USS Wood (DD-317)

USS Wood (DD-317) was a Clemson class destroyer that served with the Pacific Fleet in the 1920s before being scrapped because of her badly worn boilers.

With their Bare Hands – General Pershing, the 79th Division and the battle for Montfaucon, Gene Fax

Focuses on the exploits of the 79th Division during the Meuse-Argonne offensive, one of the largest battles in US military history, and in particular the battle for Montfaucon, supported by an excellent account of the American entry into the First World War, the doctrine and training of the US Army, the decisions of Pershing and his senior commanders. Shows how the American army was able to learn from its costly experiences and adapt to the conditions on the Western Front, often despite Pershing’s own believes about how the fighting should have gone

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The First & Second Italian Wars 1494-1504, Julian Romane

A detailed history of the first two Italian Wars, both triggered by unsuccessful French attempts to conquer Naples, and which triggered a series of wars that disrupted Italy for almost seventy years, and largely ended the independence of most Italian powers, as well as failing to gain the French any of their initial objectives. A fascinating look at this period, which saw last the last vestiges of medieval chivalry come up against the Spanish infantry armies, against the backdrop of the high renaissance  

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Cesare and Lucrezia Borgia – Brother and Sister of History’s most vilified family, Samantha Morris.

A fairly convincing attempt to restore the reputation of the most famous and most notorious of the Borgias, the brother and sister Cesare and Lucrezia Borgia. Does a good job of redeeming Lucrezia’s reputation, although Cesare still emerges as unusually bloodthirsty and treacherous even for the period, so much so that he attracted the special interest of Machiavelli (although most of the more scandalous stories are easily disproved)! Overall this is an entertaining account of the lives of one of the most infamous families of European history

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HMS Bonetta (1907)

HMS Bonetta (1907) was a B class destroyer that served with submarine flotillas during the First World War, supporting the Ninth Submarine Flotilla on the Clyde until the end of 1915, then the Sixth and Second Flotillas at Blyth (near the Tyne) for the rest of the war.

USS Sloat (DD-316)

USS Sloat (DD-316) was a Clemson class destroyer that served with the Pacific Fleet during the 1920s, and was used as a target ship in the early 1930s, before being sunk in 1935.

Curtiss H-1 'America'

The Curtiss H-1 'America' was a long range biplane seaplane, originally designed to fly across the Atlantic, and that became the basis of the wartime H-4, H-12 and H-16 in the US and the British Felixstowe F boats.

Jacob Loucks Devers (1887-1979)

Jacob Loucks Devers (1887-1979) was the commander of the 6th Army Group during the final battles on the southern front in France and Germany in 1944-45. 

HMS Albacore (1906)

HMS Albacore (1906) was a B class destroyer that was attached to the Grand Fleet from 1914 until the spring of 1918, then joined the Irish Sea Flotillas, part of the battle against the final period of unrestricted U-boat warfare. 

USS La Vallette (DD-315)

USS La Vallette (DD-315) was a Clemson class destroyer that served with the Pacific Fleet during the 1920s before being scrapped in 1931.

Curtiss MF

The Curtiss MF was a single seat flying boat introduced to replace the older Model F, and that saw some service after the end of the First World War.

Lesley James McNair (1883-1944)

Lesley James McNair (1883-1944) was largely responsible for creating and training the US army that fought in Europe and the Pacific during the Second World War, but is perhaps best known for being the highest ranked US general to be killed in action during the war.

Russian Tanks of World War II – 1939-1945, Stephen Hart

Looks at the tanks used by the Soviet Union during the Second World War, from the obsolete light tanks of the 1930s to the excellent T-34 and their increasingly powerful heavy tanks, as well as their self-propelled guns, and even the many types of western tanks sent to the Soviet Union under lend-lease. Most tanks get a page or two, with a brief history, a technical description, notes on their performance, stats and a side-on full colour illustration 

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Destroyer Cossack detailed in the original builders’ plans, John Roberts

A splendid entry in this series based around builders plans of warships, looking at the Second World War Tribal class destroyer HMS Cossack. Includes the normal series of deck and side plans taken from the massive ‘as fitted’ plans, along with more unusual plans, including detailed plans of the engine room and bridge, diagrams showing the water supply system and internal fuel pipes and extra plans showing other members of the class, as well as a design history of the class, and a more detailed look at the Cossack’s own short service life.

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Spanish Galleon vs English Galleon, 1550-1605, Mark Lardas

Looks at the design, construction and crews of English and Spanish galleons, the differences between them (and how they changed), their place in the naval world of the late sixteenth century, and three iconic clashes involving galleons on both sides. Particularly interesting when looking at why the two countries produced different designs of galleons, and how the Spanish in particular learnt from their experiences and produced better ships after the Armada. 

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HMS Swift (1907)

HMS Swift (1907) was one of Admiral Fisher’s less successful ideas. She was meant to be the first of a new class of large high speed destroyers that would replace the River class and be able to work with Fisher’s battlecruisers, but she ended up far too large and expensive for the role, and wasn’t repeated

USS Yarborough (DD-314)

USS Yarborough (DD-314) was a Clemson class destroyer that served with the Pacific Fleet during the 1920s, before being scrapped because her Yarrow boilers were badly worn.

Curtiss Model F

The Curtiss Model F was an early single engine flying boat that saw extensive service as a US training aircraft during the First World War.

General Alexander Patch (1889-1945)

General Alexander Patch (1889-1945) was one of the few US commanders to fight in both the Pacific and European theatres, commanding on Guadalcanal and during Operation Dragoon.

North Cape 1943 – the Sinking of the Scharnhorst, Angus Konstam

A look at the last battle in which a British battleship fought against an enemy battleship, and the last clash between battleships fought without airpower. An excellent account of this battle, including a good background history, an explanation of the many advantages held by the British, and a detailed account of the battle, seen from both sides 

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Renaissance Armies in Italy 1450-1550, Gabriele Esposito

Looks at the main eight armies of the Italian Wars, a series of major conflicts that dominated Italy during the first half of the sixteenth century, and ended with the country largely dominated by Spain. Traces the development of each these armies during a period that saw the emergence of the first recognisably ‘modern’ infantry, the Spanish ‘tercios’

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Early Military Rifles 1740-1850, Balaza Nemeth

Focuses largely on the late 18th and early 19th centuries, the period that saw the first standardised rifles begin to appear, before the rifle slowly replaced the smoothbore musket as the main weapon of the infantry. An excellent book that covers the development of the flintlock and percussion muskets, and each countries training, ammo and tactics, 

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HMS Wolverine (1910)

HMS Wolverine (1910) was a Beagle class destroyer that spent most of the First World War in the Mediterranean, where she took part in the Dardanelles and Gallipoli campaigns. She returned to home waters late in 1917, where she sank after a collision with a minesweeper on 12 December 1917.

USS Zeilin (DD-313)

USS Zeilin (DD-313) was a Clemson class destroyer that served with the Battle Force in the Pacific during the 1920s, before being decommissioned on 22 January 1930.

Curtiss R-9

The Curtiss R-9 was a twin float plane bomber that was based on the earlier Curtiss R-6, but with the pilot and observer’s positions reversed.

Josef 'Sepp' Dietrich (1892-1966) was one of Hitler’s favourite SS commanders, but his military record was mixed, and included successes in Normandy and failures during the battle of the Bulge. He was also implicated in a series of war crimes, and convicted for his part in the Malmedy Massacre.

HMS Scourge (1910)

HMS Scourge (1910) was a Beagle class destroyer that spent most of the First World War in the Mediterranean, where she took part in the Gallipoli. She returned to home waters briefly over the winter of 1914-15 to escort troops ships to France, and permanently late in 1917 to carry out anti-submarine patrols and convoy escort duties.

USS Young (DD-312)

USS Young (DD-312) was a Clemson class destroyer that served with the Pacific Fleet, before being lost during the Honda Point disaster of 8 September 1923.

Curtiss R-6

The Curtiss R-6 was a twin float observation plane that was a more powerful version of the earlier R-3, and that was the first US Navy aircraft to see service overseas.

Omar Nelson Bradley (1893-1981)

Omar Nelson Bradley (1893-1981) rose to command the US 12th Army Group during the campaign in Europe in 1944-45, putting him in charge of more American combat troops than any other officer. He was famous for his concern for the GIs, but also made a number of controversial decisions.

