Wednesday, February 28, 2018

Battle of Aquae Sextiae (102 BC)

The battle of Aquae Sextiae (102 BC) was the first of Marius's great victories during the Cimbric War and saw him destroy the Teutones and the Ambrones, two of the smaller tribes involved in the great invasion of Italy

Battle of Arausio (6 October 105 BC)

The battle of Arausio (6 October 105 BC) was the most serious Roman defeat during the Cimbric Wars and saw the defeat and destruction of two Roman armies, apparently leaving Rome open to attack.

Tuesday, February 27, 2018

Battle of Guam (21 July-9 August 1944)

The battle of Guam (21 July-9 August 1944) saw the Americans reconquer an island that had been in their hands before the war after three weeks of fighting, completing the conquest of the Mariana Islands.

Battle of Saipan (15 June-9 July 1944)

The battle of Saipan (15 June-9 July 1944) was the first invasion of the Marianas campaign, and it took nearly a month for US forces to secure the fairly small island. 

Monday, February 26, 2018

Lockheed PO-2W/ WV-2

The Lockheed PO-2W/ WV-2 was an early warning aircraft based on the Super Constellation airliner.

Lockheed PO-1W

The Lockheed PO-1W was an airborne early warning system based on the Lockheed Constellation airliner.

Sunday, February 25, 2018

The Mosin-Nagant Rifle, Bill Harriman

Looks at the main Russian and Soviet rifle of the First and Second World Wars, a robust weapon that first appeared in the 1890s, but went on to serve in gradually improved versions for over half a century. Written by a weapons collector and high quality history, so we get both halves of the story - the history of the weapon and what it was like to actually operate it
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Generalissimo Stalin: The Myth of Stalin as a Great Military Strategist, Boris Gorbachevsky

Starts as a look at Stalin's role as a military leader and how it was portrayed within the Soviet Union and turns into a wider condemnation of many aspects of the Soviet war effort and post-war attitude to veterans, written by a wartime veteran of the Red Army. More of a passionately argued polemic than a clearly argued history, the author's passion and anger is clear, backed up by his personal experiences of many of the events he was discussing
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Hard Fighting - A History of the Sherwood Rangers Yeomanry 1900-1946, Jonathan Hunt

Part two of this unit history looks at the Sherwood Rangers' time as a active combat unit, as cavalry in the Boer War and First World War and as an armoured unit during the Second World War. Starts a little dry, but becomes increasingly interesting as it goes on, and especially during the Second World War, where the unit fought at El Alamein, operated DD tanks on D-Day and fought alongside US troops during Operation Market Garden
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Friday, February 23, 2018

15cm schwere Feldhaubitz 37 (t)

The 15cm schwere Feldhaubitz 37 (t) was a Czech designed heavy howitzer that entered production just in time to be taken over by the Germans after their occupation of Czechoslovakia.

15cm schwere Feldhaubitz 18

The 15cm schwere Feldhaubitz 18 was the standard German heavy howitzer during the Second World War, and combined a Krupp carriage and a Rheinmetall barrel.

Thursday, February 22, 2018

USS Crosby (DD-164/ APD-17)

USS Crosby (DD-164/ APD-17) was a Wickes class destroyer that served with the Neutrality Patrol on the US west coast before becoming a fast transport and serving in the Pacific from 1943 until the summer of 1945.

USS Walker (DD-163/ YW-57/ DCH-1/ IX-44)

USS Walker (DD-163/ YW-57/ DCH-1/ IX-44) was a Wickes class destroyer that had a very short career and was later considered for a variety of alternative roles, before being scrapped without performing any of them.

Wednesday, February 21, 2018

Treaty of Tours (30 April 1589)

The Treaty of Tours (30 April 1589) saw a dramatic reversal of the alliances during the Eighth War of Religion, after Henry III of France was forced into an alliance with his former foe, the Huguenot leader Henry of Navarre.

Edict of Union (16 July 1588)

The Edict of Union (16 July 1588) saw Henry III of France capitulate to the Catholic League and give in to their demands, having already lost control of Paris to the League (Eighth War of Religion).

Tuesday, February 20, 2018

Combat of Majalahonda (11 August 1812)

The combat of Majalahonda (11 August 1812) was the only significant fighting during Wellington's advance on Madrid in the aftermath of the battle of Salamanca, and saw his leading cavalry force come under attack by a French force that had been sent out to discover if Wellington was indeed on his way.

Combat of Garcia Hernandez (23 July 1812)

The combat of Garcia Hernandez (23 July 1812) was a rearguard action that came in the aftermath of the battle of Salamanca, and saw one of the most impressive achievements of Wellington's cavalry.

Monday, February 19, 2018

Siege of Tolosa (106 BC)

The siege of Tolosa (106 BC) is the only recorded fighting in that year during the Cimbric War, and saw the Romans recapture an allied city that had revolted against them.

