /Orders of battle /Opposing plans /The campaign /Aftermath /The battlefields today /Further reading /Index

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Book SynopsisThe Battle of Britain offers an in-depth assessment of the situation leading up to the summer of 1940, the strategies employed by the adversaries and the brutal aerial battle itself. In 1940 Britain was an island under siege. The march of the Nazi war machine had been unrelenting: France and Belgium had quickly fallen and now the British Empire and the Commonwealth stood alone to counter the grave threat. However, their fate would not be decided by armies of millions but by a small band of fighter pilots. It was on their shoulders that Britain''s best chance of survival rested. Above the villages and cities, playing fields and market towns, the skies of southern England were the scene of countless dogfights as the fledgling Fighter Command duelled daily against the might of the Luftwaffe. Lavishly illustrated with photographs, contemporary art and posters, and accompanied by numerous first-hand accounts, this is a volume that captures the reality of a defining chapter in BriTable of ContentsPreface /Introduction /Fighter Command /The Luftwaffe /Blitzkrieg: Germany’s Lightning Strike /Spitfire Summer: The Air Battle for Britain /Aftermath /Notes /Appendices /Bibliography /Index

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Book SynopsisAgainst the wishes of Hitler, German forces under Erich von Manstein were forced to retreat following the failure of their offensive at Kursk in July 1943. The weakened force had only one possible refuge, behind the wide Dnepr River. The race to the natural defensive line was on, with the Soviets launching one of their largest offensives of the war--with over two million men on the move. Expert Eastern Front historian Robert Forczyk describes the dramatic four-month campaign that saw the Red Army not only succeed in crossing the Dnepr at multiple points, but also liberate Kiev, the capital of the Ukraine. Revealing new details about the largest Soviet airborne operation of the war and the increasingly desperate delaying tactics employed by von Manstein as catastrophic casualties mounted on either side, Forczyk charts the course of the battle that confirmed that the relentless Soviet advance westward could not be halted. Berlin would be next.Table of ContentsIntroduction/Chronology/Opposing commanders/Opposing armies/Opposing plans/The campaign/Aftermath/The battlefield today/Further reading/Index

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Book SynopsisWith the Third Reich on the brink of defeat, Hitler''s instructions to his designers were clear. He wanted a Volksjäger--a People''s Fighter that was quick to produce and used minimal quantities of strategic materials. Heinkel rose to the challenge with the He 162, a fighter constructed of wood and metal that was designed, built, and flown in the staggeringly short time of ten weeks. Professional pilots were in short supply, and so the Luftwaffe was ordered to man the He 162 with hastily trained members of the Hitler Youth--a flawed plan that fortunately never came to fruition.Detailed aircraft profiles and never before seen photographs perfectly complement the analysis of the revolutionary Heinkel He 162 as author Robert Forsyth traces its entire history, from the early design and production through to its limited combat experience.Table of ContentsThe People's Fighter /'We had not reckoned with such little time' /Training and Trials /Jagdgeschwader 1 /'This jet fighter should be studied further' /Appendices /Colour Plates Commentary /Sources and Bibliography /Index

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Book SynopsisPublished to coincide with the 80th birthday of the Spitfire this is a gripping and visually spectacular volume, which celebrates the life of Britain''s most iconic military aircraft. The Spitfire turns 80 on 5 March 2016, and the passion for the RAF''s best-loved fighter is running at an all-time high. There are more than 50 Spitfires flying in the world today, and John Dibbs has shot virtually all of them ''on the wing'' in his breathtaking style.This eye-catching book combines a unique collection of stunning photos with poignant first-hand accounts of flying the aeroplane in combat, from some of the most famous aces to ever pilot the Spitfire, and from some of the pilots forgotten by history.Illustrated with photographs from the world''s most experienced photographer of Spitfires in the air, this is a highly collectable book for anyone with a love for the Flying Legend.Table of ContentsForeword by Squadron Leader Geoffrey Wellum DFC/ Introduction by Phill O’Dell / Author’s Preface / The Early Marks / Spitfire Mk V / Spitfire Mk VIIIs / MH434 / Spitfires in Blue / Packard Merlin Spitfire / Griffon Spitfires / Seafires / Spitfire Spectacular / From the Archive

