Nieuport 14

The Nieuport 14 was two-seat observation biplane that was also used as a bomber, but that had a short front line career and was only produced in small numbers.

Nieuport 13

The Nieuport 13 was a two-seat biplane similar to the Nieuport 12, but originally built with a lower powered engine, possibly for use as a trainer.

Battle of Marignano or Melegnano (13-14 September 1515)

The battle of Marignano or Melegnano (13-14 September 1515) was a French victory that restored their rule of the Duchy of Milan after a brief period of Swiss dominance, and that was probably the high point of Francis I's career in Italy (Francis I's First Invasion of Italy).

Battle of Ravenna (11 April 1512)

The battle of Ravenna (11 April 1512) was a French victory over a Spanish army that might have helped secure a French victory over the forces of the Holy League if the young French commander, Gaston de Foix, duke of Nemours, hadn't been killed late in the day.

The Battle of Wau (28-30 January 1943) saw the defeat of the last Japanese attempt to advance towards Port Moresby

The Battle of Wau (28-30 January 1943) saw the defeat of the last Japanese attempt to advance towards Port Moresby

Operation Chronicle, the invasion of Woodlark and Kiriwina Islands

Operation Chronicle, the invasion of Woodlark and Kiriwina Islands, saw Allied troops occupy two undefended islands off the north-eastern corner of New Guinea at the start of the campaign to neutralise the key Japanese base at Rabaul.

Ancient Warfare Volume VIII Issue 4. The Ancient World's Fragile Giant - The Seleucid Empire at war.

Ancient Warfare Volume VIII Issue 4. The Ancient World's Fragile Giant - The Seleucid Empire at war.
Looks at the largest of the successor states to the Emperor of Alexander the Great, the impressive empire created by Seleucus and maintained against great pressure for two centuries before eventually falling to Roman pressure.
 [see more]

Ancient Warfare Volume VII Issue 6. The Reluctant Warlord: The Wars of Marcus Aurelius.

Ancient Warfare Volume VII Issue 6. The Reluctant Warlord: The Wars of Marcus Aurelius.
Looks at the career and writings of the famous philosopher emperor, who wrote books of consoling stoic philosophy while fighting a brutal war on the German borders (one of the few later Emperors to make an impact on the modern imagination, as seen in Gladiator).
 [see more]

Ancient Warfare Volume VII Issue 5 . Trapped Behind Enemy Line - The March of the Ten Thousand .

Ancient Warfare Volume VII Issue 5 . Trapped Behind Enemy Line - The March of the Ten Thousand .
Focuses on the escape of a large force of Greek mercenaries who found themselves trapped in the middle of Persia after supporting the wrong side in a civil war. Famous as the topic of Xenophon's Anabasis, this is a fascinating campaign.
 [see more]

USS Vincennes (CA-44)

USS Vincennes (CA-44) was a New Orleans class heavy cruiser that took part in the Neutrality Patrol, the Doolittle raid, the battle of Midway and the invasion of Guadalcanal before being sunk at the battle of Savo Island (9 August 1942).

USS Quincy (CA-39)

USS Quincy (CA-39) was a New Orleans class heavy cruiser that served with the Neutrality Patrol in the Atlantic and fought at Guadalcanal, before being sunk during the battle of Savo Island of 9 August 1942.

Christian III of Denmark (1503-1559, r.1533/4-59)

Christian III of Denmark (1503-1559, r.1533/4-59) made Lutheranism the official state church of Denmark and sided against the Emperor Charles V during the Fourth Hapsburg-Valois War (1542-44).

Charles VIII of France (1470-98, reigned 1483-98)

Charles VIII of France (1470-98, reigned 1483-98) began the long series of French invasions of Italy (Italian Wars), paying a great cost for his temporary occupation of Naples.

Nieuport 25

The Nieuport 25 was a version of the standard Nieuport sesquiplane fighter that was powered by a number of more powerful engines, ending up with a 200hp Clerget model, but problems with the new engine combined with the limits of the basic design meant that it didn’t enter production.

Nieuport 24

The Nieuport 24 was a development of the Nieuport 17 single seat fighter that saw the introduction of a new tail, but that was otherwise similar to the older fighter.

battle of Novara (6 June 1513)

The Battle of Novara (6 June 1513) was one of the last victories won by the famous Swiss infantry, and saw them overwhelm a French army that had temporarily occupied most of the Duchy of Milan.

Siege of Novara (3-6 June 1513)

The siege of Novara (3-6 June 1513) was the highpoint of the French invasion of Milan of 1513, and was ended by the arrival of strong Swiss reinforcements who defeated the French in battle outside Novara (6 June 1513).

25th Bombardment Group (Reconnaissance)

The 25th Bombardment Group (Reconnaissance) was mainly used for meterological flights, but also carried out some more general reconnaissance duties.

11th Photographic Group

The 11th Photographic Group was a mapping unit that produced photographic maps of the US and many of the operational theatres of the Second World War.

10th Reconnaissance Group

The 10th Reconnaissance Group served with the Ninth Air Force in Europe from May 1944 until the end of the fighting, helping to support the D-Day landings, the advance across France and the invasion of Germany.

Operation Cartwheel (30 June 1943- January 1944)

Operation Cartwheel (30 June 1943- January 1944) was the name given to a series of interlocked invasions in New Guinea, New Britain and the Solomn islands originally designed as preparation for the conquest of the Japanese base at Rabaul, but that eventually led to the isolation of that base.

Elkton III Plan

The Elkton III Plan was the Allied plan for the reduction of the major Japanese base at Rabaul on New Ireland. It involved a two-pronged advance, with General MacArthur's forces operating on New Guinea and Admiral Halsey's in the Solomon Islands, and would be implemented as Operation Cartwheel.

USS San Francisco (CA-38)

USS San Francisco (CA-38) was a New Orleans class heavy cruiser that was present when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor, and that fought in the Solomon Islands, at the battle of Cape Esperance, the Naval Battle of Guadalcanal, in the Aleutians, during the invasions of Makin, the Marshall Islands, the invasions of Saipan and Tinian, the battle of the Philippine Sea and the invasions of Iwo Jima and Okinawa.

USS Tuscaloosa (CA-37)

USS Tuscaloosa (CA-37) was a New Orleans class heavy cruiser that served alongside the British Home Fleet on the Russian convoys, took part in Operation Torch, the D-Day landings and Operation Dragoon then swapped to the Pacific for the invasions of Iwo Jima and Okinawa.

Soviet Spyplanes of the Cold War, Yefim Gordon and Dmitriy Komissarov.

Soviet Spyplanes of the Cold War, Yefim Gordon and Dmitriy Komissarov.

Looks at two Soviet spyplanes - the high flying Yak-25RV and the high speed reconnaissance versions of the MiG-25. Covers the development and service records of the real aircraft as well as reviews of the limited number of available models.
[read full review]

Blood Stained Fields - The Battlefields of East Lothian, Arran Paul Johnston.

Blood Stained Fields - The Battlefields of East Lothian, Arran Paul Johnston.

Looks at a thousand years of battles to be fought in East Lothian, from the clashes between Briton and Angle to the Jacobite revolts, covering the wars of Independence, the Tutor 'rough wooing' and the battles of the Civil War. Provides good accounts of the battles, supported by explanations of the wide wider campaigns, and with equal space given to Scottish defeats and victories.
[read full review]

The Luftwaffe: A History, John Killen.

The Luftwaffe: A History, John Killen.

A good readable account of the rise and fall of the Luftwaffe that covers all of the main fronts on which it fought, and examines the reasons for the eventual failure as well as providing a readable narrative. Although it was originally published in 1967 the overall picture still holds up.
[read full review]

Treaty of Blois of October 1505

The Treaty of Blois of October 1505 was the second of two treaties of Blois that restored peace after the Second Italian War of 1499-1503.

Treaty of Blois (September 1504)

The Treaty of Blois (September 1504) ended fighting between Louis XII of France and the Emperor Maximilian, and was followed by a series of other treaties that between them ended the Second Italian War (1499-1503).

Nieuport 23

The Nieuport 23 was a slightly modified version of the successful Nieuport 17 single seat fighter, and was used alongside the earlier aircraft.

Nieuport 21

The Nieuport 21 was a variant of the successful Nieuport Type 17 fighter, but with a less powerful engine and enlarged ailerons.

Georg von Frundsberg (1473-1528)

Georg von Frundsberg (1473-1528) was a German mercenary leader who fought for the Hapsburg emperors Maximilian I and Charles V during a career that lasted for thirty years and saw him take part in the great Imperial victory at Pavia.

Maurice, Duke and Elector of Saxony (1521-53)

Maurice, Duke and Elector of Saxony (1521-53) was a German prince best known for betraying the Protestant cause in the 1540s before turning on Charles V at the start of the 1550s and forming an alliance with the French.

USS Minneapolis (CA-36)

USS Minneapolis (CA-36) was a New Orleans class cruiser that fought at the Coral Sea, Midway, Guadalcanal and Tassafaronga, the invasions of the Gilbert and Marshall Islands, the battle of the Philippine Sea, the invasions of the Mariana Islands, the Palau Islands and the Philippines, the battle of Leyte Gulf and the early part of the invasion of Okinawa.

USS Astoria (CA-34)

USS Astoria (CA-34) was a New Orleans class heavy cruiser that fought at the battles of the Coral Sea and Midway, before becoming one of three members of the class to be lost at the Battle of Savo Island in August 1942.

