Weapons and equipment Books
University of Missouri Press Shades of Blue and Gray Introductory Military
Book SynopsisEmphasizing technology and its impact on the US Civil War, this text examines the evolving warfare of the time. It includes material on land and sea mines, minesweepers, hand grenades, automatic weapons, and balloons, as well as covering the evolution of military professionalism.
£50.35
Bloomsbury Publishing PLC American Civil War Armies 1 Confederate Troops
Book SynopsisA concise illustrated study of the uniforms, arms and personal equipment issued by the national Confederate government to its artillery, cavalry, and infantry. When the Southern states seceded to form their own government in 1861, one of their first moves was to organise an army. The South's fighting men served from the time of their enlistment until the end of the war, receiving poor rations, and even worse clothing and this despite the fact that one of the first steps taken by the new army was to design a uniform and establish standards for accoutrements and weapons. In this first of five volumes examining American Civil War armies, Philip Katcher profiles the uniforms issued by the national Confederate government to its artillery, cavalry and infantry in detailed text accompanied by black-and-white images and 8 superb colour plates by artist Ron Volstad.Table of ContentsIntroduction · Headgear · Coats · Other Uniform Items · Zouave and Chasseur Uniforms · Accoutrements · Weapons · The Plates
£11.69
Bloomsbury Publishing PLC Men at Arms No 158 Romes Enemies 2 Gallic
Book Synopsis
£11.69
Wisconsin Historical Society Press The USS Wisconsin
Book Synopsis
£11.66
iUniverse From Shield to Storm HighTech Weapons Military
Book Synopsis
£24.99
Bloomsbury Publishing PLC Russias War in Afghanistan 178 MenatArms
Book Synopsis
£11.69
The University of Alabama Press Americas Pursuit of Precision Bombing 19101945
Book SynopsisDescribes the refinement of American military technology.Trade ReviewThis is a first-rate book.... At its core, this is a meticulously researched, nicely written 'biography' of the widely renowned, but in fact little-known Norden bombsight and its curious relationship to American strategic bombing doctrine and practice. It is a bizarre and ironic story. - Technology and Culture ""McFarland captures the grand scale as well as the technical details of bombsight development [and] links it well to politics and strategy."" - Science ""Fundamental reading for any reasoned look at American bombing in World War II."" - Journal of American History ""An excellent book about a crucial yet surprisingly neglected subject."" - Air & Space Power Journal
£26.96
MP-NMX Uni of New Mexico American Military Shoulder Arms Volume III
Book Synopsis
£63.20
Bloomsbury Publishing PLC American Civil War Armies 5
Book SynopsisA concise illustrated study of the uniforms of the volunteer militias of the US Civil War. Uniformed volunteer units were raised by individuals, usually from an area's social élite who had enough spare money and time to spend on such enthusiasms. They voted on their unit designation, their officers and non-commissioned officers, their unit rules, and their uniform. Many future leaders learned their skills in these ranks, and volunteer militia units formed the core of many fighting units on both sides of the Mason-Dixon line. With the help of numerous photographs and illustrations, including eight full page colour plates by Ron Volstad, Philip Katcher does a fine job of detailing the uniforms of the volunteer militia of the American Civil War.Table of ContentsThe Volunteers of 1860-65 · Alabama · Arkansas · Connecticut · District of Columbia · Georgia · Illinois · Indiana · Kentucky · Louisiana · Maine · Maryland · Massachusetts · Michigan · Mississippi · Missouri · New Hampshire · New Jersey · New York · North Carolina · Ohio · Pennsylvania · Rhode Island · South Carolina · Virginia · Wisconsin · The Plates
£11.69
Bloomsbury Publishing PLC The Composite Bow 43 Weapon
Book SynopsisAn ancient design, emerging from Central Asia in the second millennium BC, the composite bow was adopted by a staggering variety of cultures. This book tells the story of this extraordinary piece of military hardware; how it was made and how various cultures developed differing tactics for using it.Table of ContentsIntroduction /Development /Use /Impact /Conclusion /Bibliography /Index
£14.39
National Academies Press Critical Code Software Producibility for Defense
Book SynopsisTable of Contents1 Front Matter; 2 Summary; 3 1 Recognize the Pivotal Role of DoD Software Innovation; 4 2 Accept Uncertainty: Attack Risks and Exploit Opportunities; 5 3 Assert DoD Architectural Leadership for Innovative Systems; 6 4 Adopt a Strategic Approach to Software Assurance; 7 5 Reinvigorate DoD Software Engineering Research; 8 Appendixes; 9 Appendix A: Briefers to the Committee; 10 Appendix B: Biosketches of Members of the Committee
£37.05
Oxford University Press, USA Radical War
Book Synopsis
£26.55
Bloomsbury Publishing PLC The FN MAG Machine Gun
Book SynopsisFor six decades, the 7.62mm FN MAG has been a dominant general-purpose machine gun (GPMG) in worldwide arsenals. Three qualities have guaranteed this enduring status--reliability, ease of operation, and firepower. Several nations have license-produced the weapon as their standard GPMG, including the Americans (M240) and the British (as the L7), and in total more than 80 nations have adopted the FN MAG. The machine gun has also been modified extensively for vehicular, naval, and aircraft platforms, demonstrating versatility in the air, on sea, and on land.In this book, Chris McNab charts the technical evolution of this extraordinary weapon, created by Belgian company Fabrique Nationale d''Herstal. From the jungles of South East Asia, to the deserts of the Middle East, and the icy battlefields of the Falklands, this study explores the origins, development, combat use, and legacy of the FN MAG machine gun, a dominant weapon in its field for more than a half-century.