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Book SynopsisThe Royal Navy entered World War II with a large but eclectic fleet of destroyers. Some of these were veterans of World War I, fit only for escort duties. Most though, had been built during the inter-war period, and were regarded as both reliable and versatile. Danger though lurked across the seas as new destroyers being built in Germany, Italy and Japan were larger and better armoured. So, until the new, larger Tribal-class destroyers could enter service, these vessels would have to hold the line. Used mainly to hunt submarines, protect convoys from aerial attack, and take out other destroyers, these ships served across the globe during the war. This fully illustrated study is the first in a two-part series on the real workhorses of the wartime Royal Navy, focusing on how these ageing ships took on the formidable navies of the Axis powers.

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Book SynopsisWhen the Soviets fortified Sevastopol in 1941, it heralded the beginning of a period of intense fighting over the Crimea. In this remarkable work, acclaimed author Robert Forcyzk assembles new research to investigate the intense and barbaric fighting for the region in World War II, where first Soviet, and then German armies were surrounded and totally obliterated. Now available in paperback, Forczyk''s unique account provides a definitive analysis of the many unique characteristics of the conflict, exploring the historical context as it uncovers one of the most pivotal theaters of the Eastern Front during World War IITable of ContentsForeword /Prologue /Chapter 1: The Crimea under the Hammer and Sickle, 1920–41 /Chapter 2: The Onset of War, June–August 1941 /Chapter 3: Across the Tatar Wall, September 1941 /Chapter 4: The Ring Closes Around Sevastopol, November–December 1941 /Chapter 5: Winter War, December 1941–March 1942 /Chapter 6: The German Conquest, May–July 1942 /Chapter 7: The German Occupation of the Crimea, 1942–44 /Chapter 8: The Red Army Returns to the Crimea, 1943 /Chapter 9: German Defeat in the Crimea, 1944 /Chapter 10: Postscript 2014 /Appendices /Notes /Bibliography /Index

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Book SynopsisMauled at Stalingrad, the German army looked to regain the initiative on the Eastern Front with a huge offensive launched near the city of Kursk, 280 miles southwest of Moscow. Armed with the new Panther tank, Hitler and Field Marshal von Manstein were confident that they could inflict another crushing defeat on the Soviet Union. What they did not know is that the Soviets knew about the coming attack, and they were ready.This book focuses on the southern front of this campaign, which featured the one of the biggest clashes of armor of the war, as over a thousand tanks clashed in the battle of Prokhorovka. It examines in detail the tactics and mistakes of the army commanders as they orchestrated one of the bloodiest battles in World War II. Using campaign maps, stunning photographs, and vivid artwork, this new study, a companion to CAM 272 Kursk 1943: The Northern Front, examines whether the German offensive was doomed from the start as it takes the reader through this

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Book SynopsisFollowing the D-Day landings on June 6, 1944, the First US Army engaged in a six-week struggle to break out of the Normandy beach-head. The hedgerow country of lower Normandy, called the Bocage, presented unanticipated tactical problems since it proved to be ideal for German infantry defense. This book examines the brutal attritional struggle in June-July 1944 to overcome the determined German defense and secure St Lô. The city was the site of a crucial cross-roads and was thus a vital target for the invading Allied forces; the initial bombing attacks were so severe that the writer Samuel Beckett would later report that it had been ''bombed out of existence in one night''. The attack by ground forces turned into a brutal attritional struggle to overcome the determined German defense. Using full-color artwork, photographs and maps, this is the engaging story of one of the key engagements in the Battle of Normandy.

