Second World War Books

Book SynopsisUpon the completion of the Sicily and Salerno Campaigns in 1943, the paratroopers of Colonel Reuben Tucker’s 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment were among the first Allied troops to enter Naples. A ghost town at first sight, the residents soon expressed their joy at being liberated. Four weeks later the 504th face=Calibri>– upon the special request of General Mark Clark face=Calibri>– spearheaded Fifth Army’s drive through the notorious Volturno Valley face=Calibri>– the Germans’ next stand.January 1944 seemed to promise a period of rest, but the landing at Anzio meant deployment for the paratroopers again, this time by ship. A bombing raid during their beach landing was a forecast of eight weeks of bitter fighting. Holding the right flank of the beachhead along the Mussolini Canal, the paratroopers earned their nickname “Devils in Baggy Pants” for their frontline incursions into enemy lines, as well as their stubborn defense of the Allied salient.In this work H Company’s attachment to the British 5th Grenadier Guards face=Calibri>– and the Victoria Cross action of Major William Sidney face=Calibri>– are painted in comprehensive light for the first time. Also the story of Honorary Member of the 504th P.I.R., Italian veteran Antonio Taurelli, is included. Using war diaries, personal journals, letters and interviews with nearly 80 veterans, a close-in view of the 504th P.I.R. in the Fifth Army’s Italy Campaign is here provided in unsurpassed detail.This work is the third by Van Lunteren on the 504th P.I.R. In World War II following The Battle of the Bridges and Blocking Kampfgruppe Peiper. As readers will see, however, the Italian theater held second place to none in terms of grueling combat and courage against formidable odds, and an extremely expert enemy.Trade ReviewAn incredible account of one regiment's contribution to the fighting in Italy - the detail is amazing. * Books Monthly *...the book is excellent on the day-to-day experiences of the infantry - their experiences in combat, life between the battles and so forth, and we get a really vivid picture of the constant stress inside the Anzio beachhead. * History of War.org *

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Book SynopsisThis is the story of the most highly decorated German regimental commander of World War II, known as the 'Panzer Graf' (Armoured Count). An aristocratic Silesian, whose ancestors had faced the Mongols at Leignitz, Strachwitz first won the Iron Cross in the Great War. After fighting with the Freikorps and in between the wars, he was serving with the 1st Panzer Division when the Polish campaign inaugurated World War II.Leading from the front, his exploits as commander of a panzer battalion earned him further decorations during the French campaign. Transferred to the newly formed 16th Panzer Division, he participated in the invasion of Yugoslavia and then Operation Barbarossa where he earned the Knight’s Cross. The following year, during the advance on Stalingrad, he won the Oak Leaves for destroying 270 Soviet tanks at Kalach. Now commander of a regiment, he reached the Volga and fought ferociously on the northern rim of Sixth Army’s perimeter. Severely wounded during the battles, he was flown out of the Stalingrad pocket.Upon recuperation, he was named commander of the Grossdeutschland Division’s panzer regiment, and won the Swords to the Knight’s Cross during Manstein’s counteroffensive at Kharkov. After fighting through Kursk and the ensuing defensive battles, he was transferred the next year to Army Group North where he won the Diamonds to the Knight’s Cross at Narva.For the rest of the war, sandwiched around a stay in hospital, he commanded ad hoc battlegroups, and pioneered the formation of 'tank hunter brigades', consisting of deep-penetration infantry armed with panzerfausts and other demolitions who would ambush Soviet tanks. Wounded 12 times during the war, and barely surviving a lethal car crash, he was finally able to surrender to the Americans in May 1945.Australian author/researcher Raymond Bagdonas, though impaired by the disappearance of 16th Panzer Division’s official records at Stalingrad, and the fact that many of the Panzer Graf’s later battlegroups never kept them, has nevertheless written an intensely detailed account of this combat leader’s life, as well as ferocious armoured warfare in World War II.

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Book SynopsisJoe Singleton was an unlikely hero. A junior manager at a paints and varnish company at the outbreak of war, he was surprised to discover he had a hidden talent for flying. Despite RAF Fighter Squadrons crying out for replacements after the carnage of the Battle of Britain, Joe was posted to the rapidly developing world of night fighting. He flew first Defiants then Beaufighters as the technological race to field effective night fighters hotted up leading to the first tentative attempts to put radar inside an aircraft. He found himself in the thick of the very earliest stages of ground controlled interception and airborne radar engagements. But the grind of fruitless searches and patrols only served to highlight the futility of lives lost in training and the inherent dangers of flying at night with relatively primitive equipment.His skills finally began to bear fruit when piloting a Mosquito and he took place in several successful missions. But the pinnacle came on the night of 19th March 1944 when he scrambled to intercept a big German raid on Hull and he located and shot down a Junkers 188, then went on to shoot down two more, all in the space of thirteen dramatic minutes. He and his navigator survived the crash-landing that ensued, and he went on to be feted as a national hero. Three in Thirteen is a unique sortie-by-sortie account of his journey from bewildered recruit to celebrated expert, illustrated with extracts from Joe’s RAF logbook, and unpublished photographs and illustrations. Roger Dunsford’s extensive experience as an RAF pilot brings a vivid immediacy to Joe’s experiences combined with astute analysis of the planes, the tactics and the events of that fateful night.Trade ReviewThis is a valuable addition to the bookshelf about a less well-known role and of a little known, but successful, pilot. * Britain at War Magazine *Roger Dunsford's story of unlikely hero Joe Singleton isn't a rag to riches story, but it tells a dramatic tale of a man finding something he was very good at and then proving it in the most arduous and terrifying manner possible. Inspirational and thoroughly engaging - a true hero's story. * Books Monthly *An inherently compelling read from cover to cover, it is clear that in Roger Dunsford's account of the life and exploits of Joe Singleton he draws upon his own extensive experience as an RAF pilot to brings a vivid immediacy and accurate accounting to Joe's experiences combined with astute analysis of the planes, the tactics and the events of that fateful night. Impressively informed and informative. * Military History Matters (Reviewer) *

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Book SynopsisIn the early summer of 1941 German mountain soldiers under the command of General Eduard Dietl set out in northern Norway up through Finland to the Russian border. Operation Silberfuchs was underway. The northernmost section of the Eastern Front would ensure Hitler supplies of nickel from Finnish mines, and bring the strategically important port city of Murmansk under German control. The roadless rocky terrain and extremes of weather created major challenges for the German troop movements. Despite this Dietl's men made quick gains on his Russian foe, and they came closer to Murmansk. Despite repeated warnings of a German attack, Stalin had failed to mobilize, and the British hesitated to come to the rescue of the Red Army. But while the weather conditions steadily worsened, the Russians' resistance increased. Three bloody efforts to force the river Litza were repulsed and the offensive would develop into a nightmare for the inadequately equipped German soldiers. In an exciting and authoritative narrative based on previously unpublished material, Alf Reidar Jacobsen describes the heavy fighting that would lead to Hitler's first defeat on the Eastern Front. With firsthand accounts of the fighting on the front line, this is a dramatic new account of a forgotten but bloody episode of World War II.Trade ReviewListed in Military History Monthly's round up of the best military history titles for March 2018. * Military History Matters (Reviewer) *Excellent. * Miniature Wargames - Chris Jarvis *The author does a good job of weaving the various parts of the thread together; German feuding, Britain’s concern that the Russians might collapse and the Soviet Union’s vulnerability to Stalin’s delusions. * Army Rumour Service *Authors Jacobsen and Stewart provide thrilling and detailed information about Hitler's first defeat on the eastern Front, and the entire book reads like the premise for a new blockbuster film. An amazing tale, mde all the more enthralling by the fact it remained untold for more than three quarters of a century. * Books Monthly *

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Book SynopsisIn 1943 The West Point basketball team, the Cadets, had only managed a 5-10 record, and for the 1944 season coach Ed Kelleher’s hopes in reversing Army’s fortunes rested on his five starters. They consisted of three seniors – team captain “Big Ed” Christl, John “Three Star” Hennessey, and class president Bobby Faas – and two juniors, Dale Hall and Doug Kenna. At the academy, Kelleher molded his cadets into a new kind of team, and, as the new season opened in January of 1944, Kelleher’s strategy paid handsome dividends. By the end of January, West Point was 6-0; by the end of February, the team boasted a 13-0 record. Of course, during those weeks, it only took a glance at the newspaper headlines to be reminded that there were far bigger contests than intercollegiate basketball afoot in the winter of 1944. The cadets would not be able to play in the NIT or NCAA national tournaments for a likely national championship. The world was at war, and the U.S. Army needed its finest on the front line more than on the court. Just after their incredible basketball battles ended, the three seniors were about to enter other battles. Hennessey endured months of front-line fighting, battling from the waist-deep snow of Alsatian forests to the bombed-out rubble of German cities. Christl, a fearless forward observer for his field artillery battalion, made it all the way to Austria, where he would lose his life in the final week of the war in Europe. Three months later, Faas was shot down over Japan and forced to bail out over the Pacific Ocean. Coach Kelleher would die overseas on his own special assignment with the Army. In the years that followed, the Army's basketball team would never again have a chance to again play in the NCAA tournament and, in the modern era, few remember West Point's perfect 1944 season. Although West Point's home basketball court is named the Edward C. Christl Arena, and the National Invitational Tournament's trophy is named after his coach, Edward A. Kelleher, too few people fully appreciate why. But after reading Their Greatest Season, they will.