Eagles over the Sea 1943-45 – A History of Luftwaffe Maritime Operations, Lawrence Paterson

Part two of a study of German maritime operations looks at the years of decline, which saw the Luftwaffe lose control of the skies over the Bay of Biscay, suffer during the retreat on the Eastern Front, and entirely fail to contribute to the defence against Operation Overlord, but also a period in which it still had teeth, and inflicted some losses on the Allied fleets supporting the landings at Salerno and Anzio. At the same time the author traces the rise in the political influence of the Navy, after one of Hitler’s favourites Donitz replaced Raeder as commander-in-chief while Goring lost influence after failing to supply Stalingrad or to stop the increasingly heavy Allied bombing of Germany

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Secret Operations of World War II, Alexander Stilwell

Starts off a bit scattergun, with a rather short look at the complex world of British secret operations, but improves when it looks at the less familiar resistance movements across occupied Europe, where we get a good overview of the various organisations, their motivations and activities, and the costly German counter-measures. A useful introduction to this vast topic, giving a good impression of how widespread and how varied the resistance to the German occupation was across Europe 

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Morning Star, Midnight Sun – The Early Guadalcanal-Solomons Campaign of World War II August-October 1942, Jeffrey R. Cox

A splendid account of the early days of the Guadalcanal campaign, when the Americans were operating on a shoestring, and the Japanese probably missed their best chances to win the battle by underestimating their opponents. A fascinating tale of a battle that was fought at the extreme end of both side’s supply lines, and in which the Americans came to dominate the day and the Japanese to dominate the night, told in a very entertaining, if sometimes rather judgemental way, with a great deal of excellent material on both sides of the campaign

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HMS Scorpion (1910)

HMS Scorpion (1910) was a Beagle class destroyer that spent most of the First World War in the Mediterranean, where she took part in the Dardanelles and Gallipoli campaigns. She returned to home waters early in 1918 to take part in anti-submarine and convoy escort duties

USS Nicholas (DD-311)

USS Nicholas (DD-311) was a Clemson class destroyer that served with the Pacific Fleet, before being lost during the Honda Point disaster of 8 September 1923.

Curtiss

The Curtiss R-4 was an improved version of the Curtiss R-2 observation aircraft, and was ordered in larger numbers by the US Army in 1916.

General Troy Houston Middleton (1889-1976)

General Troy Houston Middleton (1889-1976) was one of the most able corps commanders in the US army, taking part in the invasion of Sicily, the landings at Salerno, the Brittany campaign, and most famously the battle of the Bulge, where he played a major role in the successful defence of Bastogne.

German Guided Missiles of World War II – Fritz X to Wasserfall and X-4, Steven J. Zaloga

Looks at the various German anti-ship, anti-aircraft and anti-tank missiles that either entered service, or were close to doing so, during the Second World War. Only the anti-shipping missiles actually reached the combat stage, and during 1943 achieved a number of successes during the Italian campaign, most famously sinking the Italian battleship Italia as it was attempting to surrender. Covers the technical side, the development history, and for those that had one the combat record of each of the main weapons, supported by good illustrations of all but the most obscure of weapons.
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Nieuwpoort 1600 – The First Modern Battle, Bouko de Groot

Looks at the first major victory won by the reformed army of the Dutch Republic, the first recognisably modern European army, retrained to use the new concept of ‘drill’, which generally made it easier to command, respond quicker to commands, helped keep musketry accurate and controlled for longer, and even improved the resilience of drilled units. Contains an excellent account of those reforms – how they worked and the advantages they gave the Dutch, as well as the campaign and the battle itself, along with the aftermath in which any benefits from the Dutch victory were largely squandered
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For Orange and the States - The Army of the Dutch Republic, 1713-1772. Part I - Infantry, Marc Geerdink-Schaftgenaar

. A detailed look at the infantry of the Dutch Republic in the years between the end of the War of the Austrian Succession to the adoption of new uniform regulations in 1772 when new uniform regulations were adopted, ending a period of obscurity. The first half of the book is a readable military history of the Dutch Republic from its foundation to the end of its second year of involvement in the War of the Austrian Succession, the second half a reference section bringing together what we know about the uniforms and commanders of each regiment in the Dutch infantry
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USS S P Lee (DD-310)

USS S P Lee (DD-310) was a Clemson class destroyer that served with the Pacific Fleet before being lost in the Honda Point disaster of 8 September 1923.

HMS Savage (1910)

HMS Savage (1910) was a Beagle class destroyer that spent most of the First World War in the Mediterranean, where she took part in the Gallipoli. She returned to home waters briefly over the winter of 1914-15 to escort troop ships across the Channel and permanently in 1917 to carry out anti-submarine warfare and convoy escort duties.

USS Woodbury (DD-309)

USS Woodbury (DD-309) was a Clemson class destroyer that served with the Pacific Fleet before being lost in the Honda Point disaster of September 1923

Curtiss R-3

The Curtiss R-3 was a twin float version of the Curtiss R-2 observation aircraft, and although only two were completed, it was followed by the more numerous R-6 and R-9.

General George Patton (1885-1945)

General George Patton (1885-1945) was one of the most controversial, and most able, American generals of the Second World War, and played a major role in the breakout from Normandy and the defeat of the German Ardennes offensive, despite the occasion outburst that on occasion almost cost him his career.

Blood and Soil – the Memoir of a Third Reich Brandenburger, Sepp de Giampietro

Looks at the wartime career of a German from the South Tyrol who ended up leaving Italy to join the Bradenburgers, Germany’s most famous Special Forces unit of the Second World War. Heprovides interesting accounts of his role in Greece and the Soviet Union, almost entirely ignores his year fighting partisans in the Balkans, and finishes with a fascinating account of his escape from American captivity and return home. Combines an interesting account of German special operations with an examination of how the author’s attitude to the war changed over time.

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Armies of the Great Northern War 1700-1720, Gabriele Esposito

A look at the many armies that were involved in the Great Northern War, from the main participants in Russia and Sweden to the Cossacks, Tatars and Ottoman forces that were briefly involved during Charles XII’s time in exile. An important conflict that ended Sweden’s brief time as a great power and established Russia as a Baltic power, and helped establish the reputation of Peter the Great as a great military reformer 

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King William’s War, Michael G. Laramie

A look at the American part of the War of the League of Augsburg, mainly a clash between the English and French colonies in North America and their Native American allies, at a time when the Native Americans were still a major power, and the European colonies were still surprising fragile. 

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HMS Renard (1909)

HMS Renard (1909) was a Beagle class destroyer that spent most of the First World War in the Mediterranean, where she took part in the Dardanelles and Gallipoli campaigns. She returned to home waters late in 1918 and joined the Second Destroyer Flotilla in Ireland.

USS William Jones (DD-308)

USS William Jones (DD-308) was a Clemson class destroyer that served with the Pacific Fleet during the 1920s before being sold for scrap in 1932.

Curtiss R-2

The Curtiss R-2 was a two seat observation aircraft that served with the US Army, and in larger numbers with the RFC, and that was essentially an enlarged version of the Curtiss Model N.

Operation Tractable (14-21 August 1944)

Operation Tractable (14-21 August 1944) was a Canadian and Polish attack that finally helped close the Falaise Gap, although not after some fierce battles in the mouth of the gap.

HMS Rattlesnake (1910)

HMS Rattlesnake (1910) was a Beagle class destroyer that spent most of the First World War in the Mediterranean, where she took part in the Gallipoli campaign. She returned to home waters briefly over the winter of 1914-15 to escort troop ships to France, and was the last member of the class to return home in 1918, arriving not long before the Armistice. 

USS Paul Hamilton (DD-307)

USS Paul Hamilton (DD-307) was a Clemson class destroyer that served with the Pacific Fleet during the 1920s before being scrapped because of her badly worn boilers.

Curtiss-Wright C-76 Caravan

The Curtiss-Wright C-76 Caravan was a wooden cargo aircraft designed in case the United States ran short of light alloys as military production accelerated after the US entry into the war.

battle of the Falaise Gap (8-20 August 1944)

The battle of the Falaise Gap (8-20 August 1944) was the final stage of the wider battle of Normandy, and saw the Allies exploit the breakthrough achieved in Operation Cobra to destroy the German position in France. In its aftermath the Allies were able to sweep onto to Paris, across the Seine and liberate most of France ahead of their original schedule.

The Mighty Warrior Kings – From the Ashes of the Roman Empire to the New Ruling Order, Philip J. Potter

A series of biographies of significant Medieval kings, largely focused on their military careers, with limited analysis of other aspects of their reign. Few if any surprises in the kings chosen, but the all-inclusive approach to their military careers does mean that we learn about many conflicts that are otherwise ignored or skipped over, such as the 1069-70 Viking invasion of England or Richard I’s extensive military experience before becoming king 

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Armies of Celtic Europe – 700BC – AD106 – History, Organization and Equipment, Gabriele Esposito

A look at the military history of the ancient Celts, from their origins in central Europe through their expansion west into modern France, Spain and Britain and east into the Balkans and Anatolia, and their long conflict with the expanding Roman empire. Especially strong on the armours and weaponry of the Celts, and illustrated with a large number of pictures of modern re-enactors showing a wide range of types of Celtic arms and armour 

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Rome’s Sicilian Slave Wars, Natale Barca

Looks at the first and second Servile Wars, massive slave uprisings that threatened Roman control of Sicily, and with it the grain supply to the city of Rome. Places them in the context of the wider Mediterranean world, the nature of the ancient slave trade, and the increasingly unstable nature of Roman politics. I don’t entirely agree with some of the author’s conclusions, but I did find this a useful book on two major conflicts that are often only mentioned in passing

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HMS Racoon (1910)

HMS Racoon (1910) was a Beagle class destroyer that spent most of the First World War in the Mediterranean, where she took part in the Dardanelles and Gallipoli campaigns. She returned to home waters late in 1917 to take part in anti-submarine patrols and convoy escort duties, but she was lost with all hands on 9 January 1918 after hitting rocks on a dangerous part of the coast.

