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An introduction to the history of the Civil War for kids ages 6 to 9 The United States was not…
always united. On December 20, 1860, South Carolina became the first state to leave the Union. Soon after, many other states joined it to try and create their own country: the Confederate States of America. Within months, the Confederates would launch an attack on Fort Sumter and begin a war that lasted almost four years. This engaging story explores how and why the war started, who was fighting, what happened during the many bloody battles, and how the Union and Confederacy reunited. This Civil War book for kids features: A visual timeline—Kids will be able to easily follow the history of the Civil War thanks to a timeline marking major milestones. Core curriculum—Teach kids about the Who, What, Where, When, Why, and How behind the Civil War, and test their knowledge with a quick quiz after they finish. Lasting changes—Encourage kids to explore thought-provoking questions that help them better understand how the Civil War changed the United States. Get early readers interested in one of America's most defining historical events with this standout guide to the Civil War for kids 6-9.Air Marshal Sir Keith Park: Victor of the Battle of Britain, Defender of Malta
By Murray Rowlands. 2021
A long-overdue biography of the dedicated commander from New Zealand who helped ward off the Luftwaffe and save Britain from…
a Nazi invasion.The Battle of Britain from July to September 1940 is one of the finest moments in Britain’s history. While credit rightly goes to “The Few,” victory could never have happened without the inspirational command and leadership of New Zealander Keith Park.He and Air Chief Marshal Sir Hugh Dowding ensured that Fighter Command was prepared for the Nazi onslaught. Promoted to Air Vice Marshal, Park took over No 11 Group, responsible for the defense of London and South East England in April 1940. A shrewd tactician and hands-on commander, Park carefully husbanded his limited resources and famously wore down Goering’s Luftwaffe, thus forcing Hitler to abandon his invasion plans.Shamefully, Dowding and Park were dismissed from their commands in the aftermath of victory due to internal RAF politics. Fortunately, Park’s career was far from over and his management of the defense of Malta made a significant contribution to victory in the Mediterranean. This balanced and well overdue account aims to ensure that Air Chief Marshal Sir Keith Park receives the credit for this victory that he so richly deserves.Includes photographsDay Fighter Aces of the Luftwaffe 1943–45 (Casemate Illustrated #Cis0018)
By Neil Page. 2020
The second volume of this “excellent” overview of Germany’s World War II fighter pilots, filled with photos, maps, and aircraft…
profiles (Air Power History).This volume of Day Fighter Aces of the Luftwaffe traces the story of the Luftwaffe’s day fighter arm from 1942 through to the end of the war in Europe, covering missions over Russia in 1943, over the West and the Reich, the Eastern Front and the Mediterranean. Organized campaign by campaign, this chronological account interweaves brief biographical details, newly translated personal accounts, and key moments in the careers of a host of notable and lesser known Luftwaffe aces. Fully illustrated with 200 contemporary photographs, maps, and profiles of the aircraft flown by these aces, this is a visual delight for anyone with an interest in the day fighter aces of the Luftwaffe.Sailor' Malan—Freedom Fighter: The Inspirational Story of a Spitfire Ace
By Dilip Sarkar Mbe. 2021
Adolph Gysbert Malan was born in Wellington, South Africa. A natural leader and driven individual with a totally positive outlook,…
aged fourteen Malan became an officer cadet in the South African Merchant Navy, before being commissioned into the Royal Navy Reserve. Well-travelled and worldly-wise, aged twenty-five the intrepid adventurer applied for a Short Service Commission in the RAF. Universally known as ‘Sailor’ in the RAF, Malan became a fighter pilot. Shortly after war was declared, Malan was involved in the infamous ‘Battle of Barking Creek’, in which 74 Squadron mistakenly destroyed friendly Hurricanes. Then, over Dunkirk in May 1940, Malan’s exceptional ability was immediately demonstrated in combat and a string of confirmed aerial victories rapidly accumulated. The following month, Malan scored the Spitfire’s first nocturnal kill. By August 1940 he was commanding 74 Squadron, which he led with great distinction during the Battle of Britain. In March 1941, Malan was promoted and became the first Wing Commander (Flying) at Biggin Hill, leading the three-squadron-strong Spitfire wing during operations over northern France. After a break from operations, Malan went on to command a succession of fighter training units, passing on his tactical genius and experience, and producing his famous ‘Ten Rules of Air Fighting’ which are still cited today. By the war’s end, Group Captain Malan was the RAF’s tenth top-scoring fighter pilot. Leaving the RAF in 1945 and returning to South Africa, he was disgusted by Apartheid and founded the ‘Torch Commando’ of ex-servicemen against this appalling racist policy. This part of Malan’s life is equally as inspirational, in fact, as his wartime service, and actually tells us more about the man than just his RAF record. Tragically, in 1963, he died, prematurely, aged just fifty-three, of Parkinson’s. Written with the support of the Malan family, this biography is the full story of a remarkable airman and politician.Air Defence Artillery in Combat, 1972 to the Present: The Age of Surface-to-Air Missiles
By Colonel Mandeep Singh. 2020
“It covers, chapter by chapter the anti-air battle in wars from Yom Kippur (1973) onwards . . . a readable,…
well researched and well-presented book.” —Army Rumour Service (ARRSE)Anti-aircraft artillery truly came into prominence during the Second World War, shooting down more aircraft than any other weapon and seriously affecting the conduct of air operations. Development continued into the Cold War, resulting in the extensive introduction of surface-to-air missiles, or SAMs. Though the first combat success of such weapons was during the Vietnam War, when a Soviet-designed S-75 Dvina missile shot down a USAF F-4C Phantom on 24 July 1965, it was the Yom Kippur War of 1973 which brought surface-to-air missiles to the center stage.During this short but bitter conflict, Egyptian and Syrian air defenses shot down nearly fifty Israeli aircraft in the first three days alone—almost a fourth of Israel’s entire combat aircraft fleet. In all, Israel lost 104 aircraft during the war and, for the first time, more aircraft were lost to SAMs than any other cause. The age of surface-to-air missiles had dawned.In this unique examination, the author details the development of not just surface-to-air missiles, but all anti-aircraft artillery, since 1972. The part that such equipment played in all of the major conflicts since then is explored, including the Soviet Afghan War, the Falklands War, in which Rapier was deployed, the conflict in Lebanon, Kosovo and Bosnia, the Gulf War, Operation Desert Storm in 1991, and Operation Iraqi Freedom in 1993. The investigation is brought right up to date by a study of the weapons, tactics and engagements seen in the conflicts in Syria and Yemen.Day Fighter Aces of the Luftwaffe 1939–42 (Casemate Illustrated #Cis0017)
By Neil Page. 2020
A pictorial history of Hitler’s fighter pilots that “will be of great interest to aircraft modelers and aviation historians alike”…
(AMPS Indianapolis).Military and aviation history enthusiasts have always been interested in the fighter pilots of Hitler’s Luftwaffe. Around five hundred Luftwaffe fighter pilots were awarded the Knight’s Cross, accumulating huge numbers of missions flown. A similar number achieved more than forty victories—more than the two leading USAF and RAF fighter pilots. Indeed, some of their stories are extraordinary. Fighting from the Arctic Circle to the North African deserts, from the Caucasus in the East to Normandy in the West, the German fighter pilot flew and fought until he was shot down, “flown out,” wounded, or killed in action. A handful survived from “first to last.”This first volume of Day Fighter Aces of the Luftwaffe traces the story of the Luftwaffