Tuesday, October 31, 2017
Prince Friedrich Hohenzollern-Hechingen (1757-1844)
Prince Friedrich Hohenzollern-Hechingen (1757-1844) was an Austrian general who was undefeated in independent command, with a reputation for leading his men from the front.
Johann Conrad (Freidrich), Freiherr von Hotze (1739-99)
Johann Conrad (Freidrich), Freiherr von Hotze (1739-99)
was a Swiss officer who served in the Württemburg, Russian and
Austrian armies, and who was killed while campaigning in Switzerland
in the Austrian service.
Monday, October 30, 2017
Battle and siege of Spoletium (82 BC)
The battle and siege of Spoletium (82 BC) was a partial success for Pompey, then serving under Sulla, against Carrinas, one of the lieutenants of the consul Carbo.
First battle of Clusium (82 BC)
The first battle of Clusium (82 BC) was an inconclusive battle between Sulla and Carbo, fought eighty miles to the north of Rome
Sunday, October 29, 2017
Atlanta 1864 - Sherman Marches South, James Donnell
Covers one of the most important campaigns of the American Civil War,
the start of Sherman's devastating march across the heart of the
Confederacy, both a crucial military victory and a key element in
Lincoln's re-election as President. A good text, supported by a well
chosen series of maps, starting with one that covers the opening of the
campaign and gives an overview of the entire campaign area, and moving
on to maps for each series of battles that give a really good idea of
Sherman's fluid movements
[read full review]
[read full review]
merican Knights - The Untold Story of the Men of the Legendary 601st Tank Destroyer Battalion, Victor Failmezger
Tells the story of the first Tank Destroyer battalion to be formed in
the US army, from its original creation in the United States, through
its wartime service in North Africa, Italy, France and Germany. Heavily
based on the recollections of a core group of members of the battalion
(all of whom survived), this gives us an insiders view of the use of
one of the more controversial weapons in the US armoury during the
Second World War
[read full review]
[read full review]
The Gestapo - A History of Hitler's Secret Police, 1933-45, Rupert Butler
More of a general history of Nazi repression than a focused study of the Gestapo, with a tendency to focus on the major events - the Röhn Purge, the career of Heydrich, the attempts to assassinate Hitler and not on the day-to-day activities of the Gestapo. Good on the areas it covers, and does include a fair amount of material on the Gestapo, but could have been better focused
[read full review]
Friday, October 27, 2017
Battle of Apamama (21-25 November 1943)
The battle of Apamama (21-25 November 1943) saw the Americans capture this atoll in the Gilbert Islands after a brief clash with a Japanese garrison.
Occupation of Nukufetu Atoll and Motolalo Island (27 August 1943)
The occupation of Nukufetu Atoll and Motolalo Island (27 August 1943) was part of the US build-up of strength before the invasion of the Gilbert Islands.
Thursday, October 26, 2017
Bell P-63 Kingcobra
The Bell P-63 Kingcobra
closely resembled the P-39 Airacobra, but was actually a new aircraft
and not simply a modified P-39. Very few were used by the US, but a
large number did serve in the Soviet Union.
Bell FM-1 Airacuda
The Bell FM-1 Airacuda
was a twin engined escort fighter developed to operate with the B-17,
but that never entered service due to its poor performance and limited
manoeuvrability.
Wednesday, October 25, 2017
10.5cm leFH 18M
The 10.5cm leFH 18M was a modified version of the leFH 18 that was given a muzzle brake to reduce the recoil forces.
10.5cm leFH 18
The 10.5cm leFH 18
was the first in a large family of light howitzers that provided the
standard divisional artillery guns for the German Army during the
Second World War.
Tuesday, October 24, 2017
USS Kennison (DD-138/ AG-83)
USS Kennison (DD-138/ AG-83)
was a Wickes class destroyer that operated as a coastal escort off
Califonia from 1941-44 and then as a target ship for the rest of the
war.
USS Kilty (DD-137/ APD-15)
USS Kilty (DD-137/ APD-15)
was a Wickes class destroyer that served as a fast transport in the
Pacific in 1943-45, serving in the Solomons, along New Guinea and in
the Philippines.
Monday, October 23, 2017
Ignaz Gyulai, Graf von Maros-Nemth und Nadaska (1763-1831)
Ignaz Gyulai, Graf von Maros-Nemth und Nadaska (1763-1831) was an Austrian general most famous for his role in the campaigns of 1813 and 1814.
Hieronymus Karl, Graf von Colloredo-Mansfield
Hieronymus Karl, Graf von Colloredo-Mansfield was an Austrian general who served throughout the Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars.
