Second World War Books

Book SynopsisThe incredible true story of what really happened in occupied Guernsey during the Second World War.

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Book SynopsisMeet some of the women whose bravery saved Britain in the Second World War

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Book SynopsisA history of the Home Guard from its creation in May 1940 to the end of the Second World War written by Home Guard Veteran Private Longmate, then aged 17, the same age as Pike!Trade Review‘Just how close the TV was to reality is amply demonstrated in Longmate’s affectionate tribute to the real Dad's Army’ * The Mail on Sunday *‘No one like Norman Longmate manages to convey with such verve and authority many of the most intriguing aspects of the Home Front’ * Juliet Gardiner *

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Book SynopsisThe amazing story of one of âthe Fewâ, Spitfire fighter pilot Gordon Olive, who shot down ten enemy aircraft during the Battle of Britain.

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Book SynopsisThe inside pilot's story of one of the most remarkable aircraft of the Second World War

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Book SynopsisA groundbreaking account that examines the various ways Jews were betrayed by their fellow countrymen during the Holocaust.Trade Review‘One of those books which will complete your knowledge of not only the Holocaust but also the history of World War II.’ -- Washington Book Review

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Book SynopsisHull was the most severely damaged town or city in Britain during the Second World War. This book explains how the city coped.

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Book SynopsisWirral at War is a tribute to the wartime record of the people of the Wirral in the two World Wars.

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Book SynopsisThe untold story of the female British secret agent forgotten by history.

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Book SynopsisA new perspective on the D-Day landings with the heroic stories of a number of agents sent into Nazi Occupied Europe.

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Book SynopsisThe tale of an all-black battalion whose crucial contributions at D-Day have gone unrecognised to this day.Trade Review‘Utterly compelling.’ -- Tom Brokaw, author of The Greatest Generation‘Compelling … a welcome addition to our understanding of the war and the American military.’ -- Washington Post

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Book SynopsisNew paperback edition - The experiences of the German fighter pilots in the Second World War, based on extensive recollections of veterans as well as primary documents, and diary and flying log book extracts, with photographs from the veterans themselves, many never previously published.Trade Review‘A fascinating read’ -- Aeroplane Monthly‘A rare original perspective with new information’ -- Military History Monthly

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

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

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

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Book Synopsis''Elegantly written and beautifully produced'' TLSHow ''Uncle Bill'' won the war in BurmaDefeated and demoralised, British units in the Far East had virtually been ejected from Burma when, in 1943, General W. J. Slim organised, trained and then deployed his famous ''forgotten'' 14th Army to devastating effect, defeating the Japanese twice and liberating Burma in the process. One of the most innovative soldiers of his generation, Slim''s ''smart'' style of soldiering was startling in its modernity - and with it he achieved something no one believed possible.An intelligent, compassionate commander, the unconventional Slim was also a heroic figure to the men he commanded - known affectionately to the ranks as ''Uncle Bill''. This biography tells the fascinating story of how he brought victory out of defeat; Lyman now gives him his rightful place, alongside Patton and Guderian, in the pantheon of eminent and unorthodox Second World WarTrade ReviewLyman's well-researched, elegantly written and beautifully produced book is the best yet written on Slim - Times Literary SupplementRobert Lyman . . . asserts that Slim was the outstanding British general of the war. He is surely right - Sunday TelegraphAn admirable book, supported by well-documented research and backed by excellent maps. It will surely be on all staff college reading lists. - Journal of the Royal United Services Institute