£14.39
Bloomsbury Publishing PLC The Gatling Gun
Book SynopsisA unique chapter in the history of firearms, the multibarrel, hand-cranked Gatling gun was one of the first practical rapid-fire weapons ever to be used in battle. It changed warfare by introducing the capability to project deadly, high-intensity fire on the battlefield, and portended the devastation that automatic weapons would wreak in World War I. During its 40-year career, it saw widespread service with US, British, and other forces on a host of battlefields through conflicts in Zululand and the American West, to the Spanish-American War. Although it saw widespread use in the hands of industrialized nations against various groups of indigenous native warriors, it was famously left behind by Custer at the Battle of Little Bighorn, where some argue it could have made all the difference. Featuring full-color artwork plus contemporary and close-up photographs, this engaging study investigates the origins, development, combat use, and lasting influence of the formidable GatliTable of ContentsIntroduction /Development: A new species of weapon is born /Use: The Gatling at war /Impact: ‘A terrible gun which shoots all day’ /Conclusion /Glossary/ Bibliography /Index
£15.19
Paladin Press Modern Weapons Caching A Downtoearth Approach to
Book Synopsis
£17.00
MO - University of Illinois Press Lincoln and the Tools of War
Trade ReviewIt is hardly going too far to say that Lincoln the president cannot be properly understood without some acquaintanceship with this aspect of his character. And it is not going in the least too far to add that Bruce has assembled his material with care, industry, and intelligence and has written a book of deep and surpassing interest and appeal." -- Civil War Book Club Review
£18.89
Bloomsbury Publishing PLC The M1 Carbine
Book SynopsisIn 1938 the US Chief of Infantry requested that the Ordnance Department develop a carbine to be used by service and support troops, artillerymen, machine-gun crews, tankers, mortar crews and other troops not needing the power of the M1 Garand rifle. The development of this new weapon was given an added impetus by Germany's successful use of airborne and glider troops early on in World War II. This caused a fear amongst US officers that troops normally considered 'behind the lines' personnel might have to fight elite German troops and would therefore require a more effective weapon than their standard pistols. The resulting M1 Carbine was a not a shortened version of the standard service rifle but instead a brand-new design chambering a new cartridge. Eventually numerous manufacturers would combine to produce over six million M1 Carbines before the end of the war. This book charts the complete story of the weapon, from its design, to its operational history and its impact upon warfare.Table of ContentsIntroduction /Development /Use /Impact /Further Reading
£13.29
ABC-CLIO Defense Reform and Technology
Book SynopsisTo capture the defense reform debate surrounding the proper application of high technology in military systems, this study focuses on tactical aircraft, an area epitomizing cutting-edge technology.Table of ContentsFigures and Tables Preface Acknowledgments The Debate The Case of Tactical Fighter Aircraft From Versatility to Supportability Reformers and Air Combat History The Nineties and Beyond Appendix A: F-16 Program Evolution and Performance Characteristics Appendix B: F-16 Data Analysis Index
£83.68
Henry Holt & Company Inc Destroying the World to Save It Aum Shinrikyo Apocalyptic Violence and the New Global Terrorism
Book SynopsisLooks at Aum Shinrikyo, the Japanese cult that released sarin nerve gas in the Tokyo subways, and examines the mind of the man behind the religion. By the author of Death in Life. Reprint. 12,500 first printing.
