Monday, January 31, 2011

Doctor Goebbels, Roger Manvell and Heinrich Fraenkel

Doctor Goebbels, Roger Manvell and Heinrich Fraenkel.

A detailed biography of the infamous Nazi propagandist stripping away the layers of mythology he created around his own life when he was in power to produce a portrait of a capable, hard working monster, who held views as extreme as any of his Nazi colleagues, and played a major part in ensuring that they were put into action.

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Battle of Mensignac (25 October 1568)

The battle of Mensignac (25 October 1568) was a minor Catholic victory early in the Third War of Religion notable for the death of the Huguenot leader Paul de Mouvans.

Third War of Religion (1568-70)

The Third War of Religion (1568-70) was significantly longer than the first two wars, and although it was marked by two major Catholic victories, at Jarnac and Moncontour, ended as a third Huguenot victory.

Friday, January 28, 2011

Battle of La Roche-Abeille (25 June 1569)

The battle of La Roche-Abeille (25 June 1569) was a minor Huguenot victory that came after their army had been joined by reinforcements from Germany.

Siege of Saint-Jean d'Angély (October-3 December 1569)

The siege of Saint-Jean d'Angély (October-3 December 1569) was a Catholic victory that nevertheless cost them so many troops that the Huguenots were able recover the initiative (Third War of Religion).

Thursday, January 27, 2011

No.196 Squadron

No.196 Squadron served with Bomber Command from November 1942 to November 1943, before becoming an airborne support squadron, taking part in the D-Day invasion, the Arnhem operation and the crossing of the Rhine.

No.195 Squadron

No.195 Squadron had two incarnations during the Second World War, first as a fighter-bomber squadron and then as a Lancaster squadron in Bomber Command

No.194 Squadron

No.194 Squadron began life as a transport unit based in India, before becoming an airborne forces unit and helping to keep the army fighting in Burma supplied from the air.

The Real Falstaff: Sir John Fastolf and the Hundred Years War, Stephen Cooper.

The Real Falstaff: Sir John Fastolf and the Hundred Years War, Stephen Cooper.

Both a biography and a history of the times of Sir John Fastolf, a senior English commander in the later part of the Hundred Years War, and a major landowner in England and France. Made possible by Fastolf's extensive archives and by the Paston letters, this book gives us a fascinating glimpse into Fastolf and his times, from the high-point of Lancastrian France to the loss of everything but Calais.

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End Game Burma, Michael Pearson

End Game Burma, Michael Pearson.

A detailed account of the British-led campaign that resulted in the reconquest of Burma, and that saw the 14th Army fighting a long way from its main bases in India and largely supplied by the air against an enemy fighting behind the protection of the Irrawaddy River.

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Wednesday, January 26, 2011

Battle of Jarnac (13 March 1569)

The battle of Jarnac (13 March 1569) was a Catholic victory early in the Third War of Religion that was notable for the death of the Huguenot leader Condé, but that had little long term impact.

Edict of Longjumeau (23 March 1568)

The Edict of Longjumeau (23 March 1568) ended the Second War of Religion (1567-68) and restored all the rights that the Huguenots had been granted in the Edict of Amboise at the end of the First War of Religion.

Tuesday, January 25, 2011

No.191 Squadron

No.191 Squadron was a maritime reconnaissance squadron that operated from bases in India and modern Pakistan from 1943 until it was disbanded in June 1945.

No.189 Squadron

No.189 Squadron was a Lancaster bomber squadron in Bomber Command that formed in the autumn of 1944, and didn't become operational until November.

No.186 Squadron

No.186 Squadron had two incarnations during the Second World War, first as a fighter-bomber squadron, and second as a Lancaster squadron in Bomber Command.

Monday, January 24, 2011

Siege of Chartres (24 February-March 1568)

The siege of Chartres (24 February-March 1568) was the last significant military action during the Second War of Religion, and saw a short-lived Huguenot attempt to take the city that was cut short by the peace negotiations that ended the war.

Battle of Saint-Denis (10 November 1567)

The battle of Saint-Denis (10 November 1567) was the only major battle of the Second War of Religion (1567-68) and was a drawn conflict in which a much larger Royal army was unable to defeat the smaller Huguenot army that was blockading Paris from the north.

Friday, January 21, 2011

No.184 Squadron

No.184 Squadron was a fighter-bomber squadron that served with Second Tactical Air Force, taking part on the Battle of Normandy and the advance into Germany.