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Book SynopsisOn September 15, 1944, the U.S. First Marine Division landed on a small island in the Central Pacific called Peleliu as a prelude to the liberation of the Philippines. Among the first wave of Marines that hit the beach that day was 22-year-old George Peto.Growing up on a farm in Ohio, George always preferred being outdoors and exploring. This made school a challenge, but his hunting, fishing and trapping skills helped put food on his family’s table. As a poor teenager living in a rough area, he got into regular brawls, and he found holding down a job hard because of his wanderlust. After working out West with the CCC, he decided that joining the Marines offered him the opportunity for adventure plus three square meals a day; so he and his brother joined the Corps in 1941, just a few months before Pearl Harbor.Following boot camp and training, he was initially assigned to various guard units, until he was shipped out to the Pacific and assigned to the 1st Marines. His first combat experience was the landing at Finschhaven, followed by Cape Gloucester. Then as a Forward Observer, he went ashore in one of the lead amtracs at Peleliu and saw fierce fighting for a week before the regiment was relieved due to massive casualties. Six months later, his division became the immediate reserve for the initial landing on Okinawa. They encountered no resistance when they came ashore on D+1, but would go on to fight on Okinawa for over six months.This is the wild and remarkable story of an "Old Breed" Marine, from his youth in the Great Depression, his training and combat in the Pacific, to his life after the war, told in his own words.Trade ReviewThis is a well described story coming from a remarkable man and it's a tale that has taught me things about the fighting in the Pacific...It is easy reading, informative and riveting. 5 stars. * Army Rumour Service *It is a very atmospheric account of life in the front line, including beach assaults, perimeter defence, and the constant fight against disease and exhaustion. * Miniature Wargames *Peto's autobiography reads like a script from a Hollywood blockbuster… * Books Monthly *

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Book Synopsis"A completely wonderful book! ...it seems to be quite out of the ordinary, with illustrations as well as photographs, and the strong narrative running through, revealing the brave-as-a-lion man ...a work of real and loving scholarship." – Joanna LumleyPolish pilot Władysław (Władek) Gnyś was credited with shooting down the first two German aircraft of World War II on September 1, 1939. On this day, as Gnyś' squadron took off near Kraków to intercept the German invaders, German Stuka pilot Frank Neubert attacked, killing the captain. Władek, who barely survived himself, evaded the pursuing Stukas and went on to make the first Allied kills, while Neubert was credited with the first aerial kill of the war.An experienced fighter pilot, Gnyś fought in the Battle of Poland with the Polish Air Force, the Battle of France with the French Air Force and the Battle of Britain and beyond with the Royal Air Force. During the latter part of Operation Overlord (D-Day), Władek was shot down over France in August 1944 and crash landed. Wounded, he was taken prisoner but then escaped, his life spared by the enemy on more than one occasion.Fifty years after the invasion of Poland, in the summer of 1989, Gnyś and Neubert met and shook hands, making news around the world. They reconciled their differences and remained friends until their deaths. This event symbolized the prevailing friendly coexistence between Poland and Germany.Written by his son Stefan and drawing from his logbooks, this highly illustrated biography of Władek Gnyś is the most in-depth account of the Polish hero’s life. It tells Władek's story from his childhood in rural Poland, through his time flying in three Allied air forces during World War II, to his reconciliation with Neubert and his commemoration as a national war hero in Poland.Trade ReviewIt is a compelling story of an extraordinary gentleman, all the more interesting as it's clearly written by those who loved him. * Army Rumour Service *I found this one highly fascinating… Wladyslaw Gnys might not be remembered today outside of the community he came from, but his son has done an admirable job telling the story of his father’s life. * Seattle Book Review 28/02/2019 *Of his bravery and skill, there is no doubt, and as with all of the people from that era, their story needs to be told...An excellent read for all, recommended. * Scale Military Modelling International Magazine *This is far from a run-of-the-mill wartime story, being more of a touching and revealing look into an extraordinary life, one that fought the good fight and came through more or less intact to face a new challenge in raising a family in the peace he had fought so long and strongly for. * Aircrew Remembered 04/02/2019 *“The incredible stories in First Kills are too numerous to recall in one short article. Remarkably detailed, it features almost 150 photographs and has been illustrated by renowned artist John D. Bindon… It is a tribute to Władysław Gnyś, the decorated ace pilot, but also to the charming and humble man himself.” * Hamilton Magazine *“…exhaustively-researched and dramatically-narrated… Stefan has written grippingly and tenderly, the story fortified by astounding detail and documentation, photos and wonderful illustrations by John Bindon.” * The Hamilton Spectator *It is a magnificent tribute to the first victorious Allied pilot of WWII. Highly recommended. * Modeling Madness *Some among us pass through perilous times, beat the odds and live to tell about it, this is the remarkable story of one of those few. * Classic Wings *The first man to shoot down the Luftwaffe: The hero pilot who recorded the first aerial kills against Hitler's air force, escaped a POW camp and fought in the Battle of Britain. * Daily Mail *

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Book SynopsisThe Frantic operations were conceived in late 1943 as Soviet advances made Soviet airfields accessible to Allied long-range aircraft. American aircraft could hit targets in central Europe, refuel and rearm at Soviet bases, then fly back to bomb additional targets. In addition to hitting Nazi war industries, the political objectives of Frantic were to build closer cooperation with the Red Army as the end of the war drew nearer. For the first two weeks of the Warsaw Uprising, Soviet forces stood outside the city, and Stalin refused to let the RAF land at Soviet bases after dropping supplies to the Polish freedom fighters. But eventually the United States persuaded him to let them use Frantic to supply the Poles. On 18 September 1944, American B-17 Flying Fortresses dropped arms, ammunition, medical supplies, and food over the city of Warsaw. The assistance came too late for the Polish freedom fighters. For many, Frantic 7 remains a mere gesture to placate Western public opinion, but the events of that day, and the courage of 1,220 airmen who risked their lives to bring them aid, are still remembered by the Poles of Warsaw. This book gives a full narrative of Frantic 7, using the first-hand accounts of those on the ground in Warsaw to tell the stories of the young aircrew. It puts Frantic 7 in context, and explains how the diplomatic wrangling set the stage for the breakdown in relations between the Soviet Union and the United States.Trade ReviewAn amazingly detailed account of the US Air Force's attempt to help the Poles in Warsaw. Inspiring! * Books Monthly *The strength of the book lies largely in the human interest story. * Miniature Wargames - Chris Jarvis *

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Book SynopsisIn 1943 the tide began to turn against Germany on the Eastern Front. Their summer offensive, Operation Citadel, was a failure, and the Red Army seized the initiative, despite appallingly high losses. Waging a war of attrition, the Russians gradually pushed Germany’s Army Group South back. By October 1943 the Russians had reached the Dnepr in Ukraine, Kiev was liberated, and the scene was set for the events described in this book, written by a high-ranking General Nikolaus von Vormann, who commanded XLVII. Panzerkorps.The battle of Cherkassy is also known as the Korsun Pocket, Korsun being the small town at the centre of the area containing the surrounded German forces. After sudden attacks by the 1st and 2nd Ukrainian Fronts, in January 1944 the Russians achieved a major encirclement of six German divisions, a total of 60,000 soldiers. The Red Army had the numerical advantage, but two of the Panzer divisions were in good shape, and thus a dramatic battle ensued, with each side both attacking and defending.Strenuous efforts to avoid another Stalingrad were made, with the Germans led by Erich von Manstein attempting to break into the pocket. Atrocious weather plus effective resistance repulsed their attacks and by mid-February it became clear that breaking out of the pocket was the only option for the Germans. Abandoning a huge amount of equipment and the wounded, they succeeded and rejoined the surrounding panzer divisions. The Germans avoided a catastrophe but 34% of the troops did not survive.Generalleutnant von Vormann’s account starts with the retreat to the Dnepr in 1943, describes the battle of Kirowograd from 5th-17th January 1944, the encirclement, the efforts to relieve the trapped troops, the struggle of the troops within the pocket, and the breakout. His mainly factual account also contains a description of the psychological effects on the men of this most brutal and physically exhausting battle. It is one of the few primary source materials that exists and is therefore of significant historical interest.Trade Review'Translated into English for the first time…the details are straight from the people who were there.' * The Armourer *… a fascinating example of how a history is affected not only by who writes it but also why and when * Miniature Wargames 11/07/2019 *

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Book SynopsisTwo months after D-Day, just as the battle of Normandy was reaching its climax, with all eyes on the Falaise Pocket, the Allies unleashed the second invasion of France not in the Pas de Calais but the French Riviera. Immaculately planned, effectively undertaken, the Allies quickly broke out of their bridgehead, drove 400 miles into France in three weeks, and liberated 10,000 square miles of French territory while inflicting 143,250 German casualties. On September 10 they linked up with Patton’s Third Army and advanced into the Vosges Mountains, taking Strasbourg and holding the area against the Germans’ final big attack in the west: Operation Nordwind in January 1945. US Seventh Army and 6th Army Group undertook a successful campaign placing a third Allied army group with its own independent supply lines, in northeastern France at a time when the two northern Allied army groups were stretched to the limit. Without this force the Allies would have struggled to hold the frontage to Switzerland and Third Army would have been exposed to attack in its southern flank—something that could have had disastrous repercussions particularly during the Ardennes offensive of December 1944.The images of palm trees and azure seas obscure our view of this campaign. It was no cakewalk. The Germans knew the Allies were coming and had strong defences in the area. A shortage of landing craft, vehicles, and matériel meant that the US Seventh and French First armies were restricted in the assault. The heavy fog and anti-glider defences made for a difficult airborne assault, but it was carried out effectively, the amphibious assault was textbook in execution and the invasion of southern France ended up as a significant victory. But the story of 6th Army Group wasn’t finished. Taking up a position on the east flank of Third Army it fought its way through the Vosges and withstood the Germans’ last throw: Operation Nordwind—the vain attempt to relieve pressure on the Ardennes assault by attacking in the Vosges. Heavy fighting pressed hard towards Strasbourg but the Allies were ultimately victorious, inflicting severe losses on the Germans.Trade ReviewThis is an inspiring book for a WWII wargamer, at a very reasonable price (Miniature Wargames). * Miniature Wargames *A good addition to this series of books from Simon Forty and certainly one I'm happy to recommend. * Military Model Scene 03/01/2019 *As a departure from the usual battles to liberate Europe, this work has few to equal it and tells a chapter of history which deals with a campaign that is rarely ever thought about. * Gun Mart 21/02/2019 *This range of battlefield histories from Casemate are, quite simply, the best of their kind around today. * War History Online 21/12/2018 *He forgets neither the resistance nor the role of the French troops as can be seen on the cover. * VaeVictis 01/03/2019 *Another of Casemate’s excellent WWII Historic Battlefields series… * Military History Matters (Reviewer) 29/04/2019 *