£18.89
Globe Pequot Submarine Aircraft Carriers
£27.75
British Archaeological Reports Oxford Ltd The Production and Distribution of Roman Military Equipment
£76.95
Artech House Publishers SurfaceBased Air Defense System Analysis Radar Library
Book SynopsisConstitutes a multidisciplinary introduction to the analysis of air defence systems. The text illustrates 12 air defence process models, covering initial detection to kill assessment. These models form the foundation for any air defence system analysis.Table of ContentsThreat characterization; air defence process models and events; tactical environments; anti-aircraft artillery; surface to air missile guidance concepts; missile element models and trim flight simulation; guidance and control; warheads and fuses; simulation and engagement applications; air defence mission modeling, air defence system test and evaluation.
£146.29
Cambridge University Press Guns Race and Power in Colonial South Africa 109 African Studies Series Number 109
Book SynopsisIn this book, William Kelleher Storey shows that guns and discussions about guns during the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries were fundamentally important to the establishment of racial discrimination in South Africa.Trade ReviewReview of the hardback: '… without doubt the most stimulating and significant discussion concerning South Africa's colonial 'gun society' to have appeared since the publication in 1971 of the influential series of articles on guns in colonial Africa in the Journal of African History. Storey's study is consequently absolutely essential reading, not only for military historians of South Africa in the colonial period, but for all those with an interest in related technology, hunting, ecology, culture and society.' Journal of the Society for Army Historical ResearchTable of Contents1. Guns in colonial South African history; 2. Early colonialism and guns at the Cape up to 1795; 3. Guns, conflict, and political culture along the Eastern Frontier, 1795–1840; 4. Hunting, warfare, and guns along the Northern Frontier, 1795–1868; 5. Capitalism, race, and breechloaders, 1840–80; 6. Guns and the Langalibalele Affair, 1873–5; 7. Guns and confederation, 1875–6; 8. Risk, skill, and citizenship in the Eastern Cape, 1876–9.
£39.92
Echo Point Books & Media Patton: A History of the American Main Battle Tank
£62.96
Oxford University Press, USA To Walk Without Fear
Book SynopsisA comprehensive and authoritative account of the global movement to ban landmines. This text examines and draws lessons from the "Ottawa Process" that culminated in December 1997 when over 120 states signed a convention to ban the use, sale and production of landmines.Table of ContentsPreface. Contributors. Abbreviations. 1: Maxwell A. Cameron, Robert J. Lawson, and Brian W. Tomlin: To Walk Without Fear. Part One: The Global Movement for a Ban. 2: Jody Williams and Stephen Goose: The International Campaign to Ban Landmines. 3: Valerie Warmington and Celina Tuttle: The Canadian Campaign. 4: Philippe Chabasse: The French Campaign. 5: Noel Stott: The South African Campaign. 6: Stuart Maslen: The Role of the International Committee of the Red Cross. 7: Jerry White and Ken Rutherford: The Role of the Landmine Survivors Network. 8: Alex Vines: The Crisis of Anti-Personnel Mines. 9: Robert G. Gard, Jr: The Military Utility of Anti-Personnel Mines. Part Two: The International Response. 10: Robert J. Lawson, Mark Gwozdecky, Jill Sinclair, and Ralph Lysyshyn: The Ottawa Process and the International Movement to Ban Anti-Personnel Mines. 11: Brian W. Tomlin: On a Fast Track to a Ban: The Canadian Policy Process. 12: Mary Wareham: Rhetoric and Policy Realities in the United States. 13: David Long and Laird Hindle: Europe and the Ottawa Process. 14: J. Marshall Beier and Ann Denholm Crosby: Harnessing Change for Continuity: The Play of Political and Economic Forces Behind the Ottawa Process. 15: Thomas Hajnoczi, Thomas Desch, and Deborah Chatsis: The Ban Treaty. 16: Don Hubert: The Challenge of Humanitarian Mine Clearance. Part Three: Legacies of the Ottawa Process. 17: Richard Price: Compliance with International Norms and the Mines Taboo. 18: Miguel de Larrinaga and Claire Turenne Sjolander: (Re)presenting Landmines from Protector to Enemy: The Discursive Framing of New Multilateralism. 19: Michael Dolan and Chris Hunt: Negotiating in the Ottawa Process. 20: Maxwell A. Cameron: Democratization of Foreign Policy: The Ottawa Process as a Model. 21: Lloyd Axworthy: Towards a New Multilateralism. Appendix A List of Signatories to and Ratifications of the Ottawa Convention. Appendix B The Ottawa Convention. Index
£33.58
Penguin Publishing Group Future Weapons
Book SynopsisOn the battlefield, a soldier's best friends are his gun and his gear—because his life depends on them. But what will it take to fight and survive on the battlefields of tomorrow? What will those combat arenas consist of, and where will they be? And what will our nation's fighting men and women carry with them into battle? Future Weapons is a compendium of the weapons of war that may accompany our soldiers in the near and far future, as well as an insightful look at the soldier, sailor, and airman of today and tomorrow. All manner of military hardware is covered, as well as information about cutting-edge technology that will become standard in weapons to come, the possibility of robotic soldiers, vehicles, protective armor, and the prospects of fighting a war in both space and cyberspace.
