Monday, June 30, 2014

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.
[read full review]

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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Friday, June 27, 2014

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.

Thursday, June 26, 2014

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

Wednesday, June 25, 2014

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.
[read full review]

Tuesday, June 24, 2014

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.

Saturday, June 21, 2014

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.

Friday, June 20, 2014

Thursday, June 19, 2014

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.

Wednesday, June 18, 2014

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.

[Read Full Review ]

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.
[Read Full Review ]

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.
[read full review]

Tuesday, June 17, 2014

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.

Monday, June 16, 2014

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

Friday, June 13, 2014

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.

Wednesday, June 11, 2014

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.
[read full review]

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.
[read full review]

Tuesday, June 10, 2014

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.

Monday, June 09, 2014

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.

Thursday, June 05, 2014

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.

Tuesday, June 03, 2014

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).

Monday, June 02, 2014

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.