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Book SynopsisIn early 1942, the Japanese Army and Navy were advancing on all fronts, humiliating their US, British and Dutch foes throughout the Asia Pacific. In a matter of just months, the soldiers and sailors of the Rising Sun conquered an area even bigger than Hitler’s empire at its largest extent. They seemed invincible. Hawaiians and Australians were fearing a future under Hirohito. For half of mankind, fate was hanging in the balance.Fast forward to the end of 1943, and the tables had been turned entirely. A reinvigorated American-led military machine had kicked into gear, and the Japanese were fighting a defensive battle along a frontline that crossed thousands of miles of land and ocean. Japan Runs Wild, 1942–1943 by acclaimed author Peter Harmsen details the astonishing transformation that took place in that period, setting the Allies on a path to final victory against Japan.This second installment in the trilogy, War in the Far East, picks up the story where first volume Storm Clouds over the Pacific, 1931–1941 left off. The trilogy will give a comprehensive view of World War II in the Asia Pacific, with due emphasis on the central Japanese–American struggle, but also examining the role of the other nations engulfed in the vast showdown: British, Australians, Soviets, Filipinos, Indians and Koreans. Above all, the central importance of China is highlighted in a way that no previous general history of the war against Japan has achieved.Trade ReviewWhether you are a casual reader or a Pacific Theater aficionado, this book, like its predecessor makes a perfect addition to your library. * War Diary *Harmsen’s book describes, with a very broad scope, the second two years of the war, covering that turnaround, very well. It is well written, well researched and exceptionally well illustrated. Volume III, covering the final two years of the Pacific War should be fascinating * Baird Maritime *This volume is highly readable and does not require an extensive background in history, politics, or military studies to be comprehendible. * Air & Space Power Journal *Well written, the narrative has a pace to it which maintains the interest helped by reference to personal experiences of participants whether that be the soldier on the front line, the pilot or the politician in Tokyo or elsewhere. While this follows the chronological timescale, it also covers more esoteric issues such as dissent in Tokyo and the mental health (jungle neurosis) of US troops in New Georgia. * Miniature Wargames *

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Book SynopsisOn September 15, 1944, the United States, in its effort to defeat the Japanese Empire, invaded a tiny island named Peleliu, located at the southern end of the Palau Islands. This island chain lay in the main line of the American advance eastward. The Pacific High Command saw the conquering of this chain as a necessary prelude to General Douglas MacArthur's long-awaited liberation of the Philippines. Of all the Palaus, Peleliu, the second southernmost, was the most strategically valuable. It boasted a large flat airfield located on a relatively low plain at its southern end. If it was taken, it could be used as a major airbase from which the Americans could mount a massive bomber campaign against the Philippines if needed, and eventually against Japanese home islands. Except for the airfield, Peleliu was a typical humid tropical island, covered by dense jungle and swamps, with many coconut, mango, and palm tree groves. The main amphibious assault was to be made by the famed First Marine Division under the command of Major General William Rupertus. The Pacific High Command was confident that victory would be theirs in just a few days, convinced that the Japanese defending the island were relatively weak and underprepared. They were drastically wrong. The Peleliu campaign took two and a half months of hard bitter fighting, and just a week after landing, having sustained terrific losses in fierce combat, Chesty Puller’s 1st Marine Regiment was withdrawn. The entire division would be out of action for six months, with the three rifle regiments averaging over 50% casualties - the highest unit losses in Marine Corps history. This book analyzes in detail the many things that went wrong to make these casualties so excessive, and in doing so, corrects several earlier accounts of the campaign. It includes a comprehensive account of the presidential summit that determined the operation, details of how new weapons were deployed, a new enemy strategy, and command failure in what became the most controversial amphibious operation in the Pacific during WWII.Trade ReviewMargaritis's analysis makes Landing in Hell an essential read for anyone interested in the campaign or amphibious warphare. * STRATEGY PAGE 29/07/2019 *

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Book SynopsisWinner of THE GENERAL WALLACE M. GREENE, JR. AWARD for outstanding nonfictionIn May 1943 a self-described “really young, green, ignorant lieutenant” assumed command of a new Marine Corps company. His even younger enlisted Marines were learning to use an untested weapon, the M4A2 “Sherman” medium tank. His sole combat veteran was the company bugler, who had salvaged his dress cap and battered horn from a sinking aircraft carrier. Just six months later the company would be thrown into one of the ghastliest battles of World War II.On 20 November 1943 the Second Marine Division launched the first amphibious assault of the Pacific War, directly into the teeth of powerful Japanese defenses on Tarawa. In that blood-soaked invasion, a single company of Sherman tanks, of which only two survived, played a pivotal role in turning the tide from looming disaster to legendary victory. In this unique study Oscar Gilbert and Romain Cansiere use official documents, memoirs, interviews with veterans, as well as personal and aerial photographs to follow Charlie Company from its formation, and trace the movement, action—and loss—of individual tanks in this horrific four-day struggle.The authors have used official documents and interviews with veterans to follow the company from training through the brutal 76-hour struggle for Tarawa. Survivor accounts and air photo analysis document the movements –and destruction – of the company’s individual tanks. It is a story of escapes from drowning tanks, and even more harrowing escapes from tanks knocked out behind Japanese lines. It is a story of men doing whatever needed to be done, from burying the dead to hand-carrying heavy cannon ammunition forward under fire. It is the story of how the two surviving tanks and their crews expanded a perilously thin beachhead, and cleared the way for critical reinforcements to come ashore. But most of all it is a story of how a few unsung Marines helped turn near disaster into epic victory.Trade ReviewThe book is useful to wargamers in making clear the real weaknesses in the US amphibious assault tactics at that time… * Miniature Wargames - William de Pretre 14/01/2019 *A fascinating book. I cannot recommend it highly enough. It deserves a place on the shelves of any student of armour or the Pacific campaign. * Army Rumour Service 18/12/2018 *

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Book SynopsisThe fires on Bataan burned on the evening of April 9, 1942 — illuminating the white flags of surrender against the nighttime sky. Woefully outnumbered, outgunned, and ill-equipped, battered remnants of the American-Philippine army surrendered to the forces of the Rising Sun. Yet amongst the chaos and devastation of the American defeat, Army Captain Donald D. Blackburn refused to lay down his arms.With future SF legend Russell Volckmann, Blackburn escaped from Bataan and fled to the mountainous jungles of North Luzon, where they raised a private army of over 22,000 men against the Japanese. Once there, Blackburn organized a guerrilla regiment from among the native tribes in the Cagayan Valley. “Blackburn’s Headhunters,” as they came to be known, devastated the Japanese 14th Army within the western provinces of North Luzon and destroyed the Japanese naval base at Aparri — the largest enemy anchorage in the Philippines.After the war, Blackburn remained on active duty and played a key role in initiating Special Forces operations in Southeast Asia. In 1958, as commander of the 77th Special Forces Group, he spearheaded Operation White Star in Laos — the first major deployment of American Special Forces to a country with an active insurgency. Seven years later, Blackburn took command of the highly classified Studies and Observations Group (SOG), charged with performing secret missions now that main-force Communist incursions were on the rise.In the wake of the CIA’s disastrous Leaping Lena program, in 1964 Blackburn revitalized the Special Operations campaign in South Vietnam. Sending cross-border reconnaissance teams into Cambodia and North Vietnam, he discovered the clandestine networks and supply nodes of the infamous Ho Chi Minh Trail. Taking this information directly to General Westmoreland, Blackburn received authorization to conduct full-scale operations against the NVA and Viet Cong operating in Laos and Cambodia. In combats large and small, the Communists realized they had met a master of insurgent tactics — and he was on the US side.Following his return to the United States, Blackburn was appointed “Special Assistant for Counterinsurgency and Special Activities,” where he was the architect of the infamous Son Tay Prison Raid. Officially termed Operation Ivory Coast, the Son Tay raid was the largest POW rescue mission — and indeed, the largest Special Forces operation — of the Vietnam War.During a period when United States troops in Southeast Asia faced guerrilla armies on every side, it has been little recognized today that America had a superb covert commander of its own, his guerrilla skills honed in resistance against Japan. This book follows Donald D. Blackburn through both his youthful days of desperate combat against an Empire, and through his days as a commander, imparting his lessons to the newly-realized ranks of America’s own Special Forces.Trade ReviewA very interesting story and there are useful lessons to be learnt. * Military Model Scene 24/01/2019 *

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Book SynopsisThere were no mission limits for a pilot in the Pacific during World War II; unlike in Europe, you flew until it was time to go home. So it was for James “Jug” Curran, all the way from New Guinea to the Philippines with the 348th Fighter Group, the first P-47 Thunderbolt outfit in the Pacific. After the attack on Pearl Harbor, Curran volunteered to try flying in the blue yonder, and trained as an Army fighter pilot. He got his wish to fly the P-47 in the Pacific, going into combat in August 1943, in New Guinea, and later helping start the “Black Rams” fighter squadron. The heavy U.S. Thunderbolts were at first curious to encounter the nimble, battle-hardened Japanese in aerial combat, but soon the American pilots gained skill of their own and their planes proved superior. Bombers on both sides could fall to fighters, but the fighters themselves were eyeball to eyeball, best man win. Check Six! is an aviation chronicle that brings the reader into flight, then into the fight, throughout the Pacific War and back. This work, from someone who was there, captures the combat experience of our aviators in the Pacific, aided by pertinent excerpts from the official histories of units that “Jug” Curran flew with. It is a tale of perseverance, as Curran flew over 200 combat missions, and with the men of the 348th Fighter Group proved the Thunderbolt’s great capability as they battled their way against a stubborn and deadly foe. This work increases the body of knowledge on the critical role of aviation in the Pacific War, as U.S. fighter pilots took the lead in our counteroffensive against the short-lived island Empire.Trade Review… [a] lively, engaging memoir. * The Aviation Historian Magazine 17/07/2019 *‘… fascinating reading…’ * Aviationbookreviews.com 24/06/2019 *… a straightforward story of one who was [on the Pacific Front]. 3.5 / 5 Mr Potato Heads. * Army Rumour Service 10/05/2019 *

