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"These volumes provide a detailed and nuanced account of the April 1974 coup, with a surprising emphasis on the multifaceted role of airpower in its success. Extensive bibliographies and notes make them useful to serious historians. There are copious photographs throughout, as well as large sections of full-color drawings." - The Journal of the Air Force Historical FoundationIn March 1974, a climate of conspiracy reigned in Portugal. Premier Marcello Caetano, insisted on the continuation of the Portuguese presence in Africa and the wars being waged against the liberation movements in Angola, Mozambique and Guinea. Costa Gomes and Spínola, Portugal's two most senior generals, did not share this view. Spínola, with Costa Gomes's permission, had published Portugal e o Futuro (Portugal and the Future), a book that questioned the policy that had been followed until then, and caused a major political earthquake throughout Portugal and its colonies.At the same time, a movement of young captains prepared the overthrow of the regime. Tired of the war in Africa and the government's inability to solve the overseas problem, the conspirators drew up plans to end the dictatorship and establish a democratic regime in Portugal. A first coup attempt on 16 March 1974 was neutralized by government forces, but the second attempt on 25 April was an overwhelming success. In under 24 hours, the insurgents controlled the streets of the capital and Marcello Caetano was surrounded by rebel forces. With no options remaining, Caetano would hand power to General Spínola, who would become the new leader of the emerging regime. The people took to the streets of Lisbon to give red flowers to the soldiers, earning these events the name of 'The Carnation Revolution.'Carnation Revolution Volume 2: Coup in Portugal, April 1974 offers a detailed account of the intertwining political and military events of March and April 1974 in and around Lisbon as power swung irretrievably from a dictatorial government to a military intent on ending the colonial wars in Africa and restoring democracy to Portugal. This volume is illustrated throughout with original photographs and includes specially commissioned color artworks.

The importance of land transport vehicles within an armed force is often underestimated by the average reader, attracted by more 'martial' subjects such as tanks and artillery. Nevertheless, it was thanks to motorcycles, cars, trucks and tractors that - since the early years of the twentieth century - men, weapons, ammunition, provisions, fuel, equipment and orders were transported, all elements without which AFVs, guns and infantry are unable to fight.This first volume opens with a historical and technical introduction to the civil and military motorization in Italy from the 1920s to the end of the Second World War. This is followed by chapters dedicated to motorcycles, cars and light trucks. Each subject is described through its history, technical evolution and specifications, all supported by numerous contemporary photographs.The second volume includes the remaining chapters dealing with medium and heavy trucks, artillery tractors, special-purpose vehicles and trailers. The main text is complemented with appendices on vehicle coloring and markings, manufacturers, production facts and further details.It is common opinion that the Italian Army was beaten above all because of the poor quality of its combat vehicles. Actually, impartial and in-depth studies, made since the end of the war, have revealed that the main problem was the shortage of vehicles, as well as an entirely insufficient logistics chain. The tank crews were able to compensate with bravery and experience for the fact that their tanks were, from a certain point on, inferior to those of their enemies, but the inadequate number of AFVs and other material was impossible to remedy. The same problem plagued the entire sector of military soft-skinned vehicles, a sign of Italy's limited industrial capacity (and of procurement of raw materials and components) compared, for example, to its ally Germany. There were too few factories, too few skilled workers, and poor management skills within the armed forces.However, if quantity was lacking, the same cannot be said for quality. Many models of efficient, robust and resistant vehicles were produced, especially in the sector of the so-called 'standardized' motor vehicles, such as those mentioned above and others that we will see. These vehicles allowed the Italian troops to move and fight in the large and difficult territories of North Africa, the Balkans and the Soviet Union and which brought home what was left of the defeated soldiers.This is the first English-language study describing the soft-skinned vehicles of the Italian Armed Forces, starting from the 1930s, when Mussolini's Italy faced some colonial conflicts and participated - albeit unofficially - in the Spanish Civil War, and throughout the Second World War. For each vehicle there is a file describing its evolution and the main technical aspects, accompanied by one or more photographs and, for the most significant examples, line drawings. The work is enriched by a historical introduction, various appendices and color profiles.

The Battle of the Sambre, 4 November 1918, was a decisive British victory. The battle has, however, been largely neglected by historians: it was the last large-scale, set-piece battle fought by the British Expeditionary Force on the Western Front: the Armistice was only one week away. Seven Victoria Crosses were won and the poet Wilfred Owen was killed in action. In scale it was similar to the first day of the Battle of the Somme: thirteen divisions of the BEF led the assault on a frontage of approximately twenty miles, supported by over 1,000 guns, with initial plans presuming an involvement of up to 70 tanks and armoured cars. The German Army was determined to hold a defensive line incorporating the Mormal Forest and the Sambre-Oise Canal, hoping to buy time for a strategic withdrawal to as yet incomplete defensive positions between Antwerp and the Meuse and thereby negotiate a compromise peace in the spring of 1919. This is the only book devoted solely to this battle and includes original, bespoke, color maps covering every inch of the battlefield. This volume analyses the battle at the operational and tactical levels: the BEF was no longer striving for a breakthrough - sequential 'bite and hold' was now the accepted method of advance. Drawing on information largely from unpublished archives, including over 300 formation/unit war diaries, Dr Clayton casts a critical eye over the day's events, examining the difference between plan and reality; the tactical proficiency of units engaged; the competence of commanders, some of whom proved capable of pragmatic flexibility in the face of stubborn enemy resistance and were able to adapt or even abandon original plans in order to ensure ultimate success. The role of the Royal Engineers is also highlighted, their tasks including devising improvised bridging equipment to facilitate the crossing of the waterway. Other questions are raised and answered: to what extent was this an 'all-arms' battle? Where does this engagement fit in the context of the BEF's 'learning curve'? Was it necessary to fight the battle at all? Was it indeed decisive?Dr Clayton's analysis places the battle into its wider strategic context and reaches important, new conclusions: that this victory, hard-won as it was by a British army hampered by logistical, geographical and meteorological constraints and worn down by the almost continuous hard fighting of the summer and autumn, irrevocably and finally crushed the will of the German defenders, leading to a pursuit of a demoralized, broken and beaten army, whose means of continued resistance had been destroyed thus expediting the armistice.