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Book SynopsisDuring World War II, the two pre-eminent mechanized infantry forces of the conflict, the German Panzergrenadier arm and the US Army's armoured infantrymen, clashed in France and Belgium after the Normandy landings. These engagements went on to profoundly influence the use of mechanized infantry in the post-war world. Drawing upon a variety of sources, this book focuses on three key encounters between July and December 1944 including during Operation Cobra and the Battle of the Bulge, and examines the origins, equipment, doctrine and combat record of both forces.With specially commissioned full-colour artwork and maps, this study sheds light on the evolving nature of mechanized warfare at the height of World War II.Table of ContentsIntroduction /The opposing sides /Combat 1 /Combat 2 /Combat 3 /Analysis /Aftermath /Bibliography /Index

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Book SynopsisIn the early hours of June 6, 1944, the first of over 150,000 Allied soldiers stormed five beaches in Normandy against fierce German resistance. They were specially trained and task-organized in a range of different landing teams depending on their means of transport, their tasks, and the resistance they anticipated. The first assault infantry were accompanied by tankers, combat engineers, and other specialist personnel, to breach German obstacles, knock out defensive positions, and to defend and prepare the beaches for the follow-on waves. On some beaches the plans worked, on others they were disrupted by bad weather, faulty timing, or enemy fire, with consequences that varied from survivable confusion to absolute carnage. This is an in-depth study of the uniforms, equipment, weapons, passage, landings, and tactics of US, British, and Canadian assault units, during the period from before H-Hour on June 6 to dawn on June 7.

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Book SynopsisThe final instalment in Osprey''s trilogy on Operation Market-Garden, this is a fascinating account of the British XXX Corps assault towards the Rhine at Arnhem.Field Marshal Montgomery''s plan to get Second British Army behind the fortifications of the German Siegfried Line in 1944 led to the hugely ambitions Operation Market-Garden. Part of this plan called for a rapid advance from Belgium through Holland up to and across the lower Rhine by the British XXX Corps along a single road already dominated by airborne troops. Their objective along this road was the bridge at Arnhem, the target of British and Polish airborne troops. Once XXX Corps had reached this bridge it would then make for the German industrial area of the Ruhr. The operation was bold in outlook but risky in concept.Using specially commissioned artwork and detailed analysis, Ken Ford completes this trilogy on Operation Market-Garden by examining this attack which, if successful, could have sho

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Book SynopsisThe Battle of Britain was one of the most iconic campaigns of World War II, where the Few of the Royal Air Force took on the might of the German Luftwaffe. At stake was not just air superiority over the British Isles--a German victory would enable Hitler''s plan to invade and conquer the last Allied country left fighting.While most narratives of the battle focus on the brave pilots of Fighter Command, this book tells it from the perspective of the German strategists as they attempted to clear the skies over Britain. Explaining Hermann Göring''s plans, the Luftwaffe''s capabilities in 1940, the RAF''s defenses, and how the fierce aerial battles over south-east England were fought, this fully illustrated fresh study is based on original documents and new analysis by an expert on the campaign.

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Book SynopsisThe Soviet Navy that faced the German onslaught in 1941 boasted a mixture of modern warships, often built with foreign technical assistance, and antiquated warships from the Tsarist era that were modernized for the conflict.Some Soviet naval vessels saw limited involvement in the war against Finland in 19391940, but the main action occurred after the German invasion, when these destroyers escorted convoys, fought battles against other destroyers and the deadly threat posed by attacking aircraft, and provided fire support for Soviet troops. From the Gnevny class of the prewar period to the specialist destroyer leaders of the Leningrad class and the unique Tashkent, Soviet Destroyers of World War II is a detailed guide to the often forgotten destroyers of the Soviet Navy.Fully illustrated with archival photos and specially commissioned artwork, Soviet Destroyers of World War II will appeal to naval historians, or anyone interested in this little-knTable of ContentsIntroduction Soviet naval strategy and the role of the destroyer and destroyer escort Former Tsarist destroyers of the Novik class Soviet destroyer escorts of the Uragan class Soviet flotilla leaders: Leningrad class and flotilla leader Tashkent Other Soviet destroyers Analysis and conclusion Bibliography

