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There can be few military stories which have been written about in such great detail. The story of Dunkirk has found its way into the British consciousness, to such a degree it has come to epitomize the very essence of Britishness at times of national hardship.The phrase 'Dunkirk Spirit' has been used to define the British character. Cartoons of the day re-defined the abbreviation of the British Expeditionary Force (BEF) to mean Bravery, Endurance, and Fortitude! This has been the prevailing national narrative of May 1940. A story of small boats that came to the rescue of a stranded Army on the beaches of Dunkirk: brave soldiers who would have died, or been captured had it not been for the flotilla that came to their rescue. This is supported by strong images of stoic British soldiers waiting patiently on the beaches for deliverance.Historians have subsequently identified other factors which contributed to the success of Operation DYNAMO. These include the mild weather and calm sea, as well as the use of the East Mole for the large ships. The smoke which hung in the air as a result of the German shelling and bombardments helped mask the BEF's activities, and Hitler's earlier somewhat unexpected Halt Befehl gave the BEF time to consolidate its bridgehead at Dunkirk. However, if Gort's statement as quoted by Shand is true, that 'without the Twelfth Lancers only a small part of the Army would have reached Dunkirk, ' then it would appear there is another element of the story which is still to be told. It was to account for the five Battle Honors the Regiment would win in just 21 days.

The Japanese ruled parts of China prior to World War II by means of Chinese "puppet" governments who ruled their own population on behalf of the Japanese. This first of two volumes tells the story of the Chinese who fought for the Japanese over a 14 year period, specifically in China and Manchukuo.

This volume completes the study of the Tudor Art of War and is in effect a handbook for the Elizabethan army, which explains its leadership, organization, tactics and training and recruitment. It also describes how soldiers were paid, clothed, equipped and provided for - or as was too often the case, not provided for. Wars are fought by armies; in Elizabeth's England the wars led to the creation of armies in a rather ad-hoc fashion, until the long-term commitments to Ireland and the Netherlands forced the creation of a semi-permanent institution.An army is as good as its recruits and in Elizabeth's reign recruitment for service, either for the newly developed Trained Bands or for overseas service as pressed men, was predominantly managed by the counties. The book considers the strengths and weaknesses of the system that created a very different force from any that had gone before.Infantry were the core of any English force, and the author provides a detailed explanation and description of the training and tactics that they were required to master if they were to face the rigors of a Continental war. The volume includes many diagrams from contemporary military handbooks which demonstrate how companies and larger formations could be deployed. It was during Elizabeth's reign that firearms came to be widely adopted, finally displacing the bow. The arquebus gave way to the caliver and the musket, as well as other 'fiery weapons'. Using contemporary sources as well as modern research, the author has evaluated the effectiveness of these weapons and how they were handled. The role of the cavalry in its various forms was a matter of much debate and the book provides a useful summary of opinions on the matter.Elizabeth, despite being criticized for parsimony at the time, spent a vast fortune on equipping and providing for her soldiers. The counties took on much of the responsibility for recruitment and initial equipment of the soldier but on joining the army he became a royal expense. The huge sums spent on clothing, pay and provisioning gave rise to equally great opportunities for embezzlement. The state may have paid for war, but the profit went to those responsible for handling these large sums and the manufacturers and merchants who supplied them. The story is one of endemic corruption, for which the poor soldier suffered, and which consequently blunted the effectiveness of the campaigns. Military glory could not be gained by an army that was blighted from within.Elizabethan society valued rank highly. often, it seems, above merit, and this study attempts to explain the tensions and rivalries that developed between soldiers and politicians and between men of honor. It is important to understand how all military developments were judged in relation to the classical-era ideals that dominated Renaissance thinking. The discipline and organization of the Roman Army was admired as were the virtues of the 'noble Roman'.Elizabeth's army at the end of her reign was very different from its Tudor predecessors. It had experienced a transformation in almost every area other than in its aristocratic leadership. Whether these changes amounted to a 'military revolution' is a matter discussed in the conclusion.The book addresses the many questions that arise when considering Elizabeth's army: an army that has long been disregarded but is well worth attention and reconsideration.

