Weapons and equipment Books

Book SynopsisTanks were the beasts of the Second World War, machines designed to destroy anything and anyone in their path. Throughout the summer of 1944, the Allied forces readily employed tanks and armored vehicles to gain ground in the bloody campaign of Normandy. Heavily armed, they provided a kind of support which no number of infantrymen could offer, battling their way through enemy lines with their guns blazing. From the US 2nd Armored Division named ‘Hell on Wheels’ to the British ‘Achilles’ tank, the encounters they had in battle were explosive.This volume of the Casemate Illustrated series explores the Normandy invasion from the perspective of the Allied Armored divisions, looking at how armored vehicles played a central role in the many battles that took place. It includes over 40 profiles of tanks and armored vehicles, from the American Sherman and Stuart tanks to the bulldozers and amphibious vehicles designed for the beach.With detailed diagrams and many photos illustrating the composition of the Allied armored divisions and tank regiments present at Normandy, this volume explains the crucial part played by tanks in gaining a foothold in Normandy after the D-Day landings, as well as the significance of many other types of armored vehicles.Trade ReviewIdeal source material for general interest, wargamers and modeller alike. Some excellent colour plates, Order of Battle diagrams and a sound historical narrative in support. * Despatches *… I would recommend to get it for your collection […] handy if you like to build allied armor. * DetailScaleView *The book is clear and concise […] the huge amount of information, diagrams, profiles is an excellent starting point to understanding the use of the allied armoured formations in the Normandy Campaign. * Old Barbed Wire *...if you want to learn more about the subject or want to gain a broad understanding of the use of armored units in Normandy, this is a good introduction. * Recollections of World War II *

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Book SynopsisThis latest in the Casemate Illustrated series explores American armor during the Pacific Campaign of WWII, from 1942-45. During this period there were over twenty major tank battles and operations where tanks provided heavy support to infantry units. These operations include the battle of Tarawa and the Bougainville Campaign. Relying heavily on first-person accounts, the strategies and tactics of the opposing forces are discussed.This book also looks at the Pacific theater, and how American armor was employed with great success in that theater of war. Detailed information on American and Japanese armored forces, including development, equipment, capabilities, organization, and order of battle, is given.Trade Review...an excellent little survey of tank warfare in the Pacific. Guardia’s narrative sticks closely to tank operations and he does not get bogged down in detail – he allows his profile pages to do that work. * Wargames Illustrated 12/04/2021 *This is a very fine work with great attention to detail, interwoven with first-hand accounts and Unit Profiles to give more infromation about the forces involved. * Gun Mart *This should be interesting for history fans and modelers who would like to have more references...it will also make a nice addition to your library. * DetailScaleView *

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Book SynopsisTo become a ninja master, you need discipline, a silent footstep, and an impressive personal arsenal. Author and toy designer John Austin provides step-by-step instructions on how to turn everyday household and office items into 37 different ninja weapons for the modern era, including: the Crouching Tiger Catapult, Paper Clip Grappling Hook, Origami Boomerang, Magazine Nunchucks, Craft Stick Katana, Pencil Top Eraser Dart, and more!Once you’ve assembled an armory, the author provides several targets to practice your shooting skills—nested paper cups become a dragon; chopsticks and a paper plate form a tripod bulls-eye, and more. Armed, trained, and shrouded in black, you are now prepared for missions of reconnaissance and sabotage and other grim errands.Trade Review" Mini Weapons of Mass Destruction: Build and Master Ninja Weapons is another great instruction manual from John Austin. Whether folding a throwing star from a sheet of notebook paper or fashioning a blowgun and dart from the newspaper, you'll have hours of fun with this book." --GeekDad

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Book SynopsisThe Department of Defense (DOD) acquires goods and services from contractors, federal arsenals, and shipyards to support military operations. Acquisitions is a broad term that applies to more than just the purchase of an item of service; the acquisition process encompasses the design, engineering, construction, testing, deployment, sustainment, and disposal of weapons or related items purchased from a contractor. As set forth by statute and regulation, from concept to deployment, a weapon system must go through a three-step process of identifying a required weapon system, establishing a budget, and acquiring the system. One of DOD''s main efforts to improve acquisitions is the Better Buying Power Initiative. This book provides an overview of the process by which DOD acquires weapon systems and discusses recent major efforts by Congress and the Department of Defense to improve the performance of the acquisition system.

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Book SynopsisIn his 2013 State of the Union Address, President Obama stated that the United States would "engage Russia to seek further reduction in our nuclear arsenals". These reductions could include limits on strategic, non-strategic and non-deployed nuclear weapons. Yet, arms control negotiation between the United States and Russia have stalled, leading many observers to suggest that the United States reduce its nuclear forces unilaterally, or in parallel with Russia, without negotiating a new treaty. Many in Congress have expressed concerns about this possibility, both because they question the need to reduce nuclear forces below New START levels and because they do not want the President to agree to further reductions without seeking the approval of Congress. This book reviews the role of nuclear arms control in the U.S.-Soviet relationship, looking at both formal, bilateral treaties and unilateral steps the United States took to alter its nuclear posture. An analytic framework is discussed reviewing the characteristics of the different mechanisms, focusing on issues such as balance and equality, predictability, flexibility, transparency and confidences in compliance, and timeliness.

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Book SynopsisOriginally published in 1941, this book of military ordnance was written in order to bring information to the non-military public during the time of uncertainty that marked the beginnings of the United States’ involvement in World War II. This volume was originally meant to bring comfort and understanding to the average citizen. Thorough in its scope, What the Citizen Should Know About Our Arms and Weapons covers such weapons as:• Pistols and revolvers• Muskets• Grenades and mortars• Field artillery• Antiaircraft artillery• And much more!Ideal for any military history buff, What the Citizen Should Know About Our Arms and Weapons is a straightforward look at the military practices of a nation on the brink of war.Skyhorse Publishing, as well as our Arcade imprint, are proud to publish a broad range of books for readers interested in history--books about World War II, the Third Reich, Hitler and his henchmen, the JFK assassination, conspiracies, the American Civil War, the American Revolution, gladiators, Vikings, ancient Rome, medieval times, the old West, and much more. While not every title we publish becomes a New York Times bestseller or a national bestseller, we are committed to books on subjects that are sometimes overlooked and to authors whose work might not otherwise find a home.

