A comprehensive survey of the history of airborne warfare from its modest beginnings in 1794 with the use of a tethered balloon, showing how each significant technical development substantially altered the ways in which wars were fought. Perfect for fans of Will Iredale, Patrick Bishop and Mark Urban. During the Second World War some of the most daring airborne operations were conducted in Crete, Sicily, Normandy, the Philippines and across the Rhine. Yet where did the idea of airborne mobility arise from and how did such strategies develop in the years after the defeat of Nazi Germany and Imperial Japan? Michael Hickey's book utilises thorough research, including interviews with many veterans of the campaigns described, to provide a history of airborne warfare in its widest sense: parachute, glider, helicopter and reconnaissance. Covering from its infancy through to the years after the Vietnam War, Hickey provides insight into one of modern warfare's most powerful asset: air-mobility. 'This is an excellent book ... about total battlefield air-mobility - encompassing both the parachute and the helicopter. As such, it fills the void left in many military histories' Military Review 'The book is especially useful in discussing the development of paradrop operations and takes the story beyond World War II to include Korea, Suez, Israel and Vietnam.' Air University Review Out of the Sky should be essential reading for all interested in the development of air assault tactics.
From pre-war preparations to the Battle of the Atlantic, all the way through to the eventual defeat of Nazi Germany, Hitler and His Admirals offers a comprehensive history of Germany's naval actions during World War Two. An ideal book for fans of Ian Toll, Craig L. Symonds, and Simon Parkin. At the end of the Second World War, Hitler ordered that every military document should be destroyed, however Admiral Karl Dönitz, believing that his navy had waged war honourably, made sure that naval records were preserved and they were soon captured by British and American Intelligence officers. Through his role as editor of this collection of documents, known as the 'Fuehrer Conferences', Anthony Martienssen, was able to gain unique insight into the actions of the German Naval High Command: why they pursued certain strategies, such as the U-Boat war, what was their relationship with Hitler like, and whether they had indeed pursued an honourable war as Dönitz believed. Martienssen combines information drawn from these files with war diaries, operations orders of the navy, and the personal files of Admiral Erich Raeder, as well as official documents from the Nuremberg Trials to uncover an eye-opening history of the Kriegsmarine and its relationship to Nazi Germany and Adolf Hitler. Hitler and His Admirals not only analyses every major German naval action of World War Two but also provides insights into the thorough planning for the invasion of Britain after the Dunkirk evacuation through Operation "Sea Lion." Additionally, it offers a perspective on the July Twentieth plot to assassinate Hitler from a naval viewpoint. "A comprehensive, authentic, and absorbing story of the downfall of the German Navy." Evening Standard "A fascinating picture of the Nazi rulers conducting the high affairs of State ... Crammed full with interesting details." The Spectator "Extraordinary absorbing." The Sphere "Likely to stand the test of time." New Statesman
'Excellent' John Terraine, Daily Telegraph The full story of Allied heroism and incompetence in the Dardanelles, from the brink of victory to resounding defeat. Perfect for readers who enjoy the works of Barbara W. Tuchman, Christopher Clark and John Keegan. In 1911 Winston Churchill had astutely stated that, 'It is no longer possible to force the Dardanelles, and nobody would expose a modern fleet to such peril.' Yet, four years later, as First Lord of the Admiralty, he would override the opposition of his First Sea Lord, Jackie Fisher, and support a daring assault on the Gallipoli peninsula. With Imperial Russia appealing to her allies for assistance against the might of the Central Powers, Churchill and those who agreed with him, thought that they could knock the Ottoman Empire out of the war by forcing their way through the Dardanelles to Constantinople. What started out promisingly ended in utter, dismal disaster for the Entente powers. Michael Hickey traces the complex roots of catastrophe to the remoteness of war leaders in London, the chaotic operations of under-equipped and incompetent admirals and generals on the spot, and the extraordinary diversity of the Allied troops. Drawing both on his experience as a soldier and on a wide range of historical archives, including official papers, diaries and letters, many never used before, Hickey makes real for us the luckless fighting men who did their best but were, in the words of one of them, 'beaten in the end by our own leaders'. 'Gripping' Robert McLaughlin, Glasgow Herald 'Lucid, vivid and highly readable' Arthur Hockaday, RUSI Journal Gallipoli: A Study in Failure should be essential reading for all interested in one of the most fascinating but grimmest campaigns in modern history.