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

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Book SynopsisThis book provides a sophisticated investigation into the experience of being exterminated, as felt by victims of the Holocaust, and compares and contrasts this analysis with the experiences of people who have been colonized or enslaved. Using numerous victim accounts and a wide range of primary sources, the book moves away from the ''continuity thesis'', with its insistence on colonial intent as the reason for victimization in relation to other historical examples of mass political violence, to look at the victim experience on its own terms. By affording each constituent case study its own distinctive aspects, The Victims of Slavery, Colonization and the Holocaust allows for a more enriching comparison of victim experience to be made that respects each group of victims in their uniqueness. It is an important, innovative volume for all students of the Holocaust, genocide and the history of mass political violence.Trade Review[An] ambitious and complex book … Significant for graduate collections. Summing Up: Highly recommended. Graduate students, faculty. * CHOICE *Kitty Millet’s study sounds the subjectivity of persecution by looking at victims’ lived experiences of colonial occupation, physical confinement, and large-scale violence. I was moved as much as informed by her evocation of “what was lost”: the sense of absence, the being with death, a feeling “outside the world,” “a people without the memory of autonomy.” A thorough and creative inquiry into the shared sense of experience. * Dennis B. Klein, Professor of History and Director of Jewish Studies Program, Kean University, USA *With The Victims of Slavery, Colonialism, and the Holocaust, Kitty Millet has delivered an extraordinarily compelling interpretation of three historical spheres that are rarely examined comparatively. Drawing primarily on victim and perpetrator narratives, Millet’s brilliant analysis focuses on the victims’ self-imagination, including their minds and physical bodies, toward the goal of surviving persecution. * Michael Berkowitz, Professor of Modern Jewish History, University College London, UK *Kitty Millet's comparative study offers a thought-provoking exploration of the imagined communities of victims and perpetrators of mass atrocities. In lucid prose, she draws from individual narratives to consider the subjectivity of victimization. A valuable addition to Genocide Studies. * Kjell Anderson, Lecturer/Researcher and Coordinator of Master in Holocaust and Genocide Studies, Institute for War, Holocaust and Genocide Studies (NIOD), The Netherlands *Table of ContentsList of Illustrations Acknowledgements List of Abbreviations Introduction: Comparative Histories of Persecution Part I: Slavery 1. A World of Slaves 2. The Formula and 'the Being of Slavery' Part II: Colonialism 3. A World of Colonies and the Evolving Colonial Consciousness 4. The Empirical Colony in German Southwest Africa and a Formula of Colonization 5. From a Formula for Colonization to a Formula of Extermination and Victims' 'Shared Sense' Part III: The Holocaust 6. An Aryan World and the 'Worldlessness' of Jews 7. 'Being' Exterminated and the Formulas of Extermination Conclusion: Observations on the Future Store, the Future Map and the Future Notes Bibliography Name Index Subject Index

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

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Book SynopsisWith Duel in the Sun, players can take command of the doughty Desert Rats of Montgomery''s Eighth Army, the fast-moving and hard-hitting raiders of the Long Range Desert Group (LRDG), or Rommel''s mighty Afrika Korps to recreate some of the most iconic battles of World War II--Operations Compass, Crusader and Torch, Tobruk, and Alamein among others. Offering scenarios, special rules, and new troop types, this theater book for Bolt Action also takes players across the Mediterranean from North Africa, where they can follow the Italian Campaign from the invasion of Sicily, through the battles for Anzio and Cassino, to the final assaults on the Gothic Line.Table of ContentsIntroduction/ Special Rules/ Scenarios

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Book SynopsisBursting with exciting full-colour illustrations, colour artwork and contemporary photographs, this is a handy, complete guide to the most famous military aircraft in history.The Spitfire is an icon of World War II, becoming the darling of the British public through defending the skies during the Battle of Britain. The Spitfire''s combat ability and superb handling meant it was loved by British, Commonwealth and American pilots alike, leading to a level of global public recognition which is unparalleled amongst other aircraft everyone recognises and connects with the iconic Spitfire.Spitfire is a complete reference guide to the world''s most famous fighter aircraft, exploring its history, its strengths and weaknesses and its combat performance, using exciting full colour artwork and detailed illustrations throughout.Table of ContentsIntroduction Chronology Design and Development Technical Specifications Combat Use Spitfire Aces Appendices Index

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

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

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Book SynopsisThe German Panzerjäger, or Panzerjägertruppe, was one of the most innovative fighting arms of World War II and its story has never properly been told. A few other books have focused on an element of the story--the Hetzer, Jagdpanzer, Jagdpanther--but this is the first time that the whole story of the development and organization of Nazi Germany''s anti-tank force will have been covered, from its earliest origins in World War I, through its development in the interwar period, and its baptism of fire in the early days of World War II. This is the first of two volumes that will trace the story through the glory years of Blitzkrieg and the improvements that were made when Soviet tanks were first encountered, leading to new weapons, tactics, and organization. It is packed with previously unpublished wartime photographs, combat reports, and detailed charts and statistics to give an unparalleled account of this unique arm of the Wehrmacht.

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Book SynopsisIn 1940, the strategically vital island of Malta was Britain's last toehold in the central Mediterranean, wreaking havoc among Axis shipping. Launching an air campaign to knock Malta out of the war, first Italy and then Germany sought to force a surrender or reduce the defences enough to allow an invasion. Drawing on original documents, multilingual aviation analyst Ryan Noppen explains how technical and tactical problems caused the original Italian air campaign of 194041 to fail, and then how the German intervention came close to knocking Malta out of the war. Using stunning full colour artwork, this fascinating book explains why the attempt by the Axis powers to take the British colony of Malta ultimately failed.