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Book SynopsisDeveloped in response to the 1899 Hague Convention, the 37-mm gun met the restrictions on the size of weapons that could fire explosive shells, yet was also light and lethal enough to be used in battle. After World War I, in which the French Model 1916 37-mm was used extensively, several countries developed or adopted the 37-mm gun.Behind in their development of an anti-tank gun, the United States relied on the German Pak 36 37-mm design as a basis for development. By the mid 1930s, the US Ordnance Department designed the M3 37-mm gun and M4 carriage resulting in a towed anti-tank gun, the first anti-tank gun in the U.S. Army. This gun proved effective at the beginning of World War II, but as German armour protection increased, it could not penetrate the frontal armuor of many German tanks and was relegated to lesser roles. However, the gun proved effective against the Japanese tanks and Japanese strong points in the Far East.The US military used the gun on several production and experimental armoured vehicles including the M3 Lee Medium Tank, the M3 Stuart Light Tank, the M5 Stuart Light Tank, the M8 Armored Car, the T17E1 Staghound Armored Car and the M3A1E3 Scout Car. The gun was also used on several non-armoured vehicles, the P39 Aeracobra, and selected naval vessels. Despite its small size, the U.S. M3 37-mm gun served throughout the war, on many vehicles and performed exactly as designed.Fully illustrated, this is the first complete account of the development and use of the US 37-mm gun in World War II.Table of ContentsIntroduction Chapter 1: Development of the 37-mm Gun Chapter 2: U.S. 37-mm Gun Design Chapter 3: 37-mm Ammunition Usage in World War II Chapter 4: Usage in Armored Vehicles in World War II Chapter 5: Usage in Non-Armored Vehicles and Aircraft in World War II References Appendix A: Drawings of the U.S. 37-mm Gun Appendix B: 37-mm Ballistic Data Index

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Book SynopsisSpecifically designed as a reconnaissance vehicle, the Ford M8 Light Armored Car was intended primarily for use by mechanized cavalry units. A total of 8,523 units were built. Able to move quickly and cover long distances without refuelling, they supported the advance of armored columns by undertaking reconnaissance. Though the thin floor armor made it vulnerable to mines, the M8 served in Europe and the Pacific until the end of the war. Derived from the M8 series, 3,791 M20 Armored Utility cars were built. The M20 was designed without a turret, enabling its use for more specialized purposes such as carrying personnel or artillery spotting. While the project to build the M8 launched in 1941, the first armored cars were only received by the army in March 1943. An Ordnance Department officer, Lt. J. R. Muray, is tasked with being the link between the various components of the army and the industrialists. Throughout the process of creation and production, Muray kept his notes, reports and letters - 1,500 pages of archives have enabled the author to faithfully retrace the process of creating these cars, from the first draft to the end production in June 1945.Table of ContentsContents The Genesis of Light Armored Cars The M8 Light Armored Car The M20 Utility Armored Car Commonalities Use in Europe Appendixes Bibliography Acknowledgements

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Book SynopsisThe cruise missile-also referred to as a guided missile-is a widely employed tactical and strategic weapon, capable of striking ground or ship targets with conventional or nuclear warheads.Before the development of ballistic missiles for attacking an enemy's homeland the U.S. and Soviet strategic arsenals had land-attack cruise missiles to deliver nuclear warheads. Subsequently, the U.S. and Soviet Navies as well as other fleets developed tactical anti-ship and anti-submarine cruise missiles.Much of this book addresses the U.S. Navy's Regulus missile program-the world's first submarine weapon for attacking an enemy homeland with a nuclear warhead-and the similar Soviet Navy's cruise missile efforts. Prior to Regulus a few of the world's submarines had deck guns that were employed for assaulting coastal targets; indeed, the British built a class of submarine monitors with large-caliber guns for attacking coastal targets.After the Regulus more advanced cruise missiles and ballistic missiles were sent to sea in submarines to attack an enemy's cities and military-industrial installations. Certain U.S. and Soviet/Russian land-launched, nuclear-armed cruise missiles also are examined in this book in the context of their being competitive with sea-based missiles for their roles and for resources. Also, at times the technology of one service's missiles was considered for use by another service. The U.S. Navy's rapid and successful development of the Polaris Submarine-Launched Ballistic Missile (SLBM) and budgetary constraints caused the cancellation of advanced submarine-launched cruise missiles-the Regulus II as well as the follow-on Rigel and Triton. Submarines armed with the Regulus I missile continued on patrols in the North Pacific until mid-1964, when they were replaced on the 'deterrent' role by Polaris missile submarines. The Soviet Navy continued the development and deployment of anti-ship cruise missiles, which retained some land-attack capabilities. Following the retirement of Regulus in 1964 strategic cruise missile development in the U.S. Navy experienced doldrums.In the 1970s development of U.S. Navy land-attack cruise missiles resumed with the Tomahawk, initially designed as "theater" land-attack weapon with a nuclear warhead. Significantly, the Tomahawk was designed from the outset of the program to be launched from standard, 21-inch (533-mm) submarine torpedo tubes. While the Tomahawk was developed specifically for naval use from surface ships and submarines, subsequently a land-launched version was developed as a theatre nuclear weapon named Gryphon for the U.S. Air Force as a counter to Soviet theater nuclear weapons in Eastern Europe. (The Tomahawk also was suitable for aircraft launch, although neither the U.S. Air Force nor Navy adopted that concept.) Subsequent Tomahawk variants with conventional warheads were developed for the land-attack and anti-ship missile roles. Sea-based Tomahawk missiles with conventional warheads-launched from surface ships and submarines-were employed extensively and very effectively in the Gulf War (1991) and in several subsequent conflicts and crises. The Soviet Navy's cruise missile programs have a similar development history and that effort has produced several land-attack weapons.Trade ReviewIn October 1962, the placement of Soviet missiles in Cuba presented such a threat that the U.S. risked war to attain their removal. Yet as Norman Polmar and John O'Connell masterfully detail, the Soviets successfully worked to attain this capability through other means. Strike from the Sea brings new understanding to the evolution of the nuclear strategic balance during a crucial period of the Cold War." --David F. Winkler, Ph.D., co-author To Defend and Deter: The Legacy of the United States Cold War Missile Program "A fascinating history and analysis of the cruise missile weapons system which introduced the era of guided missiles, this book looks at the weapon that was eclipsed in the U.S. (but not the Soviet Union) for decades by the ballistic missile, and which has now come back in a modern form, to present potential strategic challenges to the nation, and fresh challenges to the U.S. Navy." --RADM Thomas A. Brooks USN (Ret.), former Director of Naval Intelligence, co-author of Admiral Gorshkov: The Man Who Challenged the U.S. Navy "Authoritative, masterfully written, and drawing from the experiences and knowledge of naval officer John O'Connell and the vast breadth of knowledge of historian and analyst Norman Polmar, this is a must-have book on one of the most critical developments of modern naval armament." --James P. Delgado, maritime archaeologist, historian and author of War at Sea: A Shipwrecked History "Norman Polmar and John O'Connell have provided an in-depth and fascinating look at the history and evolution of submarine-launched cruise missiles from both sides of the Iron curtain. This topic is not only of historical interest, but an issue increasingly back in focus in the age of great power competition." --Magnus Nordenman, author of The New Battle for the Atlantic: Emerging Naval Competition with Russia in the Far North