9th Reconnaissance Group

The 9th Reconnaissance Group was a home-based training unit that operated in the United States from October 1943 until May 1944.

8th Reconnaissance Group (USAAF)

The 8th Reconnaissance Group (USAAF) served in India from March 1944 until the end of the Second World War.

7th Reconnaissance Group (USAAF)

The 7th Reconnaissance Group (USAAF) was allocated to the Eighth Air Force and operated from bases in England from the summer of 1943 to the end of the Second World War.

USS New Orleans (CA-32)

USS New Orleans (CA-32) was the name ship of the New Orleans class of heavy cruisers and fought at the battles of the Coral Sea, Midway, Guadalcanal, the Philippine Sea and Leyte Gulf and during the invasions of the Gilbert Islands, the Marshal Islands, Hollandia, the Palau Islands and Okinawa.

New Orleans class heavy cruisers

The New Orleans class heavy cruisers were the last in a series of related treaty cruisers that began with the Pensacola class and were the first to carry armour designed to stop 8in shells.

Accrington's Pals - The Full Story, Andrew Jackson.

Accrington's Pals - The Full Story, Andrew Jackson.

Looks at the two units raised by the Mayor of Accrington, the famous Accrington Pals infantry battalion and the less well known Howitzer artillery brigade. Between them they fought in most of the major battles of 1916-18, suffering heavy losses on the Somme, and again in 1917 and 1918.
[read full review]

Union Infantryman vs Confederate Infantryman: Eastern Theatre 1861-65, Ron Field.

Union Infantryman vs Confederate Infantryman: Eastern Theatre 1861-65, Ron Field.

  Describes three infantry clashes, taken from Bull Run in 1861, Gettysburg in 1863 and the siege lines outside Richmond and Petersburg in 1864. Provides three snapshots of infantry combat during the American Civil War rather than a more general analysis of the infantry war.
 [read full review]

Somme Intelligence - Fourth Army HQ 1916, William Langford.

A fascinating collection of the intelligence material available to the British Fourth Army on the Somme, mainly captured German material, including letters to and from the front, extracts from diaries, orders and other material taken from German prisoners or found in the German trenches after successful attacks, all of which suggested that German morale was at a low ebb, and perhaps encouraging the Allied commanders in their belief that a major victory was possible.
 [read full review]

Nieuport 20

The Nieuport 20 was a variant of the Nieuport 12 two-seater that was produced in small numbers for the RFC late in 1916.

Nieuport 17

The Nieuport 17 was the most famous in the series of Nieuport fighters, and was a redesigned version of the original Nieuport 11, with larger wings and a more powerful engine.

Battle of Agnadello (14 May 1509)

The battle of Agnadello (14 May 1509) was the only major battle of the War of the League of Cambrai, and was a Venetian defeat that caused the Republic to temporarily abandon many of its mainland possessions.

Battle of the Garigliano (28-29 December 1503)

The battle of the Garigliano (28-29 December 1503) was the second of two major Spanish victories won in Naples during 1503 that saw the French expelled from the south of Italy.

Charles II, 8th Duke of Bourbon, Count of Montpensier

Charles II, 8th Duke of Bourbon, Count of Montpensier, known as the 'Constable of Bourbon', was a French nobleman who fought for both sides during the Italian Wars, after arguing with Francis I of France.

Antoine de Bourbon, duke of Vendome, king of Navarre (1518-62)

Antoine de Bourbon, duke of Vendome, king of Navarre (1518-62) was a French nobleman who played a minor part in the Hapsburg-Valois Wars, before being killed at the siege of Rouen (First War of Religion).

Für Volk and Führer - The Memoir of a Veteran of the 1st SS Panzer Division Leibstandarte SS Adolf Hitler, Erwin Bartmann.

Für Volk and Führer - The Memoir of a Veteran of the 1st SS Panzer Division Leibstandarte SS Adolf Hitler, Erwin Bartmann.

Gives a good feel for the chaos of combat on the Eastern Front and in the last days of the Reich in 1945, as well as the seductive nature of the Nazi regime for someone growing up in the 1930s. Falls firmly into the 'Waffen SS' as a normal fighting force school of writing, hardly surprising from a veteran of the unit.
[read full review]

Captured Eagles - Secrets of the Luftwaffe, Frederick A. Johnsen.

Captured Eagles - Secrets of the Luftwaffe, Frederick A. Johnsen.

Looks at American efforts to understand the Luftwaffe, from wartime intelligence efforts, through the hunt for Luftwaffe assets in occupied Europe and the post-war use of German and Austrian scientists to advance American research projects. Makes some interesting points about the short-lived value of German wartime research, and the greater contribution made by the captured scientists.

[read full review]

Behind the Lines - A Critical Survey of Special Operations in World War II, Michael F. Dilley.

Behind the Lines - A Critical Survey of Special Operations in World War II, Michael F. Dilley.

Uses a set of fixed criteria to examine the successes and failures of a wide range of Special Forces units during the Second World War, with a refreshing willingness to acknowledge successful attacks and well organised units as well as pick out flaws.
[read full review]

Battle of the Philippine Sea

The Battle of the Philippine Sea or 'Great Marianas Turkey Shoot (19-20 June 1944) was the first major naval battle in the Pacific since 1942 and was a crushing American victory that permanently destroyed Japanese naval aviation, leaving their carriers as hollow shells for the rest of the war

Nieuport 16

The Nieuport 16 was a version of the Nieuport 11 'Bébé' that was powered by an 110hp Le Rhône engine instead of the 80hp engine of the original aircraft.

Nieuport 12

The Nieuport 12 was a larger and more powerful version of the Nieuport 10, designed to overcome the earlier aircraft's lack of power when used as a two-seat scout.

siege of Gaeta (June-October 1503)

The siege of Gaeta (June-October 1503) was an unsuccessful Spanish attempt to capture one of the last French strongholds in Naples in the aftermath of the great Spanish victory at Cerignola in April 1503

siege of Gaeta (June-October 1503)

The siege of Gaeta (June-October 1503) was an unsuccessful Spanish attempt to capture one of the last French strongholds in Naples in the aftermath of the great Spanish victory at Cerignola in April 1503

Treaty of Granada (11 November 1500)

The Treaty of Granada (11 November 1500) was an agreement between Louis XII of France and Ferdinand II of Aragon to split the Kingdom of Naples between them.

Baghdad Operators: Ex Special Forces in Iraq, James Glasse with Andrew Rawson.

 Looks at the experiences of a retired British Special Forces soldier who ended up founding a sizable security firm operating in Iraq in the years after the Second Gulf War. Takes the reader through the chaos of Iraq, where survival was often a matter of random chance, helped by the impressive skills acquired by Glasse and his colleagues.
[read full review]

Diving Stations - The Story of Captain George Hunt and The Ultor, Peter Dornan.

Diving Stations - The Story of Captain George Hunt and The Ultor, Peter Dornan.

Follows the wartime career of Captain George Hunt, commander of a U-class submarine in the Mediterranean theatre where he sank more enemy ships than any other British submarine. A fascinating insight into life on a small submarine, carrying only eight torpedoes and with a tiny crew, operating in difficult waters.
[read full review]

The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Weapons of World War I, general editor Chris Bishop.

The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Weapons of World War I, general editor Chris Bishop.

A useful collection of articles on the main weapons of the First World War, based on Orbis's War Machine of the 1980s. Still accurate despite its relative age, well illustrated and supported by some informative general articles, and provides a good overview of the military technology of the Great War.
[read full review]

USS Indianapolis (CA-35)

USS Indianapolis (CA-35) was a Portland class cruiser that fought in the Aleutians, the Gilbert and Marshall Islands, Saipan, the battle of the Philippine Sea, Tinian, Guam the Carolines, Iwo Jima and Okinawa, but is best know for being sunk after parts of the first Atomic bomb to Tinian.

USS Portland (CA33)

USS Portland (CA33) was the name ship of the Portland class of heavy cruisers and was heavily involved in the Pacific War, fighting at Midway, the Coral Sea, off Guadalcanal, in the Aleutians, the Gilbert and Marshall Islands, supporting operations on New Guinea, at Peleliu, and taking part in the battle of Leyte Gulf and the invasion of Okinawa.

Posters of the Great War, Frederick Hadley & Martin Peglar.

A splendid volume filled with 200 full colour posters from every major combatant, covering a wide range of subjects from recruitment to the funding of the war, views of the enemy and of their own soldiers and the home front, all supported by explanatory captions and a good introduction text.
[read full review]

The Jeffersonian Vision, 1801-1815, William Nestor.

The Jeffersonian Vision, 1801-1815, William Nestor.

 Looks at the Presidential terms of Thomas Jefferson and his successor and political ally James Madison, a period best known for the Louisiana Purchase and the War of 1812. Focuses on the failure of Jefferson's political theories to adapt to the reality of American power, and Madison's drift to war in 1812.
[read full review]

A Doctor on the Western Front - The Diaries of Henry Owens, 1914-1918, ed. John Hutton.

Follows a doctor who reached the front during the period of mobile warfare in 1914 and was present at Ypres, the Somme and Passchendaele. Makes it clear just how dangerous the life of a doctor was on the Western Front, often serving under shell fire and sometimes right at the very front.
[read full review]

Marshal Odet de Foix, count of Lautrec (1485-1528)

Marshal Odet de Foix, count of Lautrec (1485-1528) was a French commander of the Italian Wars most famous for suffering a heavy defeat at La Bicocca in 1522.