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Book SynopsisThe German Army invaded France on 10 May 1940, and in just over ten days their rapid advance, led by three panzer corps, had left three French field armies, Belgian forces and the British Expeditionary Force with their backs to the sea, trapped along the northern coast of France. General Gort realised that evacuation was the only option, and so began a chaotic withdrawal towards the port of Dunkirk. While the Luftwaffe continued to attack pockets of Allied forces, the German ground forces were ordered to halt their advance on 22 May. These orders were changed four days later, but these crucial four days of inaction allowed the Allies time to retreat into Dunkirk and prepare a defensive perimeter. The fighting during the last days of May was desperate, with the remnants of the French First Army surrounded at Lille, holding off seven German divisions until finally forced to surrender, and the Belgian Army forced to capitulate to the east of Dunkirk. Though the cost was devastatingly high, Dunkirk was held long enough for over 300,000 Allied troops to be evacuated back to England, with the remainder of the rearguard of French troops surrendering on 4 June. The British narrative of the retreat and evacuation that prompted perhaps Winston Churchill's most famous wartime speech has always been well-known; however only now is Hans-Adolf Jacobsen's detailed account of the battle from the German perspective available in English.Trade Review… shows a more in depth review of the German actions. * The Armourer 03/06/2019 *An interesting account of a campaign that was decisive, but not as decisive as it could have been… * Miniature Wargames - Chris Jarvis 11/07/2019 *

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Book SynopsisAfter the initial successes of Operation Barbarossa, at the end of September 1941 Hitler turned his focus to Moscow, with the unshakeable belief that capturing the capital would knock the Soviets out of the war. On the face of it, it was an unequal struggle; Field Marshall Fedor von Bock had at his command disposal 1 million men, 1,700 tanks, 19,500 artillery guns and 950 combat aircraft – 50% of all the German men in Russia, 75% of all the tanks and 33% of all the planes. To defend Moscow, the Russians had under 500,000 men, fewer than 900 tanks and just over 300 combat planes. But the picture was in fact a great deal more complex; the Germans had suffered very significant losses since the invasion of Russia had begun, and had issues with logistics and air support. The Soviets, under the command of General Zhukov, were beginning to be better supplied with re-enforcements, and were prepared to defend to the death.Nevertheless Moscow was in a perilous situation. This volume in the Casemate Illustrated series concentrates on the main German assault of October 1941. Guderian’s panzer divisions at first made sweeping gains as they had done so many times before and large parts of the Red Army were encircled at Vyazma and Bryansk. These successes in fact allowed the Soviets time to re-group as the encircled armies did not surrender and had to be dealt with. Then three engagements followed at Mtsensk, Maloyaroslavets and the Mojaisk defense line that proved that the war in the East was not entering its final days as German high command believed.Illustrated with over 150 photographs, plus profile drawings of tanks, vehicles and aircraft, it gives a vivid impression of the situation for both protagonists, and a detailed analysis of the critical days as the fate of Moscow and perhaps the whole war hung in the balance.Trade Review… this is another excellent illustrated introduction, this time to the war in the east. * The Armourer 13/02/2019 *The photos in this volume are the clearest I have ever seen in a book: they are so sharply defined that you almost feel the subject matter is a few paces in front of you. […] An inspiring read, especially for the modeller… * Miniature Wargames *To the best of my recall We have never had a duff book from Casemate, and this is no exception. Its well written and illustrated , I would go as far as to say that once you read this book that you could take and pass an A level history exam on the battle for Moscow * Army Rumour Service 17/12/2018 *Another great issue from the Casemate Illustrated series - Recommended. * Scale Military Modelling International Magazine *This offering from Casemate is a great title that covers what I consider to be the turning point of the war as regards the German military. The text is well written and a pleasing read that provides information in an easy to absorb manner. The photographs really appealed to me as a modeller. * Armorama *… handy not only for modelers, but also for those who would like to know more about WW2 and especially battle of the Moscow. * DetailScaleView 23/04/2019 *…provides valuable reference for modellers […] With the operation's 80th anniversary in October 2021, this book forms ideal inspiration to commemorate the clash. * Airfix Model World *This is a great book, especially if you have only read the grand strategic histories of the war… It will help you build some inspired new vehicles for your early war armies too! * Wargames, Soldiers, and Strategy *

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Book SynopsisTo Great Britain and Germany, the Battle of the Denmark Strait came like a thunderclap in the spring of 1941. The pride of the Royal Navy, HMS Hood, was utterly destroyed, and its newest battleship, Prince of Wales, severely damaged and forced to withdraw. This was at the hands of Germany’s huge battleship Bismarck, on its first foray into North Atlantic waters. The blast of heavy shells between the behemoths resonated both in Whitehall and Berlin. However, despite the wealth of documentary information and photographic evidence available on the battle, there continues to be controversy as to how the conflict was actually fought. This book attempts to resolve the remaining issues by a detailed technical analysis of the circumstances, while new discoveries, revealed for the first time in this book, shed new light on the battle in which the best of both navies traded salvoes and over 1,500 Royal Navy sailors were killed. By carefully considering the factors affecting naval gunnery, such as flight time of shells to their target, reaction time for correcting the fall of shot, and recycle times of the various gun systems, the battle has been painstakingly reconstructed in this book within all of the established time and distance parameters. Not limited to the battle itself, the book also explores the relevant events leading up to the titanic clash, and the events associated with its aftermath, including the Bismarck’s ultimate demise, as the Royal Navy avenged the Hood’s destruction. With a professional career associated with fielded military weapon systems, the author is uniquely qualified to perform the analytic functions involved in the reconstruction of this battle. He not only brings the epic clash to life in real-time, he provides a wealth of information on the ships, tactics, and strategies involved on both sides.Trade ReviewIt is well produced with many interesting details, a host of illustrations, including many sketches by the author and is certainly recommended. * Scuttlebutt *Here is as detailed and exact an account of the career and destruction of the Bismarck as is ever likely to be printed and as such is a highly valuable addition to the corpus of WW2 naval history. * Army Rumour Service 07/05/2019 *An incredibly detailed analysis of what happened to the Bismarck, Hood and many other large capital ships as a result of the technical developments of World War II. A most interesting read… * Baird Maritime 26/06/2019 *

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Book SynopsisWhen General Douglas MacArthur arrived in Australia in March 1942, having successfully left the Philippines to organize a new American army, he vowed, "I shall return!" More than two years later he did return, at the head of a large U.S. army to retake the Philippines from the Japanese. The place of his re-invasion was the central Philippine Island of Leyte. Much has been written about the naval battle of Leyte Gulf that his return provoked, but almost nothing has been written about the three-month long battle to seize Leyte itself.Originally intending to delay the advancing Americans, the Japanese high command decided to make Leyte the "Decisive Battle" for the western Pacific and rushed crack Imperial Army units from Manchuria, Korea, and Japan itself to halt and then overwhelm the Americans on Leyte. As were most battles in the Pacific, it was a long, bloody, and brutal fight. As did the Japanese, the Americans were forced to rush in reinforcements to compensate for the rapid increase in Japanese forces on Leyte.This unique battle also saw a major Japanese counterattack – not a banzai charge, but a carefully thought-out counteroffensive designed to push the Americans off the island and capture the elusive General MacArthur. Both American and Japanese battalions spent days surrounded by the enemy, often until relieved or overwhelmed. Under General Yamashita's guidance it also saw a rare deployment of Japanese paratroopers in conjunction with the ground assault offensive.Finally there were more naval and air battles, all designed to protect or cover landing operations of friendly forces. Leyte was a three-dimensional battle, fought with the best both sides had to offer, and did indeed decide the fate of the Philippines in World War II.

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Book SynopsisAt the beginning of 1942, the Tirpitz, the heaviest battleship ever built by a European navy was on the cusp of breaking out into the north Atlantic. The prospect of a huge German battleship patrolling the Atlantic posed a grave threat to the convoys that served as the lifeline for an embattled Britain. After attempted bombing raids failed, a new and far more daring plan was created; to ram a battleship loaded with explosives into St. Nazaire, the only dry dock capable of supporting this unstoppable juggernaut.This volume in the Casemate Illustrated series gives a clear overview of the planning and execution of the raid and its aftermath, accompanied by 125 photographs and images, including colour profiles and maps.Trade Review"Details all the plans as well as a good selection of archive images from the time [and] there are also some excellent colour profile artworks... An excellent and interesting book." * Military Model Scene *“Handy for naval modellers… plenty of colour profiles and 4 by 4 images … the main feature of the illustrated series [are the] unpublished and completely new images.” * DetailScaleView *I do not hesitate to recommend this excellent reference work to all with an interest in military history. * Scale Military Modelling International Magazine *The photographs used, on which the Casemate Illustrated series is focused, is a bonus that can’t be underestimated. An excellent book… * Old Barbed Wire *

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Book SynopsisEveryone is familiar with the iconic WWII Jeep, its green paintwork annotated with white letters, numbers and symbols. Unintelligible to the casual observer, these markings were integral to the organization of the U.S. Army on the move in 1944.This uniquely detailed guide covers all the markings used on American tanks and tracked vehicles, lorries and jeeps to denote their unit and classification, plus tactical markings and the debarkation codes used in the Normandy landings. Hundreds of contemporary photographs are paired with precise color diagrams to show exactly how markings appeared on vehicles, including the exact measurements of markings, and explaining all the different variations in use. A final chapter covers the variations of camouflage used on vehicles.The perfect reference book for modelers, collectors, and restorers of historic vehicles, and a fascinating guide to anyone wanting to use WWII photographs to aid their research.Trade Review''I recommend book for all AFV modelers and history fans who would like to learn something new.'' * DetailScaleView *Highly recommended. * MAFVA *It’s not often a book crosses the AMW review desk that should be in the library of every modeller building World War Two US Army vehicles, but this is one such volume. * Airfix Model World 05/07/2019 *… if accuracy is your goal then this book should meet all of your needs. * Armorama 06/06/2019 *… this should be a must for any modellers reference bookshelf, and I am confident you won't be disappointed. * Military Model Scene 21/06/2019 *This book packs a vast amount of information which is well presented and illustrated with on every page with photos and colour drawings. Highly recommended * Scale Military Modelling International Magazine 31/05/2019 *

