Friday, May 30, 2014

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.

Thursday, May 29, 2014

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.

Wednesday, May 28, 2014

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'.

Tuesday, May 27, 2014

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.

Friday, May 23, 2014

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.

Wednesday, May 21, 2014

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.

Tuesday, May 20, 2014

M17 Multiple Gun Motor Carriage

The M17 Multiple Gun Motor Carriage was a lend-lease version of the M16 MGMC, and carried four .50in anti-aircraft machine guns on the chassis of an M5 half-track.

M16 Multiple Gun Motor Carriage

The M16 Multiple Gun Motor Carriage was armed with four .50in anti-aircraft machine guns in a Maxson turret carried on a M3 half-track and replaced the twin-gun M13 in production.

Monday, May 19, 2014

Trench, Stephen Bull.

Trench, Stephen Bull.

Looks at the evolution of the defensive lines on the Western Front of the First World War, from the thin lines of 1914 to the elaborate defensive networks of the late war period and the weapons used to try and break the deadlock. Supported by some fascinating wartime illustrations from military manuals, along with contemporary trench maps.
[read full review]

Friday, May 16, 2014

M14 Multiple Gun Motor Carriage

The M14 Multiple Gun Motor Carriage carried two .50in anti-aircraft machine guns on a M5 half-track, and was produced for lend-lease with most going to Britain.

M13 Multiple Gun Motor Carriage

The M13 Multiple Gun Motor Carriage was the first in a series of anti-aircraft weapons saw machine guns mounted on a half-track chassis, and was armed with twin .50in machine guns on the back of a M3 half-track personnel carrier.

Thursday, May 15, 2014

I Was Hitler's Pilot, Lieutenant-General Hans Baur.

I Was Hitler's Pilot, Lieutenant-General Hans Baur.
As Hitler's pilot Baur was part of his inner circle, close to him from the early election campaigns where he first won Hitler's trust, to the last days in the bunker in Berlin. His memoirs provide a rare 'behind the scenes' view of Hitler's regime written by someone who was close to him for over a decade and survived the last days of the war in Berlin. Baur provides a useful view of Hitler the skilful boss, able to win the long term devotion of so many.
[read full review]

Of Those We Loved, I L 'Dick' Read.

Of Those We Loved, I L 'Dick' Read.
One of the best Great War memoirs I have ever read, following the author from his arrival on the Western Front late in 1915, through the battle of the Somme, periods spent in Flanders, promotion to officer, to Egypt and back and during the final victorious battles of 1918. Equally good on periods in the front line, behind the line, quiet time and the major battles, this is an outstanding memoir.
[read full review]

Deliver us from Darkness - The Untold Story of Third Battalion 506 Parachute Infantry Regiment during Market Garden, Ian Gardner.

Deliver us from Darkness - The Untold Story of Third Battalion 506 Parachute Infantry Regiment during Market Garden, Ian Gardner.
Follows one battalion from the 101st Airborne as it takes part in the liberation of Eindhoven, defends the road to Arnhem and fights on the 'Island' - the area between the Rijn and the Waal. Also looks at the Dutch experience of occupation and resistance and the part they played in the successes of the 506th.
[read full review]

Wednesday, May 14, 2014

502nd Bombardment Group

The 502nd Bombardment Group was a B-29 group that entered the fighting late in the Second World War and concentrated its efforts against the petroleum industry.

Tuesday, May 13, 2014

Battle of Maloyaroslavets (24 October 1812)

The battle of Maloyaroslavets (24 October 1812) was one of the most important battles during Napoleon's invasion of Russia, and disrupted his original plans for the retreat from Moscow.

Battle of Vinkovo or Tarutino (18 October 1812)

The battle of Vinkovo or Tarutino (18 October 1812) was an unsuccessful Russian attack on Murat's cavalry screen south of Moscow that played a part in convincing Napoleon that he would have to abandon Moscow.