Gaston de Foix, Duke of Nemours (1489-1512)

Gaston de Foix, Duke of Nemours (1489-1512) was a French commander in Italy whose period of dramatic success was cut short by his death towards the end of the battle of Ravenna.

Morane-Saulnier Type P (MoS 21)

The Morane-Saulnier Type P (MoS 21) was a two-seat parasol wing reconnaissance aircraft that was produced early in 1916 and was one of the more successful Morane-Saulnier aircraft of the First World War.

Morane-Saulnier Type BB and Type BH

The Morane-Saulnier Type BB and Type BH were almost identical biplane reconnaissance aircraft that were produced for the RFC during 1915.

Morane-Saulnier Type AN (MoS 31 to MoS 34)

The Morane-Saulnier Type AN (MoS 31 to MoS 34) was a two-bay biplane that was developed late in the First World War. Its disappointing performance, combined with the end of the war, meant that the type never entered production.

Morane-Saulnier Type AC (MoS 23)

The Morane-Saulnier Type AC (MoS 23) was a shoulder winged single-seat fighter of 1916 was developed from a string of earlier designs, and that was only produced in small numbers.

Giovanni de Medici (1498-1526)

Giovanni de Medici (1498-1526) was the most able soldier produced by the Medici family, and was the father of Cosimo I, the first grand duke of Tuscany.

Prospero Colonna (1452-1523)

Prospero Colonna (1452-1523) was a successful Italian commander of the Italian Wars who spent much of the later part of his life fighting against the French, and who rose to command the Imperial armies in Italy at the end of his career.

The German Fallschirmtruppe 1936-41- Its Genesis and Employment in the First Campaigns of the Wehrmacht, Karl-Heinz Golla.

The German Fallschirmtruppe 1936-41- Its Genesis and Employment in the First Campaigns of the Wehrmacht, Karl-Heinz Golla.

A hugely detailed account of the combat deployment of the German paratroops from Poland to Crete, covering their successes and the flaws and failures of their campaigns. Suffers from a tendency to repeat some wartime German propaganda, but still a very useful research tool.
 [read full review]

At War with the 16th Irish Division 1914-1918 - The Staniforth Letters, J.H.M. Staniforth.

At War with the 16th Irish Division 1914-1918 - The Staniforth Letters, J.H.M. Staniforth.

A fascinating collection of letters written by a Yorkshire-raised officer who served in Irish units during the First World War, entering the army as a private before quickly becoming an officer. Includes some very vivid descriptions of the battlefields of the war, in particular the Somme, with scales given using the northern fringes of the North York Moors.
[read full review]

The Scourge of the Swastika - A Short History of Nazi War Crimes, Lord Russell of Liverpool.

The Scourge of the Swastika - A Short History of Nazi War Crimes, Lord Russell of Liverpool.

Somewhat controversial when it was first published in the 1950s, this now serves as a very clear and accurate account of the German war crimes written by a legal expert who was involved in the war crime trials. A very good answer to anyone who tries to defend the crimes of the German war machine during the Second World War.
[read full review]

Boeing C-73

The Boeing C-73 was the military designation given to a number of Model 247 twin-engine transport aircrafts that were taken into military service early in the Second World War.

Boeing Y1C-18

The Boeing Y1C-18 was the military designation given to a single Boeing Monomail (Model 200) that was evaluated by the USAAC.

Gaspard II de Coligny, Admiral of France (1519-1572)

Gaspard II de Coligny, Admiral of France (1519-1572) was a successful French commander during the later stages of the Italian Wars who became a Huguenot leader in the French Wars of Religion and who was killed during the St Bartholomew's Day Massacre of August 1572.

Guillaume Gouffier, Lord of Bonnivet, Admiral of France (c.1488-1525)

Guillaume Gouffier, Lord of Bonnivet, Admiral of France (c.1488-1525) was a French commander who performed well battle early in his career, but who proved to be an ineffective commander when given control of the French army in Italy in 1523-24.

Boeing/ Stearman XA-21

The Boeing/ Stearman XA-21 was a twin-engine attack aircraft that was one of the most advanced aircraft to emerge from the Stearman Company.

Boeing Y1B-9A

The Boeing Y1B-9A was an early monoplane bomber originally developed as a private venture in 1930-31 but that failed to gain any production orders.

3rd Reconnaissance Group (USAAF)

The 3rd Reconnaissance Group (USAAF) was a reconnaissance unit that served in the Mediterranean, supporting the campaigns in Tunisia, Sicily and mainland Italy.

2nd Reconnaissance Group (USAAF)

The 2nd Reconnaissance Group (USAAF) was a home-based training unit that operated for two years from May 1942 until May 1944.

1st Photographic Group

The 1st Photographic Group was formed in June 1941 to expand photographic mapping in the USAAF and to provide long-range photographic reconnaissance similar to the British model.

Pierre Terrail, seigneur of Bayard (1475-1524)

Pierre Terrail, seigneur of Bayard (1475-1524) was a French military leader who earned an impressive reputation during the Italian Wars and become known as the 'Fearless and blameless knight', while later commanders of promise were sometimes called the 'New Bayard'.

Bernard Stuart, Seigneur of Aubigny

Bernard Stuart, Seigneur of Aubigny, was a French general from a family of Scottish origins, and was a fairly unsuccessful French commander in the early phases of the Italian War.

Boeing Model 76

The Boeing Model 76 was an export version of the Model 75 'Kaydet' trainer, given more powerful engines and light armament and used as combat trainers and attack aircraft.

Boeing XN2B-1

The Boeing XN2B-1 was an experimental trainer produced by fitting an experimental Fairchild-Caminez engine to a Boeing Model 64 primary trainer.

The British Army in Italy, 1917-1918, John Wilks and Eileen Wilks.

The British Army in Italy, 1917-1918, John Wilks and Eileen Wilks.

Looks at the activities of the British expeditionary force sent to Italy after the Battle of Caporetto, including their part in stopping the final Austrian offensive of the war and in the victorious battle of Vittorio Veneto, which came just before the armistices that ended the war.
[read full review]

German Destroyers of World War II, Gerhard Koop and Klaus-Peter Schmolke.

German Destroyers of World War II, Gerhard Koop and Klaus-Peter Schmolke.

A very useful history of the forty two destroyers that served with the German Navy during the Second World War, organised first by design feature, then by combat engagement and finally destroyer-by-destroyer to paint a complete picture of these hard working but temperamental warships.
[read full review]

German Light Cruisers of World War II, Gerhard Koop and Klaus-Peter Schmolke.

German Light Cruisers of World War II, Gerhard Koop and Klaus-Peter Schmolke.

A detailed history of the six light cruisers of the German Navy written by an author who actually served on one of them, this is an impressively unbiased examination of a fairly unimpressive set of warships that were never quite able to live up to the demands made of them.
[read full review]

Nieuport 11

The Nieuport 11 was a single seat scout that entered French service at the start of 1916 and that helped defeat the 'Fokker scourge', the period of German air dominance won by the famous Fokker monoplanes.

Nieuport 10

The Nieuport 10 was designed as a two-seat biplane reconnaissance aircraft, but most were converted into single-seat fighters, making it the first in the long series of Nieuport fighters that served with the British, French, American, Italian and Russian air services during the First World War.

Francesco II Gonzaga, Marquess of Mantua (1466-1519)

Francesco II Gonzaga, Marquess of Mantua (1466-1519) was an Italian general best known for commanding the Italian army at the battle of Fornovo in 1495 when he was commander of the armies of Venice, but who also spent many years in the French service as well as briefly fighting for the Pope.

Andrea Doria (1466-1560)

Andrea Doria (1466-1560) was one of the most successful Italian leaders of the long-running Italian Wars and was a very able naval leader who ended his life as ruler of Genoa.

Bartolomeo d'Alviano (1455-1515)

Bartolomeo d'Alviano (1455-1515) was an Italian condottiere who fought both for and against the French in the early stages of the Italian Wars.

Boeing-Stearman PT-27

The Boeing-Stearman PT-27 was the designation for 300 Model 75 primary trainers produced to go to Canada under Lend-Lease.

Boeing-Stearman PT-18

The Boeing-Stearman PT-18 was the USAAF designation for all Model 75 primary trainers powered by Jacobs engines.

Boeing-Stearman PT-17

The Boeing-Stearman PT-17 was the USAAF designation for all Model 75 primary trainers powered by Continental engines.

USS Kentucky (BB-66)

The USS Kentucky (BB-66) would have been the last of six Iowa class battleships. She was incomplete at the end of the Second World War, and although work continued on her intermittently until the mid-1950s with some proposals to complete her as a missile battleship she was eventually sold for scrap in 1958.

Pope Clement VII (1478-1534, Pope 1523-1534)

Pope Clement VII (1478-1534, Pope 1523-1534) was Pope during most of the First and Second Hapsburg-Valois Wars in Italy, and was seen as a weak, vacillating Pope whose actions or inactions led to the sack for Rome of 1527 and the English split with Rome of 1534.

Alexander VI (c.1431-1503, Pope 1492-1503)

Alexander VI (c.1431-1503, Pope 1492-1503) was one of the worst examples of a Renaissance Pope, seen as more interested in the power of his family, Italian politics and patronising the arts than in religion.

Boeing-Stearman N2S

The Boeing-Stearman N2S was the designation given to all US Navy versions of the Boeing-Stearman Model 75 Primary Trainer.