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Book SynopsisIn 1944, with the invasion of Europe underway and Battles in the Atlantic and Mediterranean all but won, the Royal Navy`s strength could be focussed on the Far East and the Pacific where the Japanese were still a long way from defeat. Since the Battle of Midway, in June 1942, the United States had been slowly forcing the Japanese back, but it was a long, bloody process. The Allies needed to combine their forces more effectively if they were to bring the war to an end quickly. In response the Royal Navy massed its ships to add weight to the US Navy. With an attack force of four fleet carriers, and two more on the way, the RN`s role would be significant, but would take time to work up to the state of preparedness of their American cousins. And so a fleet was born for use in the Indian Ocean and, later, the Pacific.From April 1944 to August 1945 they would successfully fight many long, intensive battles. In this time each carrier would contribute greatly to victory, none more so than HMS Indomitable with her 5th Fighter Wing. They would be in thick of the fighting, achieve success and live perilously for a prolonged period, losing many men along the way. It was a war of attrition, which allowed little room for compassion or benevolence.The story told in this book is about the exceptional group of young men, from Britain, Canada, New Zealand, Holland and South Africa who joined the Fleet Air Arm as pilots. With their American-built Hellcats they were in the thick of the action, providing a hard, professional core to this fighting fleet that few would equal. Although its operational history is second to none, this was only achieved by the sacrifice and endurance of the men who flew many dangerous missions and daily lived with the spectre of a searing death. And so the book is about them, with war providing a back drop that broods and eviscerates in turn. How did these men come to be fighting as pilots with the Fleet Air Arm, how were they trained, how did they live, how did they prepare themselves to kill or be killed, what sustained them and what did they feel about their extremely dangerous experiences? Luckily some survived to record their thoughts and others left poignant memories for the curious to follow and explore. And here the author was lucky to meet or correspond with nearly all the survivors and be privileged to hear their stories. He follows the young pilots lives from selection, through training to operations. The 5th Wing went to sea in 1944 and were in continuous action, in the Indian and Pacific Oceans, from then until the last days of the war. They participated in strikes on Sumatra with the aim of destroying its highly important oil refineries, then they joined in the battles for Leyte and Okinawa, before moving with the British Fleet to begin the invasion Japan itself.Trade ReviewThis is a first-rate contribution to our naval history, focusing on a part of the greatest and most powerful Fleet we ever put to sea. But, as above, it is also a long-deserved memorial to some of the youngsters who helped make victory happen. * Army Rumour Service 04/03/2019 *This badly neglected story needed to be told. The author and his publisher have done a first rate job. * Baird Maritime 26/06/2019 *This book provides a detailed and compelling narrative of aircraft operations against a determined and ultimately suicidal enemy; but it is much more than this. Hillier-Graves puts the activities of the BPF into a broader historical context and also gives a rounded picture of the young men who fought and (many of them) died in the actions of what John Winton memorably named “The Forgotten Fleet”. * Fleet Air Arm Association 18/02/2019 *This is a beautifully produced book from Casemate. A book on the subject was incredibly welcome and, considering some of the recent attention and study directed at the British Pacific Fleet, would bring some of the ‘forgotten’ men of ‘the forgotten fleet’ into focus. * Aircrew Book Review *As with the Far East campaign on land and in the air, the Pacific Fleet appears to have been forgotten… This book will hopefully address this […] to keep those who fought and died in our thoughts… * Britmodeller.com 05/07/2019 *For giving a voice to these remarkable young men, and chronicling their experiences, this book is highly recommended. * Naval Review *This is a beautifully produced book from Casemate. * Flightpath Magazine *...can be thoroughly recommended to anyone interested in the Forgotten Fleet. * The Aviation Historian Magazine *

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Book SynopsisIn December 1943, among rising realisation that the Allies are planning to invade, Field Marshal Rommel was assigned the title of General Inspector for the Atlantic Wall. His mission was to assess their readiness – what he finds disgusts him. The famed Atlantic Wall, the first defence against invasion, is nothing more than a paper tiger, woefully unprepared for the forces being massed across the English Channel. His task to turn back the Allied assault already seems hopeless.Alongside Rommel are a set of elite commanders, each driven by their own ambitions, ideas and armies. At the frontline sits Erich Marcks, the wounded General tasked with the mighty burden of building up the coastal defences, all with inadequate supplies and a shortage of men. He is flanked by Hans von Salmuth, a relative novice but a favourite of the Führer, who has been assigned the lofty duty of defending Calais; the place Command believes will be the focal point of the Allied Invasion. At the rear, General Major Bayerlien is preparing the elite panzer divisions for what may lie ahead, while General Major Pemsel is struggling to coordinate efforts to prepare the Seventh Army, believing that should an invasion come, he will be the hub of the German response.All of these local commanders are subject to the whims of Hitler, hundreds of miles away but continually issuing orders increasingly divorced from the reality of the war. Countdown to D-Day takes a journal approach, tracing the daily activities and machinations of the OKH as they try to prepare for the Allied invasion.Trade ReviewThis is an interesting read on an interesting subject: the anecdotes of food preferences, and other personal and professional insights, bring the commanders to life in a way that standard documentary styles do not usually achieve. * Miniature Wargames 08/08/2019 *Well researched, this book does provide fascinating insights into the tense and complex relationships between the German High Command. * Military Historical Society Bulletin 17/07/2019 *'With vast depth, this is a very impressive look at what happened in the run up to D-Day, from the German side.' * The Armourer *Essential to a library on the subject… * 3945km.com *

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Book SynopsisSighted Sub, Sank Same examines the United States Naval air campaign against German U-boats prowling for allied merchant shipping traversing the waters of the Atlantic, Caribbean, and Mediterranean; an economic war waged to cut the lifeline of food and armaments sailing across the Atlantic from North America. This battle of the Atlantic evolved into a far-ranging conflict beyond the North Atlantic and the eastern seaboard of the United States. It covered the frigid waters off Iceland down to the warm waters of Florida, through the Caribbean Sea, across the ocean to the Bay of Biscay, the Mediterranean Sea, down to Africa, and across the South Atlantic to Brazil’s southern tip. Nazi Germany’s efforts to deny supplies from reaching Europe came at a high price, losing 783 U-boats and approximately 30,000 men between 1939 and 1945 with land and carrier-based naval air units sinking 83 German submarines of the 159 sunk by American aircraft. German allies saw their submarines targeted as well in the Atlantic with Imperial Japanese submarine I-52 and the Italian Archimede falling victim to American naval aircraft armed with depth bombs or acoustic homing torpedoes.This story of the United States Navy’s use of air power to hunt down and destroy German submarines unfolds in dramatic detail in Sighted Sub, Sank Same. The book contains over 200 colour and black and white photographs allowing for a visual imagery of the campaign while personal interviews, interrogation reports, personal correspondence, and after-action reports weave a fascinating history about the naval air campaign in the Atlantic, Caribbean, and Mediterranean Theaters during World War II.Trade ReviewThis is a must have book for anyone with an interest in World War Two aviation and is highly recommended. * Flypast Magazine *This very well-illustrated … book gives the reader a real feeling of that relentless hunt. * Baird Maritime *

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Book SynopsisIn late November 1942, Soviet forces surrounded General Friedrich Paulus’ Sixth Army in a pocket at the Russian city of Stalingrad. In response, the Germans planned a relief operation, Operation Winter Thunderstorm, intended to break through the Soviet forces and open the pocket, releasing the encircled units. The 6th Panzer Division was the spearhead of the German relief force. The attack started on 12 December 1942 and was aborted on 23 December after heavy Soviet counterattacks. This failure sealed the fate of the German Sixth Army in Stalingrad. This account of the operation was first published in German in 1956, written by the well-respected military historian and retired German officer, Horst Scheibert, who was a tank commander in 6th Panzer Division during the attempt. Utilising many excerpts from war diaries, and telegrams sent during operations, it is a unique account of the entire operation from the situation in mid-November through the two German offensives, the Soviet counteroffensive and ongoing fighting until early January. This book includes 16 maps from the original edition and is the first English translation of this important German account.Trade Review...rich and detailed like very few of its kind are, with a crisp writing style and critical eye for the events of the battlefield that almost makes you feel as if you were there with Sixth Panzer. On to Stalingrad is a book so compelling that it simply should not be overlooked for your personal and professional enjoyment. * ARMOR Magazine 21/12/2022 *

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Book SynopsisBlack Tulip is the dramatic story of history's top fighter ace, Luftwaffe pilot Erich Hartmann. It's also the story of how his service under Hitler was simplified and elevated to Western mythology during the Cold War.Over 1,404 wartime missions, Hartmann claimed a staggering 352 airborne kills, and his career contains all the dramas you would expect. There were the frostbitten fighter sweeps over the Eastern Front, drunken forays to Hitler’s Eagle’s Nest, a decade of imprisonment in the wretched Soviet POW camps, and further military service during the Cold War that ended with conflict and angst.Just when Hartmann’s second career was faltering, he was adopted by a network of writers and commentators personally invested in his welfare and reputation. These men, mostly Americans, published elaborate, celebratory stories about Hartmann and his elite fraternity of Luftwaffe pilots. With each dogfight tale put into print, Hartmann’s legacy became loftier and more secure, and his complicated service in support of Nazism faded away. A simplified, one-dimensional account of his life - devoid of the harder questions about allegiance and service under Hitler - has gone unchallenged for almost a generation.Black Tulip locates the ambiguous truth about Hartmann and so much of the German Wehrmacht in general: that many of these men were neither full-blown Nazis nor impeccable knights. They were complex, contradictory, and elusive. This book portrays a complex human rather than the heroic caricature we’re used to, and it argues that the tidy, polished hero stories we’ve inherited about men like Hartmann say as much about those who've crafted them as they do about the heroes themselves.Trade ReviewWell-written, thought provoking. * Aeroplane Magazine *What sets this book apart is the in depth analysis of who Hartmann was and whether his reputation is apt and why he was and still is held in such high regard. It’s a fascinating book and I highly recommend it. * Aviation Enthusiast Book Club *

