No.605 (County of Warwick) Squadron

No.605 (County of Warwick) Squadron went through two incarnations during the Second World War, first as a fighter squadron that took part in the Battle of Britain before being destroyed during the early part of the war in the Pacific in 1942 and second as a home-based intruder squadron.

No.604 (County of Middlesex) Squadron

No.604 (County of Middlesex) Squadron spent most of the Second World War as a night fighter squadron, flying a mix of defensive and offensive duties.

No.603 (City of Edinburgh) Squadron

No.603 (City of Edinburgh) Squadron was a fighter squadron responsible for the first German aircraft to be shot down over Britain during the Second World War. It then went on to fight in the Battle of Britain and the offensive sweeps over France before moving to the Middle East where flew a mix of convoy protection, escort missions and anti-shipping strikes. Finally it returned to the UK to serve as a fighter-bomber squadron for the last months of the war in Europe.

Battle of Austerlitz (2 December 1805)

The battle of Austerlitz (2 December 1805), or the Battle of the Three Emperors, was one of Napoleon's most impressive victories and saw him inflict a crushing defeat on an Austro-Russian army, in the process knocking Austrian out of the War of the Third Coalition.

George Washington's Westchester Gamble, Richard Borkow.

George Washington's Westchester Gamble, Richard Borkow.

An interesting study of the impact of the American War of Independence on Westchester County, just to the north of New York, combined with a history of the major events that happened in and around the county, most notably the encampment at which George Washington decided to march to Yorktown, where he won the decisive battle of the war.
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No.602 'City of Glasgow' Squadron

No.602 'City of Glasgow' Squadron was a fighter squadron that took part in the Battle of Britain before going on the offensive with 2nd Tactical Air Force. It was later withdrawn to the UK to counter the V-2 rocket.

No.601 'County of London' Squadron

No.601 'County of London' Squadron was a fighter squadron that took part in the fighting in France in 1940, the Battle of Britain, then moved to the Mediterranean, where it fought in North Africa, Sicily and Italy.

No.600 'City of London' Squadron

No.600 'City of London' Squadron was an Auxiliary Air Force squadron that spent most of the Second World War serving as a night fighter unit, first from the UK and later in the Mediterranean.

Images of War: Hitler's Headquarters 1939-1945, Ian Baxter.

Images of War: Hitler's Headquarters 1939-1945, Ian Baxter.

A photographic history of the many different headquarters used by Hitler during the Second World War, supported by a useful text explaining the construction of each HQ and the periods in which they were used. Also includes a set of photographs from a recent visit to the most famous of those headquarters, the site of the 1944 assassination attempt.
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Javelin from the Cockpit, Britain's First Delta Wing Fighter, Peter Caygill.

Javelin from the Cockpit, Britain's First Delta Wing Fighter, Peter Caygill.

 A study of the development, deployment and service record of the Javelin all weather fighter, a major improvement on the first generation of jet fighters to enter British service, but an aircraft that never saw combat. Also covers a large number of accidents involving the aircraft.
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Combat of Hollabrunn (15-16 November 1805)

The combat of Hollabrunn (15-16 November 1805) was a delaying action fought by the Russian that helped prevent Napoleon from trapping Kutuzov's army before it could join up with another Russian army approaching from the north.

Battle of Durnstein (11 November 1805)

The battle of Durnstein (11 November 1805) saw an isolated French force north of the Danube come close to being destroyed by a much larger Austro-Russian Army, before French reinforcements saved the day.

Cruiser Tank A35

The Cruiser Tank A35 was the last and heaviest in a series of Rolls Royce designs for up-armoured versions of the Cromwell tank.

Cruiser Tank Comet (A34)

The Cruiser Tank Comet (A34) was probably the best British tank of the Second World War and was a reliable cruiser tank armed with a high velocity 77mm gun.

Cruiser Tank A32

The Cruiser Tank A32 was the third of a series of Rolls-Royce designs for versions of the Cromwell tank with heavier armour.

Cruiser Tank A31

The Cruiser Tank A31 was a Rolls Royce design for a version of the Cromwell cruiser tank but with heavier armour.

Admiral Pavel Chichagov (1767-1849)

Admiral Pavel Chichagov (1767-1849) was an important Russian naval reformer who is best known for letting Napoleon slip past his blockading forces in 1812, and who spent the last thirty years of his life in exile.

Field Marshal Friedrich Wilhelm, Count Buxhowden (1750-1811)

Field Marshal Friedrich Wilhelm, Count Buxhowden (1750-1811) was one of the less able Russian generals of the Napoleonic Wars, and was prominent in the Austro-Russian defeat at Austerlitz.

No.598 Squadron

No.598 Squadron was an anti-aircraft co-operation squadron that served in the north of Scotland from the end of 1943 until the spring of 1945.

No.597 Squadron

No.597 Squadron was formed as a transport squadron on 10 January 1944, but no aircraft were received, and the new squadron was disbanded on 1 March 1944.