The Soviet Red Army command attached great importance to military camouflage. Following the Civil War of 1918-1920, camouflage issues were the subject of careful study. This led to a number of measures that involved the armed forces. Thus military aviation was not overlooked. Along with the camouflaging of airfields and installations, attempts were made to make aircraft as invisible as possible both on the ground and in the sky. This was done by applying painted schemes, the requirements for which were regularly updated. However, despite the theoretical research, camouflage was not widely employed until 1941. It was only after the outbreak of the Great Patriotic War that standard black and green camouflage and a scheme for applying color spots received official approval. Meantime, in various Air Force formations and units, as well as aircraft production factories, camouflage was often applied without observing the prescribed scheme and approved colors.The red five-pointed star insignia were applied on the Soviet airplanes during 1920s and 30s, but the shape, dimensions and locations of the insignia changed several times during 1941. Furthermore, tactical markings applied in accordance with officially sanctioned application of identification marks and ciphers were not adhered to either and principles of tactical markings often differed.A landmark reference work of aviation history, Camouflage, Insignia and Tactical Markings of the Aircraft of Red Army Air Force in 1941, Volumes 1 and 2 contain more than 880 unique photos from Soviet and German archives and private collections and 470 color plates featuring camouflage, insignias and tactical markings of the period.Volume 2 covers: - Identification Marking and Designation System of the VVS RKKA in 1941- Additional Tactical Markings of the VVS RKKA Aircraft in 1941- Changes in the Aircraft Camouflage and Tactical Marking System of the Leningrad Military District Air Force (Northern Front Air Force) in 1941- Changes in the Camouflage and Tactical Marking System of the Aircraft of the Transcaucasian Military District Air Force in 1941

Although the events of the Peninsular War have been retold many times, there is scope for different perspectives. The complexities of war mean that the broad-brush approach must of necessity concentrate on the overall direction of the action.

In the 17th century, Italy was the third-largest country by population in Europe, after France and Germany, passing into second position for a century after 1650. Northern as well as southern Italy constituted a key place in the strategic duel between Spain and France, and the Peninsula lied on the front line in the struggle against the Ottoman Empire. Moreover, Italian states constituted good examples of fairly efficient governance machines, which developed many matters, included the 'Military'. Some of these states experienced long periods of wars, to the point that the claim regarding social elites progressively demilitarized to an unequaled extent anywhere else in Europe should be considered no longer valid.This second volume looks at the armies of the lesser Italian States. The armies of Genoa, the Papal States, Tuscany, Parma, Modena, Mantua, Lucca, and many others are all examined in detail never before seen in the English language. This volume also covers the nature and execution of military affairs and war in Italy. The book is lavishly illustrated and comes with 16 especially commissioned color plates drawn by the author himself.

'Undaunted' is the second volume of the 'British Commonwealth's War in the Air 1939-45'. It combines detailed studies into the tactics, techniques and technology that made British air power so effective, together with the personal accounts of the aircrew themselves 'Undaunted' includes chapters on air intelligence, photographic-reconnaissance and

Through Adversity is probably the most comprehensive account of Britain and the Commonwealth's war in the air during the Second World War. It combines detailed studies into the tactics, techniques and technology that made British air power so effective, together with the personal accounts of the aircrew themselves as they executed some of the most

In contrast to the existing biographies which treat Kitchener as British, the author of Kitchener: The Man, considers him an outsider within the British establishment. Of his 64 years, a mere 11, and those not consecutive, were spent in England. He learned from those around him, ways that were not always understood and appreciated by those educated

This book is the latest volume of Spencer Jones's award-winning series which examines the British Army on the Western Front year-by-year.

Based heavily on inaccessible Soviet records, this book presents a lively account of a pivotal battle on the Eastern Front, heavily illustrated with rare photographs.