There have been two major studies in recent years that have explored the roles and responsibilities of British generals at different levels within the British Expeditionary Force's command structure. Dr Simon Innes-Robbins has written about the generals at predominantly GHQ and Army levels while Dr Andy Simpson has explored the development of the role of corps commanders during the Great War. For the first time Dr Trevor Harvey's study provides an analysis of command at the level of the infantry brigade. His study is based on a critical period during the Great War, the period from late in the Battle of the Somme to the end of the Battle of Arras in mid-May 1917.Dr Harvey's analysis is based on the service records of 116 brigadier-generals whose brigades played some part in the Battle of Arras. He explores their roles, responsibilities and backgrounds, both in theory and in practice, in the lead-up to and during the battle to explain and illustrate the range and limitations of their commands. Based on this analysis, Dr Harvey presents case studies of five brigadier-generals, their staff officers and their battalion commanders. Each brigadier-general has been selected from one of the five corps that participated in the Battle of Arras which provides an operational backdrop to the exploration of their roles. The brigadier-generals exhibit, in different combinations, their different operational experiences, their different career paths and their different personal characteristics. In undertaking his research, Dr Harvey has drawn on a wide variety sources, including diaries, letters and personal papers privately held by descendants of his chosen subjects. From the evidence drawn from the case studies, Dr Harvey identifies a series of threads about the responsibilities and actions which these brigade commanders share. He argues that the application of these threads enables the orthodox 'administration and training' interpretation of the role of brigadier-generals to be successfully challenged as both unnecessarily narrow and unduly limited. Dr Harvey's study has been praised by his examiners because 'it provides unique and original insights on British operations on the Western Front in 1916-17 which will be of great interest to scholars interested in British generalship during the First World War. This ground-breaking study is a significant addition to the historiography of generalship during the Great War.

"...an invaluable read for anyone interested in the Gallipoli operation, but also for those seeking to understand combat, in any conflict." -- The NYMAS ReviewThe Gallipoli Landing of 25 April 1915 is arguably Australia's best known battle. It is commemorated each year with a national holiday, services, parades and great media attention. 2015, the centenary of the Gallipoli Campaign, was marked by great publicity and the release of many books, articles, films, documentaries and television series. Despite this attention, the Landing is still a poorly understood battle, with the historiography colored by a century of misinformation, assumption, folklore and legend. The Landing in the Dawn: Dissecting a Legend - The Landing at Anzac, Gallipoli, 25 April 1915, re-examines and reconstructs the Anzac Landing by applying a new approach to an old topic - it uses the aggregate experience of a single, first-wave battalion over a single day, primarily through the investigation of veteran's letters and diaries, to create a body of evidence with which to construct a history of the battle. This approach might be expected to shed light on these men's experiences only, but their accounts surprisingly divulge sufficient detail to allow an unprecedented reconstruction and re-examination of the battle. Thus it effectively places much of the battlefield under a microscope. The use of veterans' accounts to re-tell the story of the Landing is not new. Anecdotes have for many years been layered over the known history, established in C.E.W. Bean, Official History of Australia in the War: The Story of ANZAC, Volume I, as the standard existing narrative. Here, detail extracted from an unprecedented range of primary and secondary sources, is used to reconstruct the history of the day, elevating participants' accounts from anecdote to eye-witness testimony. This shift in the way evidence is used to reinterpret the day, rather than simply painting it into the existing canvas, changes the way the battle is perceived. Even though more than 100 years have passed since the Landing, and well over 1,000 books have been written about the campaign, much can be learned by returning to the "primary source, the soldier." The Landing has not been previously studied at this level of detail. This work complements Bean's by providing new evidence and digging deeper than Bean had the opportunity to do. It potentially rewrites the history of the Landing. This is not an exclusive Australian story - for example, one third of the battalion examined were born in the British Isles. This volume, the most current and comprehensive study since Bean's, has been rightly described as a major contribution that will change the way the legendary amphibious operation is viewed.

The Indian Army was the largest volunteer army during the Second World War. Indian Army divisions fought in the Middle East, North Africa and Italy - and went to make up the overwhelming majority of the troops in South East Asia. Over two million personnel served in the Indian Army - and India provided the base for supplies for the Middle Eastern and South East Asian theaters. This monograph is a modern historical interpretation of the Indian Army as a holistic organization during the Second World War. It will look at training in India - charting how the Indian Army developed a more comprehensive training structure than any other Commonwealth country. This was achieved through both the dissemination of doctrine and the professionalism of a small coterie of Indian Army officers who brought about a military culture within the Indian Army - starting in the 1930s - that came to fruition during the Second World War, which informed the formal learning process. Finally, it will show that the Indian Army was reorganized after experiences of the First World War. During the interwar period, the army developed training and belief for both fighting on the North West Frontier, and as an aid to civil power. With the outbreak of the Second World War, in addition to these roles, the army had to expand and adapt to fighting modern professional armies in the difficult terrains of desert, jungle and mountain warfare. A clear development of doctrine and training can be seen, with many pamphlets being produced by GHQ India that were, in turn, used to formulate training within formations and then used in divisional, brigade and unit training instructions - thus a clear line of process can be seen not only from GHQ India down to brigade and battalion level, but also upwards from battalion and brigade level based on experience in battle that was absorbed into new training instructions. Together with the added impetus for education in the army, by 1945 the Indian Army had become a modern, professional and national army.

The employment of the first tanks by the British Army on the Western Front in September 1916, although symbolic rather than decisive in its effects, ushered in a new form of warfare - tank warfare. While much has been written on the history of the tank, this volume brings together a collection of essays which uncover new aspects of the history of these early machines. Leading military historians from Britain, France and Germany offer insights into the emergence of the tank before the First World War, during the conflict, as well as what happened to them after the guns fell silent on the Western Front. Based on painstaking research in archives across Europe, each of the chapters sheds new light on different aspects of the history of First World tanks. Two chapters consider why the Germans failed to recognize the possibilities of the tank and why they were so slow to develop their own machines after the first British tank attack in 1916. Two other chapters chart the history of French tanks on the Western Front and after the end of the war. Tank communication, the employment of British tanks on the Western Front, as well as the activities of British Tank Corps intelligence, are also explained. The use of British tanks in Palestine and in the Russian Civil War is examined in detail for the first time. The volume also reflects on the impact of the Battle of Cambrai, both in terms of its psychological impact in Britain and the power it exerted over military debates until the end of the Second World War. The aim of the book is to reconsider the history of First World War tanks by widening the historical perspective beyond Britain, to include France and Germany, and by reflecting on the pre-1914 and post-1918 history of the these new weapons of war.