£17.06
Bloomsbury Publishing PLC The Russian Army of the Napoleonic Wars
Book SynopsisIn 1795 the Russian army was as vast as the territory from which it was drawn. The College of War calculated that the regular army amounted to 541,741 men, plus 46,601 enrolled cossacks, and at least a further 100,000 irregular cavalry which could be mobilised in time of war. Inspired by the icons paraded by their priests before battle, the Russian infantry were capable of astonishing feats and total, blind obedience to orders. Philip Haythornwaite examines the organisation and uniforms of the remarkable Russian infantry troops who fought in the Napoleonic Wars (1799-1815).
£11.69
Random House Publishing Group Wahoo The Patrol of Americas Most Famous World War II Submarine The Patrols of Americas Most Famous World War II Submarine
Book SynopsisThe career of the USS Wahoo in sinking Japanese ships in the farthest reaches of the Empire is legendary in submarine circles. Christened three months after Pearl Harbor, Wahoo was commanded by the astonishing Dudley W. “Mush” Morton, whose originality and daring new techniques led to results unprecedented in naval history; among them, successful “down the throat” barrage against an attacking Japanese destroyer, voracious surface-running gun attacks, and the sinking of a four-ship convoy in one day. Wahoo took the war to Japan’s front porch, and Morton became known as the Navy’s most aggressive and successful sea raider. Now, in a new quality paperback edition, her full story is told by the person most qualified to tell it—her executive officer Richard O’Kane, who went on to become the leading submarine captain of the Second World War.Praise for Wahoo“Th
£13.88
Bloomsbury Publishing PLC The Suomi Submachine Gun
Book SynopsisEntering service in 1931, the 9x19mm Suomi KP/-31 submachine gun saw extensive combat with Finnish troops during their fight against Soviet forces in 193944. It was also manufactured under licence in Switzerland, Denmark and Sweden, and remained in Finnish service until the 1980s, an indication of its durability.Rugged and accurate, the Suomi was a favourite with Finnish ski troops who would strike from ambush, cutting down Soviet troops, then skiing away into the woods. Initially used by the Finns as a light machine gun at infantry squad level, it eventually became a dedicated submachine gun, and since it had been designed to be more accurate than the typical SMG, it was often even used as a sniping weapon, or to supplement longer-ranged rifles such as the Mosin-Nagant. Featuring first-hand accounts and specially commissioned colour artwork, this is the story of one of World War II's most distinctive and respected infantry weapons.
£14.39
Bloomsbury Publishing PLC The Flamethrower
Book SynopsisThe focus of this book is a weapon that has literally placed the power of fire in human hands the man-portable flamethrower. This formidable weapon first saw battlefield use in the hands of German troops during World War I, and went on to arm the forces of many countries in World War II and beyond. Capable of inflicting horrific injuries or of using up the oxygen supply inside a building, causing the occupants to suffocate it projected a stream of flammable liquid, which could be bounced' off the interior surfaces of tunnels, buildings and other defended structures to reach deep inside a fortification. From its combat debut to its deployment in Vietnam, Chechnya and elsewhere, the flamethrower has proven to be devastatingly effective, not least because of its huge psychological impact on enemy troops. Yet despite this, the weapon and its operators have always been vulnerable, suffering from a very particular set of limitations, all of which are explored here. Featuring expert analysTable of ContentsIntroduction /Development: Controlling the flames /Use: Unleashing hell /Impact: A new world order /Conclusion /Bibliography /Index
£14.39
Bloomsbury Publishing PLC The Trapdoor Springfield From the Little Bighorn
Book SynopsisIntended to replace the proliferation of different small arms fielded by US forces during the American Civil War, the Trapdoor Springfield was designed in 1865-66 by Erskine S. Allin. Using metallic cartridges, it could be loaded in a single action, increasing the number of shots per minute as much as fivefold. The new weapon quickly proved its worth in two separate incidents in August 1867: small groups of US soldiers and civilians armed with the trapdoor repulsed numerically superior Native American contingents. A simple and cost-effective weapon, it was used, along with its variants in every US conflict in the three decades after the Civil War, especially on the American frontier.Drawing upon first-hand accounts from US soldiers, their Native American opponents, and users such as buffalo hunters, this is the story of the Trapdoor Springfield, one of the defining weapons of the Indian Wars.
