Specific battles Books

Book SynopsisAn exhilarating hour-by-hour portrayal of an iconic battle, drawing on the eye witness accounts of those who fought it

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Book SynopsisOperation Nordwind was the last major German offensive of World War II on the Western Front. It began on 31 December 1944 in Rhineland-Palatinate, Alsace and Lorraine in southwestern Germany and northeastern France, and ended on 25 January 1945. Normally overshadowed by the Battle of the Bulge, Nordwind battles were just as intense and the troops involved faced the same bitter weather conditions and battle conditions their fellow units did to the north. The goal of the offensive was to break through the lines of the U.S. Seventh Army and French 1st Army in the Upper Vosges mountains and the Alsatian Plain, and destroy them, as well as the seizure of Strasbourg, which Himmler, who had been placed in charge, had promised would be captured by 30 January. The campaign also showcased the difficulties of inter-Allied cooperation between the Americans and the French. The U.S. VI Corps which bore the brunt of the German attacks was fighting on three sides by 15 January. By 15 January at least 17 German divisions (including units in the Colmar Pocket) from Army Group G and Army Group Oberrhein, including the 6th SS Mountain, 17th SS Panzergrenadier, 21st Panzer, and 25th Panzergrenadier Divisions were engaged in the fighting. Another smaller attack was made against the French positions south of Strasbourg, but it was finally stopped. Vicious battles at Hatten and Rittershoffen, Gambsheim and Herrlisheim took place and while the Germans could not employ near the same amount as armor as they did in the Ardennes, the armor engagements were nonetheless ruthless. The American 12th Armored Division lost almost an entire tank battalion in the battles in and around Herrlisheim. Action would engulf the entire front and areas like Strasbourg, Wingen, the Colmar Pocket and Haguenau would be engrained in the minds of the troops that fought in these battles.

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Book SynopsisResearched from original-language primary sources, this is a uniquely well-informed and multi-faceted history of the World War I air campaign of Bloody April.Researched from original German-, French-, and English-language sources, and written by an authority on both air and ground military operations, author, Dr James S Corum examines how Bloody April caused Allied forces to reassess their approach to the use of airpower. Considering well-known problems such as technology and training doctrine, but also how the artillery-aircraft combination ideally had to work in late-WW I ground offensives, Dr Corum analyses what each side got wrong and why. He describes little-known parts of the April campaigns, such as both sides'' use of strategic bombing with heavy aircraft, and considers the German use of advanced high-altitude reconnaissance aircraft with oxygen and heated suits while detailing the exploits of the infamous ''Red Baron'', Manfred von Richthofen.Lessons from Bloody April Trade ReviewInteresting stuff. * The Armourer Magzine *Table of ContentsINTRODUCTION CHRONOLOGY ATTACKER’S CAPABILITIES The Entente air services in 1917 The French Service Aéronautique in the Nivelle Offensive The Royal Flying Corps Senior commanders Army air commanders British RFC brigade commanders DEFENDER’S CAPABILITIES The Luftstreitkräfte: German Imperial Air Service Luftstreitkräfte organization in the 1917 campaign German aircraft Senior commanders German Army aviation commanders AIRPOWER IN 1917 The eyes of the big guns Aircraft and the artillery Fixed balloons and the artillery The artillery flyers Lessons from the Verdun and Somme campaigns Lessons from the Somme: July–November, 1916 Air services and aircraft production Aircraft attrition – the problem of quality control Training for the air services Fighter tactics Squadron tactics CAMPAIGN OBJECTIVES The Nivelle Offensive The strategic situation in early 1917 THE CAMPAIGN Bloody April March 1917: Germans withdraw to the Siegfriedstellung Preparing the Nivelle Offensive Air operations prior to the offensive The French front Attacking the balloons The air campaign prior to the British attack The Arras sector: the RFC’s bombing campaign The attack at Vimy Ridge and Arras, 9–14 April The British offensive continues, 10 April–4 May Arras Front, 11 April–4 May Battle on the Chemin des Dames Front Chemin des Dames Front, 18 April–4 May The French Army mutinies Losses and lessons for the air campaigns of April 1917 AFTERMATH AND ANALYSIS BIBLIOGRAPHY INDEX

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Book Synopsis''Four years of war turned Ypres into a ghost town. Not a leaf grew on a tree. Scarcely one stone stood upon another. From the battered ramparts the eye swept clean across a field of rubble to the swamp-lands beyond . . .'' The Third Battle of Ypres, ending in a desperate struggle for the ridge and little village of Passchendaele, was one of the most appalling campaigns in the history of warfare. A million Tommies, Canadians and Anzacs assembled at the Ypres Salient in summer of 1917, mostly raw young troops keen to do their bit for King and Country. This book tells their tale of mounting disillusion amid mud, terror and increasingly desperate attacks, yet it is also a story of immense courage, comradeship, high spirits and hope. In Passchendaele, Lyn Macdonald lets over 600 soldiers speak for themselves. In doing so, she portrays events from the only point of view that really matters.Trade ReviewLyn Macdonald writes splendidly and touchingly * Sunday Telegraph *It is rare to find a history of the First World War which manages to convey the front-line soldiers' experiences and to describe what it was that enabled those who survived to get through it. Lyn Macdonald has done just that * Sunday Times *Her basic inspiration is compassion, her technique is scrupulously painstaking. And her application in finding, interviewing and editing innumerable contributions can only be admired * Daily Telegraph *

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Book SynopsisThe story of the Battle of Stalingrad with wartime pictures and modern day comparisons to present this title in our 'then and now' theme.

