451st Bombardment Group

The 451st Bombardment Group was a B-24 Liberator group that was based in Italy during 1944-45 and took part in the strategic bombing campaign as well as providing some support for the tactical air force in Italy.

450th Bombardment Group

The 450th Bombardment Group was a B-24 unit that served with the Fifteenth Air Force in Italy, taking part in the strategic bombing campaign during 1944 and 1945.

449th Bombardment Group

The 449th Bombardment Group was a heavy bomber unit that served in Italy from the start of 1944 to the end of the Second World War, taking part in the strategic bombing offensive.

Siege of London (12-15 May 1471)

The siege of London (12-15 May 1471) was a brief attack on the city that threatened to revive the Lancastrian cause, which had appeared to be lost after the disaster of Tewkesbury, but that failed after two attacks on the city defences were repulsed.

Siege of Harlech Castle (1461-14 August 1468)

The siege of Harlech Castle (1461-14 August 1468) is famous as the longest siege in British history. For the last four years of the siege Harlech was the only place in England or Wales in Lancastrian hands, and acted as a base for their plots.

Portland class heavy cruisers

The two Portland class heavy cruisers were slightly modified versions of the Northampton class with better protection for the magazines. Originally five were to be built but only two were completed and the rest became the first New Orleans class cruisers, with significantly improved armour.

Northampton class heavy cruisers

The Northampton class heavy cruisers were improved versions of the earlier Pensacola Class, with reduced armament, a hanger for their aircraft, improved sub-division of the boiler rooms and a forecastle to give them superior sea keeping abilities.

Armoured Warfare in the Korean War, Anthony Tucker-Jones.

Armoured Warfare in the Korean War, Anthony Tucker-Jones.

Focuses mainly on the ex-Soviet, American and British tanks that fought in Korea, supported by useful captions, a good brief history of the war explaining how the role of armour changed, with a selection of pictures that include good coverage of the tanks involved in the war, plus some that provide a more rounded view of the war.
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The Devil's Birthday: The Bridges to Arnhem, 1944, Geoffrey Powell.

The Devil's Birthday: The Bridges to Arnhem, 1944, Geoffrey Powell.

Fascinating account of the entire Market-Garden campaign, paying deserved attention to the American and Polish airborne units as well as the main land campaign, where the real problems with the campaign were to be found as a full corps attempted to push up a single road against stiffening German resistance.
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The Battle for Syria 1918-1920, John D. Grainger.

The Battle for Syria 1918-1920, John D. Grainger.

 Mainly focuses on the First World War battles between the British and the Ottoman Empire for control of Syria, with an interesting section on the post-war struggle for control of the country. Covers the campaign in Palestine, the Arab revolt and the Ottoman side of the fighting.
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M5 Light Tank

The M5 Light Tank was developed in an attempt to make sure that a shortage of the Continental engines used in the M3 Light Tank wouldn't disrupt production of light tanks.

T16 4.5in Gun Motor Carriage

The T16 4.5in Gun Motor Carriage was a design for a self-propelled gun that was originally to be carried on a new chassis based on that of the M5 Light Tank, but that was then modified to use the M24 Light Tank chassis, before being cancelled.

T18 75mm Howitzer Motor Carriage

The T18 75mm Howitzer Motor Carriage was an attempt to produce a close-support vehicle to support the infantry by mounting a 75mm howitzer on the fuselage of an M3 Light Tank.

M3 Light Tank

The M3 Light Tank was the most numerous light tank produced in the United States during the Second World War and saw combat in the Pacific, North Africa, Italy and the European theatre as well as with the British, where it was known as the 'General Stuart', and with the Red Army.

Angers Agreement of July 1470

The Angers Agreement of July 1470 saw the forging of an unlikely alliance between Richard Neville, earl of Warwick and Margaret of Anjou and paved the way for the short-lived 'readeption government' of Henry VI.

Act of Accord (25 October 1460)

The Act of Accord (25 October 1460) was a political agreement that was meant to solve the political tension that had caused war in England in the 1450s by acknowledging Richard, duke of York, as the heir to Henry VI, but that instead helped reinvigorate the Lancastrian cause.

'Loveday' of 24 March 1458

The 'Loveday' of 24 March 1458 was an attempt by Henry VI to reconcile the two squabbling factions amongst his nobility. Despite a public display of unity the effort was a failure and in the following year fighting broke out again at the start of the second phase of the Wars of the Roses.

444th Bombardment Group

The 444th Bombardment Group was a B-29 group that operated against Japan, first using bases in India and staging posts in China and then from Tinian.

418th Bombardment Group

The 418th Bombardment Group went through two incarnations during the Second World War, but neither one ever became fully operational.

417th Bombardment Group (Light)

The 417th Bombardment Group (Light) was a A-20 unit that operated against the Japanese, fighting on New Guinea and in the Philippines.

Henry VI (1421-1471)

Henry VI (1421-1471) was the last monarch of the Lancastrian dynasty, and the ineffective nature of his rule played a major part in the outbreak of the Wars of the Roses.

T21 Light Tank

The T21 Light Tank was a design for a light tank based on the T20 Medium Tank, but that never reached the prototype stage.

T7 Light Tank/ M7 Medium Tank

The T7 Light Tank/ M7 Medium Tank was originally designed to replace the M3 Light Tank and M5 Light Tank, but it outgrew its original purpose and was accepted for production as the M7 Medium Tank before being cancelled.

USS Huntington (CL-107)

USS Huntington (CL-107) was the second of two Fargo class light cruisers to be completed just after the end of the Second World War, and like the Fargo had a short post-war career.