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Book SynopsisInnovating Victory: Naval Technology in Three Wars, studies how the world's navies incorporated new technologies into their ships, their practices, and their doctrine. It does this by examining six core technologies fundamental to twentieth-century naval warfare including new platforms (submarines and aircraft), new weapons (torpedoes and mines), and new tools (radar and radio). Each chapter considers the state of a subject technology when it was first used in war and what navies expected of it. It then looks at the way navies discovered and developed the technology's best use, in many cases overcoming disappointed expectations. It considers how a new technology threatened its opponents, not to mention its users, and how those threats were managed.Innovating Victory shows that the use of technology is more than introducing and mastering a new weapon or system. Differences in national resources, force mixtures, priorities, perceptions, and missions forced nations to approach the problems presented by new technologies in different ways. Navies that specialized in specific technologies often held advantages over enemies in some areas but found themselves disadvantaged in others. Vincent P. O'Hara and Leonard Heinz present new perspectives and explore the process of technological introduction and innovation in a way that is relevant to today's navies, which face challenges and questions even greater than those of 1904, 1914, and 1939.Trade Review“Innovating Victory is a valuable augmentation of our understanding of how technology influences naval warfare. O’Hara and Heinz chart the influence of six innovative technologies and recount how the combat potential of those technologies was enhanced or constrained by the organizations that developed, refined, and employed them.” —Trent Hone, author of Learning War: The Evolution of Fighting Doctrine in the U.S. Navy, 1898-1945 and co-author of Battle Line: The United States Navy, 1919-1939 “Vincent O'Hara and Leonard Heinz approach an important current problem in a valuable an innovative way: they look at key technological advances and ask how and why the different major navies did or did not benefit. In an age of technological innovation, it is too easy to avoid going beyond the sizzle to ask what should or should not be adopted, and how. The authors' comparative approach is both unusual and extremely valuable.” —Norman Friedman, author of U.S. Submarines Through 1945: An Illustrated Design History “O'Hara and Heinz are to be congratulated on a fine book about technological innovation. They illustrate the relationship between innovation in the area of military technology (and, secondly, in doctrine) and use of that technology in combat. The work does this by using six weapon case studies: the torpedo, the mine, radio, radar, submarines, and aircraft. The authors argue that assessing innovation ultimately must go through the crucible of combat to assess and develop the technology for the purposes of ‘securing power at sea.’” —Dr. John T. Kuehn, professor of Military History, US Army Command and General Staff College and author of America's First General Staff: A Short History of the Rise and Fall of the General Board of the U.S. Navy, 1900-1950 “This is a marvelous book! O’Hara and Heinz have produced a well-written, well-researched work; full of surprises and a pleasure to read. The exploration of a half dozen key naval innovative technologies covers all major navies; no one nation has a corner on innovation. The trick is translating them into combat capability. The chapters on mines, torpedoes and submarines are particularly germane given heightened anxieties regarding possible conflict with China.” —RADM Michael McDevitt, USN (Ret.), author of China as a Twenty-First-Century Naval Power “This book is a fascinating history of how new technologies have been made to work in sea warfare. It has as much relevance for contemporary navies as naval historians. Successful innovation as Innovating Victory, depends not just on technical expertise, but imagination, perseverance and a constant focus on the true strategic and operational goals to be achieved.” —Rear Adm. James Goldrick, RAN (Ret.), author of Before Jutland and After Jutland "Grab this entertaining, enlightening little book. Recommended!" — Cybermodeling Online "The volume has numerous photographs and charts that enhance the study, as well as an extensive bibliography. Equally weighted chapters provide balance to the book and ensure it is readable to generalists yet informative and thought provoking for all; it is filled with histori­cal examples, well written, and engaging." — Naval War College Review

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Book SynopsisThis book explores the origins, development, combat use and lasting influence of Nazi Germany’s automatic rifles, focusing on the Gew 41(W), Gew 43/Kar 43, FG 42 and MP 43/StG 44. The Blitzkrieg campaigns of 1939–40 convinced many observers that most infantry combat took place at closer ranges than the 750–1,000m. From 1941 Germany’s arms designers took note and produced a new series of infantry firearms. This study not only provides a detailed technical description of each weapon, but also explores how the firearms performed on the battlefields of World War II. The combat takes us from the FG 42 in the hands of Fallschirmjäger at Monte Cassino through to StG 44s being used by Waffen-SS soldiers on both the Eastern and Western Fronts. Postwar service is also studied, such as the Gew 43’s adoption by the Czech Army and the StG 44’s use by the Viet Cong in the Vietnam War. Setting each firearm in its tactical and historical context, and employing striking photographs and full-colour artwork, firearms expert Chris McNab sets out the absorbing story of this distinctive and influential series of weapons.Table of ContentsIntroduction /Development /Use /Impact /Select Bibliography /Index

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Book SynopsisThe breech-loading, single-shot .458in Martini-Henry rifle has become a symbol of both the Anglo-Zulu War of 1879 and the numerous battles in Egypt and the Sudan in 1884–85, but continued to be used by both British and colonial troops well into the 20th century. Its invention and introduction into British service were in direct response to the success of the Prussian Dreyse needle gun, which demonstrated that the breech-loading rifle offered faster loading, improved accuracy and superior range; significantly, the weapon could be loaded and fired from a prone position, thus offering the rifleman greater security on the battlefield. Due to the longevity of service, many Martini-Henry rifles survive today, both in museums and in private collections, and the weapon is highly prized by shooting enthusiasts. Featuring specially commissioned full-colour artwork and an array of arresting first-hand accounts and written by an authority on warfare in the Victorian era, this engaging study tells the story of the powerful Martini-Henry and its impact on the battlefield, from the Anglo-Zulu War to the opening months of World War I.Table of ContentsIntroduction /Development /Use /Impact /Further Reading /Index

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Book SynopsisThe severe shortage of munitions during the First World War increased the level of casualties in the battlefields; prevented the breakthrough of the German defences thus continuing a war of attrition; brought about the downfall of the great Liberal Government of the early twentieth century; and placed the British public on a total war footing for the first time in history. The British Shell Shortage of the First World War looks at shell manufacture and views the military and political battles of 1915, a time when decisions made by a government whose ideology was not compatible to war, had to answer for their decisions and management since war was declared. It details the battles of Neuve Chapelle and Aubers Ridge from the perspective of The Rifle Brigade, whose casualties in the latter battle was the catalyst of The Times article that resulted in a coalition government and the creation of a Ministry of Munitions. The political and military casualties are explained, along with the innovative creation of the Munitions Ministry, which led the way for industrial conscription, ensuring that the whole country stood behind their fighting men.