When the Japanese Empire went to war with the Allies in December 1941, it had already been fighting in China for 10 years. During that time it had conquered huge areas of China, and subjugated millions of people. The Japanese needed to control the Chinese population in these occupied territories, and for this reason they set up governments from amongst the leaders of the Chinese who were willing to co-operate with them. These so-called 'puppet' governments were designed to rule on behalf of the Japanese while firmly under their overall control. In turn, the 'puppet' governments needed their own 'independent' armed forces. These 'puppet' armies were large in number, reaching a total of well over 1 million before 1945. Although poorly-armed and equipped, these forces had an influence on the Japanese war effort through sheer numbers.The Chinese 'puppet' soldiers ranged from the well-drilled and trained regular Army of the Last Emperor of China, Pu Yi, who ruled the newly-formed state of Manchukuo, 1932-45, to the irregular Mongol cavalry who served alongside Japanese troops in the 'secret war' waged in the Mongolian hinterlands.The troops were dismissed as traitors by the Chinese fighting the Japanese, and they were equally despised by the Japanese themselves. The troops were motivated by a range of reasons, from simple survival to a loyalty to their commander. The fact that so many Chinese were willing to fight for the Japanese was embarrassing to all sides, and for this reason has been largely ignored in previous histories of the war in the East. In the first of a three volume series, Philip Jowett tells the story of the Chinese who fought for the Japanese over a 14 year period.

This book examines the capabilities and performance of the Italian army in the North African campaign and its significant contributions to the Axis effort there.

"This book does a great job of making sense of what initially seems like a confusion of political groups. The major events of the time help to weave the story of a nation trying to find the best way to govern itself during the period of 1955 until 1974. Very much worth picking up." - ModelingMadness.ComOperativo Independencia Volume 1 covers the lengthy background of Operation Independence between 1955 and 1974, with a brief description of all subversive guerrilla groups, the Argentine Security Forces organization, and the ERP and Montoneros organizations.International Marxist terrorism won the sympathy of many university students, Catholic movements and intellectuals in Argentina in the 1960s and 1970s, using terms such as 'dependency, imperialism, subjugation, colonialism and dictatorship'. Many of these young people had been catechists linked to Third World priests, but instead of taking the peaceful path of Christian preaching, they chose the bloody path of arms. Marxism-Leninism managed to penetrate the minds of socially well-off young people, convincing them that armed struggle was the only valid alternative against military dictatorships and Yankee imperialism. This is how they recruited hundreds of young people who later saw their lives and dreams cut short by a useless fight against a well-armed and highly professional Army.Although the first groups began to appear after the overthrow of General Juan Domingo Perón in 1955, the main guerrilla groups would only appear towards the end of the 1960s. They would 'prepare' the ground for Perón to return to the country and be President again. Perón called them 'Wonderful Youth', but he had created a monster he could not handle in his last years of life.All these groups were inspired by the successful Cuban revolution led by Fidel Castro in 1959 with an Argentine, Ernesto Guevara, aka Che, and unrealistically thought that they could seize power and turn Argentina into a 'socialist homeland' in the best Cuban style. But Argentina was not Cuba, and the Argentine Armed Forces, despite suffering deep divisions and internal conflicts, were powerful, well-armed and well-trained. Their members were highly motivated to defend the political model at the time.The subversive bands aimed to produce chaos in the country, infiltrating the Peronist mass, destroying institutions, and supporting violence against the state. To achieve their objectives, the guerrilla groups resorted to the most despicable acts: kidnapping politicians, police and military officers, diplomats, and national or foreign businessmen or their relatives for ransom; hijackings; taking prisons to free their fellow terrorists; bombing politicians' or military officers' houses, foreign factories, police stations and military bases; to the assassination of politicians, police and army officers, including even a former president, General Aramburu.Everything had an objective: to create chaos in the country to prepare for the coming of Perón. When the military governments gave way to free elections, with the Peronist candidate Héctor Cámpora winning in 1973, guerrilla activity did not decrease but instead increased significantly. Cámpora belonged to the Peronist left and was greatly influenced by his two Montonero sons, so Montoneros held crucial government positions. That cost him a severe reprimand from the Peronist leader, and when General Perón assumed the presidency, he declared these groups illegal and began to fight them. But there was also the Peronist right wing in the CGT (General Confederation of Labor) and later the so-called Triple A (Argentine Anti-Communist Alliance) led by José López Rega, which would be in charge of avenging those murders and kidnappings of trade unionists by Marxist groups, especially between 1973 and 1976.General Perón did not live much longer, and it was his wife, the vice president, who, upon assuming the presidency, had to face the severe problem of the guerrillas. Although her government ordered Operation Independence, she would not see the end of this story either, which would occur in another military government led by Lieutenant General Videla towards the end of the 1970s.Operativo Independencia Volume 1 covers the long period that began after the overthrow of the government of Perón in 1955 until 1974, the year before the launch of Operativo Independencia. All the subversive groups that appeared in that period, their prominent leaders and actions are covered. Of all of them, only two would be protagonists of the most violent crimes in the mid-1970s in Argentina, the People's Revolutionary Army (ERP) and the Montoneros, whose organization is detailed in this volume.

A comprehensive history of the Sixth Fleet, detailing its role in the Mediterranean from post-World War II through the Cold War to recent conflicts and interventions.The Sixth Fleet has projected the naval power of the United States into the Mediterranean for over 70 years. This work covers the history of the fleet from its inception after the Second World War, through the Cold War, to the War on Terror and the Ukrainian crisis.The Sixth Fleet was created in response to the need for a strong naval force in the Mediterranean Sea to counter the danger posed to the countries bordering the Mediterranean by the naval forces of the former Soviet Union and the Warsaw Pact countries, whose presence threatened the commercial traffic through the Strait of Gibraltar, the Suez Canal, and the Black Sea. In recent decades, several US government departments have considered eliminating the Fleet, but the events in Ukraine in 2022 demonstrated the ongoing need for such a naval force as a deterrent.The book lists most aircraft carriers, battleships, cruisers, destroyers, frigates, submarines, transports, and other support vessels that have been part of the Fleet. It also contains an essential chapter on the US Marine Corps elements, which have always been part of the Fleet. It also describes the aircraft embarked on aircraft carriers and landing ships. Finally, there is a chapter describing all the Fleet's interventions supporting Allied countries, including interventions in areas affected by natural disasters.The Sixth Fleet is a powerful naval force that has proven its utility as a deterrent.