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Book Synopsis''Stunning. History at its very best: a blend of impeccably researched scholarship, genuinely revelatory primary sources, and a beautifully written narrative'' - James Holland''The sheer brutal intimacy of his descriptions of the fighting are extraordinary'' - Frederick Taylor''A wonderful and important and timely book'' - Alexander Kershaw, New York Times bestselling author of The Bedford Boys and First Wave''An authoritative and unforgettable insight into the decisive days of that most terrible struggle on the banks of the Volga'' - Jonathan Dimbleby''An utterly gripping read'' - James Holland''MacGregor writes with great fluency and narrative drive . . . compellingly terse'' - William Boyd''Magisterial'' - Dan SnowThe sacrifices that enabled the Soviet Union to defeat Nazi Germany in the Great Patriotic War 1941-45 are sacrosanct. The foundation of their eventual victory was laid during theTrade ReviewIn the midst of Moscow's bloody war on Ukraine, with Putin invoking 'glorious victories' of World War II to inspire his country, Iain MacGregor's vivid, dramatic, day-by-day account reminds us that the awful reality of Stalingrad for soldiers on both sides was: 'The lucky ones bled, froze or starved to death in temporary field hospitals in bunkers or cellars.' -- William Taubman, Pulitzer prize-winning authorThe Lighthouse of Stalingrad is the finest of military history, utterly riveting, based on revelatory and superb research, and a heart-rending account of arguably the most impactful battle to defeat Nazism in WW2. A wonderful and important and timely book. -- Alexander Kershaw, New York Times bestselling author of The Bedford Boys and First WaveStunning. History at its very best: a blend of impeccably researched scholarship, genuinely revelatory primary sources, and a beautifully written narrative. The grim brutality of the conditions in which the men of both sides fought - and died - is brought back to life with immense clarity; one can almost smell the smoke and stench of death. Iain MacGregor's superb book is the most compellingly readable account yet written of this iconic, notorious battle. -- James HollandIf you thought you knew all about the Battle of Stalingrad, Iain Macgregor' s gripping account will put you right. Drawing on a remarkable range of diaries, letters and memoirs, many of which have never been published before, he provides an illuminating, authoritative and unforgettable insight into the decisive days of that most terrible struggle on the banks of the Volga. * Jonathan Dimbleby *A very vivid picture . . . Personal testimonies nobody has seen before. A fast-paced, compelling read' * We Have Ways of Making You Talk podcast *If you believe there is nothing fresh to be written about the most decisive battle of the Second World War, Iain MacGregor's The Lighthouse of Stalingrad will be something of a revelation. The author has a talent for choosing an iconic location and working out from that to create new insights into a world-historical event . . . he builds on the legend of the 'Pavlov House' (codename 'Lighthouse'), a key building on the northern edge of the narrow strip of territory still held by the Red Army in Stalingrad in the late summer of 1942, whose commanding position allowed the Soviets to hold back, survey and devastate the hitherto all-conquering German forces. It was a turning point. The courageous Soviet sergeant, Jakov Pavlov, whose 'storm group' took and held the building, became a propaganda star for Stalin's regime at a time when the Soviet (and overall Allied) war effort desperately needed one. The often devious story of how the legend was created is fascinating, but equally so is MacGregor's consequent contribution to the Stalingrad narrative. Beginning with this example, he details how the city was taken back, street by street, house by house, room by room, by the Soviet forces, at tremendous cost. The sheer brutal intimacy of his descriptions of this fighting are extraordinary. MacGregor has combed Soviet archives and publications, interviewed family members of Red Army soldiers and senior officers, as well as gaining unique access to previously unpublished German memoirs of the battle. This is a chilling, vivid account that helps to explain not just the Third Reich's defeat at Stalingrad but also the myths that persist in Russia to this day - for better and, most recently, for worse. * Frederick Taylor, bestselling author of Dresden *MacGregor retells [this story] with impressive skill and relish . . . closely researched and enormously engaging * Sunday Times *Closely researched and engagingly written, MacGregor's wonderful book shines important new light on the most horrific, and arguably the most important, battle of the 20th century. It is a story of 'backs to the wall' defence of the Motherland that modern Russians, with the boot now on the other foot, would do well to study. -- Saul David * Telegraph *Meticulous yet action-packed, this will thrill WWII buffs * Publisher's Weekly *An utterly gripping read -- Tom HollandAs well as being . . . a fine narrative history of the titanic battle it is about the complicated relationship between reality, legend and myth in war * Country Life *MacGregor writes with great fluency and narrative drive, and his account of the context to the battle and the complexity of its fraught swings of fortune and misfortune is compellingly terse -- William Boyd * New Statesman *Historian Iain MacGregor brings [Stalingrad's] graphic horror to life through his own storytelling and eyewitness accounts of soldiers on both sides of a conflict during which the dead were left frozen where they had fallen. It is almost as if you are there in the trenches. * i Paper *MacGregor takes us right into the war on and below the ground . . . A gripping and knowledgeable account * Spectator *Magisterial -- Dan SnowA fascinating, well-researched, superbly-organized and well-written account of a complex struggle, within the context of a war of annihilation. It adds a human face to the conflict and conveys the immensity of human suffering involved. -- David M. GlantzThe best and richest book yet written about the battle for Stalingrad and what it means today * Critic *Peeling back the layers of myth surrounding the Battle of Stalingrad is a tall order. In The Lighthouse of Stalingrad Iain MacGregor brilliantly dissects the story of Pavlov's House, the building supposedly defended by a small group of Soviet men against overwhelming odds. * History Today, *Books of the Year 2022* *Carefully researched . . . This valuable addition to the body of work about Stalingrad goes a long way toward righting the balance between myth and reality * Wall Street Journal *A superb evocation: MacGregor strips away the layers of myth - using a powerful array of sources - and takes us to the brutal heart of this pivotal battle -- Mike Jones, author of Stalingrad: How the Red Army Triumphed

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Book SynopsisAn illustrated study of the little-known history of the failed Allied bombing campaign designed to shatter German defenses on D-Day. D-Day is one of the most written-about events in military history. One aspect of the invasion, however, continues to be ignored: the massive pre-assault bombardment by the Allied Expeditionary Air Force (AEAF), reinforced by RAF Bomber Command and the US Eighth Air Force on June 6 which sought to neutralize the German defenses along the Atlantic Wall. Unfortunately, this failed series of attacks resulted in death or injury to hundreds of soldiers, and killed many French civilians. Despite an initial successful attack performed by the Allied forces, the most crucial phase of the operation, which was the assault from the Eighth Air Force against the defenses along the Calvados coast, was disastrous. The bombers missed almost all of their targets, inflicting little damage to the German defenses, which resulted in a high number of casualties among the Table of ContentsINTRODUCTION CHRONOLOGY ATTACKER'S CAPABILITIES - The Allied Expeditionary Air Force (AEAF) - RAF Bomber Command - RAF Second Tactical Air Force and other British commands - US Ninth Air Force - US Eighth Air Force - Ordnance - Navigation and targeting DEFENDER'S CAPABILITIES - Fortifications on the French coast - Passive air defense - Active air defense CAMPAIGN OBJECTIVES - The vital beachhead - The Joint Fire Plan - The “air force” problem THE CAMPAIGN - The invasion begins - Operation Flashlamp - Crisbecq Battery - Eighth Air Force’s tactical assault - Change of plans - Omaha Beach (2nd Bomb Division) - Gold and Juno Beach (1st Bomb Division) - 3rd Bomb Division - Ninth Air Force ANALYSIS AND CONCLUSION FURTHER READING INDEX

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Book SynopsisThe first ever illustrated study of the largest and most significant clash between the Royal Navy and the Italian Regia Marina.The Battle of Matapan witnessed the first use of decisive new technologies to bring about a stunning British victory over the Italian Navy. The Allies had tapped into the Ultra coded messages sent by the Axis powers, and the battle witnessed the use of radar and carrier-based air strikes to bring about a critical night action. The result was the most decisive engagement of the Mediterranean naval war.Written by renowned naval historian Angus Konstam, this book offers for the first time a unique and fully illustrated exploration of the battle. It also examines why, despite the emphatic and decisive Royal Navy victory, the Allies failed to capitalize on the strategic advantage earned in the months that followed. Battlescene artworks bring to life the cruiser clashes early on 28 March off Gavdos, the Fleet Air Arm attacks on the Italian fTable of ContentsINTRODUCTION Origins of the campaign CHRONOLOGY OPPOSING COMMANDERS Regia Marina Royal Navy OPPOSING FORCES Regia Marina Royal Navy Orders of Battle OPPOSING PLANS Regia Marina Royal Navy THE BATTLE OF CAPE MATAPAN First contact Pursuits and ambushes The first air strikes The general chase The afternoon air strikes The dusk strike Cattaneo’s mission The night action AFTERMATH COMMEMORATING THE BATTLE FURTHER READING INDEX

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Book Synopsis'Gripping ... A terrific action narrative' Max Hastings 'Reads like a Tom Clancy thriller, yet every word is true ... This is modern warfare close-up and raw' Andrew Roberts Bestselling and Orwell Prize-winning author Toby Harnden tells the gripping and incredible story of the six-day battle that began the War in Afghanistan and how it set the scene for twenty years of conflict. The West is in shock. Al-Qaeda has struck the US on 9/11 and thousands are dead.Within weeks, UK Special Forces enter the fray in Afghanistan alongside the CIA's Team Alpha and US troops.Victory is swift, but fragile. Hundreds of jihadists surrender and two operatives from Team Alpha enter Qala-i Jangi – the 'Fort of War' – to interrogate them. The prisoners revolt, one CIA man falls, and the other is trapped inside the fort. Seven members of the SBS – elite British Special Forces – volunteer for the rescue force and race into danger and the unknown.The six-day battle that follows proves to be one of the bloodiest of the Afghanistan war as the SBS and their American comrades face an enemy determined to die in the mud citadel.Superbly researched, First Casualty is based on unprecedented access to the CIA, SBS, and US Special Forces. Orwell Prize-winning author Toby Harnden recounts the gripping story of that first battle in Afghanistan and how the haunting foretelling it contained – unreliable allies, ethnic rivalries, suicide attacks, and errant bombs – was ignored, fueling the twenty-year conflict to come.Trade Review'Gripping ... A terrific action narrative' -- Max Hastings'Reads like a Tom Clancy thriller, yet every word is true ... This is modern warfare close-up and raw' -- Andrew Roberts'Meticulously researched and told with page-turning pace and power' * Waterstones, Politics Books of the Year *