An account of the Red Army's advance along the southwest strategic direction during the offensive that followed the Battle of Kursk in July-August 1943.

This photographic volume depicts Himmler's favorite unit in the Waffen-SS: the III 'Germanic' SS Panzerkorps, for it fulfilled Himmler's longtime political plans of recruiting 'Germanic' volunteers for the creation of a greater Germanic Reich in the future.

Volume 3 carries the story of the XIV Reserve Corps through the momentous Battle of the Somme and into 1917 - a period of transition for the German Army. The old tactics and strategy of trench warfare would undergo great changes, as the German Army was transformed from a military force rooted in the 19th century into a modern 20th century fighting

Examines the early Cold War development of the USAF's jet fighters and fighter-bombers, detailing political, industrial, and technological challenges and innovations.In the immediate aftermath of the Second World War, the air forces of the United States faced unprecedented challenges. Demobilization had stripped the armed forces of millions of personnel, while the rapid transition from a wartime economy strained the aviation industry at the same time as the US Army Air Forces (USAAF) was re-established as the independent US Air Force (USAF). US Air Power 1945-1990 Volume 1: US Fighters and Fighter-Bombers 1945-1949 examines this pivotal period, analyzing the first steps the USAF took to re-establish its dominance in the skies during the early Cold War era. This volume meticulously documents the political, industrial, and technical decisions that shaped the development of the USAF's early jet fighters and fighter-bombers. It covers the transition from propeller-driven aircraft to first-generation jet designs, showcasing the radical innovations and experimental prototypes that laid the foundation for future air power. Readers will find detailed descriptions of key aircraft such as the P-80 Shooting Star, the F-86 Sabre, and the F-84 Thunderjet, which became operational despite the severe budget constraints and strategic uncertainties of the time. Author David Baker brings to light the untold stories behind these aircraft. He provides an integrated narrative that goes beyond mere type histories, weaving together the political backdrop, industrial struggles, and technological advancements that influenced the design and deployment of these pioneering jets. This approach offers a comprehensive view of how the USAF navigated the post-war landscape to emerge as a formidable force by 1949. The book also includes an appendix detailing speculative projects that never reached production, such as the McDonnell XF-85 Goblin 'parasite fighter', Convair XF-92 delta-wing interceptor and many others, alongside tables listing the performance characteristics of both operational and experimental aircraft from this era. These sections offer invaluable insights into the 'what ifs' of aviation history, showing how alternative designs might have shaped air combat strategies differently. The first in an extensive series of volumes, each exploring different facets of US air power during the Cold War, subsequent titles will cover bombers, naval aviation, and the evolving roles of fighters and bombers through conflicts such as the Korean and Vietnam wars. Each volume will maintain a focus on the technical and engineering aspects that defined these aircraft, rather than operational histories alone. Extensively illustrated, including rare photographs and specially-commissioned color artwork, this book provides a thorough and engaging exploration of a transformative period in US air power history.

Details the development, political maneuvering, and operational history of US bomber aircraft from 1945-1949, with rich illustrations and technical details.In the immediate aftermath of the Second World War, the air forces of the United States faced unprecedented challenges. Demobilization had stripped the armed forces of millions of personnel, while the rapid transition from a wartime economy strained the aviation industry at the same time as the US Army Air Forces (USAAF) was re-established as the independent US Air Force (USAF). US Air Power 1945-1990 Volume 2: Bombers 1945-1949 Part 1: Policy, War Plans, Strategic Air Command and Manufacturers examines this pivotal period, analysing the first steps the USAF took to re-establish its dominance in the skies during the early Cold War era.This first part of Volume 2 provides a detailed examination of the development of the US bomber force in the years immediately following the Second World War. A new era of weapon and aircraft technologies demanded new aircraft capable of delivering atomic weapons deep into the heart of the USSR. This work examines the evolving concept of war as the USAAF evolved into the USAF and Strategic Air Command was established.In addition, Volume 2 Part 1 looks at the role played by the major manufacturers of bomber aircraft as they transitioned from producing huge numbers of war-time bombers to smaller numbers of post-war designs incorporating new technologies for still-evolving concepts for atomic warfare.This volume is richly illustrated throughout with original photographs from the period, along with specially commissioned colour artworks.