Cassius Longinus's defeat (107 BC)

Cassius Longinus's defeat (107 BC) saw a Roman army defeated and humiliated by the Tigurini, a Helvetian tribe that was raiding across southern Gaul.

Sunday, February 18, 2018

Bazooka vs Panzer - Battle of the Bulge 1944, Steven J. Zaloga

Looks at the way in which the bazooka actually worked, its development into a working weapon, and how it was used in combat, with one case study from the Ardennes. Also covers the various German defensive measures often said to have been  introduced in response to the bazooka, but that mainly turn out to have been responses to threats on the Eastern Front, and that often had little impact against the bazooka
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Churchill's Greatest Fear: The Battle of the Atlantic 3 September 1939 to 7 May 1945, Richard Doherty

Covers the full length of the battle, bringing in topics that are rarely covered, such as the important of realistic training or the role of operational research in the improvement of Allied countermeasures, helping to prove that most attacks came from within the convoy or that larger convoys were safer. Also good on technological developments on both sides, and the strengths and flaws of the many weapons used during the long battle
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Milvian Bridge AD 312 - Constantine's battle for Empire and Faith, Ross Cowan

Looks at the background to the civil war, the events of the entire campaign and the battle itself, which turns out to be more difficult to understand than one might have expected, with no clear location and different accounts of the course of the battle itself. The author has his own views on the location and course of the battle, and supports it with a good discussion of the sources
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Friday, February 16, 2018

Marianas Campaign (14 June-10 August 1944)

The Marianas Campaign (14 June-10 August 1944) was a key stage in the Pacific War, triggering the battle of the Philippine Sea at which the Japanese naval aviation forces were almost destroyed, and bringing Japan within range of B-29 bombers based on the islands.

1941 battle of Guam (10 December 1941)

The 1941 battle of Guam (10 December 1941) saw the Japanese overwhelm a small American garrison after three hours of fighting.

Thursday, February 15, 2018

Lockheed C-69 Constellation

The Lockheed C-69 Constellation was developed as a civil airline, but all early production was taken over by the USAAF after the US entry into the Second World War.

Lockheed C-121 Constellation

The Lockheed C-121 Constellation was the military version of the Model 749 Constellation, designed for use as an intercontinental airliner and of the later Super Constellation, with a higher cargo capacity. It was used for an impressively wide range of functions, and in many different versions.

Wednesday, February 14, 2018

15cm versuchs haubitz L/30

The 15cm versuchs haubitz L/30 was a Rheinmetall design for a howitzer with much longer range than the standard 15cm lange schwere Feldhaubitz 13.

15cm lange schwere Feldhaubitz 13/02

The 15cm lange schwere Feldhaubitz 13/02 combined the long barrel of the 15-cm lange schwere Feldhaubitz 13 with the chassis of the earlier 15cm schwere Feldhaubitz 02.

Tuesday, February 13, 2018

USS Thatcher (DD-162)

USS Thatcher (DD-162) was a Wickes class destroyer that formed part of the 'destroyers for bases' deal and served on convoy escort duty as HMCS Niagara

USS Palmer (DD-161/ DMS-5)

USS Palmer (DD-161/ DMS-5) was a Wickes class destroyer that served as a mine sweeper during the Second World War, taking part in Operation Torch then in the Pacific where she was sunk by a Japanese bomber.

Monday, February 12, 2018

Siege of the Ile de Marans (24-28 June 1588)

The siege of the Ile de Marans (24-28 June 1588) was a minor success won by Henry of Navarre and saw him reoccupy an inland island close to La Rochelle (Eighth War of Religion).

Battle of Auneau (24 November 1587)

The battle of Auneau (24 November 1587) was the second defeat suffered by a force of Germans that had invaded France in support of the Huguenots and helped convince the survivors to accept an offer of safe conduct out of France (Eighth War of Religion).

Sunday, February 11, 2018

World War II Infantry Fire Support Tactics, Gordon L. Rottman


Perhaps a bit over-ambitious, looking at Soviet, German, US and British infantry fire support tactics, officially during the entire war, but with a focus on the later years. Useful in that it brings together material on different weapons that are normally seen in isolation, so we see how mortars, machine guns, infantry guns, anti-tank guns and hand-held AT weapons were meant to work together
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Doncaster in the Great War, Symeon Mark Waller

A look at the impact of the Great War on Doncaster, largely focusing on the human cost of the war, and the constant drip feed of bad news from the front. A good use of contemporary sources and wartime photographs gives a good feel for the period, and the result is a book that will be of value for those with an interest in the history of Doncaster
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Aachen, the U.S. Army's Battle for Charlemagne's City in World War II, Robert W. Baumer

A very detailed look at the US capture of Aachen, the first major German city to fall into Allied hands during the Second World War, and the German attempts to lift the siege and defend the city. Perhaps a little too detailed in places, but otherwise a good account of this iconic battle on the borders of the Third Reich
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Friday, February 09, 2018

Siege of Santander (22 July-3 August 1812)

The siege of Santander (22 July-3 August 1812) was a key Anglo-Spanish success on the north coast of Spain, and gave Wellington access to a key supply base during the campaign of 1813.
Military History Encylopedia on the Web

First battle of Castalla (21 July 1812)

The first battle of Castalla (21 July 1812) was a French victory over the Spanish Army of Murcia, largely caused by the over-complex Spanish plan.