Sunday, October 22, 2017
Rikugun - Guide to Japanese Ground Forces 1937-1945 - Volume 2: Weapons of the Imperial Japanese Army and Navy Ground Forces, Leland Ness
Looks at an impressively wide range of the weapons used by the
Japanese military during the Second World War, covering personal
weapons such as machine guns or grenades, the full range of artillery
and anti-aircraft guns, aircraft detection systems, tanks, mines,
chemical weapons (including smoke generators) and even river crossing
equipment. A very useful reference work on the equipment of the
Japanese armed forces, providing both a narrative account of
developments in a particular area and weapon by weapon technical
details
[read full review]
[read full review]
Military Technology of the First World War - Development, Use and Consequences, Wolfgang Fleischer
Focuses on the technology used by the German army, with a particular
focus on those weapons that played a direct part in the battles on the
Western Front - machine guns, flame throwers, gas, artillery, mortars
and tanks. Very useful to have a book written from the German point of
view. Well illustrated, and the text is supported by a good selection of
eyewitness accounts describing the impact of the new technology as
seen by those who were using it
[read full review]
[read full review]
The Thinking Man's Soldier - The Life and Career of General Sir Henry Brackenbury, 1837-1914, Christopher Brice
A biography of a Victorian soldier who made his name away from the
front line, and in particular as head of the Intelligence Department
and the successful head of the Ordnance Department during the Boer War,
where the army had to cope with demands on a unprecedented scale. An
interesting view of life in the British Army as it changed from the
disastrously amateurish force of the Crimean War into the increasingly
professional force that fought the First World War
[read full review]
[read full review]
Friday, October 20, 2017
Battle of Saturnia (83 BC)
The battle of Saturnia (83 BC)
was a minor victory for Sulla's forces over a detached part of Carbo's
army during a period of campaigning in the area around Clusium
(Sulla's Second Civil War).
Battle of the Glanis River (83 BC)
The battle of the Glanis River (83 BC)
saw Sulla defeat a force of Celtiberian cavalry that had been sent to
help the Consuls in their attempt to resist his invasion of Italy
(Sulla's Second Civil War).
Thursday, October 19, 2017
Occupation of Nanomea Atoll (18 August 1943)
The occupation of Nanomea Atoll (18 August 1943) was part of an American build-up before the invasion of the Gilbert Islands.
Operation Fetlock, or the occupation of Funafuti Atoll (2 October 1942
Operation Fetlock, or the occupation of Funafuti Atoll (2 October 1942)
saw the Americans seize the largest atoll in the Ellice Islands, ready
to turn it into a base to use against the Japanese in the Gilbert
Islands.
Wednesday, October 18, 2017
Consolidated B-36 Peacekeeper
The Consolidated B-36 Peacekeeper
was developed in response to the early German victories in 1939-40,
but development was slow, and it ended up being Strategic Air Command's
main long range bomber during the 1950s.
Consolidated B-32 Dominator
The Consolidated B-32 Dominator
was produced to the same specifications as the B-29 Superfortress, but
took far longer to develop and was only ever produced in small
numbers.
Tuesday, October 17, 2017
10.5cm leFH 16 (light field howitzer)
The 10.5cm leFH 16 (light field howitzer)
was a Rheinmetall design that became the main German field howitzer
during the second half of the First World War, and remained in service
until 1945.
10.5cm leFH 98/09 (light field howitzer)
The 10.5cm leFH 98/09 (light field howitzer) was the main German field howitzer at the start of the First World War, and was a modified version of an earlier weapon.
Monday, October 16, 2017
USS Boggs (DD-136/ DMS-3)
USS Boggs (DD-136/ DMS-3)
was a Wickes class destroyer that spent most of the interwar years on
experimental duties, before serving as a minesweeper in the Pacific
from 1940 to 1944.
USS Tillman (DD-135)/ HMS Wells
USS Tillman (DD-135)/ HMS Wells was a Wickes class destroyer that saw active service with the Royal Navy, performing convoy escort duties.
Sunday, October 15, 2017
Ancient Warfare Vol XI, Issue 2: On the Cusp of Empire - The Romans unify Italy
Focuses on the period which saw Rome defeat its last enemies in
peninsular Italy, the first stage on the road to Empire. An interesting
focus on the Greeks of southern Italy, Rome's last major enemies , and
a fascinating look at two newly discovered frescos recovered from
grave robbers by the Italian police that give us images of some of
Rome's enemies in this period.
[see more]
[see more]
Ancient Warfare Vol X, Issue 6: Ancient Rome in Turmoil - The Year of the Four Emperors
Looks at one of the more familiar topics in Roman history, the turmoil
that ended the reign of Nero and with it the Julio-Claudian dynasty,
and ended the period of internal peace first established by Augustus.