This volume chronicles the conflict over the unification of Germany, which actually occurred on German soil. The campaign in southern and western Germany ensured that political control of German affairs would be firmly in Prussian hands, controlled by Bismarck, in much the same way that the great battles between Prussia and Austria in the east woul

Covers the origins of the disputes and border clashes between Chile and Argentina from independence until early 1978.The Beagle conflict was a territorial dispute between Argentina and Chile over the determination of the layout of the eastern mouth of the Beagle Channel, which affected the sovereignty of the islands located south of the channel, and east of Cape Horn and its adjacent maritime spaces.The first antecedents of the conflict date back to 1888, seven years after the signing of the Treaty of Limits. In 1901, the first Argentine map appeared in which some of the islands in question were drawn as within Argentina's control. Despite the small size of the islands, their strategic value between the Atlantic and Pacific oceans caused a long conflict between the two South American states that went on for much of the 20th century, causing a number of 'minor' incidents, and almost culminating in a major war.The conflict focused on the dispute over the sovereignty of the islands and the oceanic rights generated by them to Chile, but it was not limited exclusively to these islands.Volume 1 of The Beagle Conflict mini-series covers the origins of the dispute and border clashes between the two countries from the time of the independence of Chile and Argentina from the Spanish Crown, until early 1978, and is illustrated with original photographs, custom-drawn artworks and maps.

When it was founded in 1949, the People's Republic of China was an agricultural state with no industrial base to speak of and no armaments industry of its own. From the very beginning, Mao Tse Dng, the founder of the state, endeavored to develop his own modern defense industry in order to gain weight on the international stage. Part of this effort was the development of a domestic aerospace industry with massive support from the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (colloquially the 'Soviet Union').Until the two countries broke up in 1961 due to ideological differences, more than 100 aviation companies were established with Soviet help and the licensed production of numerous aircraft types from trainers to heavy bombers was started. The last of these was the MiG-21, which is reproduced in China as the J-7.It took more than 10 years before the country, weakened by the 'Great Leap Forward' and the Cultural Revolution, succeeded at all in producing this comparatively complex aircraft. Only the comprehensive reforms after the death of state founder Mao created the basis for a return to orderly production of a technology that was already two decades old and outdated.The rapprochement with the West in the early 1980s made it possible, in part, to overcome the technological backlog. The integration of Western avionics into the Soviet airframe did not make the J/F-7 a modern combat aircraft like the F-16 and MiG-29 developed at the same time, but it increased its combat value to such an extent that it became an export success for the Third World. However, even more important was the access to Western technologies, later also for air-to-air missiles, which were initially, simply copied and later formed the basis for in-house developments of modern equipment and weapons systems.When cooperation with the West ended abruptly after the Tiananmen massacre of 1989, Chinese engineers and scientists had accumulated enough know-how to provide their own impetus in the further development of the J/F-7 family. Due to the combination of new aerodynamics and modern avionics, true multi-role combat aircraft were finally created which today, still spearhead their air forces in numerous countries in Asia and Africa.When the production of the J/F-7 finally ended in 2016, two generations of modern fighters based on this design were coming off the production line in China, and the prototypes of the fifth generation were already flying. The experience gained by China's aerospace industry in developing the J/F-7 from a day fighter to a multi-role fighter has made this success possible.The book deals with both the technical development of the J/F-7 family and its actual or potential use in more than a dozen countries on five continents.