Boeing-Stearman PT-13

The Boeing-Stearman PT-13 was the USAAF designation for all Model 75 primary trainers powered by Lycoming engines.

The Dam Buster Raid - A reappraisal 70 years on, Alan W. Cooper.

The Dam Buster Raid - A reappraisal 70 years on, Alan W. Cooper.

More of a re-telling than a reappraisal, the accounts of the raid and its aftermath is good, but the build-up to the attack is less well handled. Most valuable when it looks at the post-raid and post-war lives of the participants - an area that I haven’t seen covered in such detail before.
[read full review]

From the Imjin to the Hook, James Jacobs.

From the Imjin to the Hook, James Jacobs.

Interesting autobiography of a national serviceman who serving with the artillery in Korea before volunteering for a second spell of service late in the same war. A very readable account of life in the British Army in Korea, seen from a slightly unusual angle - I've not read an account from the artillery before.
 [read full review]

Don't Hurry me down to Hades: The Civil War in the words of those who lived it, Susannah J. Ural.

A history of the American Civil War supported by a heavy use of contemporary sources and in particular letters, speeches and diaries - materials that were either intended for immediate reading or were private - rather than post-war memoirs, often distorted by the aims of their authors. The result is an immediacy and a freshness that takes us back to those dark years and helps us see the wider impact of the war.
 [read full review]

Italian Wars (1494-1559)

The Italian Wars (1494-1559) saw a prolonged period of struggle between the major European powers for control of Italy. It began with a French attempt to press a claim to the Kingdom of Naples, but soon expanded into a general clash between the houses of Valois and Habsburg, and in particular between Francis I of France and the Emperor Charles V.

USS Illinois (BB-65)

USS Illinois (BB-65) was the fifth member of the Iowa class of fast battleships. She was incomplete at the end of the Second World War, was cancelled in August 1945 and scrapped in place in the ship yard.

USS Wisconsin (BB-64)

USS Wisconsin (BB-64) was an Iowa class battleship that served in the Pacific in 1945, served as a bombardment ship during the Korean War and was reactivated during the 1980s, fighting in the First Gulf War of 1991.

364th Fighter Group (USAAF)

The 364th Fighter Group (USAAF) entered combat as a fighter escort unit, protecting the Eighth Air Force's heavy bombers, but later added ground attack duties to its role.

361st Fighter Group (USAAF)

The 361st Fighter Group (USAAF) provided fighter escorts for the Eighth Air Force's strategic bombing campaign and also carried out a number of ground attack missions.

37th Fighter Group (USAAF)

The 37th Fighter Group (USAAF) was a fighter unit that served as part of the defense force of the Panama Canal from 1940 until 1943.

Morane-Saulnier Type V

The Morane-Saulnier Type V was a variant of the Type N, a shoulder-winged monoplane fighter, but powered by a 110hp engine in place of the original 80hp engine, and with an endurance of 3 hours.

Morane-Saulnier Type H

The Morane-Saulnier Type H was a successful pre-First World War single seat sports aircraft that served with limited success early in the war.

USS Missouri (BB-63)

Because of its role in the Japanese surrender USS Missouri (BB-63) is the most famous of the Iowa class battleships, but it only really served during the last eight months of the war in the Pacific, and went on to see action in Korea (receiving more battle stars for Korea than for the Second World War) and after a long gap in the First Gulf War of 1991.

USS New Jersey (BB-62)

USS New Jersey (BB-62) was an Iowa class fast battleship that fought in the Pacific during the Second World War, and as a shore bombardment ship during the Korean and Vietnamese Wars, before being reactivated for a final time in the 1980s.

Alba - General and Servant to the Crown, ed. Maurits Ebben, Margriet Lacy-Bruijn and Rolof van Hövell tot Westerflier.

Alba - General and Servant to the Crown, ed. Maurits Ebben, Margriet Lacy-Bruijn and Rolof van Hövell tot Westerflier.
An excellent multi-national and multi-author study of Fernando Alvarez de Toledo, duke of Alba, one of the most important Spanish leaders of the sixteenth century, and famous for his failure to put down the early stages of the Dutch Revolt.
[read full review]

Medieval Warfare Vol III, Issue 5 - King Alfred the Great and the Great Heathen Army.

Medieval Warfare Vol III, Issue 5 - King Alfred the Great and the Great Heathen Army.
Main focus is on the career of Alfred the Great, his battlefield victories, military reforms and the strategies of his enemies. Also looks at the birth of the noble infantry, the halberd and the concluding part of the 14th century invasion of the kingdom of Naples.
[read full review]

Medieval Warfare Vol IV Issue 3: The First War of Independence - Scotland's Struggle for survival.

Medieval Warfare Vol IV Issue 3: The First War of Independence - Scotland's Struggle for survival.
Focuses on the First Scottish War of Independence, a very live topic in the year of the 700th anniversary of the crucial Scottish victory at Bannockburn. Covers a good range of topics and avoids the nationalist pitfalls of the topic.
[read full review]

Boeing-Stearman NS

The Boeing-Stearman NS was a primary trainer that was the first of what became the Boeing-Stearman Model 75 Kaydet family to enter service with the US military.

Boeing-Stearman Model 75 'Kaydet'

The Boeing-Stearman Model 75 'Kaydet' was the main primary trainer used by the USAAF and US Navy with just over 8,500 complete aircraft built by the time production ended in 1945.

Third Hapsburg-Valois War (1536-38)

The Third Hapsburg-Valois War (1536-38) was an inconclusive clash triggered by the death of the last Sforza duke of Milan, and that ended as a minor French victory.

Second Hapsburg-Valois War or War of the League of Cognac (1526-30)

The Second Hapsburg-Valois War or War of the League of Cognac (1526-30) was an unsuccessful attempt to reduce the power of Charles V in Italy after his crushing victory at Pavia in 1525, and is perhaps best known for a disastrous sack of Rome in 1527.

USS Iowa (BB-61)

USS Iowa (BB-61) was the name ship of the Iowa class of fast battleships, and she and her sister New Jersey were the only members of the class to see extensive service in the Pacific during the Second World War.

Iowa class of battleships

The Iowa class of battleships were the largest and fastest class of American battleships ever completed. Four of the six planned ships were completed, and all four saw some service in the Second World War.

First Hapsburg-Valois War (1521-26)

The First Hapsburg-Valois War (1521-26) was the start of a quarter of a century of conflict between Francis I of France and the Emperor Charles V and ended with the disastrous French defeat at Pavia in February 1525), which saw the French position in Italy collapse, never really to recover.

Francis I's First Invasion of Italy (1515-16)

Francis I's First Invasion of Italy (1515-16) was the most successful of his many campaigns in Italy, and saw him defeat the Swiss at Marignano and take control of the Duchy of Milan, expelling Massimiliano Sforza.

32nd Fighter Group (USAAF)

The 32nd Fighter Group (USAAF) was a short-lived group that formed part of the defence force for the Panama Canal.

31st Fighter Group (USAAF)

The 31st Fighter Group (USAAF) was one of the first units of the Eighth Air Force to enter combat, but was then transferred to the Twelfth Air Force to take part in Operation Torch and spent the rest of the war operating in the Mediterranean theatre.

24th Pursuit Group

The 24th Pursuit Group was a fighter group that was destroyed during the Japanese invasion of the Philippines, but that was kept on the official list of active organizations for the rest of the war.

Boeing XBT-17

The Boeing XBT-17 was a design for a training aircraft that used as little aluminium as possible.

Boeing AT-15 Crewmaster

The Boeing AT-15 Crewmaster was a composite construction bomber trainer that was ordered into production before being cancelled in favour of the all-wooden Fairchild AT-21.

Early Aegean Warrior 5000-1450 BC, Raffaele d'Amato and Andrea Salimbeti.

Early Aegean Warrior 5000-1450 BC, Raffaele d'Amato and Andrea Salimbeti.

Looks at the weapons, armour, tactics and possible warfare in the Cycladic culture of 3,200-1,100 BC, early Cyprus and Minoan Crete. Packs a great deal of information into 64 pages to produce a very impressive overview of this early period of Greek history
[read full review]

Year of Glory - The Life and Battles of Jeb Stuart and his Cavalry, June 1862-June 1863, Monte Akers.

Looks at the year in which Stuart twice rode around McClellan, commanded in  major battles, and took command of 'Stonewall' Jackson's corps after he was mortally wounded. Gives a good feel for the glittering façade of the Confederacy and the slow darkening of the mood as battle casualties began to pull apart Stuart's band of brothers.
 [read full review]

Legacy of the Lancaster, Martin W Bowman.

Legacy of the Lancaster, Martin W Bowman.

A collection of eighteen first hand accounts and other articles looking at the experiences of Lancaster crewmen (and a handful of their German opponents). This isn't an attempt at another history of the Lancaster, but instead is a series of snapshots of the experiences of the men who flew this iconic aircraft.
[read full review]

Boeing XF8B

The Boeing XF8B was a multi-purpose fighter and attack aircraft developed in response to a US Navy specification issued in 1943. It was far more advanced than the last generation of Boeing fighter aircraft, which had appeared in the mid 1930

Boeing XF7B

The Boeing XF7B was the first low-wing monoplane with a retractable undercarriage to be tested by the US Navy.

LVG D.VI

The LVG D.VI was the last in a series of experimental fighters produced by LVG and underwent testing in the last week of the First World War.