Mainly focuses on topics that are away from the main events of the
civil wars, demonstrating just how widespread an impact the year of
crisis had across the Empire.
[see more]
[see more]
Ancient Warfare Vol IX, Issue 6: A Feast for Dogs & Crows - The Aftermath of Battle
An unusual theme, focusing on the aftermath of war, looking at the
fate of the victors and vanquished, the return home and the
celebrations of victory as well as the fate of the dead or the captive.
Interesting to follow on from where most accounts of battles end, .
Also looks at the real role of the Praetorian Guard, and the nature of
the cuneus in Roman fighting.
[see more]
[see more]
Friday, October 13, 2017
Johann Gabriel Chasteler de Courcelles (1763-1825)
Johann Gabriel Chasteler de Courcelles (1763-1825) was an Austrian general who served as a engineer, a staff officer and a corps commander.
Siege of Hamburg (3 December 1813-27 May 1814)
The siege of Hamburg (3 December 1813-27 May 1814) was the last phase in Davout's year long occupation of Hamburg, and lasted until after Napoleon's first abdication.
Thursday, October 12, 2017
Battle of Sena Gallica (82 BC)
The battle of Sena Gallica (82 BC)
saw Pompey defeat one of the consul Carbo's armies near a small port
on the Adriatic, helping to strengthen Sulla's position in the north of
Italy (Sulla's Second Civil War).
Siege of Praeneste (82 BC)
The siege of Praeneste (82 BC)
saw the consul Marius the Younger besieged in the city for most of the
campaign of 82 BC, from his defeat at the battle of Sacriportus in the
spring, to his suicide as the city surrendered to Sulla (Sulla's
Second Civil War).
Wednesday, October 11, 2017
Consolidated C-109
The Consolidated C-109 was a fuel tanker produced from the B-24 Liberator and mainly used on the 'hump' between India and China.
Consolidated XC-99
The Consolidated XC-99
was a transport aircraft based on the massive B-36 bomber, but only a
single example was ever completed.The Consolidated XC-99 was a
transport aircraft based on the massive B-36 bomber, but only a single
example was ever completed.
Tuesday, October 10, 2017
USS Crowninshield (DD-134)
USS Crowninshield (DD-134)
was a Wickes class destroyer that served with the US Neutrality Patrol
and then on convoy escort duties with the Royal Navy and Royal
Canadian Navy.
USS Hale (DD-133)
USS Hale (DD-133) was a Wickes class destroyer that served with the US Neutrality Patrol before becoming HMS Caldwell and carrying out convoy escort duties for the Royal Navy and Royal Canadian Navy.
Monday, October 09, 2017
Battle of Hanau (30-31 October 1813)
The battle of Hanau (30-31 October 1813)
was an unsuccessful attempt to interfere with the French retreat
after Leizpig, carried out by a Austro-Bavarian army that had moved up
from southern Germany.
Combat of Kosen (20 October 1813)
The combat of Kosen (20 October 1813) was a rearguard action during the French retreat from Leipzig.
Sunday, October 08, 2017
Operation Dragoon - The Invasion of the South of France, 15 August 1944, Andrew Stewart
A reprint of the Naval Staff History of Operation Dragoon, one of a
series of studies written during and immediately after the war. Focuses
very much on the naval aspects of the campaign, and on the initial
battles close to the coast. Gives a clear picture of just how sizable a
naval effort was involved in the invasion, both before, during and after
the beach landings, including a major minesweeping effort, convoy
escorts, the invasion fleet itself, air support and gun support for the
coastal battles.
[read full review]
[read full review]
Rikugun - Guide to Japanese Ground Forces 1937-1945 - Volume 1: Tactical Organization of Imperial Japanese Army & Navy Ground Forces, Leland Ness
A valuable reference book that provides a well researched and
detailed guide to the often confusing ground forces of the Japanese
army and navy, tracing the creation, career and end of every significant
unit, as well as their many changes in organisation, and the actual
troops allocated to these units (often very different to the official
structure). Includes some interesting material on how the army in
particular reacted to the changing war situation, but is mainly
intended as a reference work
[read full review]
[read full review]
Sumter After the First Shots, Derek Smith
Looks at the famous Confederate siege of Fort Sumter and the much
longer, but also less successful Union siege, part of a wider, and
equally unsuccessful attack on Charleston. Demonstrates the limits of
artillery before the introduction of high explosive shells, and the
perils of having a split command, which hamstrung the Union campaign at
key moments. A useful account of the longest siege of the American
Civil War, which only ended when Sherman's advancing army forced the
Confederates were evacuate Charleston
[read full review]
[read full review]
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