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Book SynopsisThor: Anatomy of a Weapon System examines the technical aspects of the Thor Intermediate Range Ballistic Missile system as based in the UK during the period 1958 to 1963. Thor has a unique part to play in our Cold War heritage; it was the first operational ballistic missile system deployed in the western world and the only venture by the Royal Air Force into such a weapon system. This book describes the missile, its construction, systems and subsystems and the associated ground support equipment in detail. The guidance system, the "brain" of the missile, and as a result, the most complex of the missile's systems, is conveniently spread across two chapters, separating the airborne elements from the ground based components. The missile guidance description includes an illustrated sub section devoted to the basic principles governing the all - important gyroscopes, vital for controlled flight and navigation. Ballistics and how the properties of the earth affect the missile's flight to its target are also discussed. The ground based guidance chapter describes in detail, with accompanying drawings, the set up and alignment of the guidance system for the required target and the use of the "mysterious" theodolites. Explanations are in "plain English" and any associated mathematics is kept simple and, where possible, avoided altogether. Thor's liquid propellants are subject to inspection with an explanation of how these fuels are produced, stored on site, loaded and their associated ever - present dangers. Chapters are dedicated to the development of the re-entry vehicle (the nose cone), which gave Thor its characteristic blunt profile and to Thor's raison d'etre; the awesome 1.44-megaton warhead; its principles of operation and its terrifying effects. The launch countdown process is comprehensively covered in a series of easy to follow flow diagrams, accompanied by detailed drawings and descriptions of the launch control consoles and equipment. The launch sites are themselves examined, with a description of the surveys required, typical layout, locations, construction and security arrangements. Detailed drawings of the site buildings, made by the author, and believed not to be available elsewhere, complete the book which contains photographs, some from the author's collection, believed to be previously unpublished.Table of ContentsContents; Introduction; The Sites; The Site Buildings; The Missile; The Airframe; Pneumatic System; Fuel System; Engine; Hydraulic System; Electrical System; Guidance; Re - entry Vehicle; Warhead; The Launch Emplacement; Missile Shelter; Transporter Erector; Launch Mounting; Hydraulic Pumping Unit; Fuel; Propellant Transfer System; Storage; Nitrogen Supplies; Electrical Equipment Trailer; Missile Check Out Trailer; Power Switchboard; Guidance; Short Range Theodolite; Long Range Theodolite; Target Pillar; Full Guidance Countdown; Guidance Control; Guidance Alignment Set Components; Launch Control Area; Launch Control Trailer; Launch Control Consoles; Full Launch Countdown; Epilogue.

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Book SynopsisThe New Kingdom of Egypt marks the apogee of military organisation and preparedness. Beginning the era under foreign occupation, the Egyptians built up an army to challenge the invaders and liberate their land. Using the newest battlefield technologies (bows, chariots and hand weapons) the new pharaohs pushed the frontiers of the New Kingdom into Syria and Ethiopia. This is the era of Set I, Ramses II and Thuthmoses III, the greatest military pharaohs in Egyptian history. This book narrates this incredible rise to power and then describes in detail the way in which the Egyptian war machine was structured, how it was supplied, and how it fought. It considers all aspects, some often neglected, such as campaign tents, logistics and rations, as well as the design of hand weapons and bows. Many pieces of kit have been reconstructed for the book, giving the reader a very immediate sense of what an Egyptian warrior's equipment looked like. --

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Book SynopsisDuring the First World War fledgling crews in basic aircraft experimented with dropping grenades and small bombs. The need for elements of accuracy became obvious and evolved from that point onwards. The various light bombers that flew during the inter war period developed procedures which carried on into the early years of the Second World War. Bomber Command eventually witnessed the large 4-engined ‘Heavy Bombers’, namely the Handley Page Halifax, Shorts Stirling and Avro Lancaster develop into significant bomb carrying aerial platforms. This book will provide the reader with an explanation of the origin of Bomb Aimers, the training of these men and the complexity of dropping many types of bomb ordinance is an enthralling story. Technical and scientific developments are examined to provide an understanding of the trade that enabled the Bomb Aimers wing to be awarded to the men who volunteered at this time. Many gallantry medals were won by Bomb Aimers. Accounts of dangerous operational flying will be revealed by Bomb Aimers in numerous aircraft. This book will examine true accounts that took place; many will be based upon personal flying logbooks and other unique material originating from the aircrew themselves.Table of ContentsForeword; Preface; Acknowledgements; Bomber Command Leadership and Direction; Bomb Sight Evolution; Patrick Blackett BA OM Ch PRs Scientist; Dorothy Robson BSc ‘Bombsight Bertha’; Alan Blumlein Scientist; Training for Bomb Aimers; Armourers; Harold Pullen Bomb Aimer; Gardening; Wilfred Comber Isted DFM Bomb Aimer; George Philip Barrell Bomb Aimer; Passenger to Frankfurt 1943; Flak, Searchlights and Decoys; Richard Randall Bomb Aimer; Bomb Aimers Panel; Bomb Aimers Computer; Bomb Aimers Camera; Guinea Pig Bomb Aimers; Taking to Silk; ; Bibliography.

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Book SynopsisEvery week the TV news highlights the routine use of drones and guided missiles against terrorist enemies and the recreational use of drones has become commonplace. The Nazi WWII development of guided missiles and bombs is often given credit for America's Cold War success in this realm. However, it was during that war that America, and the Air Force, in particular, also began the development of systems and weapons that laid the foundation for today's technology. 'Off Target' relates in detail the then "Secret" research, development, and combat employment of these early guided bombs, missiles, and drones from 1917 to 1948. Using formerly Secret/Confidential manuals, reports, microfilm print outs, and photos, collected over 40 years, author Wolf, gives the air war historian and enthusiast a detailed look at this unknown topic that progressed from biplane drones to sophisticated post-WWII guided missiles. Among the subjects discussed are Sperry's aerial torpedo and the Kettering "Bug" of WWI to WWII's early rudimentary GB Series Glide Bombs to the more sophisticated VB Series that evolved from radio, heat, light, or television guidance. The Aphrodite/Joseph Kennedy B-17, BQ, TDR, and target drones are discussed as are the SWOD, GLOMB, GORGON, and JB Jet bomb series.Table of ContentsAcknowledgments; Foreword; Chapter 1: Pilotless Weapons: Early Development 1917-Pearl Harbor; Fathers of Remote Control; Nicola Tesla; Archibald Lowe; Sperry Aerial Torpedo/Flying Bomb, Kettering Aerial Torpedo 'Bug'; The British Queen Controlled Aircraft Influence the American Aerial Torpedo; Aerial Torpedo Resurrected Using Commercial Aircraft; General Motors A-1 (GMA-1); Chapter 2: Guided Bombs; AAF GB Series Glide Bomb; AAF VB Series Vertical Bombs; Chapter 3: Guided Missiles; 'Dragon'; 'EMR'; US Navy Development of Television Controlled Missiles; 'Robin'; SWOD (Special Weapons Ordnance Device) Series; 'Pelican'; 'Falcon'; 'Moth'; 'PMB' 'Bat'/SWOD Mk 9; 'Kingfisher'; 'Gorgon' Series; 'Gargoyle' Series; JB: Jet Bomb Series; JB-1; JB-2; JB-3; JB-4 through -9; JB-10; 'Project Bumblebee': The First SAM Missiles; 'Lark'; 'Little Joe'; 'Project Bumblebee' Ramjet Development; 'Talos' and 'Terrier'; Chapter 4: Drones Before Drones: 1935-1950; Target Drones; GL-1/2/3; Radioplane; Radioplane Models; Structure, Equipment, and Systems; A-1 through 8; PQ series; 'Katydid' Assault Drones; 'Aphrodite'; 'Anvil'; 'Castor'; 'Willie Orphan'; XBQ-1/XBQ-2/XBQ-3 ; Post-War Surplus Aircraft Drones; 'Crossroads'; Post-War QB-17 Drones; Post-War F6F Hellcat Drones; Chapter 5: US Navy Drone Program Development; History; TDNs and TDRs Described; Interstate XBDR-1; Chapter 6: 'GLOMB' (Glider Bomb) Series; XLNT and XLRN; LBE/LBP/LBT ; BDR; AAF 'GLOMB' Projects; Chapter 7: Conclusions on the American Guided Missile Program: 1917-1950; Bibliography; Index.