USS Kennedy (DD-306)

USS Kennedy (DD-306) was a Clemson class destroyer that served with the Pacific Fleet during 1920s before being sold for scrap in 1931.

Curtiss C-55

The Curtiss C-55 was the designation given to the prototype of the Curtiss Model CW-20/ C-46, after it was given a new tail and purchased by the USAAF.

Operation Totalize (8-11 August 1944)

Operation Totalize (8-11 August 1944) was the first Canadian attempt to break through to Falaise to close the Falaise Gap, and began with an over complex night attack that still made good progress, before coming to a stop after moving halfway to Falaise. The next attack, Operation Tractable, would finally see the gap closed.

God’s Viking – Harald Hardrada, the Life and Times of the Last Great Viking, Nic Fields

A look at the world in which Harald lived rather than an actual biography of the man, so has large sections on the history of the Vikings in Russia, the Varangian Guards, Viking warfare and so forth, often going some time without actually mentioning Harald. Includes plenty of interesting material on Harald’s world, but needed to focus more on its subject, or at least bring all of the pieces on Harald together before heading off into the background

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German Soldier versus Polish Soldier, Poland 1939, David R. Higgins

Looks at three battles between German and Polish infantry from the early days of the German invasion, when the Poles were still able to put up a decent fight, including a brief account of the development of both armies, how they were trained and equipped before moving onto good accounts of the battles, with excellent material from both sides 

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US Air Cavalry Trooper versus North Vietnamese Soldier – Vietnam 1965-68, Chris McNab

Largely focuses on the combat record of the US 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile) in 1966-7, looking at how it performed in three battles against the North Vietnamese. Good on the US side, a bit thin in the Vietnamese side, so better seen as a examination of the airmobile concept than a direct comparison of the two units covered  

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HMS Pincher (1910)

HMS Pincher (1910) was a Beagle class destroyer that spent most of the First World War in the Mediterranean, where she took part in the Gallipoli campaign. She returned to home waters briefly over the winter of 1914-15 to escort troop ships to France, and permanently in 1917, but she was wrecked after hitting rocks between Cornwall and Scilly on 24 July 1918.

USS Thompson (DD-305)

USS Thompson (DD-305) was a Clemson class destroyer that served with the Pacific Fleet in the 1920s, as a floating restaurant in the 1930s and as a target for trainee bombers during the 1940s.

Curtiss C-46 Commando

The Curtiss C-46 Commando was one of the most important US transport aircraft of the Second World War, and survived to see service in Korea and Vietnam.

Siege of St. Malo (4-17 August 1944)

The siege of St. Malo (4-17 August 1944) was an unexpectedly costly battle during the American liberation of Brittany that ended with the port in American hands, but with its facilities totally destroyed by the Germans.

HMS Mosquito (1910)

HMS Mosquito (1910) was a Beagle class destroyer that spent most of the First World War in the Mediterranean, where she took part in the Dardanelles and Gallipoli campaigns. She returned to home waters late in 1917 to carry out anti-submarine and convoy escort duties.

USS Farquhar (DD-304)

USS Farquhar (DD-304) was a Clemson class destroyer that served in the Pacific during the 1920s, taking part in several of the early Fleet Problems, before being scrapped because of her badly worn boilers. 

Curtiss C-30/ R4C-1

The Curtiss C-30/ R4C-1 was a transport version of the Curtiss Condor II biplane transport aircraft, a rather outdated aircraft when it first appeared in 1933.

Siege of Brest (6 August-18 September 1944)

The siege of Brest (6 August-18 September 1944) was originally carried out in an attempt to give the Americans a good port in Brittany, but by the time it ended any hopes of using the Breton ports had ended, and the main purpose of the battle was to eliminate a potentially dangerous German garrison.

HMS Harpy (1909)

HMS Harpy (1909) was a Beagle class destroyer that spent most of the First World War in the Mediterranean, where she took part in the Gallipoli campaign.

USS Reno (DD-303)

USS Reno (DD-303) was a Clemson class destroyer that spent most of the 1920s serving along the US West Coast, before being scrapped in 1931.

Curtiss XC-10

The Curtiss XC-10 was a modified version of the Curtiss Robin three seat cabin monoplane that was used for experiments with radio controlled aircraft.

Brittany Campaign of August 1944

The Brittany Campaign of August 1944 saw the Allies rapidly conquer most of the Breton peninsula in the aftermath of the American breakout during Operation Cobra, but the key ports either remained in German hands, or in the case of St. Malo, were so badly damaged that they were unusable. 

Britain’s War Against the Slave Trade, Anthony Sullivan

Focuses on Britain’s long naval campaign against the African slave trade, which combined with a prolonged diplomatic effort eventually ended that trade. Largely taken up with accounts of every clash between the Royal Navy and slaving ships along the coast, the fate of those slavers and the people found onboard, but also looks at the attempts to win over the major slaving nations, and the difficulties caused by jointly run courts set up to decide the eventual fate of the captured ships

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Cromwell’s Failed State and the Monarchy, Timothy Venning

Looks at the political and military history of the period between the end of the First Civil War and the establishment of Cromwell’s Protectorate, largely to ask if the Protectorate or something similar was an almost inevitable result, or if there had ever been a possibility of an agreement with Charles I or another Stuart, or that Parliament might have stayed in power. A bit ramshackle and lacking any introduction to explain its purpose, but otherwise a useful look at key elements of this period that are often skipped over quite quickly.

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The Frontiers of Imperial Rome, David J. Breeze

Looks at the entire length of the Roman frontier, from the familiar Hadrian’s Wall to the long desert frontiers in Africa and the Middle East, including the man made lines of forts and other features and the natural borders of mountains, rivers and coastlines. An excellent overview of a massive subject, looking at the individual elements of the frontiers, how they linked up along the frontiers and what their actual purpose may have been.

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HMS Grasshopper (1909)

HMS Grasshopper (1909) was a Beagle class destroyer that spent most of the First World War in the Mediterranean, where she took part in the Dardanelles and Gallipoli campaigns. She returned to home waters in 1917 to serve on anti-submarine warfare and convoy escort duties.

USS Stoddert (DD-302)

USS Stoddert (DD-302) was a Clemson class destroyer that served in the Pacific during the 1920s, before becoming a radio controlled target ship from 1930-33.

Curtiss PN-1

The Curtiss PN-1 was an experimental night fighter of 1921 that didn’t live up to expectations.

Operation Cobra (25-31 July 1944)

Operation Cobra (25-31 July 1944) saw the decisive breakthrough in Normandy, after more than a month of attritional fighting and slow progress, and saw Bradley’s US 1st Army break the western end of the German line, allowing the Allied armour to break out and dash east towards the Seine, trapping a large part of the Germany army in the Falaise pocket.

Darwin 1942 – The Japanese Attack on Australia, Bob Alford

Focuses on the Japanese air raids on Darwin on 19 February 1942, the first and by far the largest of the ninety seven Japanese air attack on the Australian mainland during the Second World War. A very detailed account of the air battle, with eyewitness accounts from both sides, and an excellent analysis of experiences of the airmen on both sides and their losses. 

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Emperors of Rome – The Monsters – From Tiberius to Theodora, AD 14-548, Paul Chrystal

A look at some of the most notorious of the Roman emperors and their famous misdeeds. Covers quite a range, starting with the second emperor, Tiberius, and finishing with the early Byzantine Justinian and his wife Theodora. A bit ‘tabloid’ in nature, recounting the reported sexual misdeeds of a series of Emperors and the Imperial women. Starts with a brief introduction looking at similar atrocities committed in earlier periods, to help put these people in the context of their times, but could have done with more analysis of our sources and their motives

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The German Army on Campaign 1914-1918, Bob Carruthers

At the same time familiar but different, looks at the First World War from the German side of the lines, so we get the same sort of pictures as in books on the British Army, but with different uniforms and equipment (and more mustaches). An interesting collection of photographs, showing how similar life was on the other side of no man’s land

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HMS Nautilus/ Grampus (1910)

HMS Nautilus/ Grampus (1910) was a Beagle class destroyer that served in the Mediterranean for most of her career, taking part in the Dardanelles and Gallipoli campaigns. She returned to home waters during 1918 to carry out anti-submarine patrols and convoy escort duties from Ireland.