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Book SynopsisA highly illustrated and detailed study of one of the most important campaigns in the colonization of the Americas, the Spanish conquest of the vast Inca Empire.On November 16, 1532, the Inca emperor Atahualpa was the most powerful man in South America, having emerged victorious from a three-year civil war. Now his authority was absolute over millions of subjects living the length of an empire that stretched 2,500 miles from the towering mountains of the Andes, to the verdant rainforest of the Amazon, to the arid plains of the Pacific Coast. However, a group of strangers, comprising just 169 men and 69 horses led by the Spanish conquistador Francisco Pizarro, soon entered his empire from the north. Despite having 80,000 men at his disposal, Atahualpa was seized and imprisoned. Pizarro burned with the same ruthless ambition as his cousin, Hernán Cortés, who had taken Tenochtitlan, and understood that by seizing the autocrat at the top of the social structure, the stateTable of ContentsORIGINS OF THE CAMPAIGN - Arrival of the conquistadors - The capture of Atahualpa - Advance on Cuzco CHRONOLOGY OPPOSING COMMANDERS - Conquistador - Inca OPPOSING FORCES AND PLANS - Inca - Conquistador THE SIEGE OF CUZCO, 1536–37 - The end of the rebel Inca generals - Conquistador divisions and Manco’s uprising - The siege begins - The Inca assault, May 6, 1536 - The battle for Sacsayhuamán - Conquistador relief efforts - Quizo targets Lima - Ollantaytambo - Breaking the siege of Cuzco AFTERMATH BIBLIOGRAPHY INDEX

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Book SynopsisA fascinating account of an often overlooked naval action of World War II, and one of the bloodiest chapters in the history of the Royal Navy. In April 1941, following the Axis invasion of Greece, the British Mediterranean Fleet was ordered to evacuate Allied survivors, many of which were taken to Crete. The Luftwaffe established itself in airfields on the Greek mainland, and formed plans to invade Crete by air and sea, under the cover of 500 fighters and bombers of the Luftwaffe''s Fliegerkorps VIII. Facing them were a small and scattered garrison on the island, a handful of under-strength RAF squadrons and the hard-pressed warships of the Mediterranean Fleet. What happened next was a costly, but ultimately inspiring, naval battle, in which Royal Navy crews were placed under intense strain.Using period photographs, stunning battlescene artworks, detailed maps and an authoritative narrative, world-leading maritime historian Angus Konstam tells the fascinating Trade ReviewA gripping story. -- Duncan Evans * The Armourer Magazine *This eloquent campaign analysis of an eventually unsuccessful Royal Navy defence of Crete contains a host of well-illustrated lessons relevant to many studies of maritime warfare * The Naval Review *Table of ContentsINTRODUCTION Origins of the campaign CHRONOLOGY OPPOSING COMMANDERS Allied Axis OPPOSING FORCES Allied Allied order of battle Axis Axis order of battle OPPOSING PLANS Allied Axis THE CAMPAIGN The prelude The fleet deploys The invasion The first clashes The Luftwaffe strikes Black Thursday Mountbatten’s sortie Keeping up the pressure The evacuation AFTERMATH THE BATTLEFIELD TODAY FURTHER READING INDEX

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Book SynopsisThis superbly researched book, written by two acknowledged experts, takes a wide-ranging examination of Operation MARKET GARDEN from the strategic, operational and tactical level. 80th anniversary is in 2024.

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Book SynopsisA new perspective on the Battle of the Little Big Horn and the death of G. A. Custer. Ground breaking new history.

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Book Synopsis''What a brilliant book this is a terrific narrative of Hitler''s Ardennes offensive of December 1944 superb storytelling that achieves a skilful balance between drama and detail.'' - James HollandThe Battle of the Bulge was the last major German offensive in the West. Launched in the depths of winter to neutralize the overwhelming Allied air superiority, three German armies attacked through the Ardennes, the weakest part of the American lines, with the aim of splitting the Allied armies and seizing the vital port of Antwerp within a week.It was a tall order, as the Panzers had to get across the Our, Amblève, Ourthe and Meuse rivers, and the desperate battle became a race against time and the elements, which the Germans would eventually lose. But Hitler''s dramatic counterattack did succeed in catching the Allies off guard in what became the largest and bloodiest battle fought by US forces during the war.In this book, Anthony Tucker-JoneTrade ReviewAnthony Tucker-Jones’s study of these battles is timely and important. * Professor Peter Caddick-Adams, author of 'Snow and Steel: Battle of the Bulge 1944–45' *What a brilliant book this is… a terrific narrative of Hitler’s Ardennes offensive of December 1944 – superb storytelling that achieves a skilful balance between drama and detail. * James Holland, author of 'Brothers in Arms' *Tucker-Jones has delivered another gem. Hitler’s Winter takes the reader on a breath-taking ride from the “other side of the hill” and is a must-read compendium to the vast corpus of Allied accounts of the Battle of the Bulge. Simply stunning. * David O’Keefe, author of 'Seven Days in Hell' *Anthony Tucker-Jones offers a fresh insight into the Battle of the Bulge that few historians have matched. Although several books have been written about the Ardennes from the German perspective, very few authors have captured the spirit of the conflict through the eyes of the combatants themselves. * Mike Guardia, author of 'Arracourt 1944: Triumph of American Armor' *An excellent themed analysis of why the objectives set by Hitler could never be achieved. * Aspects of History *For those who want to fully understand the Battle of the Bulge, then this is a 'must read'. * Iron Cross *Table of ContentsForeword by Professor Peter Caddick-Adams Prologue: The Pied Piper List of Maps List of Illustrations PART ONE: A DARING PLAN 1. Scarface 2. Big or Small Solution 3. The Holy Grail 4. How Many Rivers? PART TWO: SCRAPING THE BARREL 5. People’s Grenadiers 6. Exhausted Panzers 7. Unleash the Tigers PART THREE: WHERE'S THE LUFTWAFFE? 8. Fighter not a Bomber 9. The Big Blow 10. ‘Stubble-hoppers’ PART FOUR: INTO BATTLE 11. Peiper Leads the Charge 12. Krauts Speaking English 13. The Losheim Gap 14. Falcon Takes Flight PART FIVE: RACE AGAINST TIME 15. Victory at St Vith 16. Stalled at Bastogne 17. Clear Skies PART SIX: HERE COME THE AMERICANS 18. Almost to the Meuse 19. American Counter-attack PART SEVEN: TOO LATE TO HELP 20. Rockets to Antwerp 21. Battle of the Airfields 22. Alsace Diversion PART EIGHT: COMPLETE FAILURE 23. Back Where They Started 24. Where Did It All Go Wrong? Appendix Notes and References Bibliography Index

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Book SynopsisThe battle of Isandlwana on 22 January 1879 was one of the most dramatic episodes in military history. In the morning, 20,000 Zulus overwhelmed the British invading force in one of the greatest disasters ever to befall a British army. Later the same day, a Zulu force of around 3,000 warriors turned their attention to a small outpost at Rorke's Drift defended by around 150 British and Imperial troops. The British victory that ensued -against remarkable odds -would go down as one of the most heroic actions of all time. In this thrilling blow-by-blow account, Chris Peers draws on first-hand testimonies from both sides to piece together the course of the battles as they unfolded. Along the way, he exposes many of the Victorian myths to reveal great acts of bravery as well as cases of cowardice and incompetence. A brief analysis of the aftermath of the battle and notes on the later careers of the key participants completes this gripping expos of this legendary encounter.