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Book SynopsisAn iconic medieval missile weapon, the deadly longbow made possible the English victories at Crecy and Poitiers at the height of the Hundred Years’ War. The longbow was the weapon at the heart of the English military ascendancy in the century after 1340. Capable of subjecting the enemy to a hail of deadly projectiles, the longbow in the hands of massed archers made possible the extraordinary victories enjoyed by English forces over superior numbers at Crécy and Poitiers, and remained a key battlefield weapon throughout the Wars of the Roses and beyond. It also played a leading role in raiding, siege and naval warfare. Its influence and use spread to the armies of Burgundy, Scotland and other powers, and its reputation as a cost-effective and easily produced weapon led to calls for its widespread adoption among the nascent armies of the American Republic as late as the 1770s.Table of ContentsIntroduction /Development /Use /Impact /Conclusion /Select Bibliography /Index

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Book SynopsisModern Small Arms looks in detail at 300 of the most widely used pistols, rifles, submachine guns, machine guns and other small arms of the last 100 years. It includes famous small arms such as the AK-47, the M16, the SA80, the Lee Enfield, the MP40, the MG42, the Browning Hi Power, the M60, the Thompson sub-machine gun, the Colt .45, the Sten and the L115A3 sniper rifle. Arranged by type, each small arm is illustrated by a full colour artwork and accompanied by a detailed specifications table giving the country of origin and the technical details of the weapon, including calibre, length, weight, barrel length, rate of fire, muzzle velocity, operation and, where appropriate, magazine capacity. Each entry also contains text summarising the weapon’s development and service history. Presented in a handy, pocket-book format, Modern Small Arms is colourful, packed with information and offers a great insight into the development of weaponry over the past century.Table of ContentsIntroduction Handguns Mannlicher Model 1901 Steyr Model 1917 Glock 17 Glock 18 Glock 20 Browning Modèle 1900 Browning High-Power Model 1935 Browning Double-Action CZ75 Tokagypt 58 Helwan Chamelot-Delvigne 1874 Manhurhin MR73 MAB PA-15 Mauser Zig-Zag Bochardt C/93 Bergmann 1896 Bergmann-Bayard M1910 Mauser C/12 Parabellum P’08 (Luger) Parabellum Artillery Model Walther PPK Mauser HSc Walther P38 Heckler & Koch P9 Heckler & Koch P7 Walther P5 Webley Bulldog Webley & Scott Self-Loading Pistol 1912 Mk 1 Webley & Scott Mk 6 Webley-Fosbery Enfield .38 Fromer Model 1910 IMI Desert Eagle Pistola Automatica Glisenti Modello 1910 Beretta Modello 1934 Beretta 81 Beretta Model 93R Beretta Model 92SB Meiji Revolver Meiji Revolver Nambu 14th Year Radom wz.35 Unceta Victoria Astra Model 400 Astra Falcon Star 30M SIG P-210 SIG-Sauer P-225 SIG-Sauer P-226 .32 Savage Model 1907 Colt New Service Revolver M1917 Colt M1911 .45in Colt Army Model 1917 Colt Police Positive Colt Detective Special Colt Python Ruger Security Six Ruger Redhawk Smith & Wesson Double-Action Smith & Wesson ‘Hand Ejector’ Model 1917 Smith & Wesson Mk 22 Model 0 ‘Hush Puppy’ Smith & Wesson 459 Smith & Wesson Model 29 .44 Magnum Smith & Wesson 1006 Liberator 13mm MBA Gyrojet Calico M950 Nagant M1895 Tula-Tokarev TT-33 Pistole Makarov Stechkin PSM Submachine Guns Austen MK1 Owen Steyr MP69 Steyr MP69 Vigneron FN P90 Personal Defence Weapon (PDW) Samopal CZ Model 25 Samopal 62 ‘Skorpion’ Madsen M50 Suomi Model 31 Konepistooli M44 MAS 38 MAT 49 Bergmann MP18 Erma MPE Erma MP58 MP38 MP40 Dux Heckler & Koch MP5 Heckler & Koch MP5SD Heckler & Koch MP5K Lanchester Sten Mk II Sten Mk IIS Sten Mk V Patchett Mk 1 Sterling L2A1 Sterling L34A1 Uzi Mini-Uzi Pistole Mitragliatrice Vilar-Perosa M15 OVP Beretta Model 1938/42 Beretta Model 12 Beretta SC70 Spectre Type 100 BXP Star SI35 Star Z70B Carl Gustav M/45 Fürrer MP41/44 SIG MP41 Thompson M1921 Thompson M1928 Reising Model 55 United Defense M42 M3A1 M3A1 Ingram M10 5.56mm Colt XM177E2 Commando PPD-34/38 PPD-40 PPS-43 PPSh-41 Kalashnikov AKSU -74 Skoda M1909 Machine Guns Schwarzlose M07/12 FN MAG FN Minimi M240 GPMG Lehky Kulomet ZB vz30 Madsen Let Maschingevaer Hotchkiss Mle 1914 Hotchkiss M1922/26 8mm Saint-Etienne Modèle 1907 Fusil Mitrailleur M’15 (‘Chauchat’) Fusil Mitrailleur M’le 24/29 Châtellerault Arme Automatique Transformable (AAT-52) NF-1 GPMG Maxim Maschinengewehr ’08 7.92mm Bergmann MG15Na Parabellum-Maschinengewehr Modell 14 Spandau Model 1908/15 MG34 MG42/59 MG42 7.62mm Maschinengewehr 3 Heckler & Koch 13E Heckler & Koch HK21 Heckler & Koch HK21E Maxim .45 Mk 1 Hotchkiss Mk 1 Lewis Gun Mk 1 Vickers Mark 1 (Class C) Rolls Royce MG Bren BESA BESAL Mk II Light Support Weapon L86A1 SIA Perino M1913 Perino M1913 Fiat-Revelli Modello 14 Fucile Mitragliatore Breda Modello 30 Fiat-Revelli Modello 35 Taisho 3 Taisho 11 Type 89 Type 92 Type 96 CETME Ameli Solothurn MG30 Browning M1917A1 Browning M1919A4 Browning M2HB Stoner M63 Machine Gun M60 M60E3 Minigun XM-214 M249 SAW Maxim MG1910 Degtyarev DP Goryunov SGM DShK RPD RPK 7.62mm PKM Pecheneg GPMG Steyr SSG69 Infantry Rifle Model 1889 Artillery Musketoon Mle 1892 Bolt-Action Rifles Lebel M1886 Lebel-Berthier 1907/15 FR-F1 Mauser Gewehr 98 Mauser SP66 Mauser Kar 98K Lee-Enfield Mk II Short Magazine Lee-Enfield Mk III Lee-Enfield Rifle No. 4 Mk 1 Lee-Enfield Rifle No. 5 De Lisle Carbine Parker-Hale Model 85 RSAF L42A1 Accuracy International L96A1 L115A3 Mannlicher-Carcano 1891 Moschetto Modello 1891 per Cavalleria Beretta Sniper Arisaka 38th Year Rifle Springfield Model 1903 Enfield Rifle M1917 Weatherby Mk V M40A1 TAC-50 Mosin-Nagant Rifle Steyr-Mannlicher AUG FN FAL FN FAL Para Automatic Rifles FN FNC FN F2000 QBZ-95 QBZ-03 Samonabiject Puska vz52 V almet M76 Fusil MAS Mle 1936 MAS 49/56 FAMAS Fallschirmjägergewehr 42 Maschinenpistole 43/Sturmgewehr 44 Heckler & Koch PSG 1 Heckler & Koch G3 Heckler & Koch G3SG1 Heckler & Koch G11 Heckler & Koch G36 Heckler & Koch 416 Walther WA2000 L1A1 Self-loading Rifle EM-2 Assault Rifle Enfield Individual Weapon L85A1 (SA80) Accuracy International AS50 INSAS Assault Rifle Pindad SS2 Khaybar KH2002 Galil ARM Galil Sniper IMI Tavor TAR-21 Beretta AR70/90 Beretta BM59 Beretta AS70/90 FX-05 Xiuhcoatl SAR 80 SR-88 Vektor R4 CETME SIG SG540 M1 Rifle (Garand) Browning Automatic Rifle Carbine, Caliber .30, M1 M14 Rifle M21 Armalite AR-18 M16A1 Ruger Mini-14 Barret Light Fifty M82A1 Iver Johnson Model 500 M4 Carbine M14 EBR M110 FN Scar Simonov AVS-36 Tokarev SVT-40 Simonov SKS Kalashnikov AKM Kalashnikov AK-47 Kalashnikov AK-74 Kalashnikov AKS-74 AK 103 Dragunov SVD AN-94 Abakan AK-107 AK-200 Franchi SPAS Model 12 Franchi SPAS 15 Remington M870 Shotguns Ithaca Model 37 M and P Mossberg ATPS 500 Pancor Jackhammer Winchester 12 Defender Granatpistole M79 Grenade Launcher M203 Grenade Launcher Grenade Launchers Mark 19 Grenade Launcher AGS-17 Milcor MGL Brunswick RAW Glossary Index