USS Somers (DD-301)

USS Somers (DD-301) was a Clemson class destroyer that served with the Pacific Fleet in the 1920s, taking part in many of the early Fleet Problems, and surviving the Honda Point disaster.

Curtiss Twin JN

The Curtiss Twin JN was a twin engined aircraft based on the famous JN-4 Jenny, produced in small numbers as an observation type.

Operation Spring (25-27 July 1944)

Operation Spring (25-27 July 1944) was one of the most costly Canadian operations of the Second World War, but although it failed to capture any of its targets, it did achieve its main purpose of pinning German troops down on the Caen front.

Combat over the Mediterranean, Chris Goss

Focuses largely on the RAF’s anti-shipping missions, using the gun camera photographs taken during actual attacks to give a vivid picture of this important part of the war in the Mediterranean. Focuses largely on No.252 Squadron, as the pictures came from the collection of Dennis Butler, who commandeered the squadron twice during the war. Often includes a whole series of pictures from the same attack, giving us an unparalleled view of events as they happened
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The Light Division in the Peninsular war 1808-1811, Tim Saunders and Rob Yuill

Looks at the history of the units that would become the Light Division, and the early activities of the division itself, from Wellington’s first campaign in 1808, through Sir John Moore’s time in charge and on to Bucaco Ridge the Lines of Torres Vedra and the French retreat back into Spain. Uses a wider range of sources than most (although does include the famous Rifleman Harris), so we get a better picture of the overall activities of the division
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The Archaeology of the Holocaust, Richard A. Freund

Looks at the use of non-invasive archaeological methods, including Geoscience (perhaps better known in the UK as geophysics) at two centres of Jewish life, in Rhodes and Vilna, both destroyed during the Holocaust.  Focuses on the technical aspects of what was done, why it was done, the background story of the two areas and the way the local population was involved, rather than on the actual details of the digs

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HMS Foxhound (1909)

HMS Foxhound (1909) was a Beagle class destroyer that served in the Mediterranean for most of the First World War, taking part in the Gallipoli campaign. She briefly returned to home waters over the winter of 1914-15 to escort troop ships to France, and permanently late in 1917 to carry out anti-submarine warfare patrols and convoy escort duties.

USS Farragut (DD-300)

USS Farragut (DD-300) was a Clemson class destroyer that served in the Pacific during the 1920s, narrowly avoiding disaster at Honda Point, and taking part in many of the Fleet Problems of that period.

Curtiss

The Curtiss JNS was the designation given to those JN-4Hs and JN-6Hs that were reconditioned after the First World War, eliminating the differences between the two types.

Operation Atlantic (18-21 July 1944)

Operation Atlantic (18-21 July 1944) was the Canadian counterpart to Operation Goodwood, and saw the newly activated Canadian II Corps attack on the right flank of the main Goodwood attack, finally clearing the south part of Caen and completing the liberation of the city. 

Norfolk Tank Museum fund raiser

This looks like a worthwhile project - the Norfolk Tank Museum is trying to raise money to save the first Challenger 1 prototype, which was used as a gunnery target for many years! 

https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-ntm-rescue-the-challenger-1-prototype

Vietnam War US & Allied Combat Equipments, Gordon L. Rottman

A detailed examination of the non-combat equipment carried by US and allied troops during the Vietnam War, looking both at the official kit and what was actually carried. Excludes the uniform itself and any actual weapons, but covers just about everything else, from the webbing used to carry most of the kit to the various types of first aid kits. The author actually served in Vietnam in 1969-70, so knows what he is talking about!
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Leading the Roman Army – Soldiers and Emperors 31 BC-AD 235, Jonathan Eaton

Takes a different approach to the Roman army, looking at the relationship between the Emperor and his soldiers, both the regular army and the Praetorian Guard, how the army was led and disciplined and what influence it actually had over politics (ie the Emperor and succession), in a period when the Emperor was the sole source of military authority.
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Rome’s Third Samnite War – 298-290BC – the Last Stand of the Line Legion, Mike Roberts

Focuses on the Third Samnite War, the last time the Samnites were Rome’s main opponents in a conflict, placing the conflict in the wider context of its times and looking at Rome’s other foes at the time, as well as following the rivalry through to its end in the dying days of the Republic. Generally very good, although outside the Third War the timeline could be clearer. During the war itself does a good job of creating a coherent account of this often poorly recorded conflict.
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HMS Bulldog (1909)

HMS Bulldog (1909) was a Beagle class destroyer that spent most of the First World War in the Mediterranean, taking part in the Gallipoli campaign. She also briefly returned to home waters over the winter of 1914-15 to escort troop ships to France, and permanently late in 1917 to join the Second Destroyer Flotilla in Ireland.

USS John Francis Burnes (DD-299)

USS John Francis Burnes (DD-299) was a Clemson class destroyer that served with the Pacific Fleet during the 1920s, before being decommissioned because her Yarrow boilers were badly worn.

Curtiss JN-6

The Curtiss JN-6 was an improved version of the Curtiss JN-4H, mainly distinguished by the use of ailerons on both wings.

Churchill’s Hellraisers – A Secret Mission to Storm a Forbidden Nazi Fortress, Damien Lewis

A very entertaining account of Operation Tombola, a joint SOE and SAS mission in northern Italy that joined with the Italian resistance to attack the HQ of the German LI Corps. A very readable and atmospheric book covering a fascinating raid, slightly marred by insisting on calling the Corps HQ the 14th Army HQ throughout the book. Otherwise good, with an adventure story stone that brings the story to life
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We Killed Yamamoto, Si Sheppard

Looks at one of the most famous air attacks of the entire Second World War, the P-38 strike that killed Admiral Yamamoto, one of the key targets for the US after his role in the attack on Pearl Harbor. Includes good material on code breaking and its role in the war to that date, the decision to carry out the raid, the planning and the raid, and finally the long running controversy about which pilot actually shot down Yamamoto
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Wellington and the British Army’s Indian Campaigns 1798-1805, Martin R. Howard

Looks at the wider context to Wellington’s time in India, covering most of the military campaigns that took place while he was present, not just those in which he was involved. A little weak on the Indian side of the fighting, but otherwise good, and provides some useful context to Wellington’s famous victories of this period
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HMS Beagle (1909)

HMS Beagle (1909) was the name ship of the Beagle class of destroyers, and spend most of the First World War in the Mediterranean, where it took part in the Gallipoli campaign. She also spent the winter of 1914-15 in home waters escorting troop ships to France, then moved to Ireland late in 1917 to join the large anti-submarine and convoy escort forces.

USS Percival (DD-298)

USS Percival (DD-298) was a Clemson class destroyer that served with the Pacific Fleet during the 1920s, surviving the Honda Point disaster.

Curtiss JN-5

The designation Curtiss JN-5 was given to two different aircraft – first to what became known as the Twin JN and then to a single prototype of an improved model of the Jenny that never entered production.

Operation Goodwood (18-20 July 1944)

Operation Goodwood (18-20 July 1944) was one of the more controversial battles of the Overlord campaign, and involved a massive British armoured attack to the east of Caen that forced the Germans to move reinforcements to area and finally completed the liberation of Caen, but that failed to achieve the dramatic breakthrough that some had been expecting

Hitler’s Eastern Legions 1942-45, Nigel Thomas

Looks at the units raised by the Germans in the far eastern part of the conquests – the Caucasus, Turkestan, Volga and Crimea, with lots of information on their uniforms, organisation, locations, insignia etc squeezed into the space, but apparently no room to discuss any war crimes committed by these units.
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The Piat – Britain’s anti-tank weapon of World War II, Matthew Moss

A good examination of the PIAT, the British Army’s most effective man portable infantry anti-tank weapon of the Second World War, looking at how it was developed, how it actually operated, and how effective it was in combat, where it was used against armour, against strong points and as a light mortar. Tracings its use in Italy, Normandy and afterwards, Warsaw and the Far East, as well as its limited post-war career 

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To Defeat the Few, Douglas C. Dildy and Paul F. Crickmore

A look at the Battle of Britain as seen from the German point of view, looking at what the Luftwaffe was attempting to achieve at each stage of the battle, how their plans were formed and implemented and what each individual raid was trying to achieve. This is a very useful approach to the battle, showing us its familiar events consistently from a different angle
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HMS Basilisk (1910)

HMS Basilisk (1910) was a Beagle class destroyer that served in the Mediterranean for most of the First World War, taking part in the Gallipoli campaign. She was one of the last to remain in the Mediterranean, but was back in home waters by June 1918 to join the large convoy escort forces.

USS Fuller (DD-297)

USS Fuller (DD-297) was a Clemson class destroyer that served with the Pacific Fleet in the early 1920s, before being lost in the Honda Point disaster.

Curtiss JN-4Can ‘Canuck’

The Curtiss JN-4Can ‘Canuck’ was an improved version of the Curtiss JN-3 that was developed independently in Canada, and constructed at the same time as the American Curtiss JN-4.