£15.19
Bloomsbury Publishing PLC War Bows
Book SynopsisWar bows were a mainstay of armies throughout the world from the earliest recorded battles over three thousand years ago to the 16th century, when firearms finally came of age. Even then, in some cultures, the bow remained in use by elite warriors. The bow gave combatants the ability to fight at distance and it played an important role in some of the most famous battles in human history. In this lively and fascinating study, Mike Loades tells the stories of four of the world''s most renowned war bow types: the iconic medieval longbow that made its mark at Crécy; the horn and sinew composite bows of the East, with their varied forms and sophisticated construction; the crossbow with its mechanical ingenuity; and the distinctively asymmetric yumi of the samurai. For each of these bows, Mike brings the insights of his long career as a historical weapons expert and archer to bear, offering a vivid understanding not only of the technology that went into its creation but alsTrade ReviewThe book can be strongly recommended to anyone interested in the use of the bow and crossbow, particularly as a military weapon. [Mike Loades] presents in a vivid and readable fashion a survey of their use over many centuries. -- Arthur Credland * Military History Matters *Anyone with an interest in war bows or the history of warfare would greatly benefit from a copy of this comprehensive work... Loades's experience with bows, both in terms of their history and real life handling, shines through in this well-researched and beautifully written and illustrated book. * History of War, February 2019 *I don't recall ever reading such a thorough analysis of a weapons system... Lavishly illustrated and engagingly written, this book could only have been written by someone who is a supreme practitioner of the subject. * Miniature Wargames *An up-to-date and super-cool book... it’s been vetted and fed into by some of the leading experts, both academics and archers, in the world today. * Schola Gladiatora *Unquestionably an essential reference work if you have any interest whatsoever in archery in all its forms. * Battlefield Magazine *Table of ContentsIntroduction CHAPTER I: THE LONGBOW Development: The longbow’s genesis and production Use: At full draw Impact: Assessing the longbow CHAPTER II: THE CROSSBOW Development: Lock, stock and lath Use: Steady, steady, steady: shoot Impact: Bolts from the blue CHAPTER III: THE COMPOSITE BOW Development: Engineering the optimal bow Use: Archery – a very martial art Impact: Different bows for different blows CHAPTER IV: THE JAPANESE YUMI Development: The asymmetric bow Use: The Way of the Bow and the Horse Impact: The sting of the samurai Conclusion Acknowledgements Bibliography
£29.75
Bloomsbury Publishing PLC Sniping Rifles on the Eastern Front 193945
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
£13.49
Bloomsbury Publishing PLC Superguns 18541991
Book SynopsisOver the last 150 years, gun designers have sought to transform warfare with artillery of superlative range and power, from William Armstrong's 19th-century monster guns to the latest research into hypersonic electro-magnetic railguns.Taking a case study approach, Superguns explains the technology and role of the finest monster weapons of each era. It looks at the 1918 Wilhelm Gun, designed to shell Paris from behind the German trenches; the World War II V-3 gun built to bombard London across the Channel; the Cold War atomic cannons of the US and Soviet Union; and the story of Dr Gerald Bull's HARP program and the Iraqi Supergun he designed for Saddam Hussein. Illustrated throughout, this is an authoritative history of the greatest and most ambitious artillery pieces of all time.Table of ContentsIntroduction /The 19th Century: William Armstrong's 'Monster Guns' /World War I: The Paris Gun /World War II German Superguns: Dora and the V-3 /Cold War Superguns: US Atomic Cannon and Soviet Oka and Kondensator /Gerard Bull's Superguns: HARP and Project Babylon /Current Developments /Bibliography /Index
£10.44
Bloomsbury Publishing PLC The Sterling Submachine Gun