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Book SynopsisFrom the American Civil War and the introduction of the metal cartridge in the 1860s up to the present day, The Encyclopedia of Weapons is an accessible reference guide to the most important small arms, armoured vehicles, aircraft and ships from all around the world. The book ranges from the first Gatling guns to favourites such as the Lee Enfield rifle and the AK-47; in terms of aircraft the book includes World War I biplanes, World War II’s Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress and Mitsubishi A6M2 Zero fighter and on to modern stealth aircraft; in naval weaponry the book features early ironclad submarines, classic ships such as Bismarck and the nuclear subs of today; from the first tanks on the Western Front in World War I, such as the Mark V Male, the book covers the development of armoured fighting vehicles, featuring such classics as the Soviet T-34 and modern tanks like the M1 Abrams. With an entry per page, each weapon is illustrated with two colour artworks – some of them cutaways – a colour or black-&-white photograph, an authoritative history on its development, production and service history and a box of essential specifications. Featuring more than 400 entries, The Encyclopedia of Weapons is a fascinating reference work on the most important tanks, guns, military ships and aircraft over the past 150 years.Table of ContentsIntroduction TANKS & AFVs Mark V Male (1917) Whippet (1917) Renault FT-17 Sturmpanzerwagen A7V (1918) Vickers 6-ton (1928) BT-5 (1932) Type 95 Kyugo Light Tank (1934) T-35 (1935) Panzer II Ausf F (1936) Somua S35 Char B1 bis (1937) Type 97 Chi-Ha Panzer 38(t) (1938) Mk III Valentine Infantry Tank (1939) Panzer III Ausf F (1940) StuG III KV-1A Heavy Tank (1940) Panzer IV Ausf F1 (1941) Mk VI Crusader I Cruiser Tank (1941) Churchill Mk IV (1941) M3A3 Stuart (1941) M3A3 General Lee (1941) T-70 (1942) T-34 Model 1943 (1942) Panzer VI Tiger Ausf E (1942) M4A4 Sherman (1942) Semovente DA 75/18 Panzer V Panther Ausf D (1943) KV-85 Heavy Tank (1943) M26 Pershing Churchill AVRE (1943) Churchill Crocodile T-34/85 (1944) Sherman Crab Mine-Clearing Tank (1944) Sherman VC Firefly (1944) Cromwell Mk VIII (1944) Tiger II ‘King Tiger’ (1944) Jagdpanzer VI Jagdtiger (1944) M-24 Chaffee (1944) Sturmmorser Tiger IS-3 (1945) Centurion A41 (1945) T-54/55 (1947) M41 Walker Bulldog AMX-13 (1952) M-48 Patton (1952) PT-76 (1952) M-60 Patton (1960) T-62 (1961) Chieftain Mk5 (1963) Leopard 1 (1965) M551 Sheridan (1966) Stridsvagn 103B (1967) Scimitar (1970) T -72 (1971) Merkava (1977) Leopard 2 (1979) M2 Bradley (1981) Challenger 1 (1982) Stingray (1989) M1A1 Abrams (1985) AMX-56 Leclerc (1991) T-90 (1992) M1A2 Abrams (1996) Type 99 (1998) Challenger 2 (1998) Arjun (2004) K2 Black Panther (2013) T -14 Armata Autoblinde Peugeot (1914) Panhard Type 178 (1935) SdKfz 232 SdKfz 251 SdKfz 234 Puma AEC Armoured Car Mk III T -17E1 Staghound I LVT-4 Water Buffalo Panhard EBR/FL-11 (1954) M113 (1954) M50 Ontos BMP-1 (1961) BTR-60 Saladin Marder BTR-70 (1972) LAV-25 (1983) BTR-80 (1984) Pandur (1985) Warrior MICV (1986) Centauro Ratel BMP-3 (1990) Type 89 (1991) AAV7 BTR-90 (2004) Stryker Viking BvS10 Bulldog IFV ARTILLERY & MORTARS Canone de 75 Mle 1897 (1897) Ordnance QF 13pdr (1904) Ordnance BL 60pdr Mk 1 77mm M96nA (1905) Ordnance QF 4.5in howitzer (1908) Skoda 305mm Howitzer Canon de 105mm Schneider Mle 1913 (1913) Big Bertha (1914) Paris Gun (1918) 105mm leFH 18 (1927) 15cm (5.9in) sFH 18 Katyusha rocket launcher Wurfgranate 41 122mm (4.8in) Howitzer Model 1938 (M-30) 15cm (5.9in) SIG 33 105mm Howitzer M2A1 (1941) Ordnance QF 25 pdr Mk 2 152mm Howitzer M1943 (1943) 105mm Howitzer M3 (1945) OTO-Melara 105mm Mod 56 (late 1950s) BM-21 rocket launcher D-30 Howitzer M109 155mm SP gun 2S3 (Soviet) Soltam M68 Gun (1968) 155mm Howitzer FH-70 (1974) 105mm Light Gun L118 (1976) 155mm Howitzer M198 (1978) M270 MLRS 2S19 Mista (Soviet) M777 Howitzer (2005) 40mm Bofors L/60 (1929) 88mm Flak 18 (1933) 3.7in QF Gun Mk 1 (1937) 3.7cm Flak 36 20mm Flak 38 (1939) Oerlikon 20mm (1939) 90mm M1 (1940) ZSU-23-4 Gepard M167 Vulcan (1961) 5cm Pak 38 (1940) 7.5cm Pak 40 (1940) 3in Gun M5 (1940) Ordnance QF 17pdr Gun (1942) 76.2mm M1942 (1942) ZiS-3 Ordnance ML 3in Mortar (1932) SGrW 34 81mm Mortar (1934) M1938 120mm Mortar (1938) 60mm Mortar M1 (1941) M224A1 Mortar (2011) M120 Mortar System AIRCRAFT, HELICOPTERS & DRONES Fokker E series (1915) Sopwith Camel (1916) Nieuport 17 (1916) SE.5a (1916) Fokker Dr.1 (1917) SPAD XIII (1917) Polikarpov I-16 (1934) Messerschmitt Bf 109 (1935) Hawker Hurricane (1935) A5M Claude Supermarine Spitfire (1936) Douglas SBD Dauntless (1938) Mitsubishi A6M Zero (1939) Focke-Wulf Fw 190 (1939) North American P-51 Mustang (1940) Yakovlev Yak-1/3/7/9 (1940) Republic P-47 Thunderbolt (1941) Grumman F6F Hellcat (1942) Vought F4U Corsair (1942 Messerschmitt