No.183 Squadron

No.183 Squadron was a fighter-bomber squadron that operated with Second Tactical Air Force, taking part in the Battle of Normandy and advance into Germany.

No.182 Squadron

No.182 Squadron was a ground attack squadron that helped support the D-Day landings before moving to Europe and following the advancing armies into Germany.

Thursday, January 20, 2011

No.181 Squadron

No.181 Squadron was one of the first squadrons to receive the Hawker Typhoon, and flew that aircraft to the end of the Second World War, helping to turn it from a flawed fighter into an excellent fighter-bomber.

No.159 Squadron

No.159 Squadron was a heavy bomber squadron formed for service in the Far East but that was delayed in the Middle East for most of 1942, before spending the rest of the war operating over Burma and more distant areas.

No.147 Squadron

No.147 Squadron went through two incarnations during the Second World War, first as a Liberator bomber squadron that never received any aircraft and second as a home based transport squadron.

Wednesday, January 19, 2011

Surprise of Meaux of September 1567

The Surprise of Meaux of September 1567 was an unsuccessful Huguenot attempt to seize control of the French court and remove a number of strongly anti-Protestant noblemen from the court.

Second War of Religion (1567-68)

The Second War of Religion (1567-68) was triggered by Huguenot suspicions about the intentions of Charles IX of France.

Tuesday, January 18, 2011

Edict of Amboise (18 March 1563)

The Edict of Amboise (18 March 1563) ended the First War of Religion (1562-63), and granted the Huguenots legal tolerance and a limited right to preach in strictly limited locations.

Siege of Orleans (4 February-March 1563)

The siege of Orleans (4 February-March 1563) was the last major military action of the First War of Religion, and ended after the assassination of Duke François of Guise, the last major Catholic leader in the field.

Battle of Dreux (19 December 1562)

The battle of Dreux (19 December 1562) was the only major battle of the First War of Religion (1562-63) and was a hard-fought Royal victory notable because both commanders were captured during the fighting.

Monday, January 17, 2011

Hitler's Paratrooper - The Life and Battles of Rudolf Witzig, Gilberto Villahermosa

Hitler's Paratrooper - The Life and Battles of Rudolf Witzig, Gilberto Villahermosa.

A biography of the German paratrooper who planned the attack on Fort Eben Emael in May 1940, before taking part in the costly victory in Crete, and then fighting in North Africa, on the Eastern Front and in Holland as the elite paratroopers were increasingly used as standard infantry.

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Bernard Montgomery, Tim Moreman.

Bernard Montgomery, Tim Moreman.

Focusing on his time in North Africa and in northern Europe in 1944-45, Moreman's biography of Britain's best known general of the Second World War looks at his style of leadership and the reasons for his successes and his failures, and the famous character flaws that poisoned his relationship with his American allies.

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Henry V, Marcus Cowper.

Henry V, Marcus Cowper.

A military biography of Henry V, looking at his main campaigns and battles, his opponents, his reputation at the time and since and the primary sources for the events of his reign. Packs a lot of information into its 64 pages, and with the normal high quality selection of pictures and maps.

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No.179 Squadron

No.179 Squadron was an anti-submarine squadron that served in the Mediterranean before returning to the UK in April 1944.

No.177 Squadron

No.177 Squadron was a Beaufighter-equipped ground attack squadron that operated over Burma from early in 1943 until the end of the Second World War.

No.176 Squadron

No.176 Squadron was a defensive night fighter squadron that operated from bases in India from 1943 until the end of the Second World War.

Friday, January 14, 2011

Katana, The Sword of the Samurai, Stephen Turnbull

Katana, The Sword of the Samurai, Stephen Turnbull.

This book in the new Osprey series on weapons traces the development, use and impact of one of the world’s most famous weapons, the Katana or Samurai sword. Written by the leading western expert on the samurai and prolific osprey author Stephen Turnbull, the book is fascinating, well written and illustrated to Osprey's usual standards with colour plates, drawings and photographs. The book's subject is detailed and brought to life with the descriptions of some of the famous sword masters of Japan as well as challenging the myth of the Katana as the Samurai’s primary weapon. Well worth adding to your collection.

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Siege of Rouen (29 September-26 October 1562)

The siege of Rouen (29 September-26 October 1562) was a major Catholic success early in the First War of Religion, but was marred by the death of Antoine de Bourbon, king of Navarre, one of the most important Catholic leaders.