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Book Synopsis'A lively and readable account' Spectator'A fine book ... well-written and well-researched' Washington TimesIn less than six hours in August 1942, nearly 1,000 British, Canadian and American commandos died in the French port of Dieppe in an operation that for decades seemed to have no real purpose. Was it a dry-run for D-Day, or perhaps a gesture by the Allies to placate Stalin's impatience for a second front in the west? Historian David O'Keefe uses hitherto classified intelligence archives to prove that this catastrophic and apparently futile raid was in fact a mission, set up by Ian Fleming of British Naval Intelligence as part of a 'pinch' policy designed to capture material relating to the four-rotor Enigma Machine that would permit codebreakers like Alan Turing at Bletchley Park to turn the tide of the Second World War.'A fast-paced and convincing book ... that clears up decades of misinformation about the ignoble raid' Toronto StarTrade ReviewA fast-paced and convincing book ... that clears up decades of misinformation about the ignoble raid -- Toronto StarA lively and readable account * The Spectator *Magnificent and engrossing, this is a deep dive into one of the most fascinating and clandestine mysteries, which O'Keefe has cracked open. With extensive research, he produces a captivating and revealing narrative full of intricate detail and written in an accessible and flowing manner. Much of the information is new and I can safely say this will appeal to those interested in history, in particular, that of WWII, and those who find strange and enduring mysteries compelling. A compulsive, informative and eminently readable book, One Day in August is a multilayered and deeply thrilling expose. -- The Book Doctor[A] fine book ... well-written and well-researched * Washington Times *Simply put - One Day in August is a game-changer. David O'Keefe makes a bold claim about the real purpose of the Dieppe raid but does so with eloquence and clarity. Through his masterful analysis of thousands of pages of documents and sources, he builds a compelling case that finally answers our questions about the events of August 1942. * Paul Woodadge, WW2TV *A must-read if one is to really understand the Dieppe raid. * Julian Thompson *Based on extensive original research ... O'Keefe's landmark new book presents a new and original explanation of what happened on that fateful August day in 1942. * The Globe and Mail (Best Book) *Highly original and bracingly revisionist, One Day in August is that rare book that is able to say something new about something so familiar. Based on extensive research in official records in Canada and Britain, many of them previously undiscovered or long-forgotten, One Day in August is historical writing at its best: engrossing, revealing, and enlightening. * Citation, RBC Taylor Prize *O'Keefe has definitely made the biggest breakthrough of the last twenty years in our understanding of the raid ... His principal research achievement is to have kept digging in the British archives with such persistence that the keepers of the British code-breaking secrets conceded that there was no point holding back the remaining records linking Bletchley Park, Ian Fleming and the Dieppe raid. * Peter Henshaw, Dieppe scholar and intelligence analyst, Privy Council Office *In the same way that intelligence in the Second World War had to be based on multiple sources rather than a single thunderclap moment or dramatic source, David has built this case through a whole series of small pieces of evidence ... [He] has certainly changed our view of Dieppe into the future; he has added a new dimension that we really weren't aware of before. * Stephen Prince, Head, Naval Historical Branch, Royal Navy *The most important work on the [Dieppe] raid since it occurred in 1942. * Rocky Mountain Outlook *O'Keefe tells a masterful story of the intrigue and cryptology behind the fighting forces ... I will be among the first to say that any subsequent book on Dieppe or Ultra intelligence will have to take into account his stunning new research and bold claims ... For years, popular histories were derided, especially by academics, as all story and no analysis, and for offering few new contributions to understanding the past. But that seems to be changing in recent years, as the best popularizers find new hooks and angles for their histories, and employ new evidence - usually oral histories, or, in O'Keefe's case, deep archival research - in innovative and revealing ways. * The Globe and Mail *

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Book SynopsisThe Battle of Britain was the decisive air campaign fought over Southern England in the summer and autumn of 1940. From 10th July until 31st October 1940 Fighter Command aircrews from over 16 nations fought and died repelling the Luftwaffe. Discover tales of courage, bravery and a host of fascinating, and little-known facts about the combatants, leaders and strategies of both sides. Find out about propaganda employed by both sides to try and influence the battle, the Dowding system relaying information to the pilots in their fighter's and the classic 1969 film starring Sir Laurence Oliver. This absorbing book is published to coincide with the commemorations surrounding the 80th Anniversary of the Battle of Britain 2020. "The Amazing and Extraordinary Facts series" presents interesting, surprising and little-known facts and stories about a wide range of topics which are guaranteed to inform, absorb and entertain in equal measure.Table of Contents Introduction 7 Part One: Preparations for Battle 10 Who Named the 'Battle of Britain'? 10 Operation Sea Lion 12 Germany's Secret Air Force 15 The Four Groups of 'The Few' 19 The Major Players: Sir Hugh Dowding 23 Radio Detection Finding (RDF) 25 The Major Players: Air Vice Marshell Sir Keith Park 27 The Major Players:Reichsmarschall Hermann Wilhelm Göring 29 The Starts of the Skies: The Supermarine Spitfire 33 The Unsung Story of Hazel Hill 36 The Shadow Factory Plan 38 Buried Treasure? 41 Part Two: The Early Skirmishes 44 The Kanalkampf 44 The Stars of the Skies: The Messerschmitt Bf 109 48 The Stars of the Skies: The Hawker Hurricane 52 Protecting Convoy Peewit 56 Operation Eagle Attack 58 Aldertag: 13 August 1940 61 Part Three: The Battle Intensifies 66 'Black Thursday': 15 August 1940 64 The Stars of the Skies: The Junkers Ju 88 66 The Women's Auxiliary Air Force (WAAF) 69 The 'Atta Girls' 71 'Miss Shilling's Orifice' 74 'The Hardest Day': Sunday 18 August 1940 78 Top Guns and Flying Aces: Peterson Clarence Hughes 81 Top Guns and Flying Aces: Heinrich Bär 86 Top Guns and Glying Aces: Werner Mölders 88 The 303 Squadron 91 Top Guns and Flying Aces: Adolf Galland 94 The Big Wing Controversy 99 The Nerve Centre of the No.11 Group 102 Cotton's Club 104 Part Four: Rage in the Skies 106 Göring Hits the Sector Stations 106 Revenge Attacks 107 The Blitz Begins: 7 September 110 The Battle of Britain Movie (1969) 114 Top Guns and Flying Aces: Adolf 'Sailor' Malan 116 Top Guns and Flying Aces: Douglas Bader 121 Battle of Britain Day: 15 September 1940 126 Conclusion 129 The Legacy of the Battle of Britain 131 Index 134 Acknowledgments 144