Book SynopsisDesigned by a motorcycle racer turned small-arms engineer, George Patchett, the submachine gun that eventually became known as the Sterling was developed during World War II. Some suggest it first saw action during Operation Infatuate with No. 4 Commando, before becoming fully adopted by the British Army in 1953 as the Sterling Machine Carbine (L2A1). It was center stage for many of Britain''s post-colonial conflicts from Malaya to Kenya and from Yemen to Northern Ireland. The silenced L34A1 Sterling-Patchett entered service in 1966 and first saw action deep in the jungles of Vietnam in the hands of the elite special forces of Australia, New Zealand, and the United States during prisoner snatches and reconnaissance patrols. Employing first-hand accounts and painstaking technical analysis, this engaging account features carefully selected archive photography and specially commissioned color artwork of the submachine gun that armed British and other forces for Trade ReviewWith plenty of gun photos, period photography of it being used and colour illustrations of action scenes this is a pint-sized, handy guide to the post-WWII weapon. * The Armourer, January 2019 *A great book for weapon collectors and weapon enthusiasts. * Gun Mart *Table of ContentsIntroduction / Development / Use / Impact / Conclusion / Bibliography / Index
£13.29
Bloomsbury Publishing PLC The G3 Battle Rifle
Book SynopsisDuring the Cold War, the G3 was one of the world's pre-eminent battle rifles. Developed in France and Spain after 1945, the rifle was produced by the German arms manufacturer Heckler & Koch. Adopted by more than 40 countries and produced on licence by many more, it was widely employed during colonial wars in Africa, insurgencies in Latin America and conflicts in the Middle East, but perhaps its widest use was in the IranIraq War. Variants of the G3 have also seen substantial usage among Special Forces including Britain's Special Boat Service and the US Navy SEALs. Semi-automatic versions, especially the HK91 and HK93, remain popular in the United States, and the G3-derived HK11 and HK21 family of light machine guns have also been widely adopted by military and law-enforcement units across the world. Fully illustrated with specially commissioned artwork, this study examines one of the iconic weapons of the Cold War era.Table of ContentsIntroduction / Development / Use / Impact / Conclusion / Bibliography / Index
£13.49
Bloomsbury Publishing PLC Hotchkiss Machine Guns
Book SynopsisFeaturing contemporary photographs and full-color artwork, this title explores the action-packed history of the Hotchkiss machine gun and its derivatives, which were used around the globe for nearly fifty years. Created by a long-forgotten Austrian nobleman, Adolf Odkolek von Augezd, the air-cooled Hotchkiss machine gun was the first to function effectively by tapping propellant gas from the bore as the gun fired. Although the Hotchkiss would be overshadowed by the water-cooled Maxim and Vickers Guns, it proved its effectiveness during the Russo-Japanese War. The gun, quirky though it was, was successful enough to persuade Laurence Benét and Henri Mercié to develop the Modèle Portative: a man-portable version which, it was hoped, could move with infantrymen as they advanced. Later mounted on tanks and aircraft, it became the first automatic weapon to obtain a kill in aerial combat. Though it served the French and US armies during World War I (and also tTable of ContentsIntroduction /Development /Use /Impact /Conclusion /Bibliography /Index
£12.59
Bloomsbury Publishing PLC Soviet Machine Guns of World War II
Book SynopsisThis study looks at how the Soviet armed forces developed and deployed a range of machine guns that fitted with their offensive and defensive infantry tactics across six years of total war.In 1939, three machine guns dominated the Red Army's front-line infantry firepower the DShK 1938 heavy machine gun, the PM M1910 medium/heavy machine gun and the Degtyaryov DP-27, a lighter, bipod-mounted support weapon. Confronted by cutting-edge German technology during the Great Patriotic War (194145), the Soviets responded with the development of new weaponry, including the RPD light machine gun, the 7.62×54mmR SG43 medium machine gun and the improved version of the DP-27, the DPM. Taken together, all these weapons gave the Red Army a more practical range of support weapons, better able to challenge the Germans for fire superiority on the battlefield. Fully illustrated, this study explains the technology and the tactics of these machine guns. Noted authority Chris McNabTable of ContentsIntroduction Development Use Impact Conclusion Further Reading Index
£13.49
Bloomsbury Publishing PLC The Essential Guide to Airsoft Gear
Book SynopsisTable of ContentsWhat is Airsoft? Get Started in Airsoft! Chapter 1. US ODA Scud Hunters Chapter 2. Bravo Two Zero Chapter 3. Black Hawk Down Chapter 4. SBS at the Battle for Qala-i-Janghi Chapter 5. Old-School Force Recon Chapter 6. Special Air Service Regimen Chapter 7. Kommando Spezialkräfte Chapter 8. Task Force Black Chapter 9. MARSOC Chapter 10. Seal Team 6/DEVGRU Chapter 11. CTSFO 2019 Chapter 12. US Army Delta Chapter 13. Alpha Group Top Five FAST Helmets Airsoft International Magazine