Illustrated with over 150 original photographs of the personalities, aircraft, ships and ground forces from Argentina and Chile during the conflict.The Beagle Channel lies at the southernmost tip of South America and sovereignty over a number of islands there was hotly disputed between Argentina and Chile for much of the twentieth century. Navigation rights to this channel connecting the Atlantic and Pacific oceans were of considerable strategic value. In 1978, this dispute came within hours of breaking into large-scale open warfare between the two nations at sea, in the air and on land as Argentina launched Operación Soberanía (Operation Sovereignty).Argentina's plans involved far more than just seizing a few barely inhabited islands, however, and intended to strike deep into Chile in several locations along the length of the border between the two nations. In return, Chile planned to counterattack into northern Argentina to seize territory to be held as a bargaining chip for future negotiations. The plans of these two nations, with Argentina controlled by its Military Junta and Chile under the dictatorship of General Pinochet, threatened to draw in their Latin American neighbors.The Beagle Conflict: Argentina And Chile On The Brink Of War Volume 2 1978-1984 provides a detailed examination of the militaries of Argentina and Chile at the time of the 1978 confrontation, of their plans and deployments for war, and of the negotiations and settlement through the offices of the Vatican that ultimately settled this dispute. This volume also examines further military developments up to 1984 as tensions between the Latin American neighbors eased.The volume is illustrated with over 150 original photographs of the personalities, aircraft, ships and ground forces of the two nations, maps showing the plans for war, and specially commissioned color artworks.

Reconstructs the infamous New Year assault on Grozny, detailing the chaotic defeat of Russian forces through veteran accounts, research, and footage.The New Year assault on Grozny by Russian forces was the most famous and controversial action of the 1st Chechen War. Entering Grozny from four directions, Russian troops with poor knowledge of the city and totally unprepared found themselves trapped, isolated and annihilated by numerous Chechen detachments. Unfortunately, due to the complexity and chaotic nature of the events, almost no official documentation exists. The reconstruction of the assault has been created from numerous veteran accounts, research publications, and video footage. Battle for Grozny is the first attempt to present a complete picture to the English-speaking audience.At first, the resistance offered by Chechens on 31 December 1994 had been relatively moderate and sporadic. All Russian forces besides the Group West managed to reach their objectives way before the planned timeline. The 131st Separate Motor-Rifle Brigade received a controversial order to move towards the railway station. With no knowledge of Grozny and never having trained for urban combat, the Brigade moved in and reached the station by noon, meeting the 81st Motor-Rifle Regiment. In the late afternoon, Chechens started to hammer Russian forces from multiple directions, knocking out the armor one by one. Trying to organize defensive lines, both units were suffering heavy casualties while all relief efforts were completely blocked by Chechens. During the night and the next day most of the Russian units left Grozny with disastrous losses in men and materiel. On the morning of 1 January, Russian aviation mistakenly attacked the positions of the 129th Motor-Rifle Regiment with devastating results - making it the worst friendly fire incident of the entire war. The only Group that managed to hold their positions was that of General Lev Rokhlin, who skillfully organized the defenses of the city hospital and cannery plant, leaving a narrow corridor for reinforcements.Battle for Grozny, Volume 2, is based on numerous little-known publications, veterans' accounts from both sides, extensive pictorial and video footage, and focuses on the reconstruction of the events that happened over two days of a New Year.

Richly illustrated with original photographs - many never published before in the West - and the @War series signature color artworks showing the men, vehicles and aircraft involved in this conflict.In December 1979 the USSR's 40th Army crossed the border into Afghanistan. Special forces troops - the infamous GRU Spetsnaz - and KGB agents had already entered the country and in a fierce gun battle assassinated Afghanistan's President Hafizullah Amin in Tajbeg Palace so that he could be replaced by rival Babrak Karmal. The official explanation provided to officers, non-commissioned officers, and other ranks of the Soviet Armed Forces was that they were carrying out an 'international duty' in Afghanistan. What exactly that was, none of the participants knew. The reasoning of Brezhnev's Politburo was that their intervention would bring stability to a country slipping into anarchy as its government failed to deal with political conflict within its own ranks and widespread armed rebellion outside the major urban centers. Thus began the Soviet military intervention that was to last for nearly ten years.The Soviet War in Afghanistan 1979-1989 provides a detailed order of battle for the Soviet ground and air forces deployed to Afghanistan - officially referred to as 'The Limited Contingent of Soviet Forces in Afghanistan' - and a detailed account of every operation undertaken there by the Soviet Armed Forces from December 1979 until February 1989. The work provides details of all the involved units, their combat losses and estimates of Mujahidin losses. This work does not shy away from the commonplace atrocities committed against the Afghan population.The Soviet War in Afghanistan 1979-1989 is richly illustrated with original photographs - many never published before in the West - and the @War series signature color artworks showing the men, vehicles and aircraft involved in this conflict. This book is an indispensable source of reference for enthusiasts and professionals alike.

Sieges dominated the English Civil Wars: one study suggests that for every major battle there were perhaps as many as eight sieges, and probably more than 200 towns, castles, and country homes in England were besieged. However, sieges and fortifications have long been the poor relation in the histories of the period. While up and down the country, numerous siege-sites and fortresses are being studied by historians and archaeologists, so much of this is being done in relative isolation, and unlike the study of battles, seldom has there been an opportunity to bring this research together, to present and compare findings.To provide a forum for experts and the curious alike to share results and to learn from one another was a key driver behind the first ever conference dedicated to the study of fortress warfare during the English Civil Wars. Newark-upon-Trent was besieged three times during the English Civil Wars, and is home to perhaps the best surviving fortifications in the country. It was appropriate, therefore, that the town should host the English Civil War Fortress Symposium in November 2022.The co-hosts of the symposium, the Battlefields Trust, and the Fortress Study Group have both run their own conferences in the past, but this symposium was the first time that these two internationally renowned organizations have come together to stage a joint event. The success of the symposium was a recognition of the standing of both societies, as well as the efforts of the organizers. But most importantly, it was a demonstration of the interest in this important topic.The symposium brought together a variety of projects and studies covering the archaeology of sieges, fortifications and the public, and the challenges, approaches and results connected to the rediscovery and preservation of fortifications.The papers in this book of proceedings include: Peter Gaunt - Keynote speakerRichard Leese - Moreton CorbetDavid Flintham - King's Lynn under siegeKevin Winter - The sieges and fortifications of Newark-Upon-TrentNick Arnold - Uncovering a small fort in DevonDavid Radf - Defences and siegeworks of Oxford

