Battles & WW2 Interest
BATTLES:
THE AFFAIR AT NERY
Author: Patrick Takle
Publisher: Pen and Sword
ISBN: 1 84415 54025
UK Price: 12.99
Titles in this superb series of excellent value for money books are in fact concise histories and guide books combined. They are of course well known and popular with a wide range of readers who share an interest in either the Great War or Second World Wars. In common with other titles in the Battleground series, this particular volume commences with a general but fairly comprehensive introduction which is then followed by more detailed information on the events and actions that actually took place in the area at the time. As usual, there is an excellent selection of high quality and possibly unique photographs and a host of maps too. The volume once again includes suggested itineraries for a battlefield touring which in itself is invaluable in planning a visit to the battlefield. .
Nery is a reasonably remote, small and ancient town in the Oise Department of France. It was here, on the 31t August 1914 that the 1st Cavalry Brigade settled for the evening during their retreat from Mons. By dawn the following morning they were discovered by the German 4th Cavalry Division and soon came under attack. The initial bombardment caused chaos and destruction and took our forces totally by surprise, amazingly however the British troops managed to rally round and the they fought an excellent defensive action which included a classic cavalry style charge by the Queen’s Bays, which in fact fooled the enemy into thinking they were outnumbered and as a result despite the Germans actually being the larger force, the enemy withdrew.
In the overall scheme of the Great War, the events here were small, Eight of the enemy guns were captured however and the gallant actions by the men of L Battery of the Royal Horse Artillery were such, that three members of that unit were awarded the Victoria Cross. In recognition of those events at Nery” a battery of the Royal Horse Artillery has been officially titled L (Nery) Battery ever since!
In summary,
this another publication from Pen and Sword that will, I am sure interest both
military historians and researchers alike and thanks to those useful
itineraries, enhance the overall touring experience for anyone visiting the
battlefield too.
**
TIP AND RUN
Author: Edward Paice
Publisher: Wiedenfield and Nicholson
ISBN: 9780297847090
UK Price: 25.00
This ground breaking volume is certainly a breath of fresh air and I am therefore certain it will be welcomed by Great War researchers and enthusiasts alike, as it differs from other volumes by covering the war in Africa (as opposed to the war on the Western Front or Gallipolli).
Following the success of his earlier and much acclaimed volume “Lost Lion of the Empire”, this well written volume covers what many in Britain considered to have been a “remote sideshow” compared to the big push and the events in Europe at that crucial period in our history, however there is no doubt that Africa was of special interest to many nations and it was therefore important to remove the threat from the German fleet based there.
The author has obviously carried out a great deal of research to produce this superb publication. His excellent narrative is supported by a wealth of excellent black and white photographs and maps and a highly detailed bibliography and notes section. The researcher will be especially delighted with the biography of key persons involved in the campaign and the splendid Orders of Battle covering British, German and Indian armies in Africa between 19 14 and 1917.
Edward Paice is as an author to watch and this title is a must for the bookshelves!
***
The Crimean War
Author: R V L ffrench Blake
Publisher: Pen and Sword
ISBN: 1 84415 449 1
Published: September 2006
UK Price: 16.99
If you are considering purchasing just one volume on the Crimean War, I am sure this very reasonably priced re-print of the highly successful classic masterpiece will more than meet your requirements. Although there have been several much larger and more detailed volumes published to date, this one is without a doubt one of the easiest to read, whilst being sufficiently authoritative enough at the same time.
The lessons learnt during the Crimean War – one of the most important periods in our military history, resulted in “seeds being sown” that would eventually change the British Army for ever. The author – a distinguished and decorated WW2 cavalry officer himself, has cleverly brought together the events leading up to the war with all major aspects of the campaign. He has also covered plus a lot more too.
I am sure the researcher will be delighted with excellent black and white period maps and engravings included. The highly detailed appendices is an added bonus , as it features a chronological table of events and an excellent bibliography together with the Order of Battle for both the British Expeditionary Force of 1854 and the Russian and French Order of Battle for Alma. The section covering the titles of British Cavalry regiments as they changed in the period between 1854 and 1900 and then again 1971 is most useful.
This publication will be invaluable for those lucky enough to be able to visit the battlefield, however for the rest of us “armchair or deskbound historians” it will be very useful and an enjoyable read too.