USS Fargo (CL-106)

USS Fargo (CL-106) was the name-ship of the small Fargo class of light cruisers. She entered service just after the end of the Second World War, and entered the reserve after a short post-war career.

Fargo Class of light cruisers

The Fargo Class of light cruisers were a modified version of the prolific Cleveland class, but although a large production run was planned only two were actually completed and neither of them arrived in time to fight in the Second World War.

Fighting with the Desert Rats, Major H.P. Samwell MC.

Fighting with the Desert Rats, Major H.P. Samwell MC.

 The memoirs of an infantry officer in the Desert Rats, written during the war and left unmodified after the author's death in combat in 1945. Gives a good idea of the chaos at the front and the very different atmosphere behind the lines. Also stands out for the author's interest in the views of other nationalities, and his interviews with representatives of the many different communities of North Africa.
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Images of War: Rommel's Army in the Desert, Alistair Smith.

Images of War: Rommel's Army in the Desert, Alistair Smith.

 A selection of photographs from three anonymous photo albums taken by members of Rommel's army in North Africa, mainly looking at life on the road in North Africa, but with some unusual photos that show a different side of life in the German army in the desert.
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Reign of Terror - The Budapest Memoirs of Valdemar Langlet, 1944-1945, Valdemar Langlet.

Reign of Terror - The Budapest Memoirs of Valdemar Langlet, 1944-1945, Valdemar Langlet.

The memoirs of the leader of the Swedish Red Cross in Hungary, recounting his efforts to save as many people as possible during the chaotic rule of the last pro-German governments, including the vicious 'Arrow Cross' regime. His 'Letters of Protection' saved thousands of lives during this period, and his memoirs discuss how this came about, his other work, and describes life in Hungary under the last pro-German governments and during the start of the Soviet occupation.
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Light Tank M2

The Light Tank M2 was the standard American light tank of the late 1930s, but it was obsolete by the time the United States entered the war and saw very little combat.

Combat Car M1 and M2/ Light Tank M1

The Combat Car M1 and M2/ Light Tank M1 was a light tank that was produced for the US Cavalry. Alongside the infantry's Light Tank M2 it was the basis of most American light tanks until 1944, although it was only produced in fairly small numbers and never saw combat.

Edward IV (1442-1483)

Edward IV (1442-1483) was the first and only truly successful king of the Yorkist dynasty. He seized the throne when only eighteen and was a capable battlefield commander who gained a reputation as a lover of luxury whose reign was blighted by the revolt of Richard Neville, earl of Warwick.

1914-1918 An Eyewitness to War, ed. Bob Carruthers,

1914-1918 An Eyewitness to War, ed. Bob Carruthers,

Four very varied eyewitness accounts of the First World War, including a look at the front by the Director of French Propaganda, a memoir of four weeks spent in the Austrian Army at the start of the war, an American journalist's visit to Verdun and the memoirs of an Official War Artist. These are all fascinating, and provide a very different view of the war to the normal soldier's memoirs.
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Concrete Hell - Urban Warfare from Stalingrad to Iraq, Louis A. DiMarco.

Concrete Hell - Urban Warfare from Stalingrad to Iraq, Louis A. DiMarco.

Looks at nine very varied examples of urban warfare from the largely conventional fighting in Stalingrad in 1942 to the political manoeuvring required in more modern conflicts such as the battle for Ramadi in 2006-7. Looks at both the 'what' and the 'how' of urban warfare in an attempt to examine how the urban battle can be won in future.
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The Book of the Order of Chivalry, Ramon Llull, trans. Noel Fallows.

The Book of the Order of Chivalry, Ramon Llull, trans. Noel Fallows.

A translation of a popular thirteenth century guide to chivalry, intended to be read by squires on their way to knighthood to explain their duties and establish a single united Order of Chivalry. A fascinating guide to the late Medieval view of knighthood, as represented by one of the most popular contemporary guides to chivalry.
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Sir William Stanley (c.1435-1495)

Sir William Stanley (c.1435-1495) was a supporter of the House of York who is best known for siding against Richard III, the last Yorkist king, at the battle of Bosworth in 1485, effectively deciding the outcome of the battle.

Thomas, Lord Stanley, Earl of Derby (c.1435-1504)

Thomas, Lord Stanley, Earl of Derby (c.1435-1504), is the classic example of a nobleman who changed his allegiance repeatedly throughout the Wars of the Roses, and emerged at the end of the conflict far more powerful then at the start.

416th Bombardment Group

The 416th Bombardment Group was a medium bomber unit that fought with the Ninth Air Force, taking part in the D-Day campaign and the fighting in France, the Low Countries and Germany.

415th Bombardment Group

The 415th Bombardment Group was originally used by the School of Applied Tactics before becoming a training unit.

411th Bombardment Group

The 411th Bombardment Group was a training unit that was active from August 1943 until May 1944.

410th Bombardment Group

The 410th Bombardment Group was a light bomber unit that fought with the Ninth Air Force from May 1944 to the end of the war in Europe, supporting the D-Day invasions and the campaign that followed.

409th Bombardment Group

The 409th Bombardment Group was a light bomber unit that served with the Ninth Air Force from April 1944 until the end of the war in Europe.
Military History Encylopedia on the Web

400th Bombardment Group

The 400th Bombardment Group was a home based training unit that was active from March 1943 until April 1944.

Richard Neville, earl of Warwick (1428-1471)

Richard Neville, earl of Warwick (1428-1471) is better known as Warwick the Kingmaker, and played a major role placing Edward IV on the throne before turning against him and briefly restoring Henry VI to power in 1470-71.