The Honvéd War provides a detailed and informative account of the Hungarian Revolution and War of Independence from 1848 to 1849, a pivotal conflict in Central European history. Nigel Smith's work focuses on the organization, tactics, and operations of the Hungarian Honvéd Army, as well as the forces of the Austrian Empire and their Russian allies.Drawing on a wide range of sources, including military records and contemporary accounts, the book explores the structure of the armies involved, their leadership, and the strategic challenges they faced. Special attention is given to the composition and command of the Hungarian, Austrian, and Russian forces, the tactical innovations of the period, and the key battles and campaigns that shaped the outcome of the war.Smith's detailed analysis of troop movements, regimental organization, and the role of foreign mercenaries provides valuable insights into the military history of the period. The book also covers the broader political context, examining the revolutionary movements across Europe and their impact on the Austro-Hungarian Empire.With comprehensive maps, illustrations including specially-commissioned artworks, and battle diagrams, The Honvéd War is an essential resource for military historians and specialists interested in the 19th-century European conflicts. It offers a clear, in-depth understanding of a war that played a crucial role in shaping the future of Hungary and the wider region.

The fourth and concluding volume in this series - The Destruction of the Imperial Army - takes an in-depth look at events between the humiliating French surrender at Sedan and the ignominious submission of Bazaine and the Army of the Rhine at Metz as, seemingly, a succession of disasters befell Napoleon's once proud and invincible forces.French fortunes appeared to be at their nadir following the raising of the white flag over the walls of Sedan, but the worst was yet to come. The unsavory infighting between the French generals at Sedan seeking to apportion blame for their defeat in battle and Napoleon's equally humiliating interview with Bismarck and the Prussian King was partially offset by General Uhrich's courageous, albeit ultimately futile, defense of Strasbourg. However, such sacrifice could not compensate for Bazaine's frankly incomprehensible behavior at Metz. His inexplicable failure to break through the besieging German lines at the two day battle of Servigny/Noisseville and his equally underhand behavior during ensuing negotiations with the German commander, Prince Charles, le friends and adversaries - and the marshal had many antagonists amongst the French ranks - simply bewildered.As with previous volumes, the narrative draws heavily on the French official history and Lehautcourt's exhaustive studies, enlivened by quotes from all the major participants and eyewitnesses which provide fresh insights into the final days of this momentous campaign, which resulted in the downfall of the Second Empire and the birth of the third Republic.The book concludes with chapters on French and German tactics, weapons and warfighting, and as with previous volumes in the series, includes extensive orders of battle, casualty lists and appendices, the extensive text being complemented by numerous photographs and illustrations, period maps and copies of tactical plates taken from contemporary French and German training manuals.

Gives all the information needed for the gamer to build and play with the armies, Spanish, French, British and Portuguese.In the quarter-century after the fall of Napoleon, there were several wars in Europe, and this Spanish civil war was the lengthiest, and most varied. It was the first of a set of conflicts that split the nation and would continue to do so for a century and more. A Savage and Romantic War gives the wargamer all the information needed to play games set in Spain in these tumultuous seven years, and to make and paint the armies that fought. The First Carlist War is one that is becoming more familiar to English-speakers, and can be gamed in any scale, with dedicated ranges available in 28 and 18mm. Although taking place only two decades after the latter stages of the Peninsular campaign, and sometimes over the same landscape, it has a quality all of its own. It was big enough to have full-scale battles with two dozen or so units a side, and small enough that games can be played with a brigade or two, and with no need to compromise on scale - every pair of guns or battalion can appear on the table. There were numerous skirmishes, with Carlists in their huge berets and irregular bands facing militia, guardsmen and everything in between. The sheer variety and picturesque appearance of the soldiers of four nations who fought, the involvement of larger-than-life generals on both sides, and the spectacular scenery over which it took place make this a perfect conflict for re-creating in miniature.Those who play most Napoleonic rules will be able to use them for this war, and this work is not linked to anyparticular set.The book has a short history of the war, then full details of the Spanish, French, British and Portuguese forces, including organization, tactics, uniforms, weapons, equipment and flags. Then there are descriptions of 13 battles, each with the map and orders of battle that will make it easy to translate onto the table-top. Finally, there is a lengthy account of the Oriamandi campaign of 1837, culminating in the dramatic battle which saw the largest involvement of British troops in Europe since Waterloo.Throughout, there is detail of which regiments did what and how they did it.

In recent decades there has been a huge increase in the availability and use of 6 mm figures for wargaming. This book aims to guide the wargamer new to the scale, as well as the experienced 6 mm user through reasons for using the scale, its history, and the creation, painting and basing of figures. Rules for wargaming 6 mm figures are discussed, and some wargames of various sizes are showcased. How 6 mm figure gaming might develop into the future is considered, with potential for large wargames as well as smaller actions and skirmish games assessed.We start with the basic arguments for wargaming with 6 mm figures. This covers ease of painting, the mass effect of many figures looking like a unit, and the reduction of ground scale distortion when using 6 mm. It also considers the ability, when using 6 mm figures, to wargame with multiple armies, being able always to have the correct historical opponents, using small spaces for wargaming while still looking like a battle, as well as massed battles.From roughly 1965, through the late 1960s and to to today many wargamers have seen the advantages of 6 mm wargaming. We track the history of 6 mm wargaming, examining the companies that have produced them and the rules which have been created for them.The creation of master figures for a 6 mm figure product is then discussed, showing the attention to detail and processes required to create a production mold for a range of historically accurate figures.We then examine how to paint 6 mm figures. Which paints, brushes and temporary bases to use are noted, and then the painting process is discussed. We start with undercoating and proceed to a finished unit or base of figures. Additionally painting horses, equipment and adding flags is covered.Basing 6 mm figures to best advantage is an art form, and this chapter discusses how this is best achieved. Additionally, the creation of wargaming terrain in the scale is considered.The range of rules available, either directly applicable to 6 mm figures or modified to accommodate them is discussed, along with specific processes to create 6 mm friendly rules. Conversion of other scale rules to 6 mm figures is discussed. We then outline a series of scenarios from big battle games through to skirmish style wargames.Finally, we consider the future of 6 mm wargaming. New ranges, new materials for making figures and terrain and new ideas are constantly arriving on the scene and we try to assess where the area will go next.