Thursday, February 08, 2018

Silanus's defeat (109-108 BC)

Silanus's defeat (109-108 BC) was perhaps the most obscure Roman defeat during the Cimbric War with both its location and date in doubt, and even one source making it a Roman victory!

Battle of Noreia (113 BC)

The battle of Noreia (113 BC) was the first battle of the Cimbric War, and saw a migrating Cimbric army defeat the Roman consul Papirius Carbo after he attempted to ambush them as they were withdrawing from Noricum.

Wednesday, February 07, 2018

Battle of Parry Island (22 February 1944)

The battle of Parry Island (22 February 1944) was the final stage of the American invasion of Eniwetok Atoll (Operation Catchpole), and despite the stronger Japanese garrison went more smoothly than the invasion of Eniwetok Island itself.

Battle of Eniwetok (18-21 February 1944)

The battle of Eniwetok (18-21 February 1944) was the second phase in the American conquest of Eniwetok Atoll in the Marshall Islands (Operation Catchpole).

Tuesday, February 06, 2018

Lockheed Y1C-25 'Altair'

The Lockheed Y1C-25 'Altair' was the designation given to the first Lockheed Altair when it was purchased by the USAAC.

Lockheed Y1C-23 ‘Altair’

The Lockheed Y1C-23 ‘Altair’ was the designation given to the sole DL-2 Altair after it was purchased by the USAAC.

Monday, February 05, 2018

15cm lange schwere Feldhaubitz 13

The 15cm lange schwere Feldhaubitz 13 was an improved version of the Feldhaubitz 13, the newest heavy field howitzer in German service at the outbreak of the First World War.

15cm schwere Feldhaubitz 13

The 15cm schwere Feldhaubitz 13 was the newest heavy howitzer in service with the German army at the outbreak of the First World War, and was a significant improvement on the earlier schwere Feldhaubitz 02.

Sunday, February 04, 2018

British Light Infantry & Rifle Tactics of the Napoleonic Wars, Philip Haythornthwaite

Nice to see the details of the light infantry tactics that are so often praised in accounts of the British Army's campaigns of the Revolutionary and Napoleonic War - looking at the evolution of light infantry  units, how they were trained, how they were meant to maneuver, how they were used in combat and finishing with some examples from 1813-1815
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The Experimental Units of Hitler's Condor Legion, Rafael A. Permuy Lopez & Lucas Molina Franco

A very detailed, almost day-by-day and aircraft-by-aircraft, study of the experimental bomber and fighter units that served in Spain during the Civil War and tested some of the aircraft that did so much damage in 1939-41. Neither unit lasted for terribly long or contained many aircraft, and both turned into regular units, allowing the authors to work in such detail
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Zama 202 BC - Scipio crushes Hannibal in North Africa, Mir Bahmanyar

A look at the final major battle of the Second Punic War, a surprisingly difficult battle to understand, with significant differences between the main accounts of the battle, the armies involved and even its aftermath. Does a good job of working through the different sources and their accounts of the battle, producing a coherent view without hiding the difficulties.  Also covers the campaign that led up to the battle, and acknowledges the contribution by the African allies on both sides
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Friday, February 02, 2018

USS Herbert (DD-160/ APD-22)

USS Herbert (DD-160/ APD-22) was a Wickes class destroyer that served on convoy escort duties in the Atlantic, before becoming a fast transport, taking part in the last phase of the New Guinea campaign, the return to the Philippines and the invasions of Iwo Jima and Okinawa.

USS Schenck (DD-159/ AG-82)

USS Schenck (DD-159/ AG-82) was a Wickes class destroyer that served on convoy escort duties in the Atlantic and in a hunter-killer group, taking part in the sinking of U-645.

Thursday, February 01, 2018

Battle of Vimory (26 October 1587)

The battle of Vimory (26 October 1587) was the first of two defeats that helped break up a sizable German and Swiss army that had invaded France to support the Huguenot cause (Eighth War of Religion).

Battle of Courtras (20 October 1587)

The battle of Courtras (20 October 1587) was the first major Huguenot battlefield victory during the Wars of Religion, but Henry of Navarre failed to take advantage of his success (Eighth War of Religion).