Friday, January 29, 2016
Conon (c.450-389 BC)
Conon (c.450-389 BC)
was an Athenian commander who survived the defeats that ended the
Great Peloponnesian War and went on to play an important part in the
revival of Athenian naval power in the aftermath of the war.
Clearchus (d.400 BC)
Clearchus (d.400 BC)
was a Spartan commander who was forced into exile after seizing power
at Byzantium, took part in the revolt of Cyrus the Younger of Persia
and was killed in the aftermath of the battle.
Wednesday, January 27, 2016
A.E.G. C.V
The A.E.G. C.V was an experimental version of the C.IV that given a more powerful Mercedes engine.
A.E.G. C.IV
The A.E.G. C.IV
was the most numerous entry in the A.E.G. C series, and introduced a
fixed forward firing machine gun and a more powerful engine.
Tuesday, January 26, 2016
USS Flusser (DD-20)
USS Flusser (DD-20)
was a Smith class destroyer that served from the Azores and Brest
during the First World War, performing a mix of patrols and escort
duties.
USS Preston (DD-19)
USS Preston (DD-19)
was a Smith class destroyer that served off the Azores in 1917 and
from Brest from October 1917 to the end of the First World War.
Monday, January 25, 2016
Marshal Pierre Riel, marquis de Beurnonville (1752-1821)
Marshal Pierre Riel, marquis de Beurnonville (1752-1821)
was an important figure early in the French revolution, fighting in a
huge number of battles early in the Revolutionary Wars.
General Louis-Albert-Ghislain Bacler d'Albe (1761-1824)
General Louis-Albert-Ghislain Bacler d'Albe (1761-1824) was the head of Napoleon's topographical bureau from 1804 and one of his most important staff officers.
Friday, January 22, 2016
Renault NC
The Renault NC
was an improved version of the First World War era Renault FT-17,
produced in the 1920s as a possible replacement for the earlier tank.
Char de Rupture 2C or Char 2C
The Char de Rupture 2C or Char 2C was a very heavy tank that was designed during the First World War but produced in small numbers after the war.
Wednesday, January 20, 2016
The Spanish Civil War 1936-39 (1) Nationalist Forces, Alejandro de Quesada.
The Spanish Civil War 1936-39 (1) Nationalist Forces, Alejandro de Quesada.
Looks at the forces that fought under Franco during the Spanish Civil War, from these elements of the pre-war army that sided with the rebels to the German and Italian forces sent by Hitler and Mussoline. Covers the army, air force and navy, and packs an impressive amount of information into the limited space.
[read full review]
Looks at the forces that fought under Franco during the Spanish Civil War, from these elements of the pre-war army that sided with the rebels to the German and Italian forces sent by Hitler and Mussoline. Covers the army, air force and navy, and packs an impressive amount of information into the limited space.
[read full review]
The Battle of Petersburg, June 15-18, 1864, Sean Michael Chick.
The Battle of Petersburg, June 15-18, 1864, Sean Michael Chick.
Looks at the final major battle of Grant's Overland Campaign, one of the classic 'missed opportunities' of military history which saw Grant slip past Lee's right wing without Lee noticing, but then fail to take advantage of his success, leading to the end of mobile warfare and the start of the long siege of Petersburg.
[read full review]
Looks at the final major battle of Grant's Overland Campaign, one of the classic 'missed opportunities' of military history which saw Grant slip past Lee's right wing without Lee noticing, but then fail to take advantage of his success, leading to the end of mobile warfare and the start of the long siege of Petersburg.
[read full review]
Germany's High Seas Fleet in the First World War, Admiral Reinhard Scheer.
Germany's High Seas Fleet in the First World War, Admiral Reinhard Scheer.
Memoirs of the longest serving commander of the German High Sea Fleet during the First World War, written in 1919 to justify the performance of his fleet and the controversial U-boat campaign. Not always historically accurate, but a very useful insight into the attitudes and motives of this key German commander, and the reasons behind his actions.
[read full review]
Memoirs of the longest serving commander of the German High Sea Fleet during the First World War, written in 1919 to justify the performance of his fleet and the controversial U-boat campaign. Not always historically accurate, but a very useful insight into the attitudes and motives of this key German commander, and the reasons behind his actions.
[read full review]
Tuesday, January 19, 2016
Cimon (c.510-451 BC)
Cimon (c.510-451 BC)
was a major Athenian commander during the Greco-Persian Wars and
helped build up the power of Athens after the defeat of Xerxes's
invasion of Greece.
Chabrias (d.356 BC)
Chabrias (d.356 BC)
was an Athenian commander who had some successes against Sparta,
especially at the naval battle of Naxos, but who was killed at the
battle of Embata off Chios (356 BC). During his career he was appointed
an Athenian general thirteen times.
Monday, January 18, 2016
A.E.G. C.III
The A.E.G. C.III was an experimental aircraft, in which the fuselage filled the entire gap between the two wings.
A.E.G. C.II
The A.E.G. C.II was a more manoeuvrable version of the A.E.G. C.I, with smaller dimensions and a lighter weight than the C.I.
Friday, January 15, 2016
USS Lamson (DD-18)
USS Lamson (DD-18) was
a Smith class destroyer that took part in the US occupation of Veracruz
in 1916, served at the Azores in 1917 and from Brest from October 1917
until the end of the First World War.
USS Smith (DD-17)
USS Smith (DD-17) was
the name ship of the Smith class of destroyers and served with the
Coast Patrol in 1917 and as an escort ship based at Brest in 1917-18.
After the war she was used as a target for bombing tests before being
sold for scrap.
Thursday, January 14, 2016
The First Blitz - Bombing London in the First World War, Ian Castle.
The First Blitz - Bombing London in the First World War, Ian Castle.
A detailed raid-by-raid study of the German bombing offensive against London in the First World War, looking at the nine Zeppelin raids and eighteen aircraft raids that reached the capital. Follows the story from both sides, tracing the development of the German units, the British response to the raids and the details of each of the individual raids.
[read full review]
A detailed raid-by-raid study of the German bombing offensive against London in the First World War, looking at the nine Zeppelin raids and eighteen aircraft raids that reached the capital. Follows the story from both sides, tracing the development of the German units, the British response to the raids and the details of each of the individual raids.
[read full review]
The Combat History of 21. Panzer Division, Werner Kortenhaus.
The Combat History of 21. Panzer Division, Werner Kortenhaus.
Looks at the history of the 'new' 21. Panzer Division and its battles in Normandy, against the Americans in Alsace and Lorraine and on the Eastern Front. Written by a veteran of the division, initially just after the war and then revised in 1989-90, this is an absolutely excellent unit history, covering these events from the German point of view, but without the sort of bias so often present in this sort of book.
[read full review]
Looks at the history of the 'new' 21. Panzer Division and its battles in Normandy, against the Americans in Alsace and Lorraine and on the Eastern Front. Written by a veteran of the division, initially just after the war and then revised in 1989-90, this is an absolutely excellent unit history, covering these events from the German point of view, but without the sort of bias so often present in this sort of book.
[read full review]
Illustrated Encyclopedia of Weapons of World War II, ed. Chris Bishop.
Illustrated Encyclopedia of Weapons of World War II, ed. Chris Bishop.
Based on the Orbis War Machine series of the 1980s some of the post-war material is now badly dated, but the main articles are still valid, and the book covers a massive range of military equipment, from the latest jet aircraft to trucks and light vehicles. Well illustrated, and good at tracing the development of weapon types and the relationship between different items.
[read full review]
Based on the Orbis War Machine series of the 1980s some of the post-war material is now badly dated, but the main articles are still valid, and the book covers a massive range of military equipment, from the latest jet aircraft to trucks and light vehicles. Well illustrated, and good at tracing the development of weapon types and the relationship between different items.
[read full review]
Wednesday, January 13, 2016
350th Fighter Group (USAAF)
The 350th Fighter Group (USAAF)
was formed in Britain as part of the Eighth Air Force, but quickly
moved to North Africa and remained in the Mediterranean theatre for the
rest of the war.
348th Fighter Group (USAAF)
The 348th Fighter Group (USAAF)
was based in the south-west Pacific and fought on New Guinea, in the
Dutch East Indies, the Philippines before ending the war operating
against the Japanese Home Islands.
347th Fighter Group (USAAF)
The 347th Fighter Group (USAAF) fought on Guadalcanal, the Solomons, New Guinea, Borneo, the Dutch East Indies and the Philippines.
Tuesday, January 12, 2016
Marshal Jacques Alexander Bernard Law Marquis de Lauriston (1758-1828)
Marshal Jacques Alexander Bernard Law Marquis de Lauriston (1758-1828)
was a French general and friend of Napoleon who fought at Marengo,
accompanied Villeneuve's fleet during the crossing of the Atlantic,
fought at Wagram, during the invasion of Russia and the campaign in
Germany in 1813, where he was captured during the retreat from
Leipzig.