The fantastic story of the German battle fleet's escape through the English Channel in broad daylight at the height of World War Two. An ideal book for fans of Ian W. Toll, Gordon W. Prange and James D. Hornfischer. On the evening of 11 February 1942 the German battle cruisers Scharnhorst and Gneisenau left their Atlantic port. Twenty-four hours later they had made their way through the supposedly impenetrable English Channel to their German ports. The Times decried this action as a "mortifying blow to our pride in seapower", and the British people echoed their Prime Minister, Winston Churchill, when he questioned why this had been allowed to happen. Terence Robertson's engrossing account of this remarkable naval operations explores why the Royal Navy, RAF, coastal guns, mine defences and military intelligence had been ineffectual in halting the audacious journey of the German Navy. He uncovers why Nazis were forced into taking this strategy and what the repercussions of it was for both the Allies and Axis. Yet rather than simply focusing on the grand narrative of the operation Robertson also shines a light on some of the individuals who shaped this incredible story, from the German commander Otto Ciliax to Lieutenant-Commander Esmonde, who led his squadron of obsolete biplanes in a gallant but hopeless attempt to halt the Nazi ships. Channel Dash should be essential reading for all interested in learning about how this bold manoeuvre by the Germans humiliated the Royal Navy in its own waters.
An eye-opening account of the event that signified the end of Great Britain's role as a global superpower. Perfect for fans of Michael Dobbs, Max Hastings and Taylor Downing. Along with the Cuban Missile Crisis, the Suez Crisis stands out as one of the moments when the world almost descended into a nuclear holocaust. The Second Arab-Israeli war erupted in 1956 when Britain, France and Israel stood against Gamal Abdel Nasser's seizure of the Canal. Yet, as Egyptian troops retreated in the face of the opposing coalition, the true centre of conflict moved away from Suez to the United Nations building in New York. Terence Robertson's Crisis is the definitive account of this conflict that does not simply shine a light on the abortive military measures, but also uncovers the behind-the-scenes meetings which truly halted the war. Robertson draws information from an impressive array of public sources, but it is further supported through numerous interviews undertaken with many of the key figures involved, from the French Foreign Minister to the United States Undersecretary of State. "truth is indeed stranger than fiction ... Crisis is recommended for the student who desires to understand better the reasons that this unfortunate incident developed. The casual reader will find this account on a par with the best of the popular mystery novels." Naval War College Review "outstandingly good" International Affairs
The remarkable true story of the discovery and excavation of the Tudor warship Mary Rose. Ideal for readers of David Childs, Brian Lavery and Douglas McElvogue, and everyone interested in British naval history. In October 1982, Henry VIII's flagship Mary Rose finally broke the surface off the coast of Portsmouth after more than 400 years on the seabed. Her dramatic sinking during an engagement with the French fleet in July 1545, under the very eyes of King Henry VIII, had been a disaster at the time, but for the team that finally found the Tudor warship it was a scene of jubilation after long years of searching. Here diver and author Alexander McKee details how he and a small team of dedicated amateur divers, all willing to work without pay at weekends, risked their lives diving under busy shipping lanes and in treacherous weather to painstakingly search for the ship that nobody believed was there - and found her, in what became the most important maritime archaeological project in British history. How We Found the Mary Rose tells the remarkable story of the ship herself: her thirty-four years of service at sea and her final sinking during the Battle of the Solent; the subsequent attempts to salvage the historic wreck, and McKee's own seventeen years of research and excavation in quest of a dream that came true. 'This is the perfect adventure story. In Alexander McKee, diver and author of popular histories, there are all the elements of the hero out of boys' comics. He went against accepted theories when he started looking for the ship he had heard of as a boy on the Isle of Wight. His attempt became a joke, but deep in the silt McKee found the Mary Rose.' - Byron Rogers, Sunday Telegraph Magazine 'This is the most accessible account of the Mary Rose.' - submerged.co.uk