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Book SynopsisIn the summer of 1942, the Wehrmacht invaded the Caucasus in order to overrun critical oil production facilities at Maikop, Grozny, and Baku. However, the Red Army stopped the Germans short of their objectives and then launched a devastating winter counteroffensive that encircled them at Stalingrad. Consequently, Hitler grudgingly ordered an evacuation from the Caucasus, but ordered 17. Armee to fortify the Kuban bridgehead and hold it at all costs in order to leave open the possibility of future offensives. On the other side, the Soviet Stavka ordered the North Caucasus Front and the Black Sea Fleet to eliminate the Kuban bridgehead as soon as possible. The stage was set for a contest between an immovable object and an unstoppable force.With the help of stunning specially commissioned artwork, this book tells the enthralling story of the impressive but strategically foolish German stand at Kuban, which tied down seven Soviet armies in a sideshow battle of attrition, which tTable of ContentsOrigins of the campaign /Chronology /Opposing commanders /Opposing armies /Orders of battle /Opposing plans /The campaign /Aftermath /The battlefields today /Further reading /Index

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Book SynopsisAllied fighter pilots began encountering German jets principally the outstanding Me 262 fighter from the autumn of 1944. Stunned by the aircraft's speed and rate of climb, it took USAAF and RAF units time to work out how to combat this deadly threat as the Luftwaffe targeted the medium and heavy bombers attacking targets across the Reich.A number of high-scoring aces from the Eighth Air Force (Drew, Glover, Meyer, Norley and Yeager, to name but a few) succeeded in claiming Me 262s, Me 163 and Ar 234s during the final months of the campaign, as did RAF aces like Tony Gaze and Foob' Fairbanks. The exploits of both famous and little-known pilots will be chronicled in this volume, detailing how they pushed their P-47s, P-51s, Spitfires and Tempests to the limits of their performance in order to down the Luftwaffe's wonder weapons'.Table of ContentsAerial Warfare Revolution /First Clashes /Battles Intensify /Bodenplatte to Varsity /To the Death /All the King's Men /Soviet Victories /Colour Plates Commentary /Index

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Book SynopsisIn Case Red, Robert Forczyk shows that there was much more to the fall of France than Dunkirk. In fact, even after that legendary evacuation in June 1940 there were still large British formations fighting the Germans alongside their French allies. After mounting a vigorous counterattack at Abbeville and then engaging a tough defense along the Somme, the British were forced to conduct a second evacuation from the ports of Le Havre, Cherbourg, Brest, and St. Nazaire. While France was in its death throes, politicians and soldiers debated what to do--flee to England or North Africa, or seek an armistice.Case Red captures the drama of the final three weeks of military operations in France in June 1940, and explains the great impact it had on the course of relations between Britain and France during the remainder of the war. It also addresses the military, political, and human drama of France''s collapse in June 1940, and how the windfall of captured military equipmeTrade ReviewThe book constitutes an excellent summary of the conflict in the West from September 1939 to May 1940, the best for a long time. * Ligne de Front *This is a gem of a book on a relatively little-known element of the fighting in 1940. * Miniature Wargames *Table of ContentsIntroduction Chapter 1: The Path to Disaster, 1918–39 Chapter 2: A Shadow of Doubt Chapter 3: The Centre Cannot Hold Chapter 4: To the Sea Chapter 5: Failure at Abbeville Chapter 6: The Weygand Line Chapter 7: Decision on the Aisne Chapter 8: Disintegration Chapter 9: Mussolini’s Gamble Chapter 10: Occupation Glossary Appendices Notes Bibliography Index

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Book SynopsisAs the possibility of war loomed in the 1930s, the British Admiralty looked to update their fleet of destroyers to compete with the new ships being built by Germany and Japan, resulting in the commissioning of the powerful Tribal-class. These were followed by the designing of the first of several slightly smaller ships, which carried fewer guns than the Tribals, but were armed with a greatly enlarged suite of torpedoes. The first of these, the J/K/M class was followed by a number of wartime variants, with slight changes to their weaponry to suit different wartime roles.Designed to combat enemy surface warships, aircraft and U-boats, the British built these destroyers to face off against anything the enemy could throw at them. Using a collection of contemporary photographs and beautiful color artwork, this is a fascinating new study of the ships that formed the backbone of the Royal Navy during World War II.Table of ContentsIntroduction /Design & Development /Operational History /Destroyer Roles /Camouflage /Life on Board /Destroyers in Action /Specifications /Bibliography