General Louis-André Bon
General Louis-André Bon
rose from the ranks after the French Revolution, and was on the
verge of making his name during Napoleon's expedition to Egypt before
he was killed during the failed attack on Acre.
Monday, January 11, 2016
Renault FT
The Renault FT
was the most advanced tank of the First World War, and was the first
production tank to be equipped with a turret capable of rotating through
360 degrees.
Saint Chamond M.16 assault tank
The Saint Chamond M.16 assault tank was produced as a result of internal French army politics, and followed the Schneider CA.1 into action.
Schneider CA.1 Char d'Assault
The Schneider CA.1 Char d'Assault was the first French tank, and made its combat debut in April 1917.
Friday, January 08, 2016
Tissaphernes (d.395 BC)
Tissaphernes (d.395 BC) was
the Persian satrap of Lydia and Caria in Asia Minor and played part in
the defeat of Athens in the Great Peloponnesian War and the defeat of
the revolt of Cyrus the Younger in 401, but was executed for his
failures against the Spartans in 395.
Pharnabazus (c.413-373 BC)
Pharnabazus (c.413-373 BC)
was a successful Persian military commander who fought against the
Greeks and Egyptians during the reigns of Darius II and Artaxerxes II.
Wednesday, January 06, 2016
The Men behind Monty, Richard Mead.
The Men behind Monty, Richard Mead.
Looks at the men who made Monty's distinctive command style possible, including his invaluable Chief of Staff Freddie de Guingand, the liaison officers who kept him in touch with the units under his command and the less famous staff officers who ran his three separate headquarters. Also examines the successes and failures of Monty's system, which had its critics then and now.
[read full review]
Looks at the men who made Monty's distinctive command style possible, including his invaluable Chief of Staff Freddie de Guingand, the liaison officers who kept him in touch with the units under his command and the less famous staff officers who ran his three separate headquarters. Also examines the successes and failures of Monty's system, which had its critics then and now.
[read full review]
In the Wake of the Graf Spee, Enrique Dick.
In the Wake of the Graf Spee, Enrique Dick.
Looks at the life of Hein Dick, a crewman on the Graf Spee who was interned in Argentina after the Battle of the River Plate, married an Argentinean, then had to struggle to get back to the country after he was deported back to Germany at the end of the Second World War. The first half, looking at his military career is interesting, but the second half, from the internment onwards is totally fascinating, and covers a neglected area.
[read full review]
Looks at the life of Hein Dick, a crewman on the Graf Spee who was interned in Argentina after the Battle of the River Plate, married an Argentinean, then had to struggle to get back to the country after he was deported back to Germany at the end of the Second World War. The first half, looking at his military career is interesting, but the second half, from the internment onwards is totally fascinating, and covers a neglected area.
[read full review]
Swords of the Viking Age, Ian Peirce.
Swords of the Viking Age, Ian Peirce.
Combines a catalogue of key surviving Viking blades with an explanation of the types of blade and hilt and the methods used to construct them. A valuable reference work on the Viking Sword, with enough supporting information to give it more general interest. The heart of the book is the heavily illustrated catalogue of swords, which includes some in amazing condition.
[read full review]
Combines a catalogue of key surviving Viking blades with an explanation of the types of blade and hilt and the methods used to construct them. A valuable reference work on the Viking Sword, with enough supporting information to give it more general interest. The heart of the book is the heavily illustrated catalogue of swords, which includes some in amazing condition.
[read full review]
Tuesday, January 05, 2016
A.E.G. C.I
The A.E.G. C.I was the first in a series of armed reconnaissance aircraft, and was based on the unarmed A.E.G. B.II.
A.E.G. B.III
The A.E.G. B.III was the last in a series of unarmed two-seat reconnaissance aircraft, and was an improved version of the B.II.
Monday, January 04, 2016
Smith class of destroyers
The Smith class of destroyers
were the first in a series of 700 ton destroyers to be more sturdy
than the earlier Bainbridge class destroyers, but that soon became
known as lightweight 'flivvers' after the construction of 1,000 ton
destroyers.
USS Worden (DD-16)
USS Worden (DD-16)
was a Truxtun class destroyer that served as a recruiting ship in 1917
then escorted convoys along the French coast during 1918.
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