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Book SynopsisMeticulously researched, this book examines the evidence for the post-Roman military forces of France and Britain during the ''Dark Ages'', reconstructing their way of life and the battles they fought in compelling detail.The collapse of the former Western Roman Empire during the so called ''Dark Ages'' c. AD 410 was gradual and piecemeal. Out of this vacuum arose regional tribes and leaders determined to take back kingdoms that were theirs and oust any Roman presence for good. However, the Roman guard was tenacious and survived in small pockets that emerged in both Gaul and Britain. These areas of Romano-Celtic resistance held out against the Saxons until at least the mid 6th century in Britain and against the Visigoths and the Merovingian Franks until the late 8th century in France.Drawing on archaeological finds, contemporary sculpture and manuscript illuminations, Dr Raffaele D'Amato presents contemporary evidence for 5th to 9th-century Gallic and British ''Dark Age'' armiesTrade ReviewOverall, a handy book, which wargamers will find particularly helpful. * The Balkan Wargamer *All in all for such a short book this is an insightful look at the history of the military forces, weapons, artefacts, personalities and warfare techniques of this period. * Army Rumour Service *Table of ContentsINTRODUCTION Sub-Roman and post-Roman - Sources SELECT CHRONOLOGY POST-ROMAN GAUL Historical background: the Patricii - Armorica - The Arborychi - Southern Gaul Military organization - Armies of the Patricii - Armorica and Brittany - Post-Roman enclaves and cities POST-ROMAN BRITAIN Historical background: the warlords - Ambrosius - Arthur Kingdoms - Bryneichn - Reghed and Cumbria - Elmet - Gododdin - Strathclyde - Gwynedd, Dyfed and Powys - Dumnonia - Other Romano-British enclaves Military organization - Warlord armies - Romano-British kingdoms - Teulu, Gosgordd and Nifer - Size of armies EQUIPMENT, ARMS & CLOTHING Gallo-Roman Patricii armies - Helmets - Body armour - Weapons - Other equipment - Military dress - Germanic equipment Brittany and Armorica - Helmets - Armour and shields - Weapons - Horse equipment - Military dress British warlord armies - Helmets - Body armour - Shields - Military belts - Weapons: Spears - Swords - Daggers and knives - Axes Cavalry warfare and equipment - Standards Post-Roman kingdoms - Helmets - Armour - Shields - Weapons - Cavalry warfare - Military dress SELECT BIBLIOGRAPHY INDEX

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Book SynopsisThis engrossing book pits the legionaries of Imperial Rome against their Germanic and Sarmatian opponents in the 2nd century AD.Shortly after Marcus Aurelius came to power in AD 161, the Roman Empire was racked by a series of military crises. While unrest in Britain and a new war with Parthia were swiftly dealt with, the invasion of Roman territory by the Chatti and Chauci peoples heralded a resurgent threat from the empire's European neighbours. Soon the Marcomanni and the Quadi, as well as the Dacians and the Sarmatian Iazyges, would attack the Romans in a series of savage conflicts that continued until AD 175 and would see the first invasion of Roman Italy since the beginning of the 1st century BC.In this book, the two sides' objectives, weapons and equipment and fighting styles are assessed and compared in the context of three featured battles: Carnuntum (170), where a Roman legion was vanquished and Italy invaded; the Battle on the Ice' (172), where the RTable of ContentsIntroduction The Opposing Sides Carnuntum, AD 170 The Battle on the Ice, AD 172 The Miracle of the Rain, AD 174 Analysis Aftermath Bibliography Index

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Book SynopsisUNDERSTAND AND EXPERIENCE THE MOST EXTRAORDINARY AERIAL EVER FOUGHTPart of the new Ladybird Expert series, Battle of Britain is an accessible, insightful and authoritative account of the most famous aerial battle in history.Historian, author and broadcaster James Holland draws on the latest research and interviews with participants to bring colour, detail and a fresh perspective to the story.Inside, you''ll discover how tactics, organisation and new technologies were brought to bear, about the different challenges faced by both the RAF and the Luftwaffe, and, above all, the skill, bravery and endurance of the airmen engaged in a contest that was of critical importance to the outcome of the war. Written by the leading lights and most outstanding communicators in their fields, the Ladybird Expert books provide clear, accessible and authoritative introductions to subjects drawn from science, history and culture.Other booksTrade ReviewBattle of Britain shines a light on some of the darkest and most dramatic moments of the six-year conflict. * The Daily Mail *

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Book SynopsisTHE GREATEST OF BATTLESThe defining military engagement of the nineteenth century. The epic battle that forever ended one man’s dreams of a European empire unified under his rule.THE GREATEST OF RIVALSThis epoch-defining conflict would ultimately be remembered for the showdown between two of history’s most legendary commanders: the Duke of Wellington, and Napoleon Bonaparte.THE DEFINITIVE ACCOUNTDivided into three parts, Christopher Hibbert masterfully depicts first Napoleon and his rise to power, then a portrait of Wellington and the allied armies, and lastly the steps leading up to and the battle itself, the final clash on the fields of Waterloo.A gripping, succinct and panoramic survey of this legendary battle, the history surrounding the conflict, and the personalities that defined both the battle itself, and a generation.

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Book SynopsisEnjoy a detailed examination of Operation Olive as US, British, Commonwealth and Allied forces seek to smash through the last German defensive line in Italy.The Italian theatre of operations post-summer 1944 was often (and incorrectly) surmised at the time as a quiet sector of World War II, populated with troops who were relieved not to find themselves fighting in North-West Europe. Yet the true nature of the hard fighting that took place here was soon revealed when the Allies began their assault on the Axis Gothic Line defences, known as Operation Olive. In this book, Italian military historian Pier Paolo Battistelli documents the dual Allied offensive spearheaded by American and British units to smash through what was supposed to be the final Axis defensive line in Italy before the Alps. The overall strategic aims of both the Axis and Allied leaders are explored, together with the organization of the forces committed.The expertly researTrade ReviewBy Page 30 readers have been given a first-class overview. -- Susan Wilson * Army Rumour Service *A well-researched and accessible guide to a fascinating and complex late-war campaign. * Military Modelcraft International *Table of ContentsORIGINS OF THE CAMPAIGN CHRONOLOGY OPPOSING COMMANDERS Allied Axis OPPOSING FORCES Allied Axis Orders of battle, 25 August 1944 Orders of battle, 1 November 1944 OPPOSING PLANS Allied Axis THE CAMPAIGN BR Eighth Army breaches the Gothic Line The Battle for Rimini US Fifth Army pierces the Gothic Line BR Eighth Army’s offensive on the Romagna Plain The thrust towards Imola US Fifth Army’s drive on Bologna BR Eighth Army’s final push Final operations AFTERMATH THE BATTLEFIELD TODAY FURTHER READING INDEX

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Book SynopsisNew B-format paperback - 25 December 1941 is known to this day by the people of Hong Kong as âBlack Christmasâ. The battle for Hong Kong is a story that deserves to be better known.

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Book SynopsisJune 1940. In just weeks, General Erwin Rommel's 7th Panzer Division dubbed the Ghost Division' had driven headlong through Allied forces in Belgium and France to reach the English Channel. Pushing south along the Channel coast past Le Harve, Rommel's spectacular victory at Saint-Valéry-en-Caux was crowned by the capture of Cherbourg. Following the Franco-German Armistice and a victory parade in Bordeaux, cameras rolled as Rommel re-enacted crossing the Somme for the Nazi propaganda documentary Sieg im Westen (Victory in the West).