LVG D.V

The LVG D.V was a fast but hard-to-control experimental fighter produced by LVG during 1918, and that didn't enter production.

Siege of Taranto (Autumn 1501-March 1502)

The siege of Taranto (Autumn 1501-March 1502) was the last stand of the Aragonese dynasty of Naples after it was attacked by a Franco-Spanish alliance (Second Italian War).

Siege of Capua (July 1501)

The siege of Capua (July 1501) was part of the French invasion of Naples in the summer of 1501 (Second Italian War)

Oskar von Hutier (1857-1934)

Oskar von Hutier (1857-1934) was a German general best known for being the first test out new infiltration tactics on a large scale at Riga in 1917, and who also commanded an army during Ludendorff's series of offensive in the west in 1918.

Albrecht, duke of Wurttemberg (1865-1939)

Albrecht, duke of Wurttemberg (1865-1939) was one of a number of Royal generals who held high command in the German Army during the First World War.

Boeing XF6B/ XBFB

The Boeing XF6B/ XBFB was the last biplane fighter produced by the company, but despite being considered as both a fighter and a fighter-bomber didn't win a production order.

Boeing XP-32

The Boeing XP-32 was the designation given to a un-built version of the YP-29 that would have been powered by a 700hp Pratt & Whitney engine.

21st Fighter Group (USAAF)

The 21st Fighter Group (USAAF) served as part of the Seventh Air Force on Hawaii during 1944, before moving to Iwo Jima early in 1945.

18th Fighter Group (USAAF)

The 18th Fighter Group (USAAF) was a fighter unit that suffered heavy losses at Pearl Harbor but recovered to operate over the Solomon Islands, New Guinea, the Dutch East Indies, the Philippines and Formosa.

16th Fighter Group (USAAF)

The 16th Fighter Group (USAAF) formed part of the defence force for the Panama Canal from 1932 until it was disbanded in 1943.

Battle of Novara (8 April 1500)

The battle of Novara (8 April 1500) was an easy French victory that ended an attempt by Ludovico Sforza to expel them from the Duchy of Milan (Second Italian War/ Italian War of Louis XI

Siege of Novara (5-21 March 1500)

The siege of Novara (5-21 March 1500) was Ludovico Sforza's last success in his attempt to expel the French from the Duchy of Milan (Second Italian War/ Italian War of Louis XII).

British Battleships 1889-1904 New Revised Edition, R A Burt.

British Battleships 1889-1904 New Revised Edition, R A Burt.

Magnificent study of the Royal Navy's pre-dreadnought battleships, amongst the most powerful ships in the world when built, but seen as obsolete by the outbreak of war in 1914. Traces the development of the 'classic' pre-dreadnought design and the slow increase in the power of the secondary armament, leading up to the all-big gun ships that followed.
[read full review]

Dogfight - The Battle of Britain, Adam Claasen.

Dogfight - The Battle of Britain, Adam Claasen.

Focuses on the contribution of New Zealanders and Australians during the Battle of Britain, looking at the exploits of many of the 171 Anzacs who fought with Fighter Command during the battle. Built around accounts of the individual pilot's activities supported by a wider historical framework, this provides an interesting cross-section of Fighter Command's activities.
[read full review]

The Nek - A Gallipoli Tragedy, Peter Burness.

The Nek - A Gallipoli Tragedy, Peter Burness.

Looks at one of the most costly disasters of the Gallipoli campaign in which four waves of dismounted light Australian cavalrymen charged towards Turkish machine guns on a narrow front and suffered appalling casualties. This study looks at the attack itself, the background to the units and their commanders, with a focus on why the later waves of attackers were allowed to make futile and costly assaults.
[read full review]

LVG D.IV

The LVG D.IV was a somewhat unlucky fighter, suffered from two engine failures that destroyed the two prototypes, ending development of the type.

LVG D.III

The LVG D.III was the third in a series of experimental biplane fighters produced by LVG and the first to have a gap between the fuselage and the upper wings.

LVG D.II

The LVG D.II was the first LVG designed fighter to get an official designation, and was a more orthodox design than the earlier D 10.

LVG D 10

The LVG D 10 was an unusual experimental fighter design with a tall but narrow fuselage that filled the entire gap between the upper and lower wings.

War of the Holy League (1510-1514)

The War of the Holy League (1510-1514) saw Pope Julius II form a league to oppose his French allies of the League of Cambrai, and saw the French suffer a series of defeats that forced them to withdraw from Milan.

War of the League of Cambrai (1508-1510)

The War of the League of Cambrai (1508-1510) was fought between Venice and an alliance that included the Emperor Maximilian, Pope Julius II, Louis XII of France and Ferdinand II of Aragon, and that despite never coordinating its attacks managed to conquer large parts of the Venetian mainland empire before falling apart.

Siege of Alessandria (25-29 August 1499)

The siege of Alessandria (25-29 August 1499) was the main military action during the French invasion of Milan in 1499, and the fall of the city helped force Ludovico Sforza to flee from Milan (Second Italian War/ Italian War of Louis XII).

Second Italian War or Italian War of Louis XII (1499-1503)

The Second Italian War or Italian War of Louis XII (1499-1503) began with the French conquest of Milan, which was followed by a joint Franco-Spanish campaign in Naples, and that ended with a war between the former allies that began the long period of Spanish rule in Naples.

Boeing YP-29

The Boeing YP-29 was developed between the Model 248 (the prototype for the P-26) and the Model 266, the production version of the P-26, but despite being a rather more modern design it didn't enter production.

Boeing P-26

The Boeing P-26 was the first all-metal production fighter and the first monoplane pursuit aircraft to enter service with the USAAC, but it was very much a transitional design, with its open cockpit, fixed landing gear and externally braced wings all belonging more to biplane era.

Boeing XF5B-1 (Model 205)

The Boeing XF5B-1 (Model 205) was the US Navy's version of the experimental parasol wing XP-15 (Model 202), and like the Army version didn't enter production although the Navy did use it for experimental flights for three years.

Boeing XP-15 (Model 202)

The Boeing XP-15 (Model 202) was a parasol wing fighter designed as a private venture at a time when Boeing was also working on more radical designs.

Ferdinand II, King of Naples (1467-1496)

Ferdinand II, King of Naples (1467-1496) was the penultimate member of the independent Aragonese dynasty of Naples.

Battle of Fornovo (6 July 1495)

The battle of Fornovo (6 July 1495) was an unsuccessful attempt by an Italian army to stop Charles VIII of France during his retreat from Naples in the summer of 1495.

Morane-Saulnier Type I

The Morane-Saulnier Type I was a variant of the Type N fighter aircraft that was powered by a 110hp engine and had an endurance of 1 ½ hours.

Morane-Saulnier Type N

The Morane-Saulnier Type N was a shoulder-winged single seat fighter that was the first dedicated fighter aircraft to serve with the French.

15th Fighter Group (USAAF)

The 15th Fighter Group (USAAF) spent most of the Second World War as part of the defence forces for Hawaii, before moving forward to Iwo Jima early in 1945 to take part in the battles of Iwo Jima, Okinawa and the attacks on the Japanese Home Islands.

8th Fighter Group

The 8th Fighter Group was a long range fighter group that supported Allied operations from New Guinea to the Philippines, ending the war with raids on the Japanese home islands.

1st Fighter Group

The 1st Fighter Group was a long standing US fighter group that briefly served with the Eighth Air Force in Britain before moving to North Africa to support Operation Torch.

Special Forces Commander, Michael Scott.

Special Forces Commander, Michael Scott.

Looks at the military career of Peter Wand-Tetley, who served as a Commando, in the SAS, with SOE in Greece, in post-war Indonesia and with the Colonial Service in the last years of the British Empire in Africa, combined with the story of each of his organisations and the campaigns they took part in. The result is an excellent picture of the work of British Special Forces in the Mediterranean theatre as well as Wand-Tetley's contribution.
[read full review]

Images of War Korea The Ground War From Both Sides, Philip Chinnery.

Images of War Korea The Ground War From Both Sides, Philip Chinnery.

Wide ranging photographic history of the Korean War, with an emphasis on the mobile warfare of the first year of the conflict (as a result we see many unfamiliar topics) and pictures from both sides of the war (mainly UN and Chinese, but with few from North Korean sources).
[read full review]

The Battle of Barrosa 1811, John Grehan & Martin Mace.

The Battle of Barrosa 1811, John Grehan & Martin Mace.

 Looks at the 1811 battle of Barrosa along with the entire siege of Cadiz and the British contribution to the war in southern Spain, an important campaign that kept Soult and a large army away from Wellington and preserved the independent Spanish government at Cadiz, a key element in keeping Spanish resistance going.
[read full review]

Battle of Seminara (28 June 1495)

The battle of Seminara (28 June 1495) saw the first appearance of the great Spanish general Fernández Gonsalo de Cordoba in Italy, and was a rare defeat at the hands of the French (First Italian War).

First Italian War/ Italian War of Charles VIII (1494-96)

The First Italian War/ Italian War of Charles VIII (1494-96) was an unsuccessful French attempt to conquer the Kingdom of Naples, and helped trigger over half a century of warfare in Italy, which ended with Spain as the dominant power.

General Ludwig von Falkenhausen

General Ludwig von Falkenhausen was the German commander during the battle of Vimy Ridge, one of the few clear-cut Allied victories of 1917.

Otto von Emmich (1848-1915)

Otto von Emmich (1848-1915) was a German general who commanded 10th Corps during the siege of Liege, the first battle of the First World War.