Operation Charnwood (8-9 July 1944)

Operation Charnwood (8-9 July 1944) saw the British and Canadians finally capture the northern half of Caen, a month after the city was originally expected to have fallen on D-Day.

Setting the Med Ablaze – Churchill’s Secret North African Base, Peter Dixon

A fascinating book looking at SOE’s secret HQ in North Africa, code named Massingham, from where the organisation ran operations across the Mediterranean – on Corsica, Sardinia and Sicily, mainland Italy and France. The focus of this book isn’t on the individual missions themselves, but rather on the organisation behind them and their overall objectives 

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Women at War in the Classical World, Paul Chrystal

A survey of the role, experiences and attitudes to women in warfare across the Classical world, from the archaic Greek world of Homer to late Roman antiquity, including both real and fictional women and mythological figures. Covers the full range of experience from women as commanders (Cleopatra being the most famous) to women as victims of war, especially in the aftermath of defeat, as well as interesting sections on the attitude of these societies to woman’s role in warfare 

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Roman Soldier versus Parthian Warrior – Carrhae to Nisibis, 53 BC-AD 217, Si Sheppard

Looks at one of the great rivalries of the ancient world, between the infantry led armies of Rome and the cavalry armies of the Parthians, a rivalry that saw Rome suffer some of its worst defeats, and ended the Empire’s advance east. Nicely structured, examining three key battles alternating with the overview of events between to paid a picture of the overall nature of the relationship

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Beagle Class or G Class destroyers (1909)

The Beagle Class or G Class destroyers (1909) were developed from the earlier River class, and spent most of the First World War in the Mediterranean, where the entire class served in the Dardanelles and Gallipoli. Half of the class briefly returned to home waters over the winter of 1914-15 to escort troop ships to France, and late in 1917 the entire class began to move home to help escort convoys, at first from Buncrana in the north of Ireland and later from Devonport.

USS Chauncey (DD-296)

USS Chauncey (DD-296) was a Clemson class destroyer that served with the Pacific Fleet until her loss in the Honda Point disaster in 1923.

Curtiss JN-4

The Curtiss JN-4 was the main production version of the Curtiss Jenny, and was the most important American primary trainer during the First World War, and one of the main aircraft used by the barnstormers of the early 1920s.

battle of Saint-Lo (7-19 July 1944)

The battle of Saint-Lo (7-19 July 1944) was an essential preliminary to the eventual American breakout from Normandy, and saw them struggle through the bocage country to reach the starting point for Operation Cobra.

The Normans in Italy 1016-1194, Raffaele D’Amato and Andrea Salimbeti

An overview of the Norman presence in Italy, from the first appearance of the Normans as mercenaries to the formation of the powerful Kingdom of Sicily, and their dominance of the central Mediterranean, looking at their history in Italy, how they fought, how they were equipped and examining two sample battles. Nicely sub-divided to reflect the very different natures of the early conquest armies and the later Royal armies, and the multi-cultural nature of the army, with Norman, Greek and Muslim components 

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Velikiye Luki 1942-43 – The Doomed Fortress, Robert Forczyk

Looks at a significant but relatively unknown battle on the Eastern Front, the first time that a reasonably prepared German force had been wiped out in a siege, and a determined relief effort had failed. Overshadowed by the similar but much larger battle of Stalingrad, this was still a major battle, and demonstrates many of the trends that were leading the Germans to defeat

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World War II German Super-Heavy Siege Guns, Marc Romanych & Martin Rupp

Looks at the heaviest siege artillery used by the Germans during the Second World War, from the super-heavy but essentially useless 80cm railway guns ‘Dora’ and ‘Gustav’ to the old First World War guns pressed into service. Nicely organised, with their combat record examined campaign by campaign, and with a useful emphasis on how the guns were actually used in practice

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HMS Zubian (1917)

HMS Zubian (1917) was a Tribal class destroyer that was forced from the bow of HMS Zulu and the stern of HMS Nubian, and that served with the Dover Patrol from the summer of 1917 to the end of the war.

USS Osborne (DD-295)

USS Osborne (DD-295) was a Clemson class destroyer that served with the Atlantic Fleet for most of her career, as well as spending a year in European Waters and briefly taking part in a US intervention in Nicaragua. After her first military career she was sold for scrap, but instead turned into a banana boat, which was then chartered by the US Navy after the outbreak of the Second World War. She was then taken over by the Army as part of a plan to rush supplies to the Philippines, before finally being destroyed by fire at Sydney in 1942

Curtiss JN-3

The Curtiss JN-3 was the first version of the famous Curtiss Jenny to be produced in large numbers, mainly as a trainer for the RNAS. Two were also purchased by the US Army, but both were lost during the expedition to Mexico in 1916.

Operation Windsor (4-5 July 1944)

Operation Windsor (4-5 July 1944) was a Canadian attack on Carpiquet airfield that made some progress, but left the Germans in possession of part of the airfield.

The Desert Air Force in World War II - Air Power in the Western Desert 1940-1942, Ken Delve

A very detailed examination of the day-by-day experiences of the British and Empire aircrew who fought in North Africa, from the early victorious campaigns against the Italians, through the back-and-fore period against Rommel, ending with the defensive battles deep inside Egypt, the highpoint of Rommel’s advance towards the Nile. Does include brief overviews of the strategic situation, but focuses very much on the day-to-day personal memories of the aircrew

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The Battle of Tsushima, Phil Carradice

Although the book includes good material on the reasons for the campaign and the battle itself, it focuses largely on the utterly compelling story of the 18,000 mile long voyage taken by the Russian Baltic Fleet as it moved towards near-total distruction at the battle of Tsushima. This voyage was a major achievement, carried out with hardly any friendly bases along the route, but is inevitably overshadowed by the crushing defeat of the Russian fleet at the end of the voyage 

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Nierstein and Oppenheim 1945 – Patton Bounces the Rhine, Russ Rodgers

Looks at the campaign that saw Patton’s Third Army carry out a formal assault across the Moselle, then ‘bounce’ across the Rhine, getting across that river just before the start of Montgomery’s large scale formal assault further north (although the speed of the final attack was motivated more by a desire to stop the Germans forming a new front). This is an excellent examination of Patton’s method of war, demonstrating why the Germans feared him so

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HMS Zulu (1909)

HMS Zulu (1909) was a Tribal class destroyer that served with the Dover Patrol during the First World War, until she was badly damaged by a mine late in 1916. Her bow was then combined with the stern of the Nubian to produce a new destroyer, HMS Zubian.

USS Charles Ausburn (DD-294)

USS Charles Ausburn (DD-294) was a Clemson class destroyer that served with the Atlantic Fleet for most of the 1920s, taking part in a year long cruise to European waters in 1925-26.

Curtiss JN-2

The Curtiss JN-2 was the first version of the famous Curtiss Jenny, and was produced in small numbers for the US Army. It wasn’t a great success and within a year the surviving aircraft had been updated to the JN-3 standard.

Odon Counterattack (29-June-1 July 1944)

The Odon Counterattack (29-June-1 July 1944) saw the Germans attack both flanks of the British bridgehead created during Operation Epsom, in an attempt to cut it off at its base. The attacks failed, and forced the Germans to commit the newly arrived II SS Panzer Corps to the Caen front, ending any chance of a major counterattack towards the coast.

Operation Market-Garden 1944 (2) - The British Airborne Missions, Ken Ford

Part two of a three part series on Market-Garden, looking at the 1st Airborne Division’s battle at Arnhem itself, where they were able to hold on for much longer than the plan required (despite a number of serious flaws with the airborne plan and mistakes on the ground), before the survivors were forced to retreat back across the Rhine. A good short account of this famous battle, useful for anyone who wants to understand the battle without getting bogged down in too much detail

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The Jacobite Rising of 1715 and the Murray Family – Brothers in Arms, Rosalind Anderson

Looks at the history of the Murray family, one of the senior families of the Scottish aristocracy, in the period leading up to the ’15, where three sons of John Murray, first duke of Atholl, fought on the Jacobite side. Well supported by an impressive array of family letters, this book gives us a real feel for life within this family, and helps explain why so many of the duke’s sons repeatedly rebelled

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Japan’s Asian Allies 1941-45, Philip Jowett

Looks at the surprisingly numerous and varied forces raised by the Japanese across their short-lived Empire during the Second World War, ranging from the large, moderately well equipped forces of the Indian National Army to small occupation forces armed with spears or clubs. Includes a number of forces that were later remembered as part of post-war independence movements, and quite a few that changed sides as the war progressed

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HMS Viking (1909)

HMS Viking (1909) was a Tribal class destroyer that served with the Dover Patrol during the First World War, taking part in the early bombardments of the Belgian coast, surviving very serious damage after hitting a  mine early in 1916 and taking part in the battle of the Dover Straits.

USS Billingsley (DD-293)

USS Billingsley (DD-293) was a Clemson class destroyer that served with the Atlantic fleet for most of the 1920s, apart from a year spent in European waters.