Me 262 (1942) Northrop P-61 Black Widow (1942) Lockheed F-80 Shooting Star (1944) MiG 15 (1947) North American F-86 Sabre (1949) Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-17 (1950) Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21 (1955) McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II (1958) Mirage III (1961) Grumman F-14 Tomcat (1970) Lockheed Martin F-16 Fighting Falcon (1974) Panavia Tornado (1974) Sukhoi Su-27 ‘Flanker’ (1977) Mikoyan MiG-29 ‘Fulcrum’ (1977) Dassault Mirage 2000 (1978) McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornet (1978) Boeing F-15E Strike Eagle (1986) Dassault Rafale (1986) Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor (1990) Eurofighter Typhoon (1994) Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II (2006) Breguet XIX Junkers Ju 87 Stuka (1935) Junkers Ju 88 (1936) Messerschmitt Bf 110 (1936) Ilyushin Il-2 Shturmovik (1939) De Havilland Mosquito (1940) SBD-3 Dauntless (1940) Hawker Typhoon (1942) General Dynamics F-111 (1964) Fairchild A-10 Thunderbolt II (1972) McDonnell Douglas AV-8B Harrier II (1978) Lockheed F-117 Nighthawk (1981) Gotha bombers (1917) Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress (1935) North American B-25 Mitchell (1939) Avro Lancaster (1941) B-24 Liberator (1941) Boeing B-29 Superfortress (1944) English Electric Canberra Boeing B-52 Stratofortress (1952) Avro Vulcan (1952) Tupolev TU-95 (1956) Tupolev Tu-22M (1972) Northrop B-2 Spirit (1989) Douglas C-47 Skytrain (1935) Consolidated Catalina (1936) Me 323 Gigant Lockheed C-130 Hercules (1954) Lockheed SR-71 ‘Blackbird’ (1962) Lockheed C-5 Galaxy (1968) E-3 Sentry UH-1 Iroquois (Huey) AH-64 Apache Mi-24 'Hind' UH-60 Black Hawk MQ-1 Predator (1991) RQ-4 Global Hawk (1998) MQ-9 Reaper (2001) MQ-8B Fire Scout (2009) WARSHIPS, AIRCRAFT CARRIERS & SUBMARINES CSS Hunley (1863) Gustav Zede (1893 USS Holland (1897) B-Class (1904) U-9 (1910) HMS E-11 (1914) Deutschland (1916) UC-25 (1916) Surcouf (1929) USS Nautilus (V-6) (1930) U-47 (Type VIIB) (1938) U-459 (Type XIV) (1941) Type XXI I-400 USS Tench (1944) USS Nautilus (1954) Sturgeon Class (1966) HMS Resolution (1966) Project 705 Lira USS Ohio USS Los Angeles (1974) Le Triomphant (1994) Kursk (1994) USS Seawolf (1995) Type 039 (Song) (1999) Dolphin Class (1999) Astute Class (2007) Type 094 (Jin Class) (2007) Soryu (2009) INS Arihant (2015) HMS Furious (1917) HMS Eagle (1924) Akagi (1927) USS Lexington (1927) Hiryu (1937) USS Yorktown (1937) USS Enterprise (1938) HMS Ark Royal (1938) Jun’yo (1942) USS Lexington (1943) USS Intrepid (1943) Shinano (1944) USS Midway (1945) HMS Eagle (1951) USS Forrestal (1955) HMS Hermes/INS Viraat (1959) Clemenceau (1960) USS Enterprise (1961) HMS Fearless (1965) USS Nimitz (1975) Kiev (1975) USS Tarawa HMS Invincible (1980) Admiral Kuznetsov (1995) HMS Ocean (1998) Charles de Gaulle (2001) USS Ronald R. Reagan (2003) Liaoning (2012) HMAS Canberra (2014) Izumo (2015) HMS Queen Elizabeth (2017) USS Gerald R. Ford (2017) INS Vikrant (2018) USS Monadnock HMS Devastation Imperator Alexander II USS Maine Mikasa HMS Dreadnought Vittorio Emanuele HMS Indomitable USS South Carolina USS Utah SMS Derfflinger HMS Royal Oak USS Texas Fuso HMS Hood HMS Rodney KMS Deutschland/Lutzow KMS Scharnhorst De Ruyter Hipper class heavy cruiser Richelieu (1940) KMS Bismarck Vittorio Veneto Yamato Tirpitz USS Indiana USS Iowa Moskva class Sovremennyy class Kirov Type 23 frigate Type 22 Broadsword Visby class Ticonderoga class Arleigh Burke class Type 45 destroyer SMALL ARMS Adams revolver Colt M1860 and M1861 Borchardt C/93 Mauser C/96 Webley & Scott Mk IV and Mk VI Pistole Parabellum Colt M1911 Colt Detective Special Browning GP35 HP (1935) Walther P38 Beretta 92 Glock 17 Desert Eagle pistol SiG P320 Chassepot rifle Dreyse Needle Gun Martini-Henry Mosin-Nagant SMLE (1903) M1903 Springfield (1903) Kar 98k (1935) M1 Garand (1936) M1 Carbine (1942) FG 42 (1942) StG 44 AK-47/AKM (1949) EM2 FN FAL/L1A1 SLR (1954) M14 rifle (1959) Heckler & Koch G3 (1959) CETME Model 58 M16 rifle (1963) M21 sniper rifle (1969) Galil rifle (1973) AK-74 (1974) Steyr AUG (1977) FAMAS (1978) PSG 1 sniper rifle Vektor R4 Dragunov M16A2 (and Colt Commando) SA80 (1985) Barrett M82A1 (1989) M4 Carbine (1994) Heckler & Koch G36 (1995) OICW QBZ-03 (2003) M110 Semi-Automatic Sniper System (2008) FN SCAR (2009) AK103 AK-12 (2010) M27 IAR Bergmann MP 18 (1918) Thompson M1928 MP 38/MP 40 MAS 38 Sten Mk 2 PPSh-41 Austen SMG M3A1 ‘Grease Gun’ Sterling L2A1 Uzi Heckler & Koch MP5 BXP SMG Calico M950 + M960A P90 PDW Gatling Gun (1878) Madsen Maxim M1910 (Maschinengewehr 08) Lewis Gun (1911) Vickers Machine Gun (1912) Hotchkiss M1914 BAR M1919 Browning (1919) M2 Browning .50 cal (1933) MG 34 (1936) Bren Gun (1938) MG 42 (1942) RPD machine gun (1953) RPK M60 machine gun (1957) FN MAG (1958) PK machine gun (1961) L86A1 LSW FN Minimi CETME Ameli Glossary Index