Military History Encylopedia on the Web

Siege of Bourges (to 31 August 1562)

The siege of Bourges (to 31 August 1562) was an early Catholic successes during the First War of Religion, and saw them seize one of the most important Huguenot strongholds in central France

Thursday, January 13, 2011

First War of Religion (1562-63)

The First War of Religion (1562-63) was the first of a series of nine wars that split France for nearly forty years, and was a generally inconclusive war that was ended by a compromise peace.

Edict of Saint-Germain or of January (issued in January 1562)

The Edict of Saint-Germain or of January (issued in January 1562) was a Royal decree that gave the French Protestants the right to preach for the first time, ending a long period of persecution.

Conspiracy of Amboise (March 1560)

The Conspiracy of Amboise (March 1560) was an unsuccessful attempt to overthrow the Guise brothers, the dominant figures in France during the short reign of the young Francis II.

Wednesday, January 12, 2011

Peace of Troyes (11 April 1564)

The peace of Troyes (11 April 1564) officially ended the English involvement in the First War of Religion (1562-63).

Siege of Le Havre (22 May-31 July 1563)

The siege of Le Havre (22 May-31 July 1563) saw the French expel an English garrison from the port in the aftermath of the First War of Religion.

Treaty of Hampton Court (20 September 1562)

The Treaty of Hampton Court (20 September 1562) saw Elizabeth I of England agree to provide support for the Huguenot cause in France during the First War of Religion, but the alliance produced very little practical aid for the Huguenots.

Tuesday, January 11, 2011

No.175 Squadron

No.175 Squadron was a ground attack squadron that took part in the D-Day landings and the advance across north-western Europe.

No.174 Squadron

No.174 Squadron was a ground attack and fighter-bomber squadron that was formed in 1942 and took part in the D-Day landings before moving to Europe to support the advancing armies.

No.173 Squadron

No.173 Squadron was a communications squadron that operated in the Middle East from the summer of 1942 until early in 1944.

Monday, January 10, 2011

Carthaginian Warrior, 264-146 BC, Nic Fields.

Carthaginian Warrior, 264-146 BC, Nic Fields.

A look at the very varied armies that served Carthage in its long series of wars against Rome in the central and western Mediterranean, examining the origins of the soldiers, their equipment, organisation, pay and way of life. Fields has to cover a lot of ground, as by this period Carthage raised its armies from across the Mediterranean.

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Battle of Dyrrhachium (20 May 48 BC)

The battle of Dyrrhachium (20 May 48 BC) was the most serious setback suffered in person by Caesar during the Great Roman Civil War and saw Pompey break out of a blockade south of Dyrrhachium on the eastern coast of the Adriatic.

Siege of Dyrrhachium (March-May 48 BC)

The siege of Dyrrhachium (March-May 48 BC) was the first direct confrontation between Caesar and Pompey during the Great Roman Civil War, and ended as a victory for Pompey after he broke through Caesar's siege lines.

Friday, January 07, 2011

No.172 Squadron

No.172 Squadron was the first squadron to be equipped with the Leigh Light Wellington, and played a major role in the early development of Coastal Command, having a particularly successful year during 1943.

No.170 Squadron

No.170 Squadron had two incarnations during the Second World War, first as a tactical reconnaissance squadron and second as a Lancaster bomber squadron.

No.168 Squadron

No.168 Squadron served as an army cooperation and ground attack squadron from its formation in 1942 until it was disbanded early in 1945.

Thursday, January 06, 2011

No.167 'Gold Coast' Squadron

No.167 'Gold Coast' Squadron went through two incarnations during the Second World War, first as a largely Dutch manned fighter squadron and second as a transport squadron.

No.165 'Ceylon' Squadron

No.165 'Ceylon' Squadron was a home based fighter squadron that was operational from the spring of 1942 until the end of the Second World War.

No.164 'Argentine-British' Squadron

No.164 'Argentine-British' Squadron was a fighter-bomber squadron that served from the UK until after the D-Day landings when it moved to Europe to support the advancing armies.

No.163 Squadron

No.163 Squadron went through two incarnations during the Second World War, first as a transport squadron in East Africa and second as a Mosquito night bomber squadron.
No.162 Squadron went through two incarnations during the Second World War, first as a radar calibration squadron in the Middle East and second as a Mosquito squadron in the Light Night Striking Force.

No.160 Squadron

No.160 Squadron was a heavy bomber squadron that was formed for service in the Far East but that was detained in the Middle East during 1942 and only reached India in 1943.