Curtiss Jenny (Model JN)

The Curtiss Jenny (Model JN) was the most important American primary trainer of the First World War, and played a major role in the development of civil aviation after the end of the war.

Operation Epsom (26-30 June 1944)

Operation Epsom (26-30 June 1944) was the second major British attack on Caen, and the first major British offensive after D-Day, and was an attempt to reach the high ground south of the city and threaten the Caen-Falaise Road. The attack failed to meet those early Overlord objectives, but did force the Germans to move reinforcements to the Caen area.

Armoured Cruiser Cressy, detailed in the original builders’ plan, Andrew Choong

Looks at the Cressy class armoured cruisers, using the beautifully drawn ‘as-fitted’plans produced after they were completed, to illustrate their actual layout in great detail. Part of a splendid series, this is a good example of a particular type of armoured cruiser, with many of its guns carried in two layers of casemates along the sides. By 1914 the armoured cruiser was almost obsolete, and the Cressy class is most famous for the loss of three to one U-boat on a single day, but when new they were were powerful modern ships. As with all of these books, this answers all sorts of questions about the layout of these ships, and is fascinating to look through.

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Battle in the Baltic – The Royal Navy and the Fight to Save Estonia and Latvia 1918-20, Steve R Dunn

Looks at the Royal Navy’s involvement in the Baltic after the Russian Revolution, where it played a significant role in securing the independence of Estonia and Latvia, against threats from the Bolsheviks, expansionist Germans, White Russians who wanted to restore the entire Tsarist Empire, all the time working without any significant political support at home, or any clear idea what the British government policy actually was. Despite the limited resources available the Navy still managed to carry out a motor boat attack on the main Soviet fleet, as well as providing invaluable support for the fighting on land, despite poor conditions that even triggered some minor mutinies.

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The Petlyakov Pe-2 – Stalin’s Succesful Red Air Force Light Bomber, Peter C. Smith

Looks at the development and career of the Petlyakov Pe-2, the most important Soviet twin engined bomber of the Second World War, and a successful dive bomber that played a major role in the fighting on the Eastern Front. Includes very detailed sections on the development of the aircraft, as well as its combat record, potted biographies of many of the key Pe-2 pilots, and its fairly brief post-war career. Sometimes exaggerates the significant and performance of the Pe-2, but is otherwise excellent.

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HMS Nubian (1909)

HMS Nubian (1909) was a Tribal class destroyer that served with the Dover Patrol until she was badly damaged during the battle of the Dover Straits in 1916. Her stern was then combined with the bow of HMS Zulu to produce a new destroyer, HMS Zubian.

USS Reid (DD-292)

USS Reid (DD-292) was a Clemson class destroyer that served with the Atlantic and Scouting Fleets during the 1920s, as well as spending a year in Europe waters, before being decommissioned in 1930.

Curtiss Model N

The Curtiss Model N was the company’s second successful tractor land plane, and was later developed into the N-9 float plane trainer as well as providing some features for the famous Curtiss JN ‘Jenny’.

Operation Martlet (25-27 June 1944)

Operation Martlet (25-27 June 1944) was a preliminary to Operation Epsom, the second in a series of major attacks around Caen, and was launched to capture high ground to the west of the main Epsom battlefield.

The Komnene Dynasty - Byzantium’s Struggle for Survival 1057-1185, John Carr

Looks at the history of the most famous dynasty in Byzantine history (largely because of the work of Anna Comnena and its overlap with the early Crusades), with a focus on the well documented reign of Alexios I. This is a useful examination of a dynasty that started well, saving Byzantium from possible collapse in the aftermath of Manzikert, but that ended with an equally disasterous defeat and dynastic chaos in the last two reigns. Also includes a useful overview of earlier Byzantine history and a brief look at the period after the end of the dynasty, which saw their descendants rule the tiny Empire of Tribizond, while Byzantium was sacked by the Crusaders.
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Ancient Warfare Vol X, Issue 1: Conflict Between Sparta and Athens - The Archidamian War

Focuses on the Archidamian War, the first ten years of the Great Peloponnesian War, which saw both Athens and Sparta win major victories and suffer costly defeats, before ending in a draw and a short-lived peace. Covers the type of troops involved, the roles of Pericles, Brasidas and Socrates, the siege of Plataea, the temple of Athena Nike and the clash between Sparta and Argos. Also looks at letters written by Roman troops in the eastern desert of Egypt, and the evidence for PTSD in the Roman world
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Ancient Warfare Vol XI, Issue 4: Wars of the Twelve Tribe - Conflict in the Old Testament

Focuses on some of the wars mentioned in the Old Testament, including Gideon’s famous selection of an elite force, a coalition battle against the Neo-Assyrians, the defensive policy of Judah, the role of Israelites in the Assyrian army, and the Lachish reliefs. Away from the theme looks at a Roman military diploma in New York, all-source analysis and the mystery of the antisignani, described as fighting in front of the banners in a Roman army.
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HMS Maori (1909)

HMS Maori (1909) was a Tribal class destroyer that served with the Dover Patrol during the First World War, and took part in the early bombardments of the Belgian coast, and helped to sink U-8 before she was sunk by a mine in May 1915.

USS Converse (DD-291)

USS Converse (DD-291) was a Clemson class destroyer that served with the Atlantic Fleet for most of the 1920s, apart from a visit to European waters in 1924-25.

Curtiss Model J

The Curtiss Model J was the company’s first successful tractor land plane, and became the basis of the famous Curtiss JN ‘Jenny’, the main American training aircraft of the First World War.

Battle of Villers-Bocage (13 June 1944)

The battle of Villers-Bocage (13 June 1944) was one of the more infamous incidents of the Normandy campaign, and saw an advanced force of British armour almost destroyed by Michael Wittmann’s Tiger tanks, before a larger German counterattack forced the British to retreat.

Spoils of War – The Fate of Enemy Fleets after the Two World Wars, Aiden Dodson & Serena Cant

Looks at the fate of the defeated nation’s fleets after the two World Wars, when the surviving ships were split between the victorious nations, but not after a great deal of debate about who got what, and what should happen to the remaining ships (as well as to those that might have been salvageable). Includes a clear narrative of events, and a very useful reference section, tracing the fate of each surviving ship
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The Modern Cruiser – The evolution of the ships that fought the Second World War – Robert C. Stern

Looks at the most varied class of major warship, covering everything from tiny scout cruisers not much bigger than the largest destroyers up to the massive battle cruisers of the First World War. A well structured book, with each chapter looking at a particular period and the cruisers produced in response to the naval treaties in place at the time combined with reports of what each power’s rivals were building. An interesting look at a series of warships that wouldn’t have existed in the form they did without the London and Washington naval treaties
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Hitler’s Panzers – the Complete History 1933-1945, Anthony Tucker-Jones

A well structured book that gives a useful overview of the development and deployment of Germany’s armoured vehicles during the Second World War, although that would have benifited from some further editing to avoid repetition and some inconsistency. Its main strong point come in the chapters on combat deployment, which acknowledge that the varied types of tanks fought as part of a larger war machine, and not in individual tank-vs-tank battles
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HMS Crusader (1909)

HMS Crusader (1909) was a Tribal class destroyer that served with the Dover Patrol during the First World War, and was used by Admiral Hood during the early bombardments of the Belgian coast.

USS Dale (DD-290)

USS Dale (DD-290) was a Clemson class destroyer that served with the Atlantic Fleet for most of the 1920s, making one visit to European waters in 1924-25, when she was commanded by the future Admiral William Halsey.

Curtiss SNC Falcon/ Model CW-22

The Curtiss SNC Falcon/ Model CW-22 was a basic trainer and light attack aircraft that saw combat against the Japanese with the Dutch, but that was only used as a trainer by the US Navy.

Operation Aubrey (7-8 June 1944)

Operation Aubrey (7-8 June 1944) saw a small force of Royal Marine Commandos capture Port-en-Bessin, a key port between the British and American sectors in Normandy.

HMS Saracen (1908)

HMS Saracen (1908) was a Tribal class destroyer that served with the Dover Patrol during the First World War, taking part in the early bombardments of the Belgian coast, and was close by twice during German raids without encountering the enemy.

USS Worden (DD-288)

USS Worden (DD-288) was a Clemson class destroyer that served with the Atlantic and Scouting Fleets during the 1920s, visited European waters in 1924-25 before being decommissioned in 1930. She was then turned into a banana boat, but was lost in 1933.

Curtiss-Wright CW-21

The Curtiss-Wright CW-21 was a lightweight export fighter that was purchased in small numbers by the Chinese and Dutch, and that saw limited combat during the defence of the Dutch East Indies in 1942.

Operation Perch (9-14 June 1944)

Operation Perch (9-14 June 1944) was a British attempt to capture Caen with a pincers attack, launched after the city remained in German hands on D-Day.