The days of 11-13 June, 1982, proved that Arik Sharon's plan was over-ambitious and adventuristic. Dragging the IDF into the fight with Syrians appeared to be more complicated despite IDF superiority in technology and training. The armored units were moving too slowly and were stuck in numerous engagements all over the place.In the Western zone, after several failed attempts to take higher ground and open the road to Beirut, IDF finally made its gain and secured Kfar Sil after a very tough fight that lasted not less than 18 hours.In the Central zone, after getting the upper hand over the Syrian forces in Ein Zhalta and Jezzine, Israelis continued to crawl towards Beirut-Damascus Highway but the tempo had been lost and it was obvious that the Sharon expectation could not be matched.In Bekaa Valley, Eastern zone, IDF moved 399 Brigade to the north in order to reach Beirut Damascus Highway in the quickest possible way. That move turned out to be a disaster and one of the worst fights in IDF history. It took tremendous effort of two Israeli divisions to recover the troubled Brigade while suffering losses in men and machines.Besides the major battles, Israeli forces continued to clear the area while having tough opposition hotspots like Ein-Hilweh and finally, the controversial engagement between IDF anti-tank units and Syrian T-72s.

An in-depth military and political reappraisal of the Anguilla Crisis, exploring the countdown to military intervention, its tactical implementation and its legacy.In the early morning darkness of 19 March 1969, troops from Britain's 2nd Battalion of the Parachute Regiment (2 PARA) and Royal Marines, clambered into the small landing craft and helicopters aboard HMS Minervaand HMS Rothesay. Their objective, under 'Operation Sheepskin', was to invade the small Caribbean island of Anguilla through both an amphibious and airborne assault. The operation aimed to crush a two-year island rebellion against the postcolonial government of Robert Bradshaw on St Kitts. Recent military intelligence reports had been patchy as to the level of resistance to be expected from the islanders; however, the number of firearms estimated to be on the island and the recent hostility experienced by British diplomats, suggested that the troops were about to encounter a storm of bullets as they hit the beaches. Strangely enough, as the squaddies splashed ashore, they were met by the thunderous silence of an empty beach apart from the clicks of journalists' cameras. To the surprise of all involved, the occupation of the island was subsequently achieved without bloodshed. Whilst British policymakers soon questioned whether they had misread the situation in Anguilla and overreacted militarily, Fleet Street and the international media responded with ridicule. The operation was presented as a farce and emblematic of Britain's declining world role since the end of empire. This satirical interpretation has remained the abiding memory, if the invasion is remembered at all, within British public consciousness. Despite the military anti-climax however, this does not detract from the considerable importance of Operation Sheepskin for understanding the complexities of decolonization in the Caribbean; Britain's military performance following the retreat from 'East of Suez' and decision-making within the Labour government of Prime Minister Harold Wilson.This book offers an in-depth military and political reappraisal of the Anguilla Crisis, exploring the countdown to military intervention, its tactical implementation and its legacy. In doing so, the book evaluates the reasons for the British government's apparent overreaction to the crisis, the scandal that rocked Whitehall as Operation Sheepskin was being arranged and finally, the series of operational blunders which emerged as the operation was carried out. Constituting a neglected and unusual chapter of post-war British military history, the book will appeal to those readers interested in the wars of decolonization, British politics in the 1960s and the history of the Caribbean at the end of empire.