***
THE SOMME
FROM DEFEAT TO VICTORY
(DVD)
DD Home Entertainment
Here is one DVD or video
that just about every military historian, battlefield guide, history teacher and
researcher will want to buy!
To mark the
90th anniversary of the start of the Somme Offensive, the BBC have produced an
extraordinary new documentary which puts the entire action in a fresh and new
light. This superb production - a lasting tribute to those who served on one of
the bloodiest days in military history, will be released on DVD and Video by DD
Home Entertainment on the 19th June – excellent timing for those
attending the anniversary events or visiting the area this summer.
Cynics may say “what
is there, that we don’t know already?” This excellent production reveals how
British tactics changed over the months of the campaign and turned defeat into
victory. The Somme is usually seen as the darkest hour of the British Army, when
almost 20,000 British soldiers died on the first day of battle alone, and a
further 37,000 were wounded. As everyone knows, British commanders at the time
were accused of military incompetence, however there was more to the Somme than
just senseless slaughter - it was due to what was learnt on those blood-soaked
fields, that the British Army developed strategies and tactics and went on to
defeat its German enemy.
This special film features superb and highly authentic dramatic re-enactments
which vividly recreate the experiences of soldiers on both sides. There is
splendid contemporary combat footage and it compares the assault on Thiepval by
a company of the 2nd Salford Pals on July 1st 1916 with an attack on the same
objective by men of the 12th Middlesex in September that same year. By then, in
just a few short months, the horrific lessons illustrated by the decimation of
the 'Salford Pals' had led to new battlefield innovations - such as advanced air
observation, the 'creeping barrage', tank support and, more importantly, more
power to commanders in the field.
There is no doubt, that this DVD and Video is a spectacular gripping account of
the true battle of the Somme, it is authentic and deeply moving too. It is
really as offers an entirely fresh perspective on events, while its
dramatisation of real soldiers' experiences provides a soldier's eye view of the
fighting as never before. As a bonus feature to the actual programme, there are
a further eleven minutes of rare and precious Somme Battlefield re-enactments
originally made for the cinema. These personalise
the War to identifiable acts of bravery; including the winning of a V.C. for
tending the wounded in 'No Man's Land', a messenger's determination to deliver
despite his terrible injuries and always offering a soldier's eye view of the
hardship and danger of war in the trenches.
All in all, this
really is a must buy for your collection at the suggested Retail Price: £12.99
for VHS and £14.99 for DVD, If you don’t treat yourself to anything else this
month – put your name down for this!
***
Author: John Dixon
Publisher: Leo Cooper
Pen & Sword Books Limited
ISBN 1 84415 002 X
First Published: 2003
UK Price: £25.00
Hill 60, Gravenstafel, St Julian, Frezenberg and Bellewaerde Ridges during April and May of 1915 are collectively and perhaps better known to many, as The Second Battle Of Ypres. Making full use of regimental histories, war diaries and eye witness accounts, the author has carried out extensive research and successfully produced this excellent and long overdue publication, covering the period where Germany became the first nation ever, to make use of asphyxiating gas as a weapon of war.
Each phase of the battle has been subjected to detailed analysis, there are many maps, together with sixteen pages of black and white photographs. The appendix includes full details of officer casualties, Victoria Cross winners and the British order of battle for Hill 60 and the Second Battle Of Ypres.
Appealing to both the expert and layman alike, I personally consider this to be the definitive publication on this, one of the major battles of the Great War.
* * *
BATTLES OF WORLD WAR I
Author: Martin Marix Evans
Publisher: Airlife Publishing Limited
An Imprint Of The Crowood Press
First Published in 2004
UK Price: £9.99
This superb, handy sized and excellent value for money book, is an ideal quick reference guide covering all major land, sea and air battles of the Great War. Sure to appeal to anyone with an interest in this important, yet tragic period of our history, it provides concise overviews of over 50 campaigns that took place in Europe, the Middle East, Africa, the Balkans and Russia between 1914 and 1919.
The author has included some very useful statistical information on the forces involved, equipment used, together with the tactics employed and has backed up his excellent text with a large selection of useful maps and fascinating black and white and colour photographs – many of which, are published for the first time! The list of suggestions for further reading and museums and sites of related interest also included, will prove to be invaluable.
At just £9.99, this volume is a must for the battlefield guide and tourist alike, as well as students of military history and family historians.