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Book SynopsisMajor General James A. Ulio helped win World War II, though his war was fought from the desk. As adjutant-general throughout the war years, many American families would have recognized his name from one of nearly 900,000 telegrams he signed - all of which began with the words: "…regret to inform you...” However, his role was far wider than overseeing these sad communications. Ulio faced the task of building an Army large enough to fight wars in Europe, North Africa and the Pacific. Through his efforts, the Army increased in size from around 200,000 soldiers to eight million—in less than five years. He advocated and navigated around lowering the draft age to eighteen. He led and oversaw training efforts that quickly and efficiently prepared soldiers. The general correctly projected that those methods would be a positive outcome of the war. His team identified the appropriate allocation for incoming troops. In order to field sufficient troops to ensure an Allied victory, Ulio had to address and challenge commonly held beliefs on race and gender. It was his order in 1944 that ended segregation on military transportation and in recreational facilities on Army posts. In many ways, Ulio became the face of the Army during the war, through radio addresses, newspaper interviews, and public appearances. He served as troop morale booster, advocate, and cheerleader for the war effort. Finally, he led demobilization planning to bring home millions of soldiers after the war, transitioning them back into civilian life. The son of an immigrant career soldier, General Ulio grew up on Army posts and had an eleventh-grade education. A West Point alternate, Ulio enlisted as a private in the U.S. Army in 1900. In 1904, he earned his commission as a lieutenant, and served in France during World War I. Without a college degree, he graduated from the Army's Command and Staff School and the Army War College and five colleges would eventually award him honorary doctorates. Ulio’s military career spanned 45 years and he served as military aide to two presidents. Despite his lengthy career and success in two major wars, General Ulio remains a little-known figure in military history and is not yet included on the Adjutant General's Hall of Fame at Fort Jackson, South Carolina. This biography sets Ulio’s achievements in context and explores the magnitude of his part in facilitating an Allied victory World War II.Table of Contents1. Ulio’s Early Years 2. From World War I up to World War II 3.The Role of the Adjutant General 4. The Telegram 5. V-Mail 6. Juggling the Generals 7. Facing up to Prejudice in the Army 8. Women in the Army 9. On the Home Front 10. Completion of a Career Epilogue: Today’s Adjutant-General Endnotes Index

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Book SynopsisThe Ninth Army came into existence in May 1944, under the command of General William Hood Simpson, himself a rather unknown but highly successful ground commander. By late August, the Ninth Army was ready to join the crusade in Europe. Known by its radio call sign "Conquer," they landed at Utah Beach, France, on August 28 and 29. They were now at war and ready for their first assignment. It entered the fray in Brittany, taking over from the Third Army. The biggest port in Brittany was Brest, and operations to capture it began mid-August, with the Ninth Army completing what General Patton had begun by late September. The Ninth Army then moved to the Siegfried Line alongside the First Army. After some inter-army political maneuvering, it was moved to the north flank of the American lines and was the only American army to fight under British Field Marshal Montgomery’s command for several months, until the Rhine River was crossed, playing a small supportive role in the Battle of the Bulge. It went on to be involved in the reduction of the Wesel Pocket in cooperation with the British; the Rhine Crossing, including Operation Varsity, the airborne drop across the Rhine, the reduction of the Ruhr Pocket, and then the"Race to Berlin." The Ninth reached the Elbe River before it was stopped not by the enemy, but by high command. Following the end of hostilities the army was eventually dissolved, and the book covers the dissolution and the subsequent fate of some of its leaders.This new history of the Ninth places the contribution of this unsung army into a full history of the war in Europe in 1944-45. It covers all levels of the army’s activities from the responsibilities and duties of the higher echelon, the commanders through to combat stories of the units under its command and Medal of Honor actions.Trade Review…an absorbing story that will appeal to any WWII reader, particularly those with an interest in the US army in Europe from D-Day onwards. * Wargames Illustrated *...a must have for all who would like to learn more about WW2 history. It is nice to see good balance between photos and text here. Such style should be interesting to read and would give you more knowledge about 9th US Army. * DetailScaleView *

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Book SynopsisWilliam Gregory, "Greg," to all, was born into a sharecropper's life in the hills of northcentral Tennessee. From the back of a mule-drawn plow, Greg learned the value of resilience and the importance of living a determined life. Refusing to accept a life of continued poverty, Gregy sought and found a way out - a work-study college program that made it possible to leave farming behind him forever.While at college, Greg completed the Civilian Pilot Training Program and was subsequently accepted into the Army's pilot training program. Earning his wings in 1942, Greg became a P-38 combat pilot and served in North Africa during the summer of 1943 - a critical time when the Luftwaffe was still a potent threat, and America had begun the march northward from the Mediterranean into Europe proper.Following the war, Greg served with a B-29 unit, then transitioned to the new, red-hot B-47 strategic bomber. In his frequent deployments, he was always assigned the same target in the Soviet Union - Tblisi, Stalin's home town. While a B-47 pilot, Greg was selected to join America's first high-altitude program - the Black Knights. Flying RB-57D aircraft, Greg and his team flew peripheral "ferret" missions around the Soviet Union and its satellites, collecting critical order-of-battle data so desperately needed by the Air Force at that time. When that program neared its design end, and following the Gary Powers shoot-down over the Soviet Union, Greg was assigned to command of the CIA's U-2 unit at Edwards AFB. It was during that five-year command that Greg and his team provided critical overflight intelligence, including during the Bay of Pigs, the Cuban Missile Crisis, and the Vietnam build-up. He found time to also become one of the first to fly U-2s off aircraft carriers in a demonstration project.Following his U-2 command, Greg attended the National War College, was assigned to the reconnaissance office at the Pentagon, and then was named Vice-Commandant of the Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT). Greg retired from the Air Force in 1972.Trade ReviewBooks following pilots’ careers can become rather familiar to the avid aviation enthusiast/reader, but occasionally a real gem comes along and this is one of them. * Air Forces Monthly *...this is a fine addition to the growing body of high-quality literature on Cold War aerial reconnaissance. * The Aviation Historian 21/04/2021 *

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Book SynopsisMilitary and aviation history enthusiasts have always been interested in the fighter pilots of Hitler's Luftwaffe. Some of their stories are extraordinary. Fighting from the Arctic Circle to the North African deserts, from the Caucasus in the East to Normandy in the West, the German fighter pilot flew and fought until he was shot down, "flown out," wounded or killed in action. A handful survived from "first to last."This first volume of Day Fighter Aces of the Luftwaffe traces the story of the Luftwaffe's day fighter arm (der Tagjagd) from its inception to 1942. Organized campaign by campaign, this chronological account interweaves brief biographical details, newly translated personal accounts and key moments in the careers of a host of notable and lesser known Luftwaffe aces. Around 500 Luftwaffe fighter pilots were awarded the Knight's Cross, accumulating huge numbers of missions flown. A similar number achieved more than 40 victories - more than the two leading USAF and RAF fighter pilots.Trade ReviewSome fascinating material that I am sure will interest WW2 aviation historians along with modellers who will find plenty of references and photos which will tempt them into a new model or two. * Military Model Scene *The narrative is enhanced by the inclusion of high-quality images depicting the airmen themselves and their machines - in may cases, these offer superb views of unit-specific embelms, personal decorations and 'kill' markings. * Airfix Model World *

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Book SynopsisThe last rites were administered to the Third Reich from the west by a massive concentration of Allied forces and firepower. With France secured, Hitler’s vain counterattack in the Ardennes held and the Channel and North Sea ports cleared, little stood in the way of the Allies other than the dominant geographical feature of western Europe: the mighty Rhine River stretching from the North Sea almost to Switzerland. In the north, the 21st Army Group executed one of the largest operations of the war: a huge airdrop backed up by an amphibious crossing that made full use of 79th Armoured Division’s specialized armour including the Alligators of 4th Royal Tank Regiment. Further south, until it collapsed under the pressure, the Ludendorff Bridge, captured intact at Remagen allowed US First Army to create a bridgehead. They would use it to good effect, wheeling north to surround the Ruhr, Germany’s industrial heartland. Further south, where the river was narrower, Patton’s Third Army vaulted the Rhine with its customary elan, as did Devers’ Sixth Army Group.Ahead of the Allies were the remains of the German forces, often no more than Volkssturm or Hitlerjugend, determined to resist for as long as possible so that their Führer had time to unleash his super weapons. In the end, these proved figments of Hitler’s imagination and the defenders crumbled in the face of units that, after nine months of training, had become deadly proponents of the art of aggressive warfare with modern, new equipment – such as the M26 Pershing and Comet – being rushed to the front in the hope it could see action before the war finished.Trade ReviewThis book is good value and recommended for those seeking a very well-illustrated, broad overview of the campaign in North West Europe in the closing months of the War. * Military Historical Society Bulletin *This is very much a complete look at the crossing of the Rhine, and the end game in Germany on 1945. * Britmodeller.com *

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Book SynopsisFor four centuries the British realm depended upon sea power to defend its interest and independence against a myriad of threats both military and economic. During this time the Royal Navy established itself as the sovereign of the Seas, helping transform England, and later Great Britain, from an unassuming island nation perched on the edge of the European continent to the centre of a global empire. Yet the advent of World War II presented Britain’s maritime services with their greatest challenge to date. At stake was the survival of the nation. The Longest Campaign tells the story of this epic struggle and the indispensable role that British sea power played in bringing about the victory that shaped the world we live in today.The Longest Campaign is a complete, balanced and detailed account of the activities, results and relevance of Britain's maritime effort in the Atlantic and off northwest Europe throughout World War II. It looks at the entire breadth of the maritime conflict, exploring the contributions of all participants including the Royal Navy, Royal Air Force and British merchant marine and their Commonwealth equivalents. It puts the maritime conflict in the context of the overall war effort and shows how the various operations and campaigns were intertwined. Finally it provides unique analysis of the effectiveness of the British maritime effort and role it played in bringing about the final Allied victory.Trade ReviewIn straight and well-organised narrative form, every imaginable incident or event that occurred in the north Atlantic region during World War II is described fully and in a manner that holds the reader’s interest in a tight grip. * Baird Maritime *[I] was absorbed by this interesting different analysis… a thoroughly well-researched book, written in a very compact comprehensive but most readable style and is certainly strongly recommended. * Scuttlebutt 12/06/2020 *Table of ContentsIntroduction Chapter 1: Phoney War Chapter 2: Blitzkrieg Chapter 3: Standing Alone Chapter 4: Respite in the Atlantic Chapter 5: Offensive Operations Chapter 6: The Battle Intensifies Chapter 7: Turning Point Chapter 8: Retaining the Initiative Chapter 9: Operation Neptune and the Battle for Northwest Europe Chapter 10: Victory in Europe Chapter 11: The Reckoning

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Book SynopsisAt the launch of Operation Barbarossa, Army Group North was tasked with the operational objective of Leningrad—what lay between it and the city was 800 kilometers of the Baltic states, and 18-20 infantry divisions, two cavalry divisions, and eight or nine mechanised brigades of the Red Army. It was apparent that in order to succeed they would have to race through to the western Dvina and establish a bridgehead before the Russians exploited this natural feature to organise a defensive front. Panzer Group 4, which included LVI Panzer Corps and XLI Panzer Corps, was to lead the way. By the end of the first day the group had pushed 70 kilometers into enemy territory. Red counterattacks on their unprotected flanks slowed them down, resulting in the tank battle of Raseiniai, but the group managed to capture Dünaburg on the Western Dvina on June 26, with a bridgehead established shortly thereafter. The group then pushed northeast through Latvia to the Stalin Line. In mid-July Hoepner was preparing to push the last 100 kilometers to Leningrad, however Leeb, commander of the army group, had other plans for the group and the advance did not continue for several more weeks.This account of Panzer Group 4's advance was written by Walter Chales de Beaulieu, chief of staff of Panzer Group 4. Published in German in 1961, this is the first English translation. Beaulieu not only gives a detailed account of the Panzer Group's advance, but also offers an assessment of the fighting, an examination of how Panzer Group 4's operations were affected by the limitations imposed on Army Group North, and the lessons that can be learnt from its experiences in the Baltic States. He concludes with a discussion of whether Leningrad could ever have been taken.Table of Contents1. Preparations and deployment; 2. Rush to the Western Dvina 3. Through Latvia to the Stalin Line 4. The thrust towards the operational objective: Leningrad 5. The Panzer Group is Brought to a Halt 6. Renewal of the advance on Leningrad 7. The Offensive in the lead-up to the Encirclement of Leningrad 8. The effects of the operational measures of the OKW and OKH on the conduct of battle of Army Group North 9. Could Leningrad have been taken? Appendices

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Book SynopsisAround 500 Luftwaffe fighter pilots were awarded the Knight's Cross, accumulating huge numbers of missions flown. A similar number achieved more than 40 victories—more than the two leading USAF and RAF fighter pilots.This volume of Day Fighter Aces of the Luftwaffe traces the story of the Luftwaffe's day fighter arm from 1942 through to the end of the war in Europe, covering missions over Russia in 1943, over the West and the Reich, the Eastern Front and the Mediterranean. Organized campaign by campaign, this chronological account interweaves brief biographical details, newly translated personal accounts and key moments in the careers of a host of notable and lesser known Luftwaffe aces. Fully illustrated with 200 contemporary photographs, maps and profiles of the aircraft flown by these aces, this is a visual delight for anyone with an interest in the day fighter aces of the Luftwaffe.Trade ReviewThe history literally leaps off the pages and you can vividly imagine something of what it must have been like as a Luftwaffe fighter pilot. I highly recommend this book to anyone with an interest in Luftwaffe aces and World War Two Luftwaffe history. * Aviation Enthusiast Book Club *Table of ContentsIntroduction Russia 1943 The West and the Reich 1943 The Mediterranean 1943 The Eastern Front 1944 The Mediterranean 1944 1945 Post-war Appendices Index

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Book SynopsisBorn in the Philippines to an American father and a Filipina mother, George Cooper is one of the few surviving veteran pilots who saw action over such fearsome targets as Rabaul and Wewak. Not just another flag-waving story of air combat, Jayhawk describes the war as it really was - a conflict with far-reaching tentacles that gripped and tore at not only the combatants, but also their families, friends and the way they lived their lives. Stout examines the story of Cooper’s growing up in gentle and idyllic pre-war Manila and how he grew to be the man he is. At 100 years old, few men are left alive who can share similar experiences. Stout reviews Cooper’s journey to the United States and his unlikely entry into the United States Army Air Forces. Trained as a B-25 pilot, Cooper was assigned to the iconic 345th Bomb Group and flew strafing missions that shredded the enemy, but likewise put himself and his comrades in grave danger. A husband and father, Cooper was pulled two ways by the pull of duty and his obligation to his wife and daughter. And always on his mind was the family he left behind in the Philippines who were under the Japanese thrall.Table of ContentsPrologue Introduction Early Life Going to America He’s in the Army Now Occupied and Interned Bomber Pilot Getting “Over There” Introduction to Combat Transition to Low-Level Strafing Wewak, Rabaul, and other Actions First Combat Tour Completed The Philippines Stateside Duty Death of a Childhood Friend Return to the Pacific Rescue at Santos Tomas Reunification Last Combat Occupation Duty Epilogue Endnotes Bibliography Index

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Book SynopsisIn this fully revised edition of Finding Your Father's War, military historian Jonathan Gawne has written an easily accessible handbook for anyone seeking greater knowledge of their relatives' experience in World War II, or indeed anyone seeking a better understanding of the U.S. Army during World War II. With over 470 photographs, charts, and an engaging narrative with many rare insights into wartime service, this book is an invaluable tool for understanding our "citizen soldiers," who once rose as a generation to fight the greatest war in American history.Trade ReviewJonathan's Gawne's book is a 5-star blueprint, well-written and beautifully illustrated, to deciphering a loved one's WW2 US Army service. * The Commander's Voice *

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Book SynopsisFrom the early days of World War II, it was clear that the Wehrmacht’s antitank units would need to be motorized as existing horse- or automobile-drawn units were too slow to be effective. Initially, antitank guns were mounted onto available, usually obsolete, tank chassis, such as the Panzerjäger I and II. However German engineers would soon turn to the heavy chasses of the Panzer IV, the Panther, and the Tiger for their tank hunters. It became apparent during the invasion of France that enemy antitank guns were both more powerful and better armored, and improvement became a priority during Barbarossa as German units faced off against the new Soviet tanks. The appearance of the Soviet T-34 in July 1941 meant that the Germans had to quickly come up with something equally powerful. The result was the motorized panzerjäger, faster and more mobile than older towed versions. This was followed in 1942 by the introduction of the 7.5cm gun. Further designs and modifications were informed by reports from the front line.Some of these conversions were very successful and resulted in fearsome tank destroyers deployed to great effect by the Wehrmacht. The lightweight Hetzer, for example, was based on a modified Panzer 38(t) and entered service in 1944. This small tank became Germany’s main tank destroyer during the final stages of the war, and would continue in use around the world even after 1945. Though they may not have looked that intimidating, the Landser were soon won over, and were comforted to have something reliable to stand between them and the Soviet tanks.This account, illustrated by hundreds of period photos, examines the development and deployment of various models of tank destroyers during World War II.Trade Review...a very nice reference resource, with lots of detail and diorama inspiration for modellers. * Military Model Scene 13/10/2021 *Pierre Tiquet has managed to put all those photos and text together in a quite engaging format which won't be boring to read. I can only recommend this book, and it is better to hurry because they usually get sold out quick. * DetailScaleView 02/08/2021 *…a decent history of the German Tank Destroyers, most valuable because of it’s impressive collection of photographs, which show all of these vehicles in a wide range of circumstances. * History of War 13/09/2021 *…the sheer volume of photographs (many new to me) make the cover price an extremely economical way of acquiring so much information, especially with the current offer at Casemate. […] Highly recommended. * Scale Military Modelling International Magazine 02/08/2021 *World War II vehicle enthusiasts will enjoy this, of course, but so will readers interested in combat experiences during the war. * Wargames Illustrated 13/09/2021 *This is a perfect work of reference for anyone with an interest in WWII armoured vehicles, including war gamers, general enthusiasts and especially modellers who will appreciate the illustrations and artwork. The first-hand accounts and technical details bring this recommended work together in a unique way. * Gun Mart 14/07/2022 *Table of ContentsThe first panzerjägers Hornisse Jagdpanzer IV The Hetzer The Ferdinand Afterword Further Reading Index

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Book SynopsisWhat happened at Pearl Harbor?What really happened?The Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor is one of those rare moments where, in the space of a few hours, the "hinge of Fate" turned and the course of history was utterly changed. Nearly eight decades later, it has become one of those events which almost everyone knows of, but hardly anyone seems to know about. How—and why—did the Empire of Japan and the United States of America collide on blood and flames that Sunday morning when the sun rose and the bombs fell?Pearl: The 7th Day of December 1941 is the story of how America and Japan, two nations with seemingly little over which to quarrel, let peace slip away, so that on that "day which will live in infamy," more than 350 dive bombers, high-level bombers, torpedo planes, and fighters of the Imperial Japanese Navy did their best to cripple the United States Navy's Pacific Fleet, killing 2,403 American servicemen and civilians, and wounding another 1,178.It's a story of emperors and presidents, diplomats and politicians, admirals and generals - and it's also the tale of ordinary sailors, soldiers, and airmen, all of whom were overtaken by a rush of events that ultimately overwhelmed them. Pearl shows the real reasons why the America's political and military leaders underestimated Japan's threat America's security, and why their Japanese counterparts ultimately felt compelled to launch the Pearl Harbor attack.Pearl offers more than superficial answers, showing how both sides blundered their way through arrogance, over-confidence, racism, bigotry, and old-fashioned human error to arrive at the moment when the Japanese were convinced that there was no alternative to war. Once battle is joined, Pearl then takes the reader into the heart of the attack, where the fighting men of both nations showed that neither side had a monopoly on heroism, courage, cowardice, or luck, as they fought to protect their nations.Trade Review[O]ffers a vivid depiction of how both Americans on the ground and Japanese pilots experienced the first wave on 7 December. * Journal of Military History 11/01/2023 *This well-researched and very well-written book offers probably the best overall summary available of the military, economic and diplomatic events leading to the Japanese surprise attack on Pearl Harbour in December 1941 and of its inevitable outcome. * Baird Maritime 27/04/2021 *This is a very readable book, and is strongly recommended to NR members, particularly those having only a passing understanding of the events that, 80 years ago, that finally drew America into WWII. * Naval Review 13/09/2021 *Table of ContentsIntroduction Prologue Dawn at Pearl Chapter 1 The Rising Sun Chapter 2 The Sleeping Giant Chapter 3 Men, Ships, Plans, and Planes Chapter 4 MAGIC and the Color Purple Chapter 5 “Climb Mount Niitaka” Chapter 6 “To-ra! To-ra! To-ra!” Chapter 7 “THIS IS NOT DRILL!” Chapter 8 “A Devastating Sight...” Chapter 9 Inferno Chapter 10 Shock and Awe Chapter 11 Retribution... Chapter 12 ... and Reckoning Epilogue The Ship that Weeps for her Dead Appendix I Imperial Japanese Navy “Hawaii Operation" Order of Battle, December 7, 1941 Appendix II United States Armed Forces Order of Battle Pearl Harbor and Oahu, December 7, 1941 Notes Bibliography and Sources