The U.S. Army's permanent opposing forces can trace their origins to 1946, when the Army stood up the fictional 'Circle Trigonist' aggressor force based loosely on Second World War German and Soviet forces, which gradually morphed into a more Soviet type of opponent for Army exercises as the Cold War progressed. While there were no dedicated aggressor units, the Army established unique doctrine, tactics, uniforms, and even used the Esperanto language to create a common 'enemy' for the entire Army to train against.It was only after the Vietnam War that the Army established a lasting, dedicated opposing force to ensure the Army trained as it expected to fight in the next war. First established at the National Training Center (NTC) in California's Death Valley in 1982, the professional OPFOR now comprises: - The 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment at NTC is a brigade-sized unit that can replicate a low-level urban insurgency or an entire Soviet-style armored division;- The 1st Battalion, 509th Airborne Infantry at the Joint Readiness Training Center (JRTC) Louisiana that specializes in replicating low-intensity conflicts for light infantry and special operations forces;- The 1st Battalion, 4th Infantry, a combined arms unit at the Joint Multinational Readiness Center (JMRC) in Germany that provides an adaptable enemy for U.S. and allied forces to train against in Europe.Each OPFOR unit has unique uniforms, emblems and vehicles to help it portray an enemy force with some fidelity. Each Combat Training Center provides a unique and challenging environment for the training of visiting U.S. and allied units.The Army OPFOR provides an aggressive, challenging force with which to test tactics, techniques, readiness and equipment in a simulated combat environment, where units are tracked real-time and lasers are used to determine hits and kills. Observer/controllers provide feedback to the units being trained, helping them to identify and correct shortcomings.The experiences provided by the OPFOR contributed significantly to the decisive victories in Operation Desert Storm in 1991 and Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2003 and provided a pre-deployment crucible for units deploying to Iraq and Afghanistan's subsequent insurgencies. All three units continue in this role today, adapting to accurately portray terrorists, hybrid semi-state groups, and near-peer state adversaries.

The book describes the Bosnian Serb Army in the Bosnian War 1992-1995. It provides a detailed account on organization, personnel, equipment and combat activities during the years of war. It covers the transfer parts of the Yugoslav People's Army into Vojske Republike Srpske 1992, the initial operations and offensives in 1992-1993 ('Koridor', Jajce, Podrinje, Trnovo). Short overview of the other warring parties: Army of BiH, Croatian Council of Defense, Army of Western Bosnia, UNPROFOR and NATO Rapid Reaction Force. The book shall outline the development of the VRS organisation, list the equipment and problems in the command chain. It shall follow with the descriptions of the operations in 1994 (Gorazde, Bihac Pocket, wider Sarajevo) and 1995 (Sarajevo, Western Krajina, Srebrenica, Zepa, Drvar and Banja Luka). The book discusses further NATO involvement through the air attacks in 1994/95, deployment of the Rapid Reaction Force and finally, Operation Deliberated Force which led to the wider, Croat-Muslim offensive causing the end of the war under the auspices of the US shuttle diplomat R. Holbrooke. The final chapter examines the influence of the Dayton accord, Paris peace treaty, deployment of the IFOR, Implementation Force and demilitarizing of the warring parties.

The first in a two-volume illustrated history of the coup that brought down the dictatorial regime that had been in power for over 40 years in Portugal.On 25 April 1974, a movement of young captains brought down, with practically no resistance, the dictatorial regime that had been in power for over 40 years in Portugal. In the early hours of that day, a military movement unleashed a series of operations that, in less than 24 hours, defeated the forces loyal to the regime, neutralizing any possibility of reaction. Few forces resisted the insurgents, and the only resistance worthy of note came from the political police, who in the heat of the revolution opened fire on the surrounding crowd causing four deaths.In the streets of Lisbon, the people enthusiastically joined the military revolt and started offering food, drinks, and red carnations to the soldiers, who decided to stick them in the barrels of their rifles, leading to the revolt being known as the Carnation Revolution. Although it began with a military coup d'état, 25 April paved the way for democracy, and there is no comparison to other similar revolutions. It was also a unique event in the European context of the time that broke Portugal's isolation and brought it closer to other Western democracies.This book is the first in a two-volume history. It describes the background to the revolution, the causes that led to the revolt of the captains and the situation in the Portuguese colonies in Africa, where guerrilla wars for their independence had been going on for more than a decade. Carnation Revolution Volume 1: The Road to the Coup that Changed Portugal is richly illustrated with photographs and specially commissioned artworks.