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Book SynopsisFor over 30 years this was the only book on this subject. It places on record some of the many changes in the design of the Shoulder-Belt Plate & Buttons worn by the Regular Army. It gives details of change in titles, and dates of battle honours awarded during the period when the Shoulder-Belt Plates were worn. An encyclopedia of Regiments of Horse & Foot (in their post 1881 order) going by their original numbering system. The design of buttons are covered up to 1911 with all their various changes. An average entry for one Regiment can show up to 10 different examples.

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Book SynopsisAn insight into the design, construction and opera, The Soviet T-34 was the most produced tank of the Second World War and its revolutionary sloping armour became a major influence on future tank design. With its combination of heavy firepower, mobility and protection, the T-34 gave the Red Army a war-winning weapon with which to break the German Army on the Eastern Front., A mainstay of the Soviet armoured divisions, it was widely exported after the war and in 2017 it remains in frontline service with many third world countries., Author Mark Healy combines a detailed technical examination of the T-34 with its legendary combat history., Mark Healy is the author of several books including Midway 1942, The Tiger Tank Story and Zitadelle: The German Offensive against the Kursk Salient 14-17 July 1943. He also produced the best-selling video series Die Deutschen Panzer. He lives in Dorset.,Table of ContentsHaynes Manual treatment of the most successful tank of the Second World War. In series with the Haynes Tiger, Panzer III, Churchill and Sherman Tank Manuals. Authoritative text. Specially commissioned artwork. Fully illustrated with more than 250 photographs and line drawings.

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Book SynopsisAusführung A to G (Sd.Kfz.142), The German Sturmgeschütz series of assault guns was a successful and cost-effective range of armoured fighting vehicles, of which some 10,000 were built during the Second World War. Based on the chassis of the Panzer III tank, the turret was replaced by an armoured fixed superstructure fitted with a more powerful 7.5cm StuK 40 L/48 gun. Originally intended as a mobile assault weapon for infantry support, the StuG was constantly modified and saw extensive use on all battlefronts as an assault gun and tank destroyer. Its fixed superstructure with limited-traverse mounting for the main armament was simpler and cheaper to build than the turret of the battle tank, plus its low height meant it was easy to camouflage and conceal. Towards the end of the war, more StuGs were built than tanks., StuGs also saw combat when used by several Axis allies, notably Romania and Finland; they were also exported TO Bulgaria, Hungary, Italy, and Spain. The Soviet Union gave some of their captured German vehicles to Syria in the 1950s, which continued to use them up until the War over Water against Israel in the mid-1960s. By the time of the Arab-Israeli Six-Day War in 1967, all of them had been either destroyed, stripped for spare parts, or emplaced on the Golan Heights as static pillboxes., Author: Mark Healy is the author of the Haynes T-34 Tank and Panther Tank Manuals as well as Midway 1942, The Tiger Tank Story and Zitadelle: The German Offensive against the Kursk Salient 14-17 July 1943. He also produced the best-selling video series Die Deutschen Panzer. He lives in Dorset.

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Book SynopsisIn the summer of 1942, Stanley Lovell, a renowned industrial chemist, received a mysterious order to report to an unfamiliar building in Washington, D.C. When he arrived, he was led to a barren room where he waited to meet the man who had summoned him. After a disconcerting amount of time, William ‘Wild Bill’ Donovan, the head of the Office of Strategic Services (OSS), walked in the door. ‘You know your Sherlock Holmes, of course,’ Donovan said as an introduction. ‘Professor Moriarty is the man I want for my staff... I think you’re it.’Following this life-changing encounter, Lovell became the head of a secret group of scientists who developed dirty tricks for the OSS, the precursor to the CIA. Their inventions included Bat Bombs, suicide pills, fighting knives, silent pistols, and camouflaged explosives. Moreover, they forged documents for undercover agents, plotted the assassination of foreign leaders, and performed truth drug experiments on unsuspecting subjects.Based on extensive archival research and personal interviews, The Dirty Tricks Department tells the story of these scheming scientists, explores the moral dilemmas that they faced, and reveals their dark legacy of directly inspiring the most infamous program in CIA history: MKULTRA.Trade ReviewThe Dirty Tricks Department is a fascinating tale vividly told, full of sabotage and skulduggery, deviousness and invention, and populated by a cast of remarkable characters. James Bond meets Sherlock Holmes – but in deadly serious real life. -- H.W. Brands * New York Times bestselling author of the Pulitzer Prize finalists Traitor to His Class and The First American *

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Book SynopsisDuring the Second World War, the Germans considered the Royal Artillery to be the most professional arm of the British Army: British gunners were accurate, effective and efficient, and provided fire support for their armoured and infantry colleagues that was better than that in any other army.However, the Royal Artillery delivered much more than field and medium artillery battlefield support. Gunner regiments manned antitank guns on the front line and light anti-aircraft guns in divisional regiments to defend against air attack at home and abroad. The Royal Artillery also helped to protect convoys that brought essential supplies to Britain, and AA gunners had their finest hour when they destroyed the majority of the V-1 flying bombs launched against Britain from June 1944.Richard Doherty delves into the wide-ranging role of the Royal Artillery, examining its state of preparedness in 1939, the many developments that were introduced during the war – including aerial observation and self-propelled artillery – the growth of the regiment and its effectiveness in its many roles. Royal Artillery in the Second World War is a comprehensive account of a British Army regiment that played a vital role in the ensuing Allied victory.

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