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

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Book SynopsisBy the end of the first week of November 1942, the German Sixth Army held about 90 percent of Stalingrad. Yet the Soviets stubbornly held on to the remaining parts of the city, and German casualties started to reach catastrophic levels. In an attempt to break the deadlock, Hitler decided to send additional German pioneer battalions to act as an urban warfare spearhead. These combat engineers were skilled in all aspects of city fighting, especially in the use of demolitions and small arms to overcome defended positions and in the destruction of armored vehicles. Facing them were hardened Soviet troops who had perfected the use of urban camouflage, concealed and interlocking firing positions, close quarters battle, and sniper support.This fully illustrated book explores the tactics and effectiveness of these opposing troops during this period, focusing particularly on the brutal close-quarters fight over the Krasnaya Barrikady (Red Barricades) ordnance factory.Table of ContentsIntroduction / The Opposing Sides / Combat 1 / Combat 2 / Combat 3 / Analysis / Aftermath / Unit Organizations / Bibliography / Index

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

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Book SynopsisOperation Tidal Wave was one of the boldest and most controversial air raids by the United States Army Air Forces (USAAF). At the time, the Romanian Ploesti oil fields produced about a third of all Axis oil, and was Germany's single most important fuel source. In the summer of 1943, the USAAF decided to stage a major raid on Ploesti from air bases in Libya. The resulting Operation Tidal Wave raid on 1 August 1943 was one of the costliest to date, losing 53 aircraft, about a third of the starting force. Of the more than 150 bombers that took part in the raid, only 88 B-24s returned to Libya, 55 of which were damaged. On the other hand, of the 17 Medals of Honor awarded to US soldiers and airmen from Pearl Harbor in 1941 to D-Day in 1944, 5 were awarded to pilots of the Tidal Wave mission in recognition of their extraordinary performance. Although undoubtedly bold and heroic, the mission had questionable results. Initial assessments argued that the mission caused Trade ReviewThis is an excellent volume. -- Chris Jarvis * Miniature Wargames *Table of ContentsIntroduction /Chronology /Attacker's Capabilities /Defender's Capabilities /Campaign Objectives /Order of Battle /The Campaign /Analysis /Conclusion /Bibliography /Index

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Book SynopsisA study of the little-known career of Germany's Panther, perhaps the greatest tank of World War II, in foreign hands both during and after the war. The Panther was arguably the most successful medium tank design of World War II, demonstrated by the number of Germany's enemies that used them after, and even during the war. While some were used by the Western Allies, the Russians used the greatest number of captured Panthers against Nazi Germany, though they did not find much favour thanks to their mechanical unreliability and difficulty in acquiring spare parts. After the war, they were mostly passed on to satellite states such as Bulgaria and Romania. The French army also used them in significant numbers after the war with approximately 50 in service from 1946 to 1950, and they were a significant influence on future French tank design. Using detailed artwork and contemporary photographs, this fascinating book tells the little-known story of the Panther tank in foreign hands in WoTrade Reviewsome fine artwork from Henry Morshead, which I think modellers will especially enjoy as they offer plenty of idea for those wanting to build a model Panther in an interesting and unusual set of colours and markings -- Robin Buckland * Military Model Scene *Overall an excellent reference work on an interesting subject, useful for armour buff or modeller. * Army Rumour Service *Table of ContentsCONTENTS INTRODUCTION PANTHERS IN THE SERVICE OF AXIS ALLIES ASSESSING THE THREAT: ALLIED EVALUATIONS 1943–44 Soviet evaluation British evaluation American evaluation IN COMBAT The Red Army Resistance Panthers The British Army: ‘Deserter’ and ‘Cuckoo’ PANTHERS IN POST-WAR SERVICE Bulgaria Romania Czechoslovakia The French Army THE PANTHER AS A TEMPLATE BIBLIOGRAPHY AND SOURCES INDEX