£19.00
Bloomsbury Publishing PLC British Coastal Weapons vs German Coastal Weapons
Book SynopsisFor the first time ever, compare the British and German World War II big guns duelling with each other and harrying shipping in the Channel.One of the longest-running battles of World War II took place across the English Channel, in which huge artillery guns attempted to destroy each other, created psychological terror among the local inhabitants living near the coast, and harassed shipping over a four-year period.Neil Short examines the array of powerful weapons located across the Strait of Dover. Superb colour artworks explore both fixed gun batteries (including ''Jane'' and ''Clem'', and batteries Todt and Lindemann) and railway artillery (such as the German K5 and K12 guns, and the British 18in. ''Boche Buster''). Construction and targeting technology used by each side are also covered in detail, and the locations of all the major sites around Dover and Calais are pinpointed on easy to follow maps.Trade ReviewThis book deserves great praise for highlighting a little known part of the war. -- Simon Dalton * History Book Chat *An unusual subject, recommended. * Tankette *Table of ContentsIntroduction Chronology Design and Development Technical Specifications The Combatants The Strategic Situation Combat Statistics and Analysis Aftermath Bibliography Index
£14.39
Bloomsbury Publishing PLC Sniping Rifles in World War I
Book SynopsisWhile Germany and Austria-Hungary were well-equipped with sniping rifles in 1914, their Allied opponents were not. This highly illustrated volume tells the inside story of the rifles carried by snipers of all the major powers during World War I.Although military sharpshooting had existed since the 18th century, in 1914 only the German and Austro-Hungarian armies fielded trained snipers armed with scoped rifles. Thus upon the outbreak of World War I, the Allied armies found themselves on the receiving end of a shooting war to which they had no means of response. Only the Canadians brought a dedicated sniping rifle into the trenches, but in small numbers. For the British, although production of a suitable rifle and scope were settled on quickly, the establishment of sniper training was difficult and its success was mostly due to the efforts of a handful of dedicated officers. The French eventually introduced a competent scoped rifle and a sniper training system, as did the ItalianTrade ReviewSpread throughout the book are plenty of archive images, plus some modern photos illustrating preserved examples of the various types of rifle and sight, along with some super artwork which does include some lovely cross-sections showing the mechanism of examples such as the Enfield Model 1917, Mauser GEW 98 and Ross rifles. -- Robin Buckland * Military Model Scene *Table of ContentsIntroduction Development Use Impact Conclusion Bibliography Index
£13.49
Bloomsbury Publishing PLC Allied Warships vs the Atlantic Wall
Book SynopsisA fascinating exploration of the often-overlooked gunnery duels between the formidable artillery weapons in the Atlantic Wall defences and the mighty US and Royal Navy battleships.Amphibious landings were an essential tool of Allied military strategy in World War II. The Royal Navy and the US Navy provided operational mobility that allowed the Allies to strike unexpectedly across the vast coastlines of the Mediterranean and Atlantic. Nazi Germany did not have sufficient naval power to seriously contest this, and consequently relied heavily on the huge and costly Atlantic Wall fortification programme. By 1944, the French coast featured more than 1,900 coastal guns over 75mm in calibre. At the heart of this fascinating book by renowned military historian Steven J. Zaloga is the clash between Batterie Hamburg (defending Cherbourg) and the Allied naval bombardment group led by the battleship USS Texas on 25 June 1944. Stunning artworks reveal details of theTable of ContentsIntroduction Chronology Design and Development The Combatants The Strategic Situation Combat Analysis Aftermath Bibliography Index
£14.39
Bloomsbury Publishing PLC Ottoman Armies 18201914