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Book SynopsisFeaturing specially commissioned artwork and maps, carefully chosen illustrations and insightful analysis, this book examines the legendary Mongol warriors and their vastly different European opponents. Having conquered much of Central Asia by 1237, the Mongols advanced into the northern Caucasus. The fall of several key centres such as Riazan and Vladimir was followed by Mongol victory at Kiev. Moving west, in 1241 two Mongol armies achieved stunning victories at the battles of Liegnitz in Poland and the Sajo River (Mohi) in Hungary, before suffering their only reverse of the campaign at the fortress of Klis. The Mongol forces regrouped in Hungary to prepare for a further advance into Austria and Germany, but the death of their leader, Ogedei Khan, meant that his generals were required to return to Mongolia to choose a successor. Smaller Mongol forces would return to raid in the years to come, but never again would Western Europe be threatened as it was in 1242.Fully illustrateTrade Reviewan interesting match-up, pitting two very different warriors against each other. -- Dave Watson * The Balkan Wargamer *This is an interesting match-up, pitting two very different warriors against each other. * The Balkan Wargamer *Table of ContentsIntroduction The Opposing Sides Liegnitz, 9 April 1241 Muhi, 1241 Esztergom and Székesfehérvár, 1242 Analysis Aftermath Bibliography Index

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Book SynopsisAn authoritative military history of the U.S. Army's 3rd Infantry Division in Operation Iraqi Freedom, describing the 2003 invasion of Iraq, the siege and fall of Baghdad, and the nation-building mission that followed.In 21 Days to Baghdad, historian Dr. Heather Stur describes the commitment of the division to Kuwait, the invasion of Iraq and the three weeks of violent desert conflicts on the way to Baghdad before the siege and battle for the city itself, and the thunder runs that saw its fall to U.S. forces. She then details the complex security mission that required the soldiers and their commanders to convince Iraqi citizens that the U.S. was there to help them, while at the same time they continued fighting Saddam Hussein's elite Republican Guard, paramilitary forces, and terrorists. This new history is based on exclusive, extensive interviews with General Buford Buff Blount, the U.S. Army two-star general who led the 3rd Infantry DivisionTrade ReviewAccompanied by a series of informative maps, 21 Days to Baghdad is an interesting perspective on the Iraq War. * Classic Military Vehicle *Table of ContentsList of Illustrations Maps Introduction 1. The Making of a Seventh-Generation Soldier 2. The Arabist: Blount in Saudi Arabia 3. War Planning 4. Preparations in Kuwait 5. Invasion 6. Pushing Through Karbala 7. The General’s Gamble: Seizing Baghdad 8. Now What? 9. Fallujah Conclusion Appendix: Third Infantry Division Order of Battle, Iraq 2003 Acronyms Notes Selected Bibliography Index

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Book SynopsisExplore the Eastern Front battle that resulted in one of the greatest defeats of World War I, in which an entire Russian army was annihilated by German arms.Tannenberg is a major battle that deserves a fully illustrated treatment all of its own, and for the first time this book brings the epic Eastern Front clash to life in visual detail. No other book on this topic walks you through the action like this one, using detailed maps to provide unit locations and movements and help explain key command decisions, while period photographs and colour battlescenes put soldiering back at the core of the events by revealing the military material culture of the opposing sides. Michael McNally guides you through the initial border engagements and the battles of Gumbinnen and Stallupönen, before moving on to explore the massive, often confused running battle of Tannenberg in easy to follow and concise detail. This work helps you understand how the Germans managed to maul Samsonov's Second ArmTrade Reviewgives a good feel for the strategic choices and command-quality on both sides -- Chris Jarvis * Miniature Wargames *If you have never thought about this theatre of operations in WWI, this work will make you reconsider your opinion and wish to read more on the subject. -- John Norris * Gunmart *Table of ContentsORIGINS OF THE CAMPAIGN Alliance and misalliances Girding for war Stavka plans CHRONOLOGY OPPOSING COMMANDERS Russian German OPPOSING FORCES Russian German Orders of battle OPPOSING PLANS Russian German THE CAMPAIGN Der Russeneinfall –the Russian invasion Invasion Stallupönen: 17 August Gumbinnen: 20 August A change of strategy Man of the moment Samsonov’s progress Der Alte Hase – the old hand Lahna and Orlau: 23–24 August See the elephant: Usdau and Bischofsburg, 25–26 August The sound of the guns: Usdau, 27 August Turning the flank: 27 August Interlude at Osterode A day of decision: 28 August The beginnings of collapse: 28–29 August Days of decision: 29–30 August AFTERMATH GAZETEER OF PLACE NAMES SELECT BIBLIOGRAPHY INDEX

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Book Synopsis''The definitive account of the Vulcan raids taught me something new on every page''- Rowland White, author of the bestselling Vulcan 607A newly researched, fully illustrated account of how RAF Vulcan bombers flew a series of the world''s longest air raids in 1982 against Port Stanley airfield, in a daring, hastily improvised strike against the Argentinian invaders. The RAF''s opening shots of the Falklands War were among the most remarkable airstrikes in history. The idea was simple: to destroy the runway at Port Stanley, and prevent Argentinian fast jets using it against the Royal Navy task force. But the nearest British-owned airfield was Ascension Island - 3,900 miles away from the Falklands.Researcher and historian Andrew D. Bird has uncovered new detail of what really made these extraordinary raids possible, including never-before-published information and photos demonstrating the discreet support proviTrade ReviewTaking care to examine events from both the British and Argentinian perspectives, ‘Operation Black Buck 1982’ is the definitive account of the Vulcan raids on the Falklands. Brimming with fascinating detail and fresh insights, Andrew Bird’s brilliant book taught me something new on every page. Lavishly illustrated with incredible new artwork from Adam Tooby and a real treasure trove of rare and unseen photographs, this book will be irresistible to anyone with even the slightest interest in the record-breaking missions that captured the world’s attention in 1982. - Rowland White, author of the bestselling Vulcan 607This is a detailed and compelling account of the remarkable long-distance Vulcan bombing raids on the Falkland Islands during the war of 1982, raids which were on the absolute periphery of what was technically and practically possible at the time. Deploying obsolete 1950s bombers and ‘dumb’ (unguided) bombs only 40 years after their fathers had drooped bombs over the Ruhr (although two attacks did deploy anti-radar missiles), the raids were a testament to the determination and ‘can-do' attitude of the Vulcan and Victor tanker aircrew, technicians and engineers who made the whole extraordinary show possible, as well as the unstinting material, technical and political support provided to the U.K. by the U.S.A. It is an amazing story, brilliantly told. - Dr Robert Lyman FRHistS, author of A War of EmpiresTable of ContentsINTRODUCTION - The airfield at Port Stanley - First conflicts - The road to war - Argentina makes a move CHRONOLOGY ATTACKERS' CAPABILITIES - Ascension - Diplomacy - The Vulcans - Selecting and refitting the aircraft - Aircrews and training - Target - The Victors and Nimrods - Ordnance DEFENDERS' CAPABILITIES - Air defence - The move to the Malvinas CAMPAIGN OBJECTIVES - Sea Harriers or Vulcans? - Analysis of the airfield - The beginning of the air war THE CAMPAIGN - Final countdown: Black Buck 1 - Fuel misallocation - Approach to Stanley - At Port Stanley - The Sea Harrier follows up - The Belgrano sinking and its consequences - Black Buck 2 - The first anti-radar attempts - Enter the Shrike - Repairing and relocating the radars - Black Buck 5 - Black Buck 6 - An unscheduled stopover - Black Buck 7 - Planning for Black Bucks beyond the Falklands AFTERMATH AND ANALYSIS FURTHER READING

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Book SynopsisThis work provides an authoritative illustrated examination of the second day of the Battle of Gettysburg, analyzing both grand strategy, and the tactical decisions of Day Two and the ensuing combat.July 2, 1863 was the bloodiest and most complicated of the three days of the Battle of Gettysburg. On this day, the clash involved five divisions of Confederate infantry and their accompanying artillery battalions, as well as a cavalry skirmish at nearby Hunterstown. The bulk of the Union army engaged on the second day of fighting, including men from the 2nd, 3rd, 5th, 6th, 11th and 12th Corps.Assisted by superb maps and 3D diagrams, this fascinating work describes the tactical play-by-play, the customary who did what of the battle. Among the famous actions covered are Hunterstown and Benner's Hill, Little Round Top, Devil's Den, the Rose Wheatfield, the Peach Orchard, and Culp's and Cemetery hills. The critical decisions taken on the second day are examined in detail, Table of ContentsTHE END OF DAY ONE ORDERS OF BATTLE OPPOSING PLANS Union plans Confederate plans THE SECOND DAY Hunterstown and Benner’s Hill The Confederate Advance Little Round Top Devil’s Den The Rose Wheat Field The Valley of Death The Peach Orchard Cemetery Ridge Culp’s Hill Cemetery Hill NIGHTFALL BIBLIOGRAPHY INDEX