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Book SynopsisNow available in paperback, this fascinating title from renowned World War II historian Robert Forczyk tells the story of Case White, the German invasion of Poland in 1939.The German invasion of Poland on September 1, 1939, designated as Fall Weiss (Case White), was the event that sparked the outbreak of World War II in Europe. The campaign has widely been described as a textbook example of Blitzkrieg, but it was actually a fairly conventional campaign as the Wehrmacht was still learning how to use its new Panzers and dive-bombers. The Polish military is often misrepresented as hopelessly obsolete and outclassed by the Wehrmacht, when in fact it was well-equipped with modern weapons and armor. Indeed, the Polish possessed more tanks than the British and had cracked the German Enigma machine cipher. Though the combined assault from GermTable of ContentsIntroduction 1: Poland is Not Lost 2: Poland Prepares for the Next Round 3: The Threat Emerges 4: Countdown to War 5: Opening Moves 6: Total War 7: Apotheosis 8: Occupation Epilogue Officer Rank Table Abbreviations Appendices Notes Bibliography Index

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

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

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Book SynopsisThis history, based on an exhaustive study of German records, explores The Battle of Britain through the eyes of the Luftwaffe. Over the past 80 years, histories of the Battle of Britain have consistently portrayed the feats of The Few' (as they were immortalized in Churchill's famous speech) as being responsible for the RAF's victory in the epic battle. However, this is only part of the story. The results of an air campaign cannot be measured in terms of territory captured, cities occupied or armies defeated, routed or annihilated. Successful air campaigns are those that achieve their intended aims or stated objectives. Victory in the Battle of Britain was determined by whether the Luftwaffe achieved its objectives. The Luftwaffe, of course, did not, and this detailed and rigorous study explains why. Analysing the battle in its entirety in the context of what it was history's first independent offensive counter-air campaign against the world's first integrated air defence system Trade ReviewAn incredible book offering insights into the crucial air battle over England never before revealed. It provides an operational-level view of the war from the German perspective yielding a unique study that is a must-read for students and practitioners of airpower alike. -- Lt Gen David A. Deptula, USAF (Ret.); Dean, Mitchell Institute for Aerospace StudiesSuperbly illustrated book... To Defeat the Few will find pride of place on the shelves of many readers, offering an interesting and intermediate level between the entirely strategic study of this campaign and the battles as close as possible to the pilots and crew. * Aerostories.org *Unlike previous literary works on the subject, this brilliantly written and epic rendering details the Luftwaffe’s all-out attempt to crush RAF Fighter Command during the two most decisive months of the Battle of Britain from the German perspective. The authors have successfully placed the reader behind the Luftwaffe’s strategic and tactical decisions employed in their quest to establish air-superiority for their planned cross-Channel invasion. This deeply researched work is of the highest quality containing original photos, illustrations, charts, and graphs on almost every page in support of their script and belongs in every library of those interested in the historical defense of England during this most critical time of World War II! -- Rick Bishop, Lt Col, USAF (Ret)This is a very worthwhile book and represents a more than laudable effort on the part of Douglas Dildy and Paul Crickmore... a 'must have/must read' for those who study the battle. Highly recommended. -- Andy Saunders * Iron Cross *Table of ContentsForeword by Paul E. Eden Prologue 1. Westfeldzug: Why the Battle of Britain occurred 2. Fall Gelb: Prologue to the Battle of Britain 3. Dunkirk: Triumph without victory 4. ‘Was nun?’: Hitler’s strategic options, July 1940 5. The Luftwaffe’s Capabilities: Germany’s only real means to defeat Great Britain 6. The Luftwaffe’s Opponent: RAF Fighter Command 7. Kanalkampf (Channel Battle): The Luftwaffe’s maritime air campaign 8. Seelöwe (Sea Lion): Hitler’s plan to invade Britain 9. Adlerangriff Stage 1: 12–16 August 1940 10. Adlerangriff Stage 2: 17–19 August 1940 11. Adlerangriff Stage 3: 24 August to 6 September 1940 12. Adlerangriff Stage 4: 7–17 September 1940 13. Defeat Dies Slowly: 17 September through 31 October 1940 14. Analysis: Assessing the Battle of Britain from the Luftwaffe’s perspective Appendices Glossary Bibliography Endnotes Index