Book SynopsisThis book describes and illustrates the armies of the embattled Ottoman Turkish Empire involved in 19th-century wars during the Empire''s long spiral of decline.During the so called ''long 19th century'', between the end of the Napoleonic Wars in 1815 and the outbreak of World War I in 1914, the difficulties faced by the Ottoman Turkish Empire were a recurrent factor in international geopolitics. Against a background of RussianOttoman rivalry, France and Britain supported the Empire during the Crimean War (185456), but not in the RussoTurkish War (187778). Portraying the uniforms, arms and appearance of Ottoman troops during this period, this book traces the history of the Ottoman Empire throughout this period, when no fewer than ten wars of regional insurgency and foreign expansion against the Empire were fought in territories in south-eastern Europe, the Middle East and North Africa. Using rare photos and illustrations from Turkish, Balkan and other Table of ContentsINTRODUCTION – The 18th-century army – The ‘New Army’, 1794–1807 – The Empire during the Napoleonic Wars CHRONOLOGY, 1815–1914 REFORMS UNDER MAHMUD II, 1826–39 – Disbandment of the Janissaries – Rebirth of the New Army – Reconstruction and reserves, 1829–36 THE TANZIMAT, 1840–53 – Military regions and army corps – Conscription THE CRIMEAN WAR, 1853–56 – Ottoman campaigns – Bashi-bazouks under European command – The Anglo–Turkish Contingent – Polish volunteers THE RUSSO–TURKISH WAR, 1877–78 – Summary – Military Service Law, 1869 – The Ottoman Army, 1877 – Second-line reserves and auxiliaries THE LATE OTTOMAN ARMY – Military Service Law, 1879 – Hamidye irregulars, 1890s – Further 1890s reforms THE ‘YOUNG TURKS’ REVOLUTION – The army in 1909–14 ARMIES OF VASSAL STATES – Egyptian army, 1815–82 – Tunisian army, 1830–81 – Serbian army, 1808–76 – Montenegrin army, 1830–76 – Moldavian army, 1830–59 – Wallachian army, 1830–59 SELECT BIBLIOGRAPHY PLATE COMMENTARIES INDEX
£11.69
Bloomsbury Publishing PLC The SVD Dragunov Rifle
Book SynopsisFeaturing specially commissioned artwork and carefully chosen photographs, this study charts the SVD Dragunov rifle''s development, combat use and lasting legacy, from Vietnam to Syria.Developed as a medium-range sniping rifle in the Soviet Union during the 1960s, the Dragunov stood out against most Western sniping rifle types by being semi-automatic, a configuration that marginally lowers accuracy compared to bolt-action sniping rifles, but which allows for faster follow-up shots. Even so, the SVD is still capable of taking precision killing shots out to 800m and beyond, making it a thoroughly practical combat weapon for marksmen and snipers.In this fully illustrated study, Chris McNab explores the Dragunov''s development and performance in detail. But the story of this weapon really comes to life with its combat history. It is the world''s most widespread sniping rifle, still in use in the former Soviet armies and sold to more than 40 countries worldwide. ItTrade ReviewThe versatility and effectiveness of this weapon really comes through in this excellent introduction. * Military Modelcraft International *Once again Osprey have educated me with one of their excellent titles covering a niche subject. * The Military Enthusiast Book Club *Table of ContentsIntroduction Development Use Impact Conclusion Bibliography Index
£14.39
Bloomsbury Publishing PLC Harpoon Missile vs Surface Ships
Book SynopsisAn illustrated study of premier US anti-ship missile, the AGM/RGM-84 Harpoon, and its 1986 and '88 uses against Libyan and Iranian naval vessels.In this study, defence technology expert Lon Nordeen details the role played by the Harpoon missile in two Cold War flare-ups in the 1980s. The Harpoon was the first tactical anti-ship missile developed by the US Navy to provide a counter to the anti-ship missiles exported around the world by the Soviet Union and China. It was deployed on ships, aircraft, submarines and land vehicles and soon became the most widely used anti-ship missile system in the West, with 7,000+ having been produced since 1977, operated by the military forces of more than 30 nations. This exciting book explores the engagements of the Harpoon by the US Navy against its Libyan and Iranian adversaries, using original photographs and specially commissioned artwork to examine the naval systems and weapons employed by both counterparts. Drawing upon Table of Contents(Subject to Confirmation) Introduction Chronology Design and Development Doctrine, Tactics, Leadership, Deployment of Forces The Strategic Situation The Combatants Combat Statistics and Analysis Aftermath Further Reading Index
£14.39
Pen & Sword Books Ltd US Infantry Weapons of the Second World War
Book SynopsisAn invaluable and comprehensive collection of US infantry weapons of WW2.
£19.96
Pen & Sword Books Ltd Cataphracts Knights of the Ancient Eastern
Book SynopsisCataphracts were the most heavily armoured shock cavalry on the ancient battlefield, predating the knights of Western Europe by over 1000 years.
£17.99
Pen & Sword Books Ltd The Samurai in 100 Objects The Fascinating World
Book SynopsisThe fascinating world of the samurai as seen through arms and armour, places and images.
£16.99