Modern Africa Wars (5) - The Nigerian-Biafran War 1967-70, Philip S. Jowett

Looks at the armies of the Biafran War, a civil war that broke out fairly soon after Nigeria gained independence, and saw the eastern part of the country fail to break away. A studious neutral account of the war, largely ignoring the accusations of war crimes levelled against both sides
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The Battle of Waterloo, A Near Observer

One of the earliest books published on the battle of Waterloo, made up of a series of letters written by eyewitnesses to the campaign, official reports from all sides (including some from countries not actually involved in the battle!) and finishing with casualties. First published in 1815, this is the seventh edition, which came out in the same year! You will find better collections of sources, but you won’t find one with quite the same immediacy as this. Also includes three foldouts, two with maps of the battle and one with an impressive panoramic sketch
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An Archaeological Study of the Bayeux Tapestry – the Landscapes, Buildings and Places, Trevor Rowley

Takes a different approach to the Bayeux Tapestry, looking at what the locations it portrayed would actually have looked like in 1066, and comparing that to what we see on the tapestry. The result is a useful guide to the world of the Norman Conquest, using a mix of archaeological and landscape evidence, supported by a look at similar buildings that have survived from the time period, all supported by a campaign history to put the landscape history into context. Also benefits from focusing equally on each part of the tapestry rather than just on the invasion and battle scenes
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HMS Amazon (1907)

HMS Amazon (1907) was a Tribal class destroyer that served with the Dover Patrol during the First World War, and was used as Admiral Hood’s flagship during the early bombardments of the Belgian coast, and was at sea during three of the German destroyer raids into the Dover Straits, but only encountered the enemy once, during the battle of the Dover Straits.

USS Putnam (DD-287)

USS Putnam (DD-287) was a Clemson class destroyer that served with the Atlantic Fleet and Scouting Fleet in the 1920s before being decommissioned in 1929.

Curtiss-Wright CW-19

The Curtiss-Wright CW-19 began life as a civilian cabin cruiser but soon became a light military aircraft , and the basis of the CW-21 Demon fighter and CW-22 / SNC-1 Falcon light attack and trainer.

Medieval Warfare Vol VI, Issue 5: Bernard's Chosen - The Knights Templar

 Focuses on the Knights Templar, one of the two famous main military orders who fought in the Middle East during the Crusades, but who are perhaps best known now for their destruction by Philip IV of France, and their seemingly endless appearances in modern fiction. Here the focus is on the real historical order, how they were founded and organised, the reasons for their successes, and for their defeats, how they were seen at the time, and how they were remembered
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Ancient Warfare Vol X, Issue 5: The Legacy of Cyrus - The empires of Persia at War

Focuses on the massive Persian Empire, starting with the conquest of Cyrus the Great and going on to the later Sassanid period. Includes an interesting look at how Cyrus’s conquest of Babylon became the basis of a much later Sassanid myth, the undocumented but archeologically interesting of Dura-Europos, and the portrayal of Artemisia of Halicarnassus in the Greek histories of the period
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Ancient Warfare Vol X, Issue 3: Rome versus Poisonous Pontus - The Mithridatic Wars, 88-63 BC

Longs at the three wars between Rome and Mithridates VI of Pontus, spread out over three crucial decades that saw the beginning of the end for the old Roman Republic. Includes articles on the Roman strategy in Asia Minor, the Greek view of the wars, the armies of Mithridates, his ally Tigranes II and the Roman commander Lucullus. Away from the theme there is a look at Egyptian sea power, and the nature of Greek siege warfare
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HMS Tartar (1907)

HMS Tartar (1907) was a Tribal class destroyer that served with the Dover Patrol during the First World War, taking part in the early bombardments of the Belgian coast, the battle of the Dover Straits, and surviving being mined, before ending the war with the XI Submarine Flotilla of the Grand Fleet at Blyth

USS Lardner (DD-286)

USS Lardner (DD-286) was a Clemson class destroyer that served with the Atlantic and Scouting Fleets during the 1920s and spent a year in European waters before she was decommissioned in 1930.

Curtiss XP-87/ XF-87 Blackhawk

The Curtiss XP-87/ XF-87 Blackhawk was the company’s first all-jet aircraft, and was briefly ordered into production, before being cancelled in favour of the Northrop F-89 Scorpion.

Torpedo Bombers 1900-1950, Jean-Denis Lepage

Looks at the fairly short history of the torpedo bomber, focusingly mainly on the aircraft themselves, with a series of historical introductions looking at the development of the torpedo and torpedo bomber, and each of the historical periods the book is split into. The book is built around hundreds of short articles on the individual aircraft, each supported by at least one of the author’s own illustrations. Very useful for the earlier period, and well into the Second World War, perhaps less so later on, reflecting the decline of the actual torpedo bomber!
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Malaya and Singapore 1941-42, Mark Stille

 Looks at one of the most disastrous campaigns in British military history, from the Japanese landings in northern Malaya and southern Thailand to the failed attempt to defend Singapore. Starts with an examination of the justifiably criticised British commanders and their more experienced and capable Japanese opponents, and of the opposing forces, before moving on to a good clear account of the skilful Japanese advance and the often woeful British defence, which led to the eventual surrender of Singapore and over 130,000 POWs.
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North Africa and the Middle East – Wargames Terrain & Buildings, Tony Harwood

Part two in a series on scratch building wargaming terrain, looking at North Africa and the Middle East, but with no particular time period in mind. Contains a mix of fairly simple and more complex models, mainly buildings but also including a gunboat and an entire oasis scene. The many and varied techniques look fairly achievable, and the instructions are nice and clear. Now I just need an excuse to build myself a model mud brick hut!
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HMS Mohawk (1907)

HMS Mohawk (1907) was a Tribal class destroyer that served with the Dover Patrol during the First World War, where she survived being mined and was damaged during the battle of the Dover Straits. She ended the war with the X Submarine Flotilla, on the Tees

USS Case (DD-285)

USS Case (DD-285) was a Clemson class destroyer that served with the Atlantic Fleet for most of the 1920s, as well as spending a year in European waters, before being decommissioned in 1930.

Curtiss XP-71

The Curtiss XP-71 was a design for a very heavy escort fighter, designed to support long range bombers. Two prototypes were ordered, but the project was cancelled before either of them had been completed

Medieval Warfare Vol VIII, Issue 5: Early Arab Assaults on Byzantium

Focuses on the early Arab attacks on the city of Constantinople, and the Byzantine armies that defeated them, including a convincing argument that the first Arab siege, of 674-8, probably didn’t happen in that form as well as a look at the siege of 717-8 that very much did. Includes a fascinating account of the contacts between the Spanish in the Philippines and Japanese exiles, including as enemies and as much admired mercenaries
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Medieval Warfare Vol VIII, Issue 4: From Priest to King - Sverrir Sigurdsson and his saga

Focuses on the career of Sverri Sigurdsson who rose from humble origins and early training to be a priest to win the crown of Norway after a successful rebellion against an apparently popular king. One of those historical figures who life reads more like a novel than real life, at least in part because many of the details come from a saga that he probably just about co-authored!  Also looks at the impact of the Black Death on warfare, in particular the Hundred Years, which was in its early stages at the time
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Ancient Warfare Vol XI, Issue 5: Riding into Battle - Ancient mounted warfare

Focuses on mounted warfare in the ancient world, but with a wider remit than horse cavalry, so includes a look at dromedary troops, two articles on war elephants and one on a type of infantry that found alongside the cavalry, as well as the evidence for cavalry on the Pydna monument, and an examination of how the Legions cared for their horses. Also includes an alternative theory on how the Legions fought, and a look at a mystery troop type mentioned in a Roman military manual
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HMS Ghurka (1907)

HMS Ghurka (1907) was a Tribal class destroyer that served with the Dover Patrol during the First World War, helping to sink U-8 before she was sunk by a mine early in 1917.

USS Isherwood (DD-284)

USS Isherwood (DD-284) was a Clemson class destroyer that served with the Atlantic and Scouting Fleets for most of the 1920s, as well as spending a year in European waters, before being decommissioned in 1930.

Curtiss XP-62

The Curtiss XP-62 was the heaviest American single-seat fighter to fly during the Second World War, but was underpowered and never progressed beyond the prototype stage.

Battle of Carentan (9-13 June 1944)

The battle of Carentan (9-13 June 1944) saw the 101st Airborne capture the key town at the base of the Cotentin peninsula, finally establishing a link between the two American beachheads and helping to ensure the success of the Overlord landings.

Prisoners on Cannock Chase, Richard Purehouse.