"The War in Ukraine series continues to be an excellent source of information on events from 2014 leading up to the current conflict between Russia and the Ukraine." -- AMPSThe two largest heirs to the massive Soviet tank force that faced NATO during the Cold War - Russia and Ukraine - have been fighting one another since 2014 in what has now become the largest war in Europe since 1945. Volume 4 of the War in Ukraine series examines the common legacy of Soviet main battle tanks (MBTs) inherited by both sides in this conflict and the evolution of three models in a relatively short space of time with nominally similar characteristics: the T-64, T-72, and T-80. Drawing upon Russian and Ukrainian source material not often examined in the West, this book looks into the design history of these models and their relative strengths and weaknesses, and challenges a number of common myths circulating about these MBTs from the days of the Cold War up to the present. This book then goes on to examine the evolution of these models in Russian service in the post-Soviet era, including the T-90, and Russian attempts to upgrade their MBT technologies.This volume, extensively illustrated with full color images, is essential reading for the reader interested in late Soviet, and post-Soviet Russian MBT design, and the forces employed in the current war in Ukraine. The full history of the Russo- Ukrainian War remains to be written, but this book aims to at least give a background and a glimpse into one particular aspect of the war, as well as the role the MBT has played in the largest war of the twenty-first century so far.Volume 5 will continue the story of Post-Soviet Ukrainian MBT development and the use of MBTs by both sides in the current war.

The resumption of conflict between 1648 and 1651 is frequently referred to as the Second and Third Civil Wars. The period marked not only a return to war, but to a bloodier, more violent conflict that had perhaps been seen before in the British Isles. Massacre, summary executions, wonton destruction and assault on the civilian population were commonplace. In early 1648 a political faction called the 'Engagers' gained control of the Scottish Government and sent an army into England to support numerous pro-Royalist risings across the country. Poorly equipped and trained with low morale, the Scottish 'Engager' Army and its Royalist allies were no match for the New Model Army led by Cromwell. The two sides met at Preston in August 1648 and after an initial clash, the Scots finally surrendered at Warrington two days later.Following the execution of Charles Ist in January 1649, the Scots supporting his son Charles IInd went to war against England, now a republic. A second invasion of England was launched, and the Scots found themselves corned at Worcester by English forces, once again led by Oliver Cromwell. The battle, the last major action of the British Civil Wars was fought on the 3rd September 1651, was described by Cromwell as 'a crowning mercy'.The venue for the 2022 conference was Worcester Cathedral. The obvious theme for the conference was the Scottish invasions of England in 1648 and 1651. Not only did Worcester witness the last major battle of the British Civil Wars, but the Cathedral was used as a temporary prison to hold the Scottish prisoners.The papers in this book of proceedings include: Ronald Hutton - Key Note Speaker and ForewordStuart Jennings - Colonel Francis Thornhagh and the Battle of Preston, 1648Peter Gaunt - A Tale of Two Risings: Was the second civil war in England and Wales primarily pro-Royalist or anti-Parliamentarian?Malcolm Wanklyn - The Control of Command in the British Wars 1642-1651 Edward Furgol - Three armies into one? Scottish Engager military organization in 1648

Covers the events of Operation AL from the Japanese raid on Dutch Harbor and the invasion of Attu and Kiska to the American landing on Adak in late August 1942.At the beginning of June 1942, in the wake of the enormous Japanese struggle to bring a conclusive victory in the Pacific War, the Imperial Japanese Navy commenced Operation AL (AL Sakusen). Among the objectives of this bold plan was the 2nd Kidō Butai's carrier-borne strike on the American military base at Dutch Harbor and seizing part of the Aleutian Archipelago in the North Pacific. Operation AL, elaborated by the Navy General Staff and the Combined Fleet, was an initiative that could expand the Japanese perimeter far eastwards to secure the northern approach to the home islands and prevent the potential of US-Soviet military cooperation against Japan. By conquering Attu and Kiska in the Aleutians, the Japanese Army and Navy intended to turn them into bastions that, supplied directly from the Kurile Islands, would check any American advance from the north until at least the summer of 1943.The great disaster at Midway foiled the Japanese plan to create a greater defensive perimeter, though, ironically, as a result of the same battle, the Americans lacked the forces to reconquer the two lost islands. A Japanese presence on US land, remote on maps but seen as a natural highway to Alaska and America's back door, also caused chaos among military personnel and politicians alike in Washington D.C., sharing the fear of an attack on the West Coast and the inability to predict Japanese intentions.Volume 1 of Into the Endless Mist covers the events of Operation AL from the Japanese raid on Dutch Harbor and the invasion of Attu and Kiska to the American landing on Adak in late August 1942, and is illustrated throughout with original photographs along with the @War series' signature color artworks.