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

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Book SynopsisThis fascinating volume--now available in paperback offers a vivid narrative history of the early stages of the Pacific War, as US and Allied forces desperately tried to slow the Japanese onslaught that began with the sudden attack on Pearl Harbor in December 1941.In many popular histories of the Pacific War, the period from the Japanese attack at Pearl Harbor to the US victory at Midway is often passed over because it is seen as a period of darkness. Indeed, it is easy to see the period as one of unmitigated disaster for the Allies, with the fall of the Philippines, Malaya, Burma, and the Dutch East Indies, and the wholesale retreat and humiliation at the hands of Japan throughout Southeast Asia.However, there are also stories of courage and determination in the face of overwhelming odds: the stand of the Marines at Wake Island; the fighting retreat in the Philippines that forced the Japanese to take 140 days to accomplish what they had expected would take 50Trade ReviewAuthoritative and colourful—a must-read account of the initial phase of the war in the Pacific. * Kirkus Reviews, starred review *I Will Run Wild paints a vivid picture of the first six months of the Pacific War, with the Japanese frantically trying to achieve a quick victory and the Allies desperately hanging on by their fingernails. Tom Cleaver deftly illustrates the strategy of the sprawling Pacific War through the stories of the men who staved off catastrophe and bought America time to strike back. * Chris Bucholtz, author of Thunderbolts Triumphant: The 362nd Fighter Group vs. Germany’s Wehrmacht *We have all heard stories and details of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, the Flying Tigers, the Doolittle Raid on Tokyo, and the Battle of Midway. All these have generated classic and modern movies that make us feel like we were there. We know all about this important history, or do we?…This valuable book details a compelling story of US and Allied forces, with antiquated airplanes, bravely facing combat-experienced Japanese pilots in superior airplanes. But the production might of the US quickly stepped up and supplied the new airplanes, carriers and pilots needed to turn the tide. * Commander Curtis Dosé, US Navy (ret.) *I Will Run Wild is a fascinating glimpse into the early days of the war in the Pacific. Meticulously researched, this is a compelling story of individual sacrifice against the backdrop of vast impersonal conflict, a work that stands shoulder to shoulder with the literary tradition of Herman Wouk and Samuel Eliot Morison.’ * Chief Warrant Officer Jim Wright, US Navy (ret.), and founder of www.stonekettle.com *Table of ContentsList of Maps List of Illustrations Foreword by RADM H. Denny Wisely USN (Ret.) Introduction 1: “I Knew My Plans Had Changed” 2: The Rising Sun 3: Preparation in the Philippines 4: “All Hands Have Behaved Splendidly” 5: Opening Blow in the Philippines 6: A Fighting Retreat 7: The Forgotten Campaign 8: The Malay Barrier 9: Reinforcement 10: The Tigers of Burma 11: The Great Escape 12: Indies Finale 13: The Guarantee of Victory 14: “Go Forward, Fight Well, and Do Us Honor” 15: The Forty-Niners 16: “Our Target is Tokyo” 17: Ramsey’s Lambsies 18: Victory Disease 19: “A New and Shining Page ” 20: Six Deadly Minutes 21: The Cornerstone of Victory Bibliography Index

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

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Book SynopsisThis volume describes, lists, and illustrates the several combatant forces raised in Yugoslavia during World War II.In March 1941, an anti-German coup in the Kingdom of Yugoslavia prompted Hitler to order an invasion using allied Italian, Hungarian, Bulgarian. and Romanian forces. Operation Marita was an invasion of Yugoslavia and simultaneously Greece. At the same time, the constituent region of Croatia broke away from Yugoslavia and joined the Axis powers. Royal Yugoslav armed forces, despite advancing against the Italians in Albania were forced to surrender after 11 days'' fighting and some 1,000 soldiers, airmen, and sailors escaped to British-occupied Egypt to form Free Yugoslav units. From there, guerrilla resistance to the Axis occupiers broke out and continued with increasing strength until the end of the war under Mihailovic''s royalist ''Chetniks'' and Tito''s Communist ''Partisans'' (both supported by Britain). However, hostilities between the two moTable of ContentsINTRODUCTION -Birth of the Yugoslav state -Inter-war developments THE YUGOSLAV ARMY IN 1941 -Army Groups -Uniforms -Branch-specific items -Rank titles & service-uniform insignia THE APRIL WAR, 6–18 APRIL, 1941 -Order of battle & anticipated plans -Campaigns ROYAL YUGOSLAV FORCES IN THE MIDDLE EAST, 1941–45 -Royal Guards Battalion - Uniforms & insignia -7 (Yugoslavian) Troop, No. 10 (Inter-Allied) Commando -Yugoslav Air Force YUGOSLAV ARMY IN THE HOMELAND, 1941–45 -1941: Formation of the Chetniks -1942: Establishment -1943: Civil war -1944: The defence of Serbia -1945: Defeat -Uniforms & insignia YUGOSLAV PEOPLE’S LIBERATION ARMY, 1941–45 -1941: Organization -1942: Organization -1943: Organization -1944: Campaigns -1945: Campaigns -Uniforms & insignia SELECT BIBLIOGRAPHY PLATE COMMENTARIES INDEX

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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