Monday, May 12, 2014

Count Aleksey Andreyevich Arakcheyev

Count Aleksey Andreyevich Arakcheyev was a controversial Russian general and minister of war under Alexander I who was responsible for a successful reform of the artillery but who was seen as a negative influence on the Tsar.

Alexander I, Tsar of Russia (1777-1825)

Alexander I, Tsar of Russia (1777-1825) was one of the most important figures in the eventual defeat of Napoleon. His refusal to negotiation with Napoleon after the fall of Moscow eventually forced the French to begin the disastrous retreat that destroyed the Grand Army and helped encourage Germany to revolt against Napoleon.

Friday, May 09, 2014

501st Bombardment Group

The 501st Bombardment Group was a B-29 Group that entered the campaign against Japan late in the war and focused its efforts against the Japanese petrol industry.

500th Bombardment Group

The 500th Bombardment Group was one of the first B-29 groups to operate from Saipan and took part in the strategic bombing campaign from its first mission on 11 November 1944 to the end of the Second World War.

499th Bombardment Group

The 499th Bombardment Group was one of the first B-29 groups to operate from Saipan and took part in the strategic bombing offensive against Japan from the autumn of 1944 to the end of the Second World War.

Wednesday, May 07, 2014

T72 76mm Gun Motor Carriage

The T72 76mm Gun Motor Carriage was designed in an attempt to arm the M10 3in GMC with the new M1 76mm gun.

M10 3in Gun Motor Carriage

The M10 3in Gun Motor Carriage was the most widely used American tank destroyer of the Second World War, seeing service in Tunisia in 1943, Italy in 1943-45, north-western Europe from D-Day to the end of the war and in the Pacific.

Tuesday, May 06, 2014

General Auguste-Jean-Gabriel de Caulaincourt (1777-1812)

General Auguste-Jean-Gabriel de Caulaincourt (1777-1812) was the brother of Napoleon's chief diplomatic aide (Armand-Augustin Louis, Marquis de Caulaincourt), and is most famous for his death in battle at Borodino.

General Armand-Augustin Louis, Marquis de Caulaincourt, duc de Vincence

General Armand-Augustin Louis, Marquis de Caulaincourt, duc de Vincence, was Napoleon's chief diplomatic aide, serving as the French ambassador to Russia and representing his master in a series of peace negotiations late in the wars.

Monday, May 05, 2014

Naval Firepower - Battleship Guns and Gunnery in the Dreadnaught Era, Norman Friedman.

Naval Firepower - Battleship Guns and Gunnery in the Dreadnaught Era, Norman Friedman.
A detailed history of the evolution of fire control methods during the period of the big-gun battleship, focusing on a key area of technology without which the expensive big guns would have been of little value. The topic is complex but Friedman does a good job of explaining the key concepts and the technology that was developed in an attempt to allow the guns on a warship that was probably moving at high speed to hit a second distant warship.
[read full review]

Vietnam - A View from the Front Lines, Andrew Wiest.

Vietnam - A View from the Front Lines, Andrew Wiest.
 An impressive collection of first hand accounts that trace the American soldier's journey during the Vietnam War, from their pre-war lives, through entering the army (or Marines), training, first experiences of Vietnam, the experience of battle, injury or loss, the return home, either at the end of a tour of duty or after being wounded, and life after Vietnam.
[read full review]

The White Rose of Stalingrad, Bill Yenne.

The White Rose of Stalingrad, Bill Yenne.
Fascinating biography of Lidiya Vladimirovona Litvyak, the highest scoring female fighter ace of all time, looking at her life and aviation career, the wider history of female aviation in the Soviet Union and the impact on her of the turbulent history of the Soviet Union (her father was killed in Stalin's purges).
 [read full review]

Friday, May 02, 2014

Thursday, May 01, 2014

T94 250mm Mortar Motor Carriage

The T94 250mm Mortar Motor Carriage was a design for a version of the M40 155mm gun motor carriage that was to be armed with a huge muzzle loaded mortar.

M22 Light Tank, Locust

The M22 Light Tank, Locust, was a small tank that was designed to be carried by heavy gliders or transport aircraft and used to support airborne operations.