No.595 Squadron

No.595 Squadron was an anti-aircraft co-operation squadron that operated in Wales from its formation late in 1943 until early in 1949.

No.587 Squadron

No.587 Squadron was an anti-aircraft co-operation unit that served in the south-west of England and southern Wales from late in 1943 until the end of the war.

No.582 Squadron

No.582 Squadron was a Lancaster-equipped Pathfinder squadron that served with Bomber Command's main force from April 1944 until the end of the Second World War.

Battle of Amstetten (5 November 1805)

The battle of Amstetten (5 November 1805) was one of a number of rearguard actions fought as General Kutuzov attempted to elude Napoleon in the aftermath of the Austrian surrender at Ulm.

Combat of Michelberg (16 October 1805)

The combat of Michelberg (16 October 1805) saw the French push the Austrians out of a key position outside Ulm, making the surrender at Ulm of 20 October almost inevitable.

Battle of Elchingen (14 October 1805)

The battle of Elchingen (14 October 1805) saw the French fight their way from the south to the north bank of the Danube, making up for a misjudgement on Napoleon's part and also thwarting an Austrian attempt to escape from Ulm.

Cruiser Tank Challenger (A30)

The Cruiser Tank Challenger (A30) was designed in an attempt to mount the 17pdr gun in a cruiser tank. It wasn't an entirely satisfactory design, but it did enter combat in north-western Europe late in 1944 where the 17pdr gun was a welcome improvement in firepower.

Cruiser Tank A29

The Cruiser Tank A29 was a Rolls Royce design for a 45 ton cruiser tank that would have carried the excellent 17pdr gun.

Cruiser Tank A28

The Cruiser Tank A28 was one of a number of proposals for improved versions of the A27M Cromwell.

Cruiser Tank A26

The Cruiser Tank A26 was a design for a cruiser tank that would have been based on the Infantry Tank Mk IV Churchill, but made significantly lighter

General Levin August Theophil, Count Bennigsen (1745-1826)

General Levin August Theophil, Count Bennigsen (1745-1826) was a Russian officer of Hanoverian origin who held high command in the campaigns of 1806-7, 1812 and 1813, despite a lack of genuine command ability at the highest levels.

Mikhail Andreas Barclay de Tolly (1761-1818) was a Russian general who played a major part in the defeat of Napoleon in 1812 but whose career suffered because of his 'foreign' origins.

Morane-Saulnier M.S.332

The Morane-Saulnier M.S.332 was the designation given to a version of the unsuccessful M.S.330 trainer given a Hispano-Suiza 9Qa radial engine

Morane-Saulnier M.S.331

The Morane-Saulnier M.S.331 was the designation given to a version of the unsuccessful M.S.330 trainer with a different engine

Morane-Saulnier M.S.330

The Morane-Saulnier M.S.330 was a parasol wing trainer designed to replace the M.S.230 in French service, but that failed to live up to expectations and didn't enter production.

Morane-Saulnier M.S.251

The Morane-Saulnier M.S.251 was a more developed version of the M.S.250 advanced observer trainer.

Morane-Saulnier M.S.250

The Morane-Saulnier M.S.250 was an advanced trainer designed for observers. It was similar in appearance to the M.S.230 intermediate trainer, with a swept-back parasol wing, but that had a new tail.

No.577 Squadron

No.577 Squadron was an anti-aircraft co-operation squadron that worked with the army and navy from its formation in December 1943 until being disbanded in June 1946.

No.576 Squadron

No.576 Squadron was a Lancaster bomber squadron that served with No.1 Group from its formation late in 1943 until the end of the Second World War.

No.575 Squadron

No.575 Squadron was an airborne forces squadron that took part in the D-Day landings, the battle of Arnhem and the crossing of the Rhine.

Battle of Albeck (11 October 1805)

The battle of Albeck (11 October 1805) saw a badly outnumbered French force hold its own against an Austrian column attempting to escape from Ulm (War of the Third Coalition).

Combat of Gunzburg (9 October 1805)

The combat of Gunzburg (9 October 1805) saw a French corps under Marshal Ney capture the bridge over the Danube at Gunzburg, tightening the French noose around Mack's Austrian army at Ulm and also delaying a planned Austrian offensive north of the river.

Combat of Wertingen (8 October 1805)

The combat of Wertingen (8 October 1805) was the first significant fighting of the Ulm campaign, and saw part of the French advance guard defeat an Austrian column ten miles to the south of the Danube.

Morane-Saulnier M.S.237

The Morane-Saulnier M.S.237 was the designation given to five aircraft based on the M.S.230 intermediate parasol wing trainer that were sold into private hands.

Morane-Saulnier M.S.236

The Morane-Saulnier M.S.236 was a version of the M.S.230 parasol wing intermediate trainer produced under licence by SABCA in Belgium.