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Book SynopsisFully illustrated, this absorbing study investigates the development of sniping weapons and techniques on World War II''s Eastern Front.The Soviet Union had developed a significant sniping force by 1939, but the extraordinary skill and cunning displayed by Finnish snipers during the Winter War forced the Soviets to innovate. On the other side, German sniping suffered from a lack of standardization of weapons and a lack of marksmen deployed at the start of the Great Patriotic War (194145). There were few heroes in the conflict, but on both sides, the snipers were idolized especially on the Soviet side gaining almost mythical status.As well as traditional bolt-action weapons, both sides used several types of semi-automatic rifle, such as the SVT-38 and the Gew 41. Offering greater firepower at the expense of long-range accuracy, such weapons would be profoundly influential in the postwar world.Table of ContentsIntroduction / Development / Use / Impact / Conclusion / Bibliography / Index

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Book SynopsisAfter the failed April 1972 invasion of South Vietnam and the heavy US tactical bombing raids in the Hanoi area, the North Vietnamese agreed to return to the Paris peace talks, yet very quickly these negotiations stalled. In an attempt to end the war quickly and ''persuade'' the North Vietnamese to return to the negotiating table, President Nixon ordered the Air Force to send the US' ultimate conventional weapon, the B-52 bomber, against their capital, Hanoi. Bristling with the latest Soviet air defence missiles, it was the most heavily defended target in Vietnam. Taking place in late December, this campaign was soon dubbed the Christmas Bombings'. Using specially commissioned artwork and maps, ex-USAF fighter colonel Marshall Michel describes Linebacker II, the climax of the air war over Vietnam, and history''s only example of how America''s best Cold War bombers performed against contemporary Soviet air defences.Table of ContentsIntroduction /Chronology /Attackers' Capabilities /Defenders' Capabilities /Campaign Objectives /The Campaign /Analysis and Conclusion /Further Reading /Index

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Book SynopsisIn May 1940 Nazi Germany was master of continental Europe. The only European power still standing was Great Britain--and the all-conquering German armed forces stood poised to cross the Channel. After the RAF fighter forces had been destroyed, the Channel swept of mines, and the Royal Naval defenders worn down, two German army groups were set to storm the beaches of southern England. Despite near-constant British fears from August to October, the invasion never took place, first being postponed to spring 1941 before finally being abandoned entirely.Robert Forczyk, author of Where the Iron Crosses Grow, looks beyond the traditional British account of Operation Sea Lion, complete with plucky Home Guards and courageous Spitfire pilots, at the real scale of German ambition, plans and capabilities. Forczyk examines, in depth, how Operation Sea Lion fitted in with German air-sea actions around the British Isles as he shows exactly what stopped Hitler from invaTable of ContentsIntroduction Chapter 1: Strategic Setting, June–July 1940 Chapter 2: Improvising an Invasion Force Chapter 3: Diplomacy, Espionage and Intelligence Chapter 4: Kriegsmarine and Luftwaffe Capabilities Against England, 1940–41 Chapter 5: Countdown to Sea Lion Chapter 6: British Anti-invasion Capabilities, 1940–41 Chapter 7: Feasibility of S-Tag, 25 September 1940 Chapter 8: The Isle of Wight Gambit Chapter 9: Siege Operations against Great Britain, October 1940–May 1941 Chapter 10: Sea Lion Redux, May 1941 Chapter 11: Hidden Benefits of Sea Lion: Germany Gains an Amphibious Capability for other Theatres Chapter 12: The Reckoning Glossary Appendices Notes Bibliography Index

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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

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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

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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

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