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.

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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.