Morane-Saulnier M.S.235

The Morane-Saulnier M.S.235 was a version of the M.S.230 parasol wing intermediate trainer that was powered by a 300hp Gnome-Rhône 7Kb engine

Morane-Saulnier M.S.234

The Morane-Saulnier M.S.234 was the designation given to three civil versions of the M.S.230 parasol wing trainer.

Morane-Saulnier M.S.233

The Morane-Saulnier M.S.233 was a version of the M.S.230 parasol wing intermediate trainer produced under licence in Portugal.

Cruiser Tank Mk VIII Cromwell (A27M)

The Cruiser Tank Mk VIII Cromwell (A27M) was the most important British produced tank during the campaign in north-western Europe in 1944-45 by which time it had evolved into a reliable if somewhat under-gunned tank that performed well in the 'great swan' across France.

Cruiser Tank Mk VIII Centaur (A27L)

The Cruiser Tank Mk VIII Centaur (A27L) was a version of the Cromwell tank powered by a Liberty engine. It was not a great success itself, but many Centaurs were converted into or completed as Cromwells and in that configuration used in combat in north-western Europe.

General Karl Federovich Baggovut (1761-1812)

General Karl Federovich Baggovut (1761-1812) was a Russian general who fought in the campaigns of 1805-1807 and 1812 and who was killed in battle outside Moscow. His name is also spelt at Baggovout or Bagavut.

General Peter Bagration (1765-1812)

General Peter Bagration (1765-1812) was one of the most popular and aggressive Russian generals of the Napoleonic Wars, best known for his role in the 1812 campaign and his death at Borodino.

Growing Remembrance: The Story of the National Memorial Arboretum, David Childs.

Growing Remembrance: The Story of the National Memorial Arboretum, David Childs.

Written by the person who had the original idea and whose efforts turned it into reality this is a fascinating insight into the process of turning a good idea into a functioning and sustainable institution. Interesting in its own right, this will also be an invaluable read for anyone planning to visit the site.
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Barbarossa Through Soviet Eyes: The First Twenty-Four Hours, Artem Drabkin, Alexei Isaev, Christopher Summerville.

Barbarossa Through Soviet Eyes: The First Twenty-Four Hours, Artem Drabkin, Alexei Isaev, Christopher Summerville.

Uses eyewitness accounts to describe the impact of the first twenty-four hours of the German invasion in the Soviet Union. Mostly covered the army and air force, but also has good sections on the navy and on the impact of the news well behind the front lines.
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Teddy Suhren, Ace of Aces, Teddy Suhren and Fritz Brustat-Naval.

Teddy Suhren, Ace of Aces, Teddy Suhren and Fritz Brustat-Naval.

The memoirs of one of the most successful U-boat commanders of the Second World War, covering his early training, his time at sea, where he was one of the most successful U-boat aces, and the final years of his wartime career, when he was given a series of shore commands in a deliberate attempt by his superiors to make sure he survived.
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Ancient History Vol V Issue 2: Swords around the throne: Bodyguards of kings and emperors.

Ancient History Vol V Issue 2: Swords around the throne: Bodyguards of kings and emperors.
Focuses on royal bodyguards, from the biblical guards of King David, to possible guards for the kings of Sparta, the guards of Alexander the Great and his successors in Egypt and on to the Praetorian Guard. .
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Ancient History Magazine Vol V Issue 6: Clad in gold and silver: Elite units of the Hellenistic Era

Ancient History Magazine Vol V Issue 6: Clad in gold and silver: Elite units of the Hellenistic Era.
Five articles examining elite troops in the successor states to the empire of Alexander the Great, the reign of Mithridates VI of Pontus, as well as a look at a depiction of Trajan, and a possible Roman siege at Burnswark in southern Scotland.
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Morane-Saulnier M.S.232

The Morane-Saulnier M.S.232 was an experimental version of the M.S.230 intermediate trainer that was powered by a 200hp Clerget 9Ca diesel engine

Morane-Saulnier M.S.231

The Morane-Saulnier M.S.231 was the designation given to six M.S.230 intermediate trainers that were powered by 240hp Lorraine 7Mb engines

Morane-Saulnier M.S.230

The Morane-Saulnier M.S.230 was the most important French intermediate training aircraft of the interwar period, and was a two-seat swept-back parasol wing trainer.

Morane-Saulnier M.S.229

The Morane-Saulnier M.S.229 was a version of the M.S.230 two-seat intermediate trainer that was produced for Switzerland during 1931.

Cruiser Tank Mk VI Crusader (A15)

The Cruiser Tank Mk VI Crusader (A15) was the main British-built tank used in the Western Desert from 1941 until late in 1942. It earned a justified reputation for being unreliable, and was eventually replaced by the American M3s and M4s.

Cruiser Tank Mk VIII Cavalier (A24)

The Cruiser Tank Mk VIII Cavalier (A24) was a heavy cruiser tank based on the Crusader but with thicker armour and a 6pdr gun.