Lacking funding to purchase and operate own aircraft, the Rhodesian police established the British South Africa Police Reserve Air Wing (PRAW). Equipped with private aircraft, mostly flown by owner pilots, this extended policing across a country that had few roads, reaching remote villages and farms, separated by long distances. Established in 1967, the PRAW assisted in the capture of criminals, transported police officers, and flew in support of police operations. During the 1960s, it was expanded into three flights with more than 20 aircraft.By 1974, the PRAW included five flights, by 1979, nine, with two of its pilots being awarded the M.B.E. for outstanding services. As the conflict in Rhodesia escalated, it began actively cooperating with the Rhodesian armed forces: its miscellany of Beechs, Cessnas, Pipers, and Taylorcraft - all apparently 'sports and utility' aircraft - were armed: sometimes with light machine guns installed in underwing pods, but often with heavy machine guns that fired through the side doors, de-facto converting them into mini-gunships.Based on extensive use of official documentation, participant recollections, and richly illustrated, the British South Africa Police Reserve Force Air Wing Volume 2 continues an account of this service.

The Battle of Lützen, 2 May 1813, was Napoleon's first battle of the 1813 campaign, and was soon followed by Bautzen on 20-21 May. Both were bloody affairs in which Napoleon's newly raised army met the Allied armies of Russia and Prussia, but they were otherwise very different. Lützen was an encounter battle, with troops committed to the fight as they arrived from various directions, and in which neither side had a clear idea of their enemy's strength and location. Bautzen was a set piece battle, fought on ground chosen and prepared for defense by the Allies. The two contrasting battles offer fascinating challenges for wargames commanders.The battles were not symmetrical. For example the French significantly outnumbered the Allies at Bautzen, but were weaker in cavalry. Both battles are generally deemed to have been French victories, albeit indecisive ones because Napoleon lacked the cavalry to carry out a pursuit that could turn a retreat into a rout. An analysis of the casualties however, shows that the results were not so clear cut. After these two 'victories', Napoleon was happy to agree to an armistice in June 1813.A discussion of the historical battles highlights errors made by the commanders on the day. The wargame commanders will have to decide how they deploy their forces (within historical constraints), and time their use of reserves. Will they repeat the mistakes of history, or will they make their own mistakes?This book helps teams of wargamers refight the battles on a table top with model soldiers. They can be fought as independent battles or, given the high level of commonality of the forces present, linked together in a mini-campaign.The guide sets out the strategic and political situation in central Europe and contains a thorough but clear account of the historical battles. It provides detailed orders of battle of the opposing armies, scaled down orders of battle for game purposes, maps of the historical events, stylized maps for laying out wargames tables, and instructions for each battle and for the mini-campaign. Design notes explain the rationale and historical background to the scenario instructions.The scenario maps are set out on square grids for ease of setting up tabletop terrain. Any set of wargames rules for the period is able to be used to play the scenarios. The key points for the game army lists are the number of units and their quality.Given that the sides were unequal, the game victory conditions are based on a comparison with the historical results, rather than the usual outright victory or defeat.This book is the second in a series of guides written by Rohan Saravanamuttu, the first being Leipzig, the Battle of the Nations: A Wargamer's Guide to the Battle of Leipzig 1813, also published by Helion & Co in this series.