A narrative wargame set in the Age of Crusades that emphasizes fast-paced, abstract battles inspired by medieval romantic literature.Swords of God is a narrative wargame centered on the Age of Crusades (1100-1400). Rather than attempt direct simulation of the physical aspects of warfare, the rules instead take inspiration from chansons de geste and other romantic literature of the time and aim to create a faster-flowing, more abstract struggle still worthy of a song.The game aims to fit battles of around 20-30,000 men a side onto a 6' x 4' table, but any size of table can be used if your unit bases are smaller than the 'Impetus' standard of 120mm by 40mm, or more numerous than the sands of the sea! Centred as it is on the command and control of key personalities in each army, any size of battle is possible with the easy-to-use points system provided. The game also provides a quick chart to help you pick the right size of table for your battle.Inspired by psychohistorical studies of the Crusades like Avner Falk's Franks and Saracens and Vincent Baker's seminal Apocalypse World rules engine, the game's deep but simple mechanics promote meaningful tactical choices while ensuring the action always moves forwards. Among other things, it features: - A unified mechanic based on the roll of 3 six-sided dice.- Gridded movement to get the action started quicker. The sides of each square are equal to half the width of a unit base.- Scenario generation that takes the table's terrain into account.- More than half a dozen sets of special rules based on the army commander's relationship with the divine. In an era of personal oaths and charismatic authority, these special rules extend to their army as well.Army lists for campaigns in Iberia, the Baltics, the Languedoc, Bohemia and the Levant feature curated spreads of generic unit types, while the 'Faith Trees' available to generals of any religion grant special rules based on their emotional connection to the divine and the religious war that has ensnared them. Each one gives an army a different feel, providing a great deal of replayability even within the same campaign.

Explores the historic sieges of Rhodes in 1480 and 1522 and encompasses tales of heroism and strategic shifts in military history.The Sieges of Rhodes 1480 and 1522 provides accounts of the two epic sieges when the Knight Hospitallers of the Order of St John faced the might of the Ottoman Empire. Photographs and maps included in the book illustrate what a nearly impossible task the Ottomans faced in both sieges. The two sieges illustrate the changes in warfare in the 40 years between them and the revolution in artillery that was taking place during this period. The Sieges of Rhodes contains grand tales of the greatest heroes and the worst of villains, stories of ingenuity, bravery, cruelty and cowardice, tales which echoed across Christendom.When Grand Master Phillipe Villiers de l`Isle-Adam and the few surviving knights and brothers of the Order of St John departed from the port of Rhodes on 1 January 1523, the long history of the Crusades ended.The Order of St John had protected the Latin States for almost 200 years until forced to leave after the fall of Acre in 1291. Unlike the Templars, they survived the disgrace of defeat and re-established themselves on the island of Rhodes. Here they remained a militant presence, always a challenge to the power of Islam and hopeful of reclaiming the Holy Land. The rise of Ottoman power in the mid-fifteenth century led to two great sieges, the first in 1480 during the reign of the Sultan Mehmed II and the second in 1522 by Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent.Both sieges were epic in their character and scale and added to the fame and prestige of the Hospitallers, and on both occasions the Grand Masters provided inspiration for the garrisons and for Christendom. The sieges occurred at a critical period in Europe's political, religious and military history. In 1480, Christendom was united, and both the means of attack and the forms of defense were fundamentally late-medieval in nature - both sides even built trebuchets, which had been thought long obsolete. In 1522, Europe was deeply divided, and the weapons and fortifications had dramatically changed. This book considers the medieval fortifications and their transformation in the intervening years, according to the most up-to-date ideas. It also outlines the artillery revolution that occurred over the same period, with the massive, clumsy, but still powerful, stone-throwing bombards giving way to narrow-bore, cast bronze pieces firing iron projectiles at much higher velocities with significantly greater effect.The sieges are also of great technical interest to military historians because of the extensive use of pyrotechnics and mining. Fire was an especially horrible addition to the Hospitallers' arsenal, and the book summarizes the flame weapons that were available and how they were used. The mining and countermining that took place in the second siege was an epic in its own right. Recent groundbreaking research has highlighted why the war underground was so extensive and became the most effective Ottoman strategy.The soldiers that faced each other were utterly unlike one another in arms, armor and tactics, although similar in their disparate religious devotion. What effect did this have on the outcome? The Ottoman army, especially the Janissaries, were the terror of the East and the West, yet they met their match on both occasions. How was it that a vastly numerically inferior force managed to fight their enemy to a standstill? This can only be understood by studying the sieges in detail, which is possible because of the excellent first-hand accounts produced soon after the events themselves. The reader can, therefore, experience the sieges through the words of those who fought in them. The extraordinary survival of Hospitaller armor from Rhodes and the superb collections of Ottoman and Mameluke armor and weapons help illustrate the contrast between these warrior cultures.