***
RECORD of the BATTLES & ENGAGEMENTS of the BRITISH ARMIES in FRANCE & FLANDERS,
1914-18.
Author: Captain E.A.James
Publisher: Naval & Military Press Ltd
www.naval-military-press.co.uk
ISBN: 1843421968
UK Price: £9.95
This handy sized unique booklet, originally published in 1921, is an excellent companion to “British Infantry Regiments 1914-1918” (written by the same author). I am sure this publication will be of the same immense value to military historians, battlefield guides and researchers, as it details in chronological order, every British army formation of brigade level and above, that served on the Western front during the Great War. The superb index, enables the reader to trace with ease, place names and the various engagements in which each division and brigade was involved.
***
BATTLE HONOURS OF THE BRITISH EMPIRE AND COMMONWEALTH LAND FORCES 1662-1991
Author: Alexander Roger
Publisher: The Crowood Press
Published in 2003
UK Price: £35.00
Many may ask the question –what exactly is a battle honour? The following may therefore help:-
“A Battle Honour is a public commemoration of a battle, action or engagement, of
which not only past and present, but future generations of the Regiment can be proud.”
(Army Council Instruction 58, 28 January 1956)
This excellent book is the product of over twenty years painstaking research by the author, who as an ex soldier himself, saw active service in many parts of the world during his extensive army career and is therefore well qualified to write, what I consider to be the definitive reference work on this most fascinating subject.
The first officially recognised battle honour ever awarded to British and Commonwealth land forces, was made to the 15th Light Dragoons on 16th July 1760, when their helmets were especially inscribed, to commemorate their victory over the French at Emsdorff. Since that historic occasion, no less than seventeen hundred battle honours have subsequently been awarded to various units of the army, recognising their participation and gallantry in campaigns covering all corners of the world and spanning a total of three hundred years.
Many of the battle honours detailed commemorate long forgotten and often unheard of battles, fought by our forefathers in countries that no longer feature on modern day maps. However, the more recent awards for the Falkland Islands in 1982 and the Gulf War in 1991 that are still fresh in many people’s minds, are included too.
This superb volume has been expertly presented in a logical and chronological order and also includes an excellent and comprehensive appendices. It is an invaluable reference book for book for family history researchers. Military historians and battlefield guides, should not be without a copy in their collections, as I am sure it will be referred to often during the course of their research.
***
PALS ON THE SOMME 1916
Author: Roni Wilkinson
Publisher: Pen and Sword Books Limited
ISBN: 184415 393 2
Published : July 2006
UK Price: £19.99
The sudden demand to increase recruits into the British Army at the outbreak of the Great War, resulted in Lord Derby’s suggestion to create units made up of men from the same work place, schools and clubs etc., in their local areas. At that time patriotism was at a high and his call was soon answered. Quickly battalions made up of every area and social scale of the community were formed, trained and went to war.
These battalions with around a 1000 men in each gained distinction. There is no doubt, that they fought well and along with the army in general, they suffered high casualty rates too, leaving many British cities, towns and villages with a loss that took several decades to actually recover.
Many books - including the highly detailed large format series previously published by Pen & Sword, covering the experiences of men who served in the Accrington, Hull, Salford, Leeds , Barnsley, Manchester and Tyneside Pals battalions have already been written, however this particular volume provides the reader with a compact yet comprehensive account of these units and therefore provides an excellent overview of all battalions in one volume, making it a must for the bookshelf.
This excellent volume, written by an author with over 50 years publishing experience and editorship of the famous Battleground Europe series, sets the scene and then covers everything the reader and researcher wants to learn - from the efforts to raise the battalions, through to equipping and training them and then the lead up to the actual battles in which they fought and the events thereafter. There are some very nice black and white photographs (including superb aerial views), which are in turn supported with maps and other photos featuring unit badges and formations signs. With the detailed Order of Battle also included, this makes a very useful volume that will be of interest to any Great War enthusiast, military or family historian and both badge and medal collectors alike.
***
THE SOMME
Author: Peter Hart
Publisher: Weidenfield & Nicholson
The Orion Publishing Group Ltd
Published in 2005
UK Price: £20.00
The Battle of the Somme which commenced on 1st July 1916, is considered by many, to be the infamous battle of the Great War, as over 20,000 British and Commonwealth troops were killed or wounded in one day alone – resulting in the greatest ever loss sustained in the entire history of the British Army.