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Book SynopsisWhen World War II began, the Wehrmacht had fifteen mountain divisions and a multitude of small units, including some Austrian units that had been incorporated into the German army after the Anschluss. These mountain units would operate in hostile environments on all fronts during World War II. Due to their training, equipment and adaptability, the Gebirgstruppen would be deployed to fight in almost every theater. In the last years of the war they would see action in North Africa, Italy, the Balkans, Norway and Finland, and in the West as the Allies pushed German forces back toward Berlin.This book, the culmination of four decades of research and the support of many veterans and collectors, describes the uniform, equipment, and operations of these specialist units during the later years of World War II. The text is complemented by period photographs taken at the front, including many color photographs, and modern photographs of uniform details.Trade ReviewThe author does a terrific job of outlining the many campaigns and areas where the German Mountain troops fought throughout the war, and the unique challenges that some of these areas brought. * AMPS 25/05/2021 *This is a must-have for anyone with a serious in the German army of WWII. * Gun Mart *...another phenomenal addition to the Casemate Illustrated series and I highly recommend it to anyone with an interest in the Gebirgsjaeger or mountain warfare in World War Two. * Aviation Enthusiast Book Club 19/07/2021 *Uniform buffs and vignette modelers will come away with details and inspiration. * The Historical Miniatures Gaming Society *The men who formed these units are at the heart of this new book. Uniforms, weapons, and equipment are also touched upon. The text is thorough in detail, but the outstanding feature of this work is the illustrations, photographs of mountain troops in action and behind the lines. Many of them are in color with good captions providing interesting extra information. * WWII History 16/08/2021 *Table of ContentsIntroduction North Africa 1942–43 The Eastern Front 1942–45 Norway and Finland 1942–45 The Italian Campaign 1943–45 The Balkans 1942–45 The Campaign in the West 1944–45 Afterword Bibliography Index

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Book SynopsisEnsign Ash Miller USNR, having survived the sinking of his first ship, is promoted and assigned to command one of the sleek new additions to "the splinter fleet," a 110-foot wooden submarine chaser armed with only understrength guns and depth charges. His task is to bring the ship swiftly into commission, weld his untried crew into an efficient fighting unit, and take his vessel to sea in order to protect the defenseless Allied merchant vessels which are being maliciously and increasingly sunk by German U-Boats, often within sight of the coast. Ash rises to the deadly challenge he faces, brings his crew of three officers and 27 men to peak performance, and meets the threats he faces with understated courage and determination, rescuing stricken seamen, destroying Nazi mines, fighting U-Boats, and developing both the tactical sense and command authority that will be the foundation upon which America's citizen sailors eventually win the war. During rare breaks in operations, provided for upkeep and overhaul, Ash enters a developing relationship with the spirited Claire Morris who, as he learns, embodies the peaceful ideal for which he has been fighting.Trade ReviewParotti captures the feel of shipboard life perfectly, and the technical details he brings make for great realism. * Historical Novels Review *There is a great deal to commend this engaging account of a WWII sailor’s life. For those who are fans of punctilious attention to naval and nautical detail, there is plenty here. For anyone who enjoys a sense of the era, the use of language in the dialogue and prose, and the descriptions of the food and clothing of 1940’s East Coast USA are spot on. […] Many publications in this area glamorise the dynamic and the duty. Splinter on the Tide has no need to do so, its quiet, unpretentious tone does trick very nicely indeed. * Love Reading 19/07/2021 *As well as being a gripping naval adventure story, Splinter on the Tide oozes authenticity. If you are a fan of films such as The Enemy Below, In Which We Serve or The Cruel Sea, then I think you will enjoy Splinter on the Tide as much as I did. * What Cathy Read Next 28/09/2021 *This enjoyable if tension-free sea adventure from Parotti spotlights a seldom-seen aspect of WWII—the escort ships that protected ocean travel along the U.S. East Coast from German U-boat attacks. * Publishers Weekly 27/04/2021 *A page-turning historical portrayal of love, war, hardship and discovery of the true cost for sailors’ survival. Those who were at sea in any war time will savor every page. * Maria Riva, best-selling NY Times author of Marlene Dietrich *People won’t forget the visceral impact of these real-life characters. Ordinary people, pushed to extraordinary ends, surviving the true horrors of war accurately portrayed. A military, naval, novel you won’t want to put down. * Ron Lealos, author of Don't Mean Nuthin' and Pashtun *

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Book SynopsisThe official document Amphibious Warfare Handbook No. 10a: The Organisation, Employment and Training of Commandos is a unique piece of post-war Royal Marines Commando doctrine, never before published, or quoted at length.Prepared in 1951 at the height of the Korean War by the Chief of Amphibious Warfare and the Commandant General Royal Marines, this seventy-page aide memoir is, in essence, the distillation of major lessons learned by the British wartime Combined Operations Headquarters regarding amphibious warfare, raiding, cliff assaults, sabotage, intelligence-gathering, specialized infantry work, guerrilla warfare and Commando tactics. In addition, it offers its readership a delineation of the characteristics, skills and qualities required of a Royal Marines Commando.Published to mark the seventieth anniversary of its official issue, this rare example of bespoke Commando doctrine is a timely and highly relevant addition to a growing body of work on The Corps of Royal Marines. Currently undergoing significant institutional changes by means of the Future Commando Force (FCF) program, the Royal Marines are having to challenge their existing operating concept, force structures, doctrine, and organizational design to meet the emerging defense challenges of the 21st century. It serves to remind those currently evolving the FCF concept of General Sir John Hackett’s advice, namely, "To see where we are going, we must know where we are, and to know where we are, we need to discover how we got here."Trade ReviewThis is a most valuable contribution to the distinguished history of the Royal Marines, and is particularly relevant to Defence today. * Liuetenant-General Sir Henry Beverly (Royal Marine) *Dr Winter has done the Corps a considerable service in republishing this valuable piece of Corps History. * The Globe and Laurel 14/06/2021 *it should be required reading for every serving Royal Marine today ... If the FCF is about returning to roots, then there can be no better place to start. * The Wavell Room, Contemporary British Military Thought 14/06/2021 *Paul Winter has taken on that mantel, with the same intellectual discipline used in a different way, to describe the Corps’ post World War Two approach to the Commando role and how this might, or rather as he seems to see things, is not shaping its future development. The publisher, Casemate, should be commended for this book. * The Royal Marines Historical Society *Fascinating in its insights, it is recommended for those with an interest in the Royal Marines, Defence issues and the FCF concept. * Miniature Wargames 11/05/2021 *The distillation of major lessons learned by the British wartime Combined Operations Headquarters [and] of the characteristics, skills and qualities required of a Royal Marines Commando … A timely and highly relevant addition to a growing body of work on The Corps of Royal Marines. * NavyBooks 02/08/2021 *Table of ContentsForeword Introduction Amphibious Warfare Handbook No. 10a: The Organisation, Employment and Training of Commandos

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Book SynopsisImagine how many lives would have been saved had the war in Europe finished in December 1944 instead of five months later... David Colley analyses critical mistakes made by the Allied supreme commander, General Dwight Eisenhower, in the last nine months of the war. He argues that had Eisenhower been more adept at taking advantage of several potential breakthroughs in the Siegfried Line in the fall of 1944 the war in the European Theatre of Operations might have ended sooner. The book details the American penetration of the Siegfried Line in mid-September and their advance into Germany at Wallendorf before the troops were called back. It also examines in detail operations in the Stolberg Corridor and the actions of General Lucian Truscott. It compares the battles at Wallendorf and Stolberg with Operation Market Garden, and assesses the effectiveness of these operations and the use of the troops. Eisenhower later called off another operation in November 1944, already in progress, to cross the Rhine and destroy the German 1st Army north of Strasbourg. American and German generals believe this operation would have shortened the war. The Folly of Generals explores these potential breakthroughs – along with other strategic and tactical mistakes in the ETO and in Italy, some never before revealed – that might have shortened the war by a considerable margin.Trade ReviewAn intriguing book. * Miniature Wargames 02/08/2021 *…allows us to move away from classic interpretations of the fighting in the West in 1944 & 1945. * 3945km.com 31/08/2021 *Table of ContentsIntroduction Chapter 1 Why Market Garden Chapter 2 Why Not Wallendorf Chapter 3 Schnee Eifel Continuation of Wallendorf attack by 9th ID – Troops Chapter 4 Lost Opportunity Chapter 5 Why Not the Stolberg Corridor Chapter 6 Disaster at Arnhem Chapter 7 The Aftermath of Arnhem Chapter 8 Fateful Decision at Falaise Chapter 9 Lucian King Truscott Jr. Chapter 10 Vulnerable Switzerland Chapter 11 Strasbourg Chapter 12 The River Crossings: The Details Chapter 13 Moving Up Chapter 14 The Attack Chapter 15 Ike Balks Chapter 16 Why Not Cross the Rhine Chapter 17 No Friend of Devers Chapter 18 Ike Cautious, Inexperienced 268 Chapter 19 If Devers Had Crossed 284 Chapter 20 Lost Opportunity at Valmonte, Italy Chapter 21 Escape From Husky Chapter 22 Paris Liberated, the War Extended Chapter 23 Reserves Chapter 24 Brittany Chapter 25 Lorraine Chapter 26 Other Lost Opportunities

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Book SynopsisOn September 15, 1944, the U.S. First Marine Division landed on a small island in the Central Pacific called Peleliu as a prelude to the liberation of the Philippines. Among the first wave of Marines that hit the beach that day was 22-year-old George Peto.His first combat experience was the landing at Finschhaven, followed by Cape Gloucester. Then as a Forward Observer, he went ashore in one of the lead amtracs at Peleliu and saw fierce fighting for a week before the regiment was relieved due to massive casualties. Six months later, his division became the immediate reserve for the initial landing on Okinawa. They encountered no resistance when they came ashore on D+1, but would go on to fight on Okinawa for over six months.This is the wild and remarkable story of an "Old Breed" Marine, from his youth in the Great Depression, his training and combat in the Pacific, to his life after the war, told in his own words.

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