Morane-Saulnier Type LA

The Morane-Saulnier Type LA was an improved version of the Type L parasol wing reconnaissance aircraft and saw service with the French air service and the RFC during 1915.

Morane-Saulnier Type L

The Morane-Saulnier Type L was a parasol winged two-seat reconnaissance aircraft, most famous for being the aircraft used by Rolland Garros when he achieved the first successful victory by an aircraft with a fixed forward firing machine gun.

Boeing P-12

The Boeing P-12 was the US Army's version of the Navy's F4B, and was part of the last generation of biplane fighters to see service.

Boeing F4B

The Boeing F4B was the last Boeing biplane fighter to be produced for the US Navy, and the final variant, the F4B-4, was also the last production Boeing biplane fighter for any customer.

Ancient Warfare Volume VIII Issue 3. Swift as the Wind Across the Plains: Horsemen of the steppes.

Ancient Warfare Volume VIII Issue 3. Swift as the Wind Across the Plains: Horsemen of the steppes.
 Mainly focusing on the Scythians, the nomadic horsemen found to the north of the Greek and Persian worlds. A valuable look at a culture that is often only seen as the enemy from beyond the edge of civilisation, but that was much more complex..
[see more]

Ancient Warfare Volume VIII Issue 2 . War, Trade and Adventure: Struggles of the Ionian Greeks.

Ancient Warfare Volume VIII Issue 2 . War, Trade and Adventure: Struggles of the Ionian Greeks.

Focuses on the Ionian Greeks and in particular the cities of western Anatolia, looking at their struggles for independence against Lydia and Persia, their place in the wider Greek world, and their earlier fame as mercenaries. Also looks at some of Alexander's decisions, the 'right-bearing' legionaries and the evidence for a Roman invasion of Ireland..
 [see more]

Ancient Warfare Volume VII Issue 4 . Movement and supply: Logistics and the army train.

Ancient Warfare Volume VII Issue 4 . Movement and supply: Logistics and the army train.

Looks at how the realities of supplying an army impacted on warfare in the Ancient World, covering a wide range of topics from Assyria and Babylon to the mobile late Roman army. Also looks at the warrior in Greek lyric poetry and the nature of Mithraism..
 [see more]

T96 155mm Mortar Motor Carriage

The T96 155mm Mortar Motor Carriage was a design for a vehicle that would have carried a T36 155mm mortar on the chassis of the M24 Chaffee Light Tank.

T81 Multiple Gun Motor Carriage

The T81 Multiple Gun Motor Carriage was a project to mount one 40mm Bofors anti-aircraft gun and two .50in machine guns on the chassis of the T65E1 Gun Motor Carriage.

T78 90mm Gun Motor Carriage

The T78 90mm Gun Motor Carriage was a design for a self-propelled gun that would have carried a 90mm gun on the chassis of the M24 Chaffee light tank

General Maximilian von Prittwitz (1848-1929)

General Maximilian von Prittwitz (1848-1929) was the German general in command in East Prussia at the start of the First World War, but he was removed from command very quickly after briefly recommending a full-scale retreat.

Fritz von Below (1853-1918)

Fritz von Below (1853-1918) was a German general who came to prominence on the Eastern Front before commanding the Second Army on the Somme during the fighting of 1916 and the First Army on the Aisne in 1917.

T38 Mortar Motor Carriage

The T38 Mortar Motor Carriage was a variation on the M37 105mm Howitzer Motor Carriage, armed with a 4.2in mortar in place of the howitzer.

M37 105mm Howitzer Motor Carriage

The M37 105mm Howitzer Motor Carriage was developed to provide a lighter, more mobile replacement for the M7 105mm Howitzer Motor Carriage.

LVG E.I

The LVG E.I on 1915 was the first original fighter design produced by LVG, which was better known for its observation biplanes.

LVG B.III

The LVG B.III was a dedicated trainer based on the earlier B.I and B.II unarmed biplane reconnaissance aircraft.

Wellington's Guns: The Untold Story of Wellington and his artillery in the Peninsula and at Waterloo, Nick Lipscombe.

Wellington's Guns: The Untold Story of Wellington and his artillery in the Peninsula and at Waterloo, Nick Lipscombe.

Looks at one of the few neglected areas in the story of Wellington and his campaigns - the role of the artillery, its organisation, achievements, command structure and the difficult relationship with Wellington, a man who was generally admitted and respected rather than loved. An excellent detailed study that neatly fills this gap.
 [read full review]

Battlefield French Coast - Bruneval, Paul Oldfield.

Battlefield French Coast - Bruneval, Paul Oldfield.

 A splendid account of one of the most successful small-scale raids of the Second World War, carried out to capture the key components from the most modern German radar system. Combines a detailed examination of the raid with a wider history of Radar development in Britain and Germany and the significance of the Würzburg radar system that was its target.
[read full review]

They Have Their Exits, Airey Neave.

They Have Their Exits, Airey Neave.

One of the great escape stories of the Second World War. Airey Neave was captured in 1940 and made a series of attempts to escape, before finally managing to walk out of Colditz dressed as a German officer. An excellent account of Neave's own escape efforts, tied in to his time with the Nuremburg War Crimes Tribunal.
 [read full review]

LVG B.II

The LVG B.II was an important German reconnaissance aircraft of 1915, and was an improved version of the pre-war B.I.

LVG B.I

The LVG B.I was the most important German reconnaissance aircraft at the start of the First World War, and remained a significant aircraft for most of 1915 before being replaced by more modern designs.

3rd Air Commando Group (USAAF)

The 3rd Air Commando Group (USAAF) was a composite unit that served in the Philippines from late in 1944, performing a mix of fighter, liaison and transport duties.

2nd Air Commando Group (USAAF)

The 2nd Air Commando Group (USAAF) was one of a number of composite groups that were formed to support deep-penetration missions behind enemy lines in Burma.

1st Air Commando Group

The 1st Air Commando Group was formed to support Wingate's Raiders behind enemy lines in Burma and was a mixed unit that carried out a wide range of tasks across Burma and beyond.

Kill Hitler - Operation Valkyrie 1944, Neil Short.

Kill Hitler - Operation Valkyrie 1944, Neil Short.

An interesting approach to the 1944 attempt to kill Hitler, looking at the entire coup attempt, from the initial planning, through the assassination attempt and on to the bodged coup in Berlin. Benefits greatly from the decision to focus more on the coup than the bombing, which means it covers some less familiar ground.
[read full review]

The Hundred Years War - An Alternative History of Britain, Timothy Venning.

The Hundred Years War - An Alternative History of Britain, Timothy Venning.

Interesting if rather scattergun look at possible alternative courses of English history during the period of the Hundred Years War, mainly focusing on that war, but also with some attention paid to domestic politics, especially during the weak reign of Richard II and the troubled reign of Henry IV.
[read full review]

Helmand - Diaries of Front-Line Soldiers, Various Authors.

Helmand - Diaries of Front-Line Soldiers, Various Authors.

Focuses on the diaries of John and Ian Thornton, brothers who served in Afghanistan in 2008 and 2011-12 respectively. John was killed close to the end of his tour of duty, and profits from the book go to the John Thornton Young Achievers Foundation, a charity founded to honour his memory. The two Thornton diaries are supported by two other diaries and two personal reminiscence to produce a vivid picture of the life of a frontline solder in Afghanistan.
[read full review]

359th Fighter Group (USAAF)

The 359th Fighter Group (USAAF) was a fighter unit in the Eighth Air Force that flew a mix of bomber escort and ground attack missions between its combat debut in December 1943 and the end of the war in Europe.

356th Fighter Group (USAAF)

The 356th Fighter Group (USAAF) was a fighter unit that served as a bomber escort group with the Eighth Air Force late in 1943 before becoming a group attack unit early in 1944.

352nd Fighter Group (USAAF)

The 352nd Fighter Group (USAAF) was a fighter unit that proved bomber escorts for the Eighth Air Force, but also carried out ground attack missions and briefly came under the control of the Ninth Air Force during the Battle of the Bulge.

Boeing XP-9

The Boeing XP-9 was an unsuccessful design for a shoulder-winged monoplane fighter designed in response to USAAC specification X-1623A.

Boeing NB (Model 21)

The Boeing NB (Model 21) was a US Navy trainer and the next Boeing military aircraft after their successful PW-9/ FB fighter.

T77 Multiple Gun Motor Carriage

The T77 Multiple Gun Motor Carriage was an anti-aircraft weapon that carried a quad .50in machine gun mounting on the back of a modified M24 Chaffee light tank.

M19 40mm Gun Motor Carriage

The M19 40mm Gun Motor Carriage was an anti-aircraft weapon that carried a twin 40mm Bofors gun mount on a modified M24 Light Tank chassis.

82nd Fighter Group (USAAF)

The 82nd Fighter Group (USAAF) served in the Mediterranean theatre, first as a mainly ground attack unit with the Twelfth Air Force, and later as a bomber escort group in the Fifteenth Air Force.

56th Fighter Group (USAAF)

The 56th Fighter Group (USAAF) started the war as a home based defence and training unit before joining the Eighth Air Force in England in the spring of 1943. It spent the rest of the war flying a mix of bomber escort and ground attack missions.

55th Fighter Group (USAAF)

The 55th Fighter Group (USAAF) entered combat as a long range bomber escort group, and carried out that role until the end of the war in Europe. Later in the war the group carried out an increasing number of ground attack missions as well.