Naturally therefore, many excellent books have already been written on this fascinating subject over the years, however this splendid volume is very different, as the author (who is Oral Historian at the Sound Archive at the Imperial War Museum), has carried out a vast amount of original research and by using both official as well as unofficial oral and written archive material and regimental histories , together with previously unpublished personal memoirs, diaries and letters, he has cleverly woven together many eye witness accounts of events on that fateful day, to produce a most outstandingly well written book, that sits well alongside existing important publications such as Martin Middlebrook’s “First Day of the Somme” and Lyn MacDonald’s “Somme”.
Amongst the 500 plus pages of thought provoking text, the reader will see, heart breaking, first hand accounts of what it was like for the British soldier to crawl through the rough and treacherous terrain of no man’s land, whilst facing the full might of the German Army with their numerous and heavily manned machine guns. They will learn of the numerous and most atrocious injuries treated by the dedicated men and women of the Royal Army Medical Corps and also appreciate what it was like for the young and often inexperienced pilots of the Royal Flying Corps, who fought so bravely to maintain control in the skies, as the horrific battle raged beneath them. - The list of the often unbelievable accounts covered in this volume, is endless!
When the book first arrived, I noticed the excellent reviews from Max Arthur, Gary Sheffield and Major General Julian Thompson and thought when a book is endorsed by distinguished military historians such as these, I thought it must be good – and it certainly was! A thoroughly excellent read, backed up by many excellent photographs, maps and diagrams, which priced at just 20 pounds, represents excellent value for money.
I can honestly assure you, that this is one book that anyone with an interest in the Great War will not want to be without.
***
WW2 INTEREST:
ADOLF HITLER
The Final Analysis
Author: Dr Andrew Norman
Publisher: Spellmount Publishers
UK Price: £20.00
There is no doubt that the name of Adolf Hitler will go down in world history and be remembered for centuries to come, as he was the man who can be held personally responsible for the deaths of more than 30 million people between 1939 and 1945.
Of course the majority of military historians will already be aware of Hitler’s service in the German army during the Great War, when he was twice wounded and also decorated and just about every adult alive today knows of his subsequent rise to power when he sought world domination. We are fully aware too of the events that were to follow his army service, together with his racial and political intentions, as they were always very clear from the start. However whilst many will be correct in thinking his actions can be attributed to mental illness, few will actually know of his genealogical and psychological make up, that can now be firmly attributed to previously un-diagnosed genetic disorders.
The excellent ground breaking volume has been written after a great deal of unique research by a British physician who was intrigued by the reasons behind why Hitler behaved as he did. His findings are most revealing and shed a whole new light on this man, who he is now sure, not only suffered from Schizophrenia and Parkinson’s disease, but also carried the rare GRM3 gene!
Did you know that Hitler’s parents were first cousins and had to seek special dispensation from the Pope to marry? This is just one of the many fascinating facts included in a volume which is sure to provide you with hours of excellent reading and be an invaluable source of reference for the future.
***
The Pegasus Diaries - The Private Papers of Major John Howard DSO
Author: John Howard and Penny Bates
ISBN: 1 84415 446 7
Published: 26th October 2006
Price: 19.99
Basically this is the biography of Major John Howard DSO, the courageous British Army officer who led the attack by the 6th British Airborne Division on the bridge over the Caen Canal of the River Orne in June 1944.
Having said it is a biography and a most enjoyable one at that, this interesting volume based on Howard’s own diaries and papers and co-written with his daughter, provides the reader with a fascinating insight into the man himself, as well as conditions on the home front in the latter years of the Second World War. The majority and most interesting part of the book however is devoted to the recruitment and subsequent training of a battalion of the Airborne Forces for D-Day as well as the actual invasion itself.
Howard and his men of the 2nd Oxford and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry were amongst the first troops to land on enemy held soil on D-Day. Transported by Horsa gliders, they were towed across the English Channel by Halifax bombers and having been released from their towing aircraft at 8000 feet, they remarkably landed within meters of their target – a target that had been chosen as it would be via this bridge that the enemy would aim to re-enforce their positions in Normandy in the event of invasion.
John Howard died at the age of 86 in 1999. As a result of his actions during this particular campaign, Howard was awarded the DSO and Croix de Guerre with Palme, however many consider that a far greater and lasting tribute to him and his brave men was the fact that the road that crosses the bridge was re-named Rue John Howard and the bridge itself is now known both locally and internationally as Pegasus Bridge.