An unforgettable personal account of fighting with the Commandos in World War Two. An ideal book for fans of Andy McNab, Robert O'Neill or Marcus Luttrell. For Peter Young the Second World War was a truly global conflict. From Norway to Northern France, Italy to Burma, Young rose through the ranks of the commandos to become a brigadier, commanding the 1st Commando Brigade by the end of the war. Storm from the Sea charts Young's journey through World War Two, with captivating accounts of the raids at Lofoten, Vaagso and Dieppe with the famous 3 Commando. Young uncovers how the Commandos with their impeccable training and camaraderie were able to overcome Nazi forces in Sicily and Italy before they joined with the 1st Special Service Brigade for the liberation of France. Peter Young's memoir is an enthralling, first-hand account of his time spent fighting with the Commandos during World War Two. It should be essential reading for all interested in one of the most important special forces in military history. "readers interested in a combat narrative will find that Storm from the Sea makes a welcome addition to their libraries." Maj. James Gates, USAF, Air & Space Power Journal "As Storm from the Sea reveals, Peter was in his element in the Commandos during the Second World War. ... Apart from battlefield courage to an unusual degree, he had the rare ability to think quickly - as if from first principles - in military situations. That intelligence and common sense, together with his bravery, robustness, sense of humour and personality, live again in these stirring pages." John Adair
A detailed and atmospheric study of the decisive battle of the First English Civil War: Naseby 1645. Ideal for readers of John Barratt, Peter Ackroyd and Christopher Hibbert, and for everyone interested in military history and the English Civil Wars. On 14 June 1645 General Sir Thomas Fairfax led his New Model Army to victory over King Charles I at the Battle of Naseby. His triumph won the First English Civil War for Parliament and signalled the end of the Royalist Army's hopes of military victory. In this book Brigadier Peter Young provides a complete account of the course of the battle and of the campaign which preceded it. He conjures up in telling detail the dramatic atmosphere of the early summer of 1645, when the fate of England hung in the balance; and in reconstructing the course of the battle moment by moment he brings to bear his own unique experience and understanding of military realities. In addition, valuable first-hand accounts reveal how the fighting unfolded on the field of Naseby during one of the most crucial battles in British military history. This highly readable book is part of a series on battles which became turning points in history and is a must-have volume for every military historian.
Was Henri Déricourt a loyal spy, a traitorous double agent or a heroic triple agent? Jean Overton Fuller's book is a fascinating exposé on the shadowy world of espionage and counter-espionage during the Second World war seen through the eyes of one of its most controversial figures. Perfect for readers of Ben Macintyre, Ewan Montagu and Philippe Sands. Parachuted into France to receive and dispatch British aircraft which landed secret agents, Déricourt was awarded with the Croix de Guerre with Palm and the Legion d'Honneur for his contribution to the war effort. Only later, when it transpired that he had been in regular contact with the Gestapo, did question marks arise about him. He was even charged with treason but was acquitted at his court martial. Was there more to this case than met the eye? Was Déricourt loyal to Allies even if he had been in contact with the Germans? Or was he a traitor who had caused the death of many of his fellow agents? Jean Overton Fuller sifts through the information, sorting truth from lies, to uncover the truth of Déricourt's wartime activities. Through numerous interviews and letters Overton Fuller questions not only Déricourt himself but also many of other main participants in the story from Germany, France and England. Déricourt: The Chequered Spy is an absorbing account that transports the reader to the murky world of Second World War espionage.