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Book SynopsisThe first dedicated examination of Alexander the Great''s final battle and acknowledged tactical masterpiece. In the years that followed Alexander the Great''s victory at Gaugamela on 1 October 331 BC, his Macedonian and Greek army fought a truly ''Herculean'' series of campaigns in what is today Iran, Turkmenistan, Afghanistan, and Pakistan. But it was in the Indus Valley, on the banks of the Hydaspes River (known today as the Jhelum) in 326 BC that Alexander would fight his last major battle against King Poros. Using detailed maps and 3D diagrams, this beautifully illustrated work shows how Alexander used feints and deception to transport a select force from his army across the swollen River Hydaspes without attracting the enemy''s attention, allowing his troops the crucial element of surprise. Battlescene artworks and photographs reveal the fascinating array of forces that clashed in the battle, including Indian war elephants and chariots, and horse arcTrade ReviewI particularly enjoyed finding out more on the Indian side of the campaign. * Wargames Illustrated *Table of ContentsORIGINS OF THE CAMPAIGN Literary sources CHRONOLOGY OPPOSING COMMANDERS Alexander Poros OPPOSING FORCES Alexander’s army Poros’ army THE BATTLE OF THE HYDASPES The crossing The battle Analysis AFTERMATH ABBREVIATIONS BIBLIOGRAPHY INDEX

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Book SynopsisFor many years the first battle of St Albans was regarded as a ‘short scuffle in the street’. A.W. Boardman, the author of Towton 1461: The Anatomy of a Battle, proves this was not the case. Indeed, the battle was unique and a significant event in England’s medieval history.The street fighting was widespread, the town was pillaged in the aftermath, Henry VI was almost killed, and the battle’s political consequences proved so problematic for both sides that parliament used official propaganda to conceal the truth.St Albans was, along with other lesser-known battles of the early 1450s, the genesis of the Wars of the Roses, and it is probably the best-documented encounter of the period. The battle heralded the beginning of an intense blood feud that fuelled the civil wars between York and Lancaster for many generations. But what really happened in the streets of St Albans on 22 May 1455? What prompted Richard Duke of York and the Neville family to rebel against Henry VI? And who were the instigators of the conflict that caused the execution and deaths of a substantial portion of England’s nobility by the end of the fifteenth century?This book answers these questions and discusses the theories about St Albans following a detailed and multi-disciplined approach. A.W. Boardman reveals the anatomy of a battle hidden beneath the streets and alleyways of this modern city and explains the wider issues of the Wars of the Roses in northern England. Illustrated throughout with contemporary images, modern photographs and specially drawn battle maps, this new and fully updated edition is a thorough examination of the sources, the terrain and the military significance of the first battle of St Albans: a battle where the streets ran red with blood.

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Book SynopsisA gripping tale of three crucial battles fought at the end of 1943 as Allied forces approached the Gustav Line in Italy.After repulsing the German counter-attack at Salerno in September 1943, the US Fifth Army and British Eighth Army advanced up the Italian Peninsula. By October, the Allied armies had reached the Volturno Line, forcing a critical decision in German strategy: a prolonged defence would be conducted in southern Italy, contesting the Allied advance using the complex terrain features. By mid-November, the two Allied armies were approaching the German defensive lines along the Garigliano and the Sangro rivers. Here, US 5th Army would attack through the Mignano gap towards San Pietro Infine, while British Eighth Army would seize Ortona on the Adriatic coast and Orsogna. A brutal struggle ensued, with the German defenders attempting to hold their positions. The fighting at Ortona in particular (labelled a ''mini Stalingrad'') would be particularly grueling for the CanadTable of ContentsORIGINS OF THE CAMPAIGN CHRONOLOGY OPPOSING COMMANDERS Allied Axis OPPOSING FORCES Allied Axis Orders of battle OPPOSING PLANS Allied Axis THE CAMPAIGN Approaching the Winter Line US Fifth Army approaches the Winter Line The first battle of San Pietro The second battle of San Pietro BR Eighth Army’s crossing of the Sangro NZ 2nd Division’s first attempts against Orsona The battle of Orsona: Operation Torso Outflanking Orsona: Operation Florence Stalemate The advance from the Moro River Ortona: the first phase Fighting into Ortona AFTERMATH THE BATTLEFIELDS TODAY FURTHER READING INDEX

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Book SynopsisThe Thirty Years'' War (1618-48) was Europe''s most destructive conflict prior to the two world wars. Two of European history''s greatest generals faced each other at Lützen in November 1632, mid-way through this terrible war. Neither achieved his objective. Albrecht von Wallenstein withdrew his battered imperial army at nightfall, unaware that his opponent, King Gustavus Adolphus of Sweden, had died a few hours earlier. The indecisive military outcome found an immediate echo in image and print, and became the object of political and historical disputes. Swedish propaganda swiftly fostered the lasting image of the king''s sacrifice for the Protestant cause against the spectre of Catholic Habsburg ''universal monarchy''. The standard assumption that the king had ''met his death in the hour of victory'' became integral to how Gustavus Adolphus''s contribution to modern warfare has been remembered, even celebrated, while the study of Lützen''s wider legacy shows how such events are constantly rewritten as elements of propaganda, religious and national identity, and professional military culture. The battle''s religious and political associations also led to its adoption as a symbol by those advocating German unification under Prussian leadership. The battlefield remains a place of pilgrimage to this day and a site for the celebration of Protestant German and Nordic culture. This book is the first to combine analysis of the battle itself with an assessment of its cultural, political and military legacy, and the first to incorporate recent archaeological research within a reappraisal of the events and their significance. It challenges the accepted view that Lützen is a milestone in military development, arguing instead that its impact was more significant on the cultural and political level.Trade ReviewA very readable book. Highly recommended for anyone wishing to understand more about the Thirty Years' War. An excellent addition to OUP's Great Battles series. * Chris May, Battlefield *With this beautiful, well-illustrated book, Wilson has propelled Lutzen from moderate obscurity to its rightful place in history ... OUP have worked in great harmony with a renowned historian to produce a thought-provoking, highly readable piece of scholarship. * Patrick Mercer, Military History Monthly *Table of Contents1: Introduction 2: Context 3: Campaign 4: Battle 5: Military Legacy 6: Political and Cultural Legacy 7: Conclusion Appendix: Orders of battle Bibliography Index

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Book Synopsis''The most honest attempt yet to tell how the Battle of Britain really was'' Andrew Wilson, ObserverHistory is swamped by patriotic myths about the aerial combat fought between the RAF and the Luftwaffe over the summer of 1940. In his gripping history of the Battle of Britain, Len Deighton drew on a decade of research and his own wartime experiences to puncture these myths and point towards a more objective, and even more inspiring, truth.''Revolutionised thinking about the Battle of Britain in a way that has not been seriously challenged since'' The TimesTrade ReviewRevolutionised thinking about the Battle of Britain in a way that has not been seriously challenged since. -- Robert Dawson Scott * The Times *Must surely rank as the most honest attempt yet to tell how the Battle of Britain really was. -- Andrew Wilson * Observer *The research was so meticulous that his conclusions, chiefly that the Few were very brave but their leaders were daft, could not easily be set aside. Indeed, they are now part of the orthodoxy. * The Independent *The best, most dispassionate story of the battle I have read and I say that even though the book destroyed many of my illusions and, indeed, attacks the validity of some of what I wrote as an eyewitness. -- Drew Middleton * New York Times Book Review *[We learn] that British anti-aircraft fire was ineffective, that some R.A.F. ground personnel fled under fire, that the Admiralty provoked costly skirmishes ...The book resounds with exploded myths. -- Leonard Bushkoff * Washington Post *Deighton has shown himself to be the most protean of British best-sellers. -- John Sutherland * London Review of Books *

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Book SynopsisIntroduces the modeller to the daring operation that was Market Garden.