This volume will appeal to a wide range of readers from anyone who enjoys war biographies to those with a special interest in events at this time. It will no doubt be popular with military historians and anyone whose ancestors actually fought there.
***
100 BOMBER GROUP (BOMBER SUPPORT)
RAF BOMBER COMMAND IN WORLD WAR II
Author: Martin Bowman
ISBN: 1 84415 418 1
Published: 09th November 2006
UK Price: 12.99
Here once again, is another splendid and excellent value for money volume from the Pen and Sword AHT series that will I am sure , prove to be as popular with pure aviation enthusiasts, as it will with family history researchers interested in any of the several RAF squadrons involved in either offensive or defensive electronic warfare squadrons that operated out our Norfolk airfields during World War 2.
The fascinating narrative cleverly, not only covers the history and personalities involved with the various airfields and the role of each location and the units that flew from them, but also includes a detailed list of aircraft shot down. Plus, what makes the volume even more valuable, is the host of superb black and white illustrations featuring the key personalities, their aircraft, aircraft nose art and actual aerial views of the airfields themselves.
Local and cultural historians will not miss out either, as they will find the details relating to the favourite wartime haunts of the air and ground crew fascinating too, especially as they are also supported by and several “then and now” photographs and a range of maps providing today’s visitor with a guide to museums in the area and useful instructions on how to get there.
WW2 aviations buffs will not want to be without this volume on their bookshelves.
***
FLAK HOUSES THEN AND NOW
The Story Of American Rest Homes In England
Author: Keith Thomas
Publisher: After The Battle
ISBN: 1 870067665
Published: November 2006
UK Price: 14.95
An unusual title for an interesting book that provides readers with details of 21 large houses around the United Kingdom that were used as rest and relaxation homes for US aircrews during the Second World War.
It was in 1942 that the authorities realized that combat crews needed to get away from the atrocities of war and therefore after 18 missions over enemy territory were eligible to spend time at one of these locations .As a result, during the war years no less than 87,000 men passed through these homes.
Drawing on American Red Cross archives and information obtained from former residents/guests of the homes and local people, the author, prompted to write this volume after a conversation with an American friend as to how he met his wife, has put together a fascinating story of these houses. In the usual After the Battle style, he has used a wide range of then and now photographs to back up his fascinating narrative and has included photographs of many of the personalities involved together with both internal and external views and maps featuring the locations of the properties.
Stories of turning dining rooms into dance halls, clay pigeon shooting, basketball and horse back riding provide the reader with an insight into the recreation activities available in these homes at the time. There is no doubt they helped achieved the aim of taking the men’s minds off the war, however war was still not far away!
Many of these grand houses have now fell in to disrepair or were demolished, however some still stand and are used are corporate headquarters for multi-national companies. I am sure therefore that this book that will be invaluable to aviation enthusiasts and local and family history researchers on both sides of the Atlantic.
***
The Rhine Crossing
9th US Army & 17th US Airborne
Author: Andrew Rawson
Publisher: Pen and Sword
Website : www.pen-and-sword.co.uk
ISBN: 1 84415 232 4
Published: 12th October 2006
UK Price: 12.99
From the title, this volume may at first appear to be of relevance to those following the actions of the American units, however as several British units including Scottish and Highland Divisions, Airborne and Air Landing Brigades plus Guards Armoured, and Commando Brigades were involved too, this title will certainly be of interest to researchers interested in these units, as well as those with an overall interest in Operation Varsity –the 21st Army Group crossing of the Rhine in the Spring of 1945.
This volume, which is packed to the hilt with information, will be especially popular to those interested in the events following the Allied invasion of Normandy in the early Summer of 1944, as although Operation Varsity rivaled Operation Overlord in size, few books have been written about it in comparison.
I am sure readers will be delighted with the numerous high quality black and white photographs and maps included as they tell a story on their own . The photos feature many of the key personalities (of both sides) involved at the time, therefore helping put faces to names and bringing a new perspective to the chain of events.
In common with other volumes in the excellent and well written Battleground series of books, there is a very useful battlefield tour itinerary included too. Supplemented with a list of where to stay and other valuable information, this handy sized book is a must if contemplating touring or passing through the area .
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