The amazing true story of a submarine engaged in Secret Operations during World War Two. Perfect for readers of Iain Ballantyne, James Jinks and Christopher Drew. Between 1942 and 1944 HMS Seraph was engaged in unusual but vital wartime assignments, including carrying Eisenhower's deputy, General Mark Clark, through the Mediterranean to a hazardous rendezvous with the Free French as a prelude to the North African invasion, as well as the dramatic rescue of General Giraud from Vichy France in rough sea right under the nose of the enemy. Her most famous mission however was Operation Mincemeat where she aided the allies in deceiving their enemy about the invasion of Sicily. Yet what made these missions even more extraordinary was the fact that this "Secret Mission Submarine" had the unusual distinction of having two captains - Royal Navy Lieutenant Bill Jewell who was in operational control and Captain Jerauld Wright of the United States Navy who commanded for political purposes. Terence Robertson uncovers the history of this extraordinary submarine and how these two captains collaborated to pull off some of the most remarkable operations in the Second World War. 'Exciting ... amusing ... unusual' Nottingham Guardian Journal 'I am delighted that Seraph's special wartime missions, which contributed so much to the Allied cause, have been documented for all to read in The Ship with Two Captains.' Captain Jerauld Wright
Celebrating a royal passion for horses and racing. Perfect for readers of Hugo Vickers, James Pope-Hennessey, Philp Ziegler and Christopher Warwick. 'Refreshing, uninhibited and sincere ... a book anyone could enjoy' - The Scotsman'Very revealing ... the book is unique' - The People Here is the first full story of the Queen's racing enthusiasms and the first authentic account of Her Majesty's personal experience as a racehorse owner and racegoer, told with the help of trainers, jockeys and others. This exhilarating volume traces the early years of the Queen's racing story, from childhood horse-lover to ebullient racegoer and owner of one of the finest string of racehorses in the world. Helen Cathcart goes behind the scenes to present a vivid picture of royal racing success and failures, from the Queen's frail gift-horse to the spectacular triumphs of Aureole, Carrozza, Alexander, High Veldt, Almeria, Doutelle, Pall Mall and many others. Winners of lustrous fame, they come thundering on in a cavalcade of high hopes and disappointments, superb victories, and bitter defeat. Here is a royal pageant of the Turf rich in some of the most colourful and interesting sporting stories from the younger Queen's reign. Praise for Helen Cathcart: 'Wide acclaim as a royal biographer ... objective, uninhibited and penetrating' - Sunday Express'Helen Cathcart writes about royalty as if she were one of them' - The Daily Mail'The doyenne of royal biographers' - The Daily Telegraph'A tireless chronicler of royalty' - The Guardian
A delightful biographical study of Her Majesty the Queen's friends and family. Perfect for readers of Hugo Vickers, James Pope-Hennessey, Philp Ziegler and Christopher Warwick. Written in Her Majesty's Silver Jubilee year, here is the innermost story of Queen Elizabeth II amid her closest personal friends and working colleagues. Doyenne of royal writers, Helen Cathcart takes the reader on a unique journey from infancy up to the third decade of Her Majesty's reign, highlighting the Queen's influence upon her friends and Household, and their reciprocal influence upon the Sovereign. Along the way we meet the royal relatives, intimate acquaintances and trusted officials who have supported and guided Her Majesty from early childhood through to heiress presumptive to the throne and ultimately as reigning monarch. With in-depth profiles of the men and women around the Queen, the author has achieved a book of compelling interest - a royal biography in terms of people and events but, above all, people. Praise for Helen Cathcart: 'Wide acclaim as a royal biographer ... objective, uninhibited and penetrating' - Sunday Express'Helen Cathcart writes about royalty as if she were one of them' - The Daily Mail'The doyenne of royal biographers' - The Daily Telegraph'A tireless chronicler of royalty' - The Guardian
Pearl Harbor, Coral Sea, Midway, Guadalcanal, Leyte Gulf, Iwo Jima; the War in the Pacific was one of the most brutal aspects of the Second World War. This enthralling history would be perfect for fans of Ian W. Toll, James D. Hornfischer and Craig L. Symonds. On the morning of December 7, 1941, the Imperial Japanese Navy Air Service launched their surprise military attack on the US battlefleet at Pearl Harbor. After three and a half years of conflict Admiral Chester W. Nimitz and General Douglas MacArthur with representatives from the other Allies: Great Britain, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, China, France, the Netherlands and Russia, accepted the unconditional surrender of Japan. It had come at the cost of hundreds of ships, thousands of aircraft and the lives of millions of men who had died far from home. In War in the Pacific John Winton tells how the Allies had been able to turn back the seemingly overwhelming Japanese forces and worked together to drive ever onwards towards Tokyo Bay. It is a remarkable account of the ferocious naval war that took place in the Pacific and uncovers the ships, the submarines and aircraft, the naval tactics and the equipment used to defeat the Japanese. Winton also provides insight into the leaders of the Allied forces, not just Admiral Nimitz but also William 'Bull' Halsey, the superb Raymond Spruance, hard-charging Arleigh 'Thirty-One Knot' Burke, 'Close In' Conolly, the fighting Marine General 'Howling Mad' Smith, the submarine ace Sam Dealey, and the pioneering carrier admiral Marc Mitscher.
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