Friday, July 29, 2016

Wilderness and Spotsylvania 1864, Andy Nunez.

Wilderness and Spotsylvania 1864, Andy Nunez
Looks at two very different battles - the Wilderness, fought in dense woodland and notable for the confusion on both sides, and Spotsylvania, where Union forces made a series of attempts to storm strong Confederate field works. These were the battles where Grant began to come to grips with the abilities and limits of the Army of the Potomac, and in particular a command structure that included political appointees and officers appointed by a series of previous commanders of the army. 
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Flakhelfer to Grenadier - Memoir of a Boy Soldier, 1943-1945, Karl Heinz Schlesier.

Flakhelfer to Grenadier - Memoir of a Boy Soldier, 1943-1945, Karl Heinz Schlesier
Follows a young German during his time serving on anti-aircraft batteries, first close to his home town and later defending a hidden factory, then through a short period of army training and an even shorter time on the front line as a grenadier, finishing with his time as a POW. A thought-provoking account of life at the receiving end of the Allied bombing campaign.
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Helmand to the Himalayas - One Soldier's Inspiration Journey, David Wiseman.

Helmand to the Himalayas - One Soldier's Inspiration Journey, David Wiseman
A two-part memoir, starting with the author's experiences in Afghanistan, where he took part in the British deployment to Helmand, where he was involved in the aftermath of a traumatic attack on British troops by bogus Afghan policemen, then moving on to his recovery from the physical and mental trauma the author suffered after being badly wounded in combat. This second section is the most valuable, with an unflinching account of the impact of post traumatic stress and an entertaining account of the Everest expedition that helped with the author's recovery
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Thursday, July 28, 2016

Sentinel AC IV

The Sentinel AC IV was a version of the Australian Sentinel AC I cruiser tank, modified to carry a 17pdr high velocity anti tank gun.  

Sentinel AC III

The Sentinel AC III was a version of the Australian Sentinel AC I cruiser tank, modified to carry a 25pdr howitzer.

Wednesday, July 27, 2016

Siege of Sestus (c.367-6 BC)

The siege of Sestus (c.367-6 BC) saw forces loyal to the Persian emperor Artaxerxes II unsuccessful besiege allies of the rebel satrap Ariobarzanes, during the second stage of the Satrap's revolt.

Siege of Adramyttium or Assus, c.367-6 BC,

The siege of Adramyttium or Assus, c.367-6 BC, saw forces loyal to Artaxerxes II besiege the rebel satrap Ariobarzanes before withdrawing after King Agesilaus of Sparta arrived to help the rebels.

Tuesday, July 26, 2016

Boulton & Paul P.27

The Boulton & Paul P.27 was a further development in the company's family of twin engined bombers, and although it didn’t get built itself, it did play a part in the development of the P.29 Sidestrand.

Boulton & Paul P.25 Bugle

The Boulton & Paul P.25 Bugle was a further development of the P.7 Bourges and all-metal P.15 Bolton twin engined bombers, and was produced in small numbers as part of the Air Ministries attempt to keep as many aircraft companies working as possible with limited funds.

Monday, July 25, 2016

371st Fighter Group

The 371st Fighter Group served with the Ninth Air Force and took part in the D-Day invasion, the advance across France, the battle of the Bulge and the invasion of Germany.

370th Fighter Group

The 370th Fighter Group served with the Ninth Air Force and took part in the D-Day landings, the advance across France, Operation Market Garden, the Battle of the Bulge and the invasion of Germany.

369th Fighter Group

The 369th Fighter Group was a home based training unit that was active for two years from August 1943.

Friday, July 22, 2016

O'Brien Class Destroyers

The O'Brien Class Destroyers were an improved version of the Cassin class, armed with new 21in twin torpedo tubes

USS Balch (DD-50)

USS Balch (DD-50) was a Cassin class destroyer that took part in the US intervention in Mexico in 1914 then served from Queenstown in 1917-18.

Wednesday, July 20, 2016

German Infantry vs Soviet Rifleman, Barbarossa 1941, David Campbell.

German Infantry vs Soviet Rifleman, Barbarossa 1941, David Campbell
Looks at three clashes between German motorized infantry and Red Army infantry during the battles around Smolensk in 1941, early in the German invasion of the Soviet Union. All three ended as German victories, but the third reveals some of the problems that the Germans would face later in the war, as an outnumbered German unit came under heavy pressure.
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The Great War Through Picture Postcards, Guus de Vries.

The Great War Through Picture Postcards, Guus de Vries
Looks at the vast numbers of postcards produced on every side during the Great War, covering an impressively wide range of topics, and giving us an idea of the sort of visual images that were being sent to and from the front lines and the messages that were being sent. Provides a much more colourful image of the First World War that is normal, with at least half of the cards having some colour in them.
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British Submarines at War 1914-1918, Edwyn Gray .

British Submarines at War 1914-1918, Edwyn Gray
Looks at the costly exploits of the young British submarine service during the First World War, including their daring exploits in the Sea of Marmora and the Baltic, as well as the costly routine of operations in the North Sea, where a constant stream of submarines were lost without the same chances for success. Focuses on the exploits of individual subs, but also covers their development and the debates on how they should best be use.
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Tuesday, July 19, 2016

Sentinel AC II

The Sentinel AC II was an Australian design for a cruiser tank that could be produced using existing truck engines and components.