Boeing F3B (Boeing Model 77)

The Boeing F3B (Boeing Model 77) was the third generation of Boeing fighters to see service with the US Navy, and featured new wings, landing gear and tail units.

Boeing F2B

The Boeing F2B was the second generation of Boeing fighters to enter service with the US Navy, and was the first to be powered by a radial engine.

The First World War: The War to End all Wars, Peter Simkins, Geoffrey Jukes and Michael Hickey.

The First World War: The War to End all Wars, Peter Simkins, Geoffrey Jukes and Michael Hickey.

Excellent single-volume history of the First World War, focusing on the land battles on the Western, Eastern and Italian fronts and the war against the Ottoman Empire. Gives a good impression of the way in which both offensive and defensive tactics developed during the war and the slow formation of a war-winning Allied strategy.
 [read full review]

Rolling Thunder in a Gentle Land, ed. Andrew Wiest.

Rolling Thunder in a Gentle Land, ed. Andrew Wiest.

Excellent study of the Vietnam War looking at a far wider range of topics than in most books on this war, and with contributions from American, North Vietnamese and South Vietnamese authors and participants in the war. An impressive piece of work that gives a good overview of the Vietnam War and the wider issues that surrounded the conflict.
[read full review]

Spying for the Führer: Hitler's Espionage Machine, Christer Jörgensen.

Spying for the Führer: Hitler's Espionage Machine, Christer Jörgensen.

Looks at the full range of German intelligence agencies of the Second World War, their successes and failures and the vicious infighting that helped reduce their efficiency around the world. Includes the familiar stories of Allied double agents and successes, but also the less well known German successes, especially early in the war and around the world.
 [read full review]

Battle of the Berezina (21-29 November 1812)

The Battle of the Berezina (21-29 November 1812) was the last major success for Napoleon's Grande Armée during the invasion of Russia in 1812 and saw the remnants of the army escape from a Russian trap on the Berezina River and continue their march west to relative safety.

M43 8in Howitzer Motor Carriage

The M43 8in Howitzer Motor Carriage was developed from the M40 Gun Motor Carriage. It arrived too late to see significant service in the Second World War, but it was used during the Korean War.

M24 Chaffee Light Tank

The M24 Chaffee Light Tank was the best light tank to see service during the Second World War, but it arrived too late to make a significant contribution to the fighting, entering combat in small numbers late in 1944.

General Louis Baraguey d'Hilliers

General Louis Baraguey d'Hilliers was a French general best known as a dragoon commander, but who served in a variety of roles from the start of the Revolutionary Wars until his death in Berlin in 1813.

Field Marshal Hans Karl Freidrich Anton, count von Diebitsch (1785-1831)

Field Marshal Hans Karl Freidrich Anton, count von Diebitsch (1785-1831) was a Prussian officer who served with the Russian army during the Napoleonic Wars and who eventually became chief of the Russian General Staff.

Boeing XP-8 (Model 66)

The Boeing XP-8 (Model 66) was an experimental design for a fighter aircraft powered by a Packard inverted inline engine.

Boeing AT-3

The Boeing AT-3 was an unsuccessful advanced trainer based on the Boeing PW-9 biplane trainer.

Henchmen of Ares: Warriors and Warfare in Early Greece, Josho Brouwers.

Henchmen of Ares: Warriors and Warfare in Early Greece, Josho Brouwers.

Looks at warfare during the Mycenaean period, the Greek Dark Ages, the rise of the Hoplite and the Persian Wars. Supported by good full colour photos and illustrations, this is an interesting look at a less well known period of Ancient Greek history.
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The Real Hornblower: The Life and Times of Admiral Sir James Gordon GCB, Bryan Perrett.

The Real Hornblower: The Life and Times of Admiral Sir James Gordon GCB, Bryan Perrett.

 Looks at the life and career of a possible inspiration for the career of Horatio Hornblower. Gordon is an interesting figure in his own right, fighting at Cape St. Vincent, under Nelson at the Nile, in the Adriatic, and taking part in the attacks on Washington and Baltimore in 1814 (helping to inspire the American National Anthem). This is a fascinating biography of a less well known British naval leader, and will also be of value to fans of Hornblower.
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Ancient Warfare Vol VIII, Issue I: Deserters, Defectors, Traitors: Betrayal in the ancient world.

Ancient Warfare Vol VIII, Issue I: Deserters, Defectors, Traitors: Betrayal in the ancient world.

Looks at a range of famous traitors in the Ancient World, stretching from the Biblical David up to Cataline's Revolt during the late Roman Republic, and a variety of types of betrayal, from internal revolt to siding with external enemies..
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T88 105mm Howitzer Motor Carriage

The T88 105mm Howitzer Motor Carriage was produced in an attempt to mount a 105mm howitzer in the chassis of an M18 Hellcat tank destroyer.

T87 105mm Howitzer Motor Carriage (Amphibious)

The T87 105mm Howitzer Motor Carriage (Amphibious) was part of a programme to develop amphibious versions of the M18 Hellcat tank destroyer for use in the Pacific.

Battle of Fiedovoisky or Viazma (3 November 1812)

The battle of Fiedovoisky or Viazma (3 November 1812) was the first serious Russian attack on the French column during the disastrous retreat from Moscow.

Second battle of Krasnyi (15-18 November 1812)

The second battle of Krasnyi (15-18 November 1812) was a series of clashes between the Russians and elements of Napoleon's retreating Grand Armée that ended as a French victory, but that continued the slow destruction of the army

The Defence of the Dardanelles - From Bombards to Battleships, Michael Forrest.

The Defence of the Dardanelles - From Bombards to Battleships, Michael Forrest.

An excellent history of the British and French naval attempts to defeat the defences of the Dardanelles and reach Constantinople, supported by a wider look at the fortifications, earlier attempts to breach the defences, the role of the navy during the Gallipoli campaign and the post-war occupation of the Dardanelles
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Defending Heaven - China's Mongol Wars 1209-1370, James Waterson.

Defending Heaven - China's Mongol Wars 1209-1370, James Waterson.

Focuses on the Song Dynasty's long battles with northern nomads, their final destruction by the Mongols after a fierce struggle, the short-lived Mongol Yuan dynasty and its overthrow by the rebels who eventually formed the Ming Dynasty. This is a splendid account of a complex but critical period of Chinese history.
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Searching for George Meade - The Forgotten Victor of Gettysburg, Tom Huntington.

Searching for George Meade - The Forgotten Victor of Gettysburg, Tom Huntington.

An interesting two-pronged book, combining a biography of General Meade with an attempt to discover how he is remembered on the battlefields of the Civil War. Meade emerges as a capable, ambitious man with something of a temper, who deserves to be better known than he is, but who does make a reasonable appearance on many Civil War memorials.
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T86 76mm Gun Motor Carriage (Amphibious)

The T86 76mm Gun Motor Carriage (Amphibious) was developed in an attempt to produce an amphibious version of the M18 Hellcat tank destroyer.

T65 Flame Tank

The T65 Flame Tank was an experimental flame thrower tank produced by adapting a M39 Armoured Utility Vehicle.

Historic Newspapers: Teaching History Resources:

Historic Newspapers: Teaching History Resources: A selection of three selections from important historical newspapers, available free to education facilities. The First World War option covers the Autumn Offensive of 1915, the death of Edith Cavell, the appointment of Sir Douglas Haig as commander of the B.E.F., the Dardanelles, Jutland, the death of Kitchener, Air Raids on London, the capture of Jerusalem and the Armistice. The side articles are just as interesting as the main stories, giving a feel for what was seen as important at the time. A super teaching resource.

Boeing XP-7 (Model 93)

The Boeing XP-7 (Model 93) was an experimental fighter used to test the Curtiss Conqueror engine.

Boeing XP-4 (Model 58)

The Boeing XP-4 (Model 58) was an experimental aircraft produced to test a turbo-supercharged Packard engine.

General Mathieu comte Dumas (1753-1837)

General Mathieu comte Dumas (1753-1837) was a French general who survived the early years of the Revolution and went on to serve Napoleon as quartermaster and Intendant-Général of the Grande Armée, before writing a nineteen volume history of the fighting between 1798 and 1807.

General Pierre-François-Joseph, comte Durutte (1767-1827)

General Pierre-François-Joseph, comte Durutte (1767-1827) was a French general whose career was harmed by his close association with Moreau, but who went on to perform well from 1809 to Waterloo.

Why Germany Nearly Won, Steven D. Mercatante.

Why Germany Nearly Won, Steven D. Mercatante.

Makes a convincing argument that quality was more important than quantity when deciding the outcome of the Second World War, from the initial German successes in the West and against the USSR to the final Allied victory. Looks at the quality of the equipment used on both sides, the training and experience of the armies and the quality of the higher commands and their battle plans and argues that these factors were more important than brute force in deciding the course of the war. A fascinating, well made argument.

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With Musket & Tomahawk Vol II: The Mohawk Valley Campaign in the Wilderness War of 1777, Michael O. Logusz.

With Musket & Tomahawk Vol II: The Mohawk Valley Campaign in the Wilderness War of 1777, Michael O. Logusz.

Looks at the second prong of the British invasion from Canada of 1777, the campaign in the Mohawk valley that ended in defeat at Fort Stanwix, thus removing one of Burgoyne's hopes of help when he got bogged down at Saratoga. Excellent use of eyewitness accounts of the campaign make this an atmospheric read.
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Tiger Command, Bob Carruthers and Sinclair McLay.