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Book SynopsisAnalysis of a crucial battle in British naval historyRe-examines a neglected moment in naval warfareGripping account of this daring attack on the French FleetPlaces the battle in the wider context of the Seven Years war, particularly upon the war in North America.

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Book SynopsisWalking, cycling and driving guide to the First World War battlefield of Cambrai in northern France.

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

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

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

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Book SynopsisOffers a full explanation of the wider situation to set each VC action within the bigger picture.

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Book SynopsisAt the height of the savage and bitter Indian Mutiny, the British garrison at Cawnpore found itself surrounded in June 1857\. Through a lack of resources, its commander, Major General Wheeler, agreed to surrender the city providing all the British inhabitants were granted free passage out of Cawnpore. But, just as the men women and children were about to embark on the boats that would take them to safety, the Mutineers attacked. All the British troops were killed, as were some of the women and children, with others being wounded. Those who survived, approximately 200 in number, were moved to a small villa called Bibighar. Held in awful conditions, many subsequently died from cholera and dysentery. When the rebel leader, Nana Sahib, learned that a large British force was approaching to relieve the captives, he ordered all the women and children to be killed. Though some of the sepoys refused to act, others began to hack about them with swords and cleavers. In the orgy of horror that followed, women were raped and mutilated, children stripped and murdered. In a bid to conceal the atrocity from the revengeful British troops, the corpses were thrown into a deep well. Just four of the original 200 people captured at Cawnpore lived to tell the gruesome tale by hiding under the bodies of the dead. Over many years James Bancroft has collected information on the victims and has interviewed some of the descendants. This has enabled him to examine the events at Cawnpore in 1857 through the lives of those who died and survived the atrocity, throwing new light on this very dark tale. The book is completed with photographs of the sites in India taken by one the families of the victims.

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Book Synopsis'Excellent... It is a tremendous tale - one of the most dramatic in our island's history - and O'Keeffe tells it beautifully' The TimesCharles Edward Stuart's campaign to seize the British throne ended with one of the quickest defeats in history: on 16 April 1746, at Culloden, his Jacobite army was overpowered in under forty minutes. Its brutal repercussions, however, endured for years, its legacy for centuries.Paul O'Keeffe follows the Jacobite army from initial victories to calamitous defeat. Exploring the battle's aftermath, he chronicles the Jacobite prisoners paying for their treason on block and gibbet while those granted 'the King's mercy' suffered the fate of forced labour on plantations in the colonies. While Stuart's cause eventually acquired an aura of romanticism, the Jacobite Rising remains one of the most bloody and divisive conflicts in British domestic history, which resonates to this day.'Detailed, vivid - and not for the faint-hearted' Financial Times'Fascinating, meticulously researched... tremendous' Daily Mail'Intensely readable... and vividly written' Neal Ascherson, London Review of BooksTrade ReviewA tremendous tale - one of the most dramatic in our island's history - and O'Keeffe tells it beautifully, -- Saul David * The Times *Fascinating, meticulously researched, often brutally detailed ... without being there, those times could not be more vividly brought to life than in this tremendous book -- Roger Alton * Daily Mail *Brings the last battle on British soil to life with page-turning vivacity * Mail on Sunday *A fascinating portrait of 18th-century Britain as an age of elegance and brutality... I recommend this book strongly -- Allan Massie * Scotsman *A fascinating portrait of eighteenth-century Britain as an age of elegance and brutality... I recommend this book strongly -- Allan Massie * Scotsman, *Books of the Year* *Detailed, vivid - and not for the faint-hearted * Financial Times *Intensely readable... [and] vividly written -- Neal Ascherson * London Review of Books *A vibrant and vivid tale, of victory, defeat, savage retribution and 'high' art... In our field one is often inclined to think or say, 'Do we really we need yet another book on Culloden?' However, if they are written as well and as excitingly as Paul O'Keeffe's...then the answer is a resounding 'Yes!' -- Robert Woosnam-Savage FSA, Curator Emeritus, Royal Armouries, University of Leeds

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Book Synopsis'A lively and readable account' Spectator'A fine book ... well-written and well-researched' Washington TimesIn less than six hours in August 1942, nearly 1,000 British, Canadian and American commandos died in the French port of Dieppe in an operation that for decades seemed to have no real purpose. Was it a dry-run for D-Day, or perhaps a gesture by the Allies to placate Stalin's impatience for a second front in the west? Historian David O'Keefe uses hitherto classified intelligence archives to prove that this catastrophic and apparently futile raid was in fact a mission, set up by Ian Fleming of British Naval Intelligence as part of a 'pinch' policy designed to capture material relating to the four-rotor Enigma Machine that would permit codebreakers like Alan Turing at Bletchley Park to turn the tide of the Second World War.'A fast-paced and convincing book ... that clears up decades of misinformation about the ignoble raid' Toronto StarTrade ReviewA fast-paced and convincing book ... that clears up decades of misinformation about the ignoble raid -- Toronto StarA lively and readable account * The Spectator *Magnificent and engrossing, this is a deep dive into one of the most fascinating and clandestine mysteries, which O'Keefe has cracked open. With extensive research, he produces a captivating and revealing narrative full of intricate detail and written in an accessible and flowing manner. Much of the information is new and I can safely say this will appeal to those interested in history, in particular, that of WWII, and those who find strange and enduring mysteries compelling. A compulsive, informative and eminently readable book, One Day in August is a multilayered and deeply thrilling expose. -- The Book Doctor[A] fine book ... well-written and well-researched * Washington Times *Simply put - One Day in August is a game-changer. David O'Keefe makes a bold claim about the real purpose of the Dieppe raid but does so with eloquence and clarity. Through his masterful analysis of thousands of pages of documents and sources, he builds a compelling case that finally answers our questions about the events of August 1942. * Paul Woodadge, WW2TV *A must-read if one is to really understand the Dieppe raid. * Julian Thompson *Based on extensive original research ... O'Keefe's landmark new book presents a new and original explanation of what happened on that fateful August day in 1942. * The Globe and Mail (Best Book) *Highly original and bracingly revisionist, One Day in August is that rare book that is able to say something new about something so familiar. Based on extensive research in official records in Canada and Britain, many of them previously undiscovered or long-forgotten, One Day in August is historical writing at its best: engrossing, revealing, and enlightening. * Citation, RBC Taylor Prize *O'Keefe has definitely made the biggest breakthrough of the last twenty years in our understanding of the raid ... His principal research achievement is to have kept digging in the British archives with such persistence that the keepers of the British code-breaking secrets conceded that there was no point holding back the remaining records linking Bletchley Park, Ian Fleming and the Dieppe raid. * Peter Henshaw, Dieppe scholar and intelligence analyst, Privy Council Office *In the same way that intelligence in the Second World War had to be based on multiple sources rather than a single thunderclap moment or dramatic source, David has built this case through a whole series of small pieces of evidence ... [He] has certainly changed our view of Dieppe into the future; he has added a new dimension that we really weren't aware of before. * Stephen Prince, Head, Naval Historical Branch, Royal Navy *The most important work on the [Dieppe] raid since it occurred in 1942. * Rocky Mountain Outlook *O'Keefe tells a masterful story of the intrigue and cryptology behind the fighting forces ... I will be among the first to say that any subsequent book on Dieppe or Ultra intelligence will have to take into account his stunning new research and bold claims ... For years, popular histories were derided, especially by academics, as all story and no analysis, and for offering few new contributions to understanding the past. But that seems to be changing in recent years, as the best popularizers find new hooks and angles for their histories, and employ new evidence - usually oral histories, or, in O'Keefe's case, deep archival research - in innovative and revealing ways. * The Globe and Mail *

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