Sentinel AC I cruiser tank

The Sentinel AC I cruiser tank was an Australian tank designed to help defend the country against a potential Japanese threat. Despite being a impressive technical achievement, the AC I entered production too late for its primary purpose, and instead was using as a training vehicle.

Monday, July 18, 2016

Battle of Leuctra (371 BC)

The battle of Leuctra (371 BC) was the first major defeat suffered by the main Spartan hoplite army, and played a major part in the collapse of Spartan power after their triumph in the Great Peloponnesian War.

Xenophon (431-c.348 BC)

Xenophon (431-c.348 BC) was a Greek soldier and writer most famous for his role in the revolt of the Persian Prince Cyrus the Younger and the Anabasis, his account of that revolt and its aftermath.

Friday, July 08, 2016

Douglas Haig - As I Knew Him, George S. Duncan .

Douglas Haig - As I Knew Him, George S. Duncan
A view of Douglas Haig as seen by his favourite chaplain during the First World War, George Duncan of the Church of Scotland. Splits into three - an introduction that explains how they met and looks at life at Haig's HQ, an examination of their relationship and Haig's behaviour at different stages of the war, and a look at Haig's character and religion. Produces a positive and convincing view of Haig the man and Haig the commander-in-chief, a reminder of the pressures that he was under, and a view of life at Haig's head quarters
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Horses of the Great War - The Story in Art, John Fairley.

Horses of the Great War - The Story in Art, John Fairley
A splendidly illustrated look at the portrayal of the horse in art during the First World War, a conflict in which Britain alone used around one million horses. Covers a wide range of topics, from the classic cavalry charge to the humble transport mule, and a wide variety of artistic styles from classic oils and watercolours to modernist works
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The Somme - The Epic Battle in the Soldier's own Words and Photograph, Richard van Emden.

The Somme - The Epic Battle in the Soldier's own Words and Photograph, Richard van Emden
Covers the entire period that the British army spent on the original Somme front, from its arrival late in 1915, through the battle of the Somme and up to the German retreat to the Hindenburg Line. Mainly uses the writings and private photos taken by British soldiers, but also includes some material from the German side
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Thursday, July 07, 2016

Boulton & Paul P.15 Bolton

The Boulton & Paul P.15 Bolton was the first all-metal aircraft to be delivered to the RAF, and was largely based on the earlier Boulton & Paul P.7 Bourges fighter-bomber.

Boulton & Paul P.12 Bodmin

The Boulton & Paul P.12 Bodmin was a large experimental multi-engined aircraft, produced to test out the possibility of mounting an aircraft's engines within the fuselage.

Wednesday, July 06, 2016

USS Benham (DD-49)

USS Benham (DD-49) was a Cassin class destroyer that served from Queenstown in 1917-18 and Brest in 1918.

USS Parker (DD-48)

USS Parker (DD-48) was a Cassin class destroyer that served from Queenstown in 1917-18 and from Plymouth from July-November 1918, winning praise for her role in rescuing survivors from the hospital ship Glenart Castle in February 1918.

Tuesday, July 05, 2016

Battle of Montmartre or Paris (30 March 1814)

The battle of Montmartre or Paris (30 March 1814) was the last battle of the 1814 Allied invasion of north-eastern France. Although the French defenders of Paris managed to hold off the first Allied attack on the city, it was clear that they couldn't hope to hold out much longer, and early on 31 March an armistice came into effect and Allied troops entered the French capital.

Honoré Charles M. J. Reille (1775-1860)

Honoré Charles M. J. Reille (1775-1860) was a French general who rose to high command in Spain, and commanded part of the French army during the defeat at Vittoria that effectively ended any chance of maintaining French rule in Spain. He also commanded a corps at Waterloo, although without much success.

Monday, July 04, 2016

Medium Tank M3A5

The Medium Tank M3A5 was the designation given to M3 medium tanks that combined the General Motors diesel engine with a riveted hull.

Medium Tank M3A4

The Medium Tank M3A4 used a multi-bank Chrysler engine, designed to overcome a potential shortage of tank engines in 1941-42.

Friday, July 01, 2016

The Battle of the Somme, ed. Matthew Strohn.

The Battle of the Somme, ed. Matthew Strohn
Looks at the wider issues that surround the battle, from its place in the British, French and German strategy for 1916 to the long term impact of the battle, as well as the development of tactics during the battle, and the long term impact of the Somme. A useful volume that gives equal weight to the British, French and German experiences of the Somme, and helps place the battle in its true context. 
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Somme 1916 - Success and Failure on the First Day of the Battle of the Somme, Paul Kendall.

Somme 1916 - Success and Failure on the First Day of the Battle of the Somme, Paul Kendall
Traces the fate of each British division to take part in the disastrous attack on the first day of the Somme, moving from north to south, so from total failure to relative success. Allows the reader to see what elements the unsuccessful attacks had in common, as well as acknowledging the more successful fighting on the British right, close to the French lines
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The First Day on the Somme (Revised Edition), Martin Middlebrook.

The First Day on the Somme (Revised Edition), Martin Middlebrook
A classic work that help found an entire genre of military history, combining a detailed history of the first day of the battle of the Somme with extensive extracts from eyewitness accounts of the fighting. The result is a truly excellent and moving account of the costly disaster of the First Day of the Somme, with a deserved reputation as a classic, and that hasn’t been out of print since 1971.
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