A newly revised edition on the construction of one of the first standing armies in the 17th century.French Armies of the Thirty Years' War presents the development of the French Army, one of the first standing armies in Europe, from 1617 to 1648. It shows how Louis XIII and Richelieu exploited the complex legacy of the Wars of Religion to the benefit of both the Crown and the Country.The Three Musketeers, Cyrano de Bergerac, Louis XIII, Richelieu, Condé, Turenne, La Rochelle, Rocroi...these few words sum up the literary and historical representations most people will associate with the tumultuous events in France during the first half of the seventeenth century.French Armies of the Thirty Years' War begins in 1617, the year that Louis XIII really took power, by distancing the Queen Mother and ordering the assassination of Concini, and ends in 1648 - five years after the death of Louis XIII, and the year of the Peace Treaty of Westphalia. This period in France was almost completely dominated by the personality and activities of Richelieu, who entered the King's council in April 1624. He gave the King an ambition: 'to procure the ruin of the Huguenot party, humble the pride of the great, reduce all subjects to their duty, and elevate your majesty's name among foreign nations to its rightful reputation.' By Richelieu's death, on 4 December 1642, this program had been accomplished.The first military action of this period, in August 1620, known as the Drôlerie des Ponts de Cé, was an uprising of the nobility who supported the Queen Mother against the King. The rebels were roundly defeated by the King's armies, but very few units actually fought. In his memoirs, Richelieu, who was on the Queen's side at the time, gives a detailed analysis of this defeat. In particular, he drew from it the principles that he was to follow throughout his life, and he realized: 'that which is held only by a precarious authority does not last long; that those who fight against a legitimate power are already half-defeated by their own imagination.' These political beliefs gave Louis XIII and Richelieu a powerful instrument that was to emerge transformed from the Thirty Years' War.The Army that Marie de Medici left to Henri IV's heir was small and inexperienced, but the Wars of Religion at the beginning of Louis XIII's reign, combined with Richelieu's actions, gave the French Crown an increasingly efficient army. Commanded by great captains such as the Duc de Rohan, the Viscomte de Turenne and the Prince of Condé, the army was highly successful, as shown by the long list of French victories, from the Île de Ré (1626) to Lens (1648) amply demonstrate.

"True, the concept of Britain dates back to Roman times, but it was James I that founded Britain in the modern sense. With his accession to the throne in 1603 for the first time Scotland, England, Wales and Ireland were united - with James bestowing on himself the title of 'King of Great Britain'. Before this time, Scots and Irishmen may have served in the English Army as mercenaries, but it was known as an English Army - but now the King's (or British) flag flew over the castles and forts throughout the land. The army raised by Charles I in 1625 for his war against Spain -and subsequently, with France - is most famous for its failure. However, it is one of the best-documented armies of the early 17th century. Using archival and archaeological evidence, the first half of the book covers the lives of the officers and men serving in the army at this time - as well as the women who accompanied them. The author discusses the origins of officers and why they decided to serve in the army - and how the men from England, Scotland and Ireland were recruited (as well as how they were clothed and what they ate; the medical care; and the tactics used by the army at this time). It also covers the hidden faction of tailors, armorers and merchants who helped to put the army into the field. The second half of the book covers not only the expeditions to Cadiz, the Isle de Rhe and the siege of La Rochelle, but also their effect on an England who feared a Spanish (and later a French) invasion. Also covered are the campaigns of Count Ernest von Mansfeldt's and Sir Charles Morgan's armies at this time, which fought at Breda, Dessau Bridge and against the forces of the Holy Roman Empire. The final chapter looks at what became of the soldiers and their widows once the army had been disbanded - therefore, the book will be essential reading for anyone interested in Early Modern History, including the English Civil War and the Thirty Years War." --Publisher description.

Explores the evolution of the German military system post-Peace of Westphalia, detailing its development, role in Europe, and the unique defensive political culture of the German states.After the Peace of Westphalia, several German states developed a disciplined 'Military' that produced outstanding armies. Germany supplied mercenary troops to major and minor powers in Europe, and the military state, usually exemplified by Prussia, became a crucial part of German history.However, Germany was apparently weak and internally divided into a multitude of states that constantly faced a hostile environment formed by belligerent great powers. Moreover, the German 'Military' was the resultant system of collective security, internal conflict and resolution that allowed a rich variety of political traditions to coexist relatively harmoniously. This system tried to preserve Germany against formidable attacks without making it a danger to the security of its neighbors. In contrast to the political culture of later German states, that of the 'Reich' was inherently defensive, preferring peace to war in both domestic politics and external relations. The book deals with the armies of the German Empire for the first time in a single book, with unpublished iconography and after extensive research in the German archives.Praise for previous volumes of Wars and Soldiers in the Early Reign of Louis XIV: 'This book is a must for anyone even partially interested in the Imperial army during the late seventeenth century. The level of detail must be highly commended, the author has gone to great lengths in researching this volume and it shows throughout the volume.' - Arquebusier'This book is extremely detailed, and highly useful for historians, the inquisitive, war gamers and figure modelers.' - IPMS/USA

Renatio et Gloriam is a set of tabletop miniatures rules that allow you to fight large-scale battles from the Renaissance and Early Modern period. Covering warfare from the late Fifteenth Century up to the end of the Great Northern War in 1721, these rules allow you to field the armies of Cordoba, Turenne, or Marlborough.This supplement to the Rules covers warfare during the Thirty Years' War and the British Civil Wars.The book contains 55 army lists and enables the gamer to create wargames armies for matched play and for competitions. Starting in 1618 with the Catholic League, the lists cover the armies of the Thirty Years to the end of the British Civil Wars in the early-1650s.

The first detailed English-language study of Ukrainian Cossacks' attire, equipment, and tactics from the late 16th to early 18th century.This is the first book about Ukrainian Cossacks for English-speaking readers. Based on historical sources, the book will relate and show in detail the appearance, clothing and equipment of the Ukrainian Cossacks and their methods of warfare.This book shows in detail the evolution of the Ukrainian Cossacks' appearance. The author reconstructs the clothing, equipment, and weaponry of Ukrainian Cossacks from the late 16th to the early 18th century. Numerous historical sources, references, documents, pictorial sources, and descriptions left by eyewitnesses have been consulted. Archaeological finds from battlefields related to the Ukrainian Cossacks were also examined. The author considers both the clothing and equipment of ordinary Cossacks and separately the clothing and military equipment of the officer corps - Cossack petty officers and hetmans. Special attention is paid to banners and various accouterments. The reader will learn about the variations between the Cossacks, the difference between the Registry and Sichev Cossacks, how they fought, and what tactics were used on the battlefield. Also considered are the separate formations of Ukrainian hetmans modeled on Western European armies and mercenary formations of the last quarter of the seventeenth to early eighteenth century - the Serdyuk and Kompanitsa. The book contains over 170 illustrations, iconographic sources, images of battles, archaeological artifacts and various types of clothing and equipment. There are also color plates of the author's reconstructions of banners, images of banners from the collection of the Swedish Army Museum, and 20 colored figures of Cossacks and representatives of Cossack elders in the author's style familiar to readers of the Helion series.