Tiger Command, Bob Carruthers and Sinclair McLay.

Translation of a novel originally written by an anonymous German author who almost certainly served in Tiger tanks during the Second World War. Fluently translated, this gives an insight into the attitude of probably quite senior German tank commander, as well as a interesting view of tank operations written by an expert.
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Boeing FB

The Boeing FB was the US Navy's version of the Boeing PW-9 biplane fighter and the first in a decade-long series of Boeing naval fighters.

Boeing PW-9

The Boeing PW-9 was the first in a long series of successful Boeing biplane fighters that saw service with the USAAC and US Navy in the 1920s and early 1930s.

36th Fighter Group (USAAF)

The 36th Fighter Group (USAAF) spent the first part of the Second World War as part of the defence force in the Caribbean before joining the Eighth Air Force in the spring of 1944.

35th Fighter Group (USAAF)

The 35th Fighter Group (USAAF) was a fighter unit that was caught up in the fall of the Philippines, then reformed in Australia and took part in the Allied advance across the South Pacific, eventually returning to the Philippines.

27th Fighter/ Bomber Group

The 27th went through two different incarnations during the Second World War. As the 27th Bombardment Group it fought in the Philippines and Java in 1941-42. It was then reformed in the US and sent to North Africa, where it eventually became the 27th Fighter Group, serving in North Africa, Sicily and Italy

20th Fighter Group (USAAF)

The 20th Fighter Group (USAAF) was a fighter unit that served with the Eighth Air Force from late in 1943 to the end of the war in Europe, flying a mix of bomber escort, and ground attack missions.

14th Fighter Group (USAAF)

The 14th Fighter Group (USAAF) was a P-38 Lightning Group that fought in Tunisia and the Italian campaign, as well as providing bomber escorts for attacks across southern Europe.

4th Fighter Group (USAAF)

The 4th Fighter Group (USAAF) was formed from the Eagle squadrons, three RAF squadrons manned by American volunteers, and served with the Eighth Air Force from the autumn of 1942 until the end of the Second World War.

T17 Command Post Vehicle (or Tactical Air Control Party Vehicle)

The T17 Command Post Vehicle (or Tactical Air Control Party Vehicle) was an armoured command vehicle based on the M44 Armoured Personnel Carrier, itself developed from the M18 Hellcat Tank Destroyer.

T9 Armoured Utility Vehicle

The T9 Armoured Utility Vehicle was an experimental design for a light-weight utility vehicle.

Traditional Enemies - Britain's War with Vichy France 1940-1942, John D Grainger.

Traditional Enemies - Britain's War with Vichy France 1940-1942, John D Grainger.

Looks at the series of battles between Vichy France and Britain between the fall of France in 1940 and Operation Torch at the end of 1942. Politically well balanced, acknowledging the genuine motives behind each British attack and the difficult balancing act the Vichy government was attempting but failing to pull off, and with good accounts of the military actions.
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Shanghai 1937 - Stalingrad on the Yangtze, Peter Harmsen.

Shanghai 1937 - Stalingrad on the Yangtze, Peter Harmsen.

Looks at one of the first major urban battles of the Twentieth Century, a Chinese attempt to expel the Japanese from Shanghai and distract them from the fighting in northern China that expanding into a major battle and led to some of the first major atrocities of the conflict between Japan and China.
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The Scapegoat: The life and tragedy of a fighting admiral and Churchill's role in his death, Steve R. Dunn.

The Scapegoat: The life and tragedy of a fighting admiral and Churchill's role in his death, Steve R. Dunn.

Fascinating biography of Admiral Kit Cradock, the defeated commander at the battle of Coronel in 1914. Also serves as a history of the late Victorian and Edwardian Navy, looking at its strengths and flaws in the period leading up to the First World War, the Royal Navy's first serious trial since the Napoleonic Wars.
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General Antoine, comte Drouot (1774-1847)

General Antoine, comte Drouot (1774-1847) was a French officer who had the rare distinction of having fought at Trafalgar and at the Waterloo, as well as commanding the Artillery of the Imperial Guard in Russia in 1812.

General Jean-Simon baron Domon (1774-1830)

General Jean-Simon baron Domon (1774-1830) was a French cavalry commander who served throughout the Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars, and whose career survived the Bourbon restoration.

2nd Combat Cargo Group (USAAF)

The 2nd Combat Cargo Group (USAAF) was a transport unit that served with the Fifth Air Force in the Southwest Pacific from the end of 1944 onwards.

1st Combat Cargo Group (USAAF)

The 1st Combat Cargo Group (USAAF) was a transport squadron that operated over Burma and China from 1944 until the end of the Second World War.

509th Composite Group (USAAF)

The 509th Composite Group (USAAF) was formed specifically to drop the atomic bomb, and carried out the attacks on Hiroshima and Nagasaki that helped end the Second World War.

General Jan Henryk Dombrowski (1755-1818)

General Jan Henryk Dombrowski (1755-1818) was a Polish officer who served under Napoleon in Italy, Poland, Russia and Germany, before briefly taking service under Tsar Alexander in 1815.

General Jozef Gregorz Chlopicki (1771-1854)

General Jozef Gregorz Chlopicki (1771-1854) was a Polish general who served in the armies of Poland, France and Russia before retiring after the failed Polish uprising of 1830.

M44 Armoured Personnel Carrier

The M44 Armoured Personnel Carrier was the designation given to a modified version of the M39 Armoured Utility Vehicle, itself a development of the M18 Hellcat.

M39 Armoured Utility Vehicle

The M39 Armoured Utility Vehicle was a prime mover and reconnaissance vehicle based on the chassis of the M18 76mm Gun Motor Carriage (Hellcat).

Napoleon's Russian Campaign of 1812

Napoleon's Russian Campaign of 1812 was one of the greatest disasters in military history. Napoleon invaded Russia at the head of an army of over 600,000 men but by the start of 1813 only 93,000 of them were still alive and with the army. The retreat from Moscow was one of the defining images of the Napoleonic period, and the disaster in Russia helped convince many of Napoleon's former allies to turn against him, especially in Germany.

General Joseph-Marie, comte Dessaix (1764-1834)

General Joseph-Marie, comte Dessaix (1764-1834) was a French general who fought throughout the Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars, and who rose to command a division by the end of the wars.

General Alexis-Joseph, baron Delzons (1775-1812)

General Alexis-Joseph, baron Delzons (1775-1812) was a French general who was killed at the battle of Maloyaroslavets at the start of the disastrous retreat from Moscow.

M18 76mm Gun Motor Carriage 'Hellcat'

The M18 76mm Gun Motor Carriage 'Hellcat' was the most successful American tank destroyer of the Second World War, using its mobility to compensate for its thin armour and accounting for a large number of German tanks during the fighting in 1944-45.

T67 Gun Motor Carriage

The T67 Gun Motor Carriage was the third step in a series of designs that led to the M18 76mm Gun Motor Carriage 'Hellcat' and was armed with the same 75mm gun as early Sherman tanks.

T49 57mm Gun Motor Carriage

The T49 57mm Gun Motor Carriage was the second step in a series of designs that led to the M18 76mm Gun Motor Carriage 'Hellcat' and was an upgunned version of the T42 37mm GMC.

T42 37mm GMC

The T42 37mm GMC was the first step in a series of designs that led to the M18 76mm Gun Motor Carriage 'Hellcat'.

Marshal Louis-Nicolas Davout, duc d'Auerstädt, prince d'Eckmühl (1770-1823)

Marshal Louis-Nicolas Davout, duc d'Auerstädt, prince d'Eckmühl (1770-1823) was one of the most capable of Napoleon's marshals, and earned the nickname of the 'Iron Marshal' because of the strict discipline he imposed on his men.

General Jean-Baptiste-Juvenal, comte Corbineau, 1776-1846

General Jean-Baptiste-Juvenal, comte Corbineau, 1776-1846, was a French general who served extensively during the Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars, but who is best known for a lucky discovery that helped the remnants of the Grande Armée escape across the Berezina.

M36 90mm Gun Motor Carriage

The M36 90mm Gun Motor Carriage was the most powerful American Tank Destroyer of the Second World War and was produced by mounting a 90mm anti-aircraft gun on the chassis of the M10 3in Gun Motor Carriage.

M15 Combination Gun Motor Carriage

The M15 Combination Gun Motor Carriage was an effective anti-aircraft weapon that carried a 37mm cannon and two .50in machine guns on the back of an M3 half-track and that saw combat with the US Army from the start of Operation Torch in November 1942 until the Korean War.

General Jean-Dominique, comte Compans (1769-1845)

General Jean-Dominique, comte Compans (1769-1845) was a French general best known for his performance during the invasion of Russia in 1812.

General François Marquis de Chasseloup-Laubat (1754-1833)

General François Marquis de Chasseloup-Laubat (1754-1833) was one of the most important military engineers of the Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars.

General Edouard de Colbert, comte de Colbert-Chabanais (1774-1853)

General Edouard de Colbert, comte de Colbert-Chabanais (1774-1853) was a French cavalry commander who fought under Napoleon from the Egyptian campaign to Waterloo.

Jerome Bonaparte

Jerome Bonaparte was the youngest, least serious, and probably the least able of Napoleon's brothers, but this wouldn't have been a problem if his illustrious brother hadn’t insisted on appointing Jerome to posts that were beyond his abilities.