A rare history of a First World War era Prisoner of War camp in Britain, looking at a camp built on Cannock Chase, combining a normal POW camp and a hospital camp. Covers the physical layout of the camp, life within the camp, entertainment, discipline and complaints about the commandant. An interesting account of an unusual topic, with good material from the German point of view, that of the camp’s garrison as well as from the locals in the Cannock area.
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Special Forces in the War on Terror, Leigh Neville

Looks at the used of the many Special Forces units available to the Americans and their allies during the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, and during the wider war on Terror, looking both at how they were organised and directed at a top level, and at many of their individual missions on the ground, as well as how their equipment and techniques evolved over time. Ends before the rise of ISIS to prominence, although there are a few mentions along the way
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Run to the Sound of the Guns, Nicholas Moore & Mir Bahmanyar

A very atmospheric account of the experiences of a US Army Ranger who was involved in the War of Terror from the start in 2001 until being wounded in 2011. This period saw the Rangers evolve from a unit that carried out large scale operations, to one capable of carrying out the sort of small scale raids previous left to the Special Forces, and Moore is an engaging guide to that development. We get a convincing mix of successful and unsuccessful operations, and a real feel for what it was like to carry out operations in the Afghan mountains or the Iraqi urban landscape
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HMS Cossack (1907)

HMS Cossack (1907) was a Tribal class destroyer that served with the Dover Patrol during the First World War, taking part in the early bombardments of the Belgian coast and surviving very serious damage after hitting a mine.

Curtiss XP-55 Ascender

The Curtiss XP-55 Ascender was an unusual tail first fighter that reached the prototype stage, but that proved to be inferior to more conventional fighter designs.

Operation Overlord or the battle of Normandy (6 June-25 August 1944)

Operation Overlord or the battle of Normandy (6 June-25 August 1944) was the start of the Allied campaign to liberate Nazi-occupied north-western Europe, and began with the largest amphibious assault in history on D-Day, before developing into a costly struggle in Normandy that finally ended with the dramatic collapse of the German position in France leading to the ‘Great Swan’ towards the German border.

HMS Afridi (1907)

HMS Afridi (1907) was a Tribal class destroyer that served with the Dover Patrol during the First World War, and had a number of possible clashes with U-boats, although no recorded successes.

USS Toucey (DD-282)

USS Toucey (DD-282) was a Clemson class destroyer that served with the Atlantic Fleet and the Scouting Force in the 1920s before being scrapped because of her badly worn boilers

Tribal class destroyers

The Tribal class destroyers were a class of 33-knot destroyers that were significantly faster than the previous River class, but lacked their endurance and were used with the Dover Patrol during the First World War.

USS Sharkey (DD-281)

USS Sharkey (DD-281) was a Clemson class destroyer that served with the Atlantic Fleet during the 1920s, taking part in many of the early Fleet Problems, before being scrapped because of her badly worn boilers.

Sovereign of the Seas 1637, John McKay

A rather technical, but also lavishily illustrated, examination of Charles I’s famous flagship, split into a very technical first half discussing the details of the ship and her construction and the methods used to fill the gaps in our knowledge, and an impressive section of 2D, 3D and isometric plans that cover just about every part of the ship in great detail
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Postcards of the Army Service Corps 1902-1918, Coming of Age, Michael Young

A collection of postcards sent home by members of the Army Service Corps, from the corps’ formation to the end of the First World War, so largely dominated by pictures of groups of men from the corps, showing how it developed from fairly small roots into a massive formation. Also helps illustrate how the army mechanised, going from the earliest motorvehicles introduced in tiny numbers to the vast fleets that supported operations on the Western Front
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The Battleships of the Iowa Class, Philippe Caresse

An impressive history of the Iowa class battleships, translated flawlessly from French, and with the space within its 500 pages to contain a detailed technical history of the ships, accounts of each of their long service careers and to have more photographs than most pictorial guides could ever hope to have! The photographs benefit greatly from the survival of all four of these ships, to show us fascinating views of their interioirs, of the type that almost never survive for their contemporary warships (Read Full Review)

HMS Nith

HMS Nith was a River class destroyer that served with the Ninth Destroyer Flotilla in 1914-15 and the Seventh Destroyer Flotilla from 1915-19, spending the entire First World War operating along the East Coast

USS Doyen (DD-280)

USS Doyen (DD-280) was a Clemson class destroyer that served with the Pacific Fleet in the 1920s before being scrapped because of badly worn boilers.

HMS Ness (1905)

HMS Ness (1905) was a River class destroyer that served with the Ninth Destroyer Flotilla in 1914-15 and the Seventh Destroyer Flotilla from 1915-19, spending the entire First World War operating along the East Coast

USS Meyer (DD-279)

USS Meyer (DD-279) was a Clemson class destroyer that served with the Pacific Fleet during the 1920s before being scrapped because of badly worn boilers.

Company of Heroes, Eric Poole

. Looks at the tragic story of Leslie Sabo, jr, conscripted to serve in Vietnam just after his marriage, and who was killed during Nixon’s futile incursion into Cambodia. Covers Sabo’s family’s earlier experiences, starting in Hungary, his life before the military, he and his company’s experiences in Vietnam, including the disastrous battle in which he was killed, the survivor’s experiences after the war, and finishes with the story of how Sabo was awarded a posthumous Medal of Honor some four decades later
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Victoria Crosses on the Western Front – 1917 to Third Ypres, 27 January 1917-27 July 1917, Paul Oldfield

Continues this series looking at all of the Victoria Crosses of the First World war, covering the period between the end of the battle of the Somme and the start of the third battle of Ypres, including the Arras offensive and the battle of Messines. Combines a narrative of the events leading to the award, a guide to the battlefield and detailed biographies of the individuals involved
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Black Swan Class Sloops, Les Brown

An excellent look at the Black Swan and Modified Black Swan class sloops using the Navy’s original high quality working drawings, to give an incredibly detailed view of the layout and internal arrangements of these high quality anti-submarine warfare vessels. Provides plans from four different ships, including the Amethyst, famously trapped in the Yangtze after coming under fire from Chinese Communist forces
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HMS Colne (1905)

HMS Colne (1905) was a River class destroyer that was on the China station at the outbreak of war in 1914, but moved to the Mediterranean late in the year. She took part in the Gallipoli campaign, and spent the rest of the war in the Mediterranean.

USS Henshaw (DD-278)

USS Henshaw (DD-278) was a Clemson class destroyer that served with the Pacific Fleet in the 1920s, before being decommissioned because of badly worn Yarrow boilers.

HMS Chelmer (1904)

HMS Chelmer (1904) was a River class destroyer that was on the China station at the outbreak of war in 1914, but moved to the Mediterranean late in the year. She took part in the Gallipoli campaign, and spent the rest of the war in the Mediterranean.

USS Moody (DD-277)

USS Moody (DD-277) was a Clemson class destroyer that served with the Pacific Fleet for most of the 1920s, before being struck off in 1930 because of her worn Yarrow boilers.

The Thames 1813 - The War of 1812 on the Northwest Frontier, John F. Winkler

A rather biased account of the campaign that led to the battle of the Thames of 1813, seen from a rather old fashioned American perspective, especially towards the Native Americans. The campaign and battle accounts are the best part of the book, although still rather unbalanced in the amount of space given to each side, with the bulk of the text looking at the American campaign. On the plus side it gives a very good idea of how difficult it was to campaign in what was then a very remote area, and covers the entire campaign in the area in 1812-13 (especially good as the battle itself isn’t terribly interesting)
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Courage without Glory – The British Army on the Western Front 1915, ed. Spencer Jones

A series of articles looking at the problems faced by the rapidly expanding BEF during 1915, the year in which the pre-war Regular army had to be replaced with new recruits, Territorial divisions and the first of Kitchener’s New Army. An interesting view of the problems caused by the massive expansion of the army, and the battles that the newly formed force had to fight to support their French Allies.
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Junkers Ju 87 Stuka, Martin Derry and Neil Robinson

Combines a history of the Ju 87 Stuka with a detailed modeller’s guide, including colour schemes, reviews of the many models available, and pictures of many of those models assembled and painted by experts. Combines the technical and operation histories in a series of chapters looking at each major sub-type, before moving on to the impressive guide to the kits, which takes up the last third of the book!
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USS McCawley (DD-276)

USS McCawley (DD-276) was a Clemson class destroyer that served two periods in commission with the Pacific Fleet during the 1920s, before being struck off in 1930.

HMS Kennet (1903)

HMS Kennet (1903) was a River class destroyer that was on the China station at the outbreak of war in 1914, but moved to the Mediterranean late in the year. She took part in the Gallipoli campaign, and spent the rest of the war in the Mediterranean.

USS Sinclair (DD-275)

USS Sinclair (DD-275) was a Clemson class destroyer that had a fairly active career with the Pacific Fleet during the 1920s, before faulty boilers prevented her conversion into a target ship

King's African Rifles Soldier vs Schutztruppe Soldier - East Africa 1917-1918, Gregg Adams

Looks at the role played by the British and German units raised in their East Africa colonies using African soldiers during the long East African campaign. Demonstrates that the Germans had an early advantage, after expanding their forces quickest, but that the KAR soon rose to a similar level. Also gives a good idea of the problems of bush warfare.
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