A comprehensive study examining soldiers' clothing during the Thirty Years War and British Civil Wars, challenging early seventeenth-century uniformity through detailed archival research and contemporary illustrations.Soldiers' Clothing of the Early 17th Century is a comprehensive study of the clothing worn by soldiers during the Thirty Years War and the British Civil Wars. The book delves into the changing fashion trends of soldiers' clothing during the early seventeenth century, with detailed chapters on various items of clothing, the contracts and supply system, and challenges the idea that there was no uniformity at the beginning of the century.There have been books written about military clothing during the early seventeenth century before, but never in this detail. This book is the result of over 30 years of research in the archives of record offices and libraries, recording minute details of clothing and coat colors. By examining thousands of archives and pamphlets, it challenges the idea that there was no uniformity within regiments or companies at the beginning of the century. Hundreds of contemporary illustrations, paintings and even surviving items of clothing were consulted to discover the soldiers' appearance.The first part of Soldiers' Clothing of the Early 17th Century looks at the individual items of clothing and how fashion changed over the years., as well as the contracts granted to merchants who supplied this clothing and the abuses that were made by some merchants and the corruption of the officers at the soldiers' expense. Some soldiers were so poor that they had to sell their clothing to survive. It was also part of the humiliation of a prisoner of war to be stripped of his clothing. It also investigates the supply system of these clothes, which could further lead to corruption, and how they were transported to the armies to be distributed to the armies.The second part looks at the clothing of the various Parliamentary and Royalist Armies, the army sent to Ireland during the 1640s, and the Scottish Armies during the Bishops' and Civil Wars. It also attempts to solve the often-asked question of whether the trained bands were issued with clothing.Finally, there is an examination of clothing issued to the armies of Denmark, the Dutch Republic, France, the Holy Roman Empire, Spain, and Sweden. Since soldiers' clothing did not begin at the start of the Thirty Years War, in these chapters, the author looks at the issue of clothing from the turn of the century, if not before.The book is essential for those interested in seventeenth-century military history, fashion, and re-enactors and wargamers of the period. Although the book does not include patterns and advice on how to make each item, it provides an in-depth and fascinating look at soldiers' clothing during the early seventeenth century.

As well as being Emperor of the French it is often forgotten, or simply overlooked, that Napoleon was also King of Italy - a state that essentially comprised all Italy north of the Kingdom of Naples.

A detailed study of the Battle of Narva, where Charles XII of Sweden defeated Peter the Great, showcasing new research and tactics.The Battle of Narva, in which Charles XII of Sweden defeated Peter the Great of Russia, occurred during the Great Northern War. Peter the Great's Disastrous Defeat describes the campaign, presents new research on the battle, details the opposing Swedish and Russian armies, and explains the continued development of the Swedish army.Swedish military might and regional power had expanded immensely during the seventeenth century. A series of successful conquests had transformed the little northern kingdom of Sweden into a great regional power, centered on the Baltic Sea. By the end of the century, the accession to the Swedish throne of Charles XII, a mere youngster without known military experience, convinced the neighboring monarchs that it finally was payback time. In 1699, King Frederick IV of Denmark and Norway, King Augustus II of Saxony and the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, and Tsar Peter I of Russia formed a triple alliance against Sweden. The three monarchs wanted to reconquer lands lost to Sweden during its expansion. King Frederick wished to regain the lost Scanian provinces and Holstein-Gottorp. King Augustus coveted Swedish Livonia, while Tsar Peter desired the ports on the eastern Baltic shore. Soon, Tsar Peter of Russia declared war and attacked Swedish Ingria in the Gulf of Finland. A large Russian army laid siege to the vital port of Narva in modern-day Estonia.Having already successfully invaded Denmark and forced King Frederick of Denmark and Norway to withdraw from the war, King Charles turned his attention to the eastern front and Russia. After a long and arduous march, the Swedish army arrived on the outskirts of Narva in late November 1700. The Swedish King ordered his men immediately to attack the Russian fortified defense lines. With the help of a blizzard and with the wind at their back, the Swedes attacked and broke through the Russian defenses. Panicking, the Russians fled and ultimately surrendered to King Charles. It was a crushing defeat. Tsar Peter lost the entire army, including most senior commanders who fell into captivity, too. The battle had the immediate effect of the Russians evacuating the whole of Ingria.In Peter the Great's Disastrous Defeat, Michael Fredholm von Essen describes the events and tactics that led up to and resulted in the Swedish victory at Narva, presents new research on both the siege and battle and explains the continued development of the Swedish army under King Charles XII.

An influential yet controversial naval officer who played key roles in the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars through unconventional methods and secretive operations.Quicksilver Captain is the story of Sir Home Popham (1762-1820), an extraordinary and under-appreciated personality of the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars. Popham was a bundle of highly unusual contradictions. He achieved the rank of post-captain without a ship; he was more often employed by the War Department than by the Admiralty; and, as an expert in combined operations, he spent almost as much time serving on shore as at sea. In just over 25 years as a naval officer, Popham acted as an agent for transports, an unofficial diplomat, an intelligence officer, a Member of Parliament, an acclaimed hydrographer, a scientist and inventor, a publicist, and a government adviser, among many other roles.Popham's career was literally as well as figuratively amphibious. So was his personality. Popham's well-known past as an illicit private trader, as well as his notorious lack of scruples, marred his reputation. People meeting him for the first time did not know what to make of him: 'He seems a pleasant man, but a dasher.' He fully understood the importance of communication and is best known for inventing a signal code that the Royal Navy used for decades. When he died, he left reams of correspondence behind him. But he also understood that words could either obfuscate or illuminate the truth, and his genius for twisting the facts to suit his own purposes made him an unreliable narrator. Many contemporaries distrusted and loathed him; after his court martial in 1807 for attacking Buenos Aires without orders (he escaped with a reprimand), many of his naval peers refused outright to serve with him again. And yet, even his greatest critics could not deny his abilities. One of his fellow naval captains wrote what could have been his epitaph: 'He is an extraordinary man, and would have been a great man, had he been honest.'Quicksilver Captain paints a portrait of an ambitious man who built a career based on secrets and shadows. Popham's direct line to important patrons like William Pitt and Henry Dundas allowed him to play a role far beyond that of an ordinary post-captain. His ideas for using Britain's naval might for imperial defense and expanding British trade, as well as his knowledge of combined operations, made him the politicians' go-to expert. They wanted results, no matter what the cost, and Popham's willingness to play dirty - using bribery, threats, and experimental weaponry - appealed to them. In return, they protected him from his many foes, although in the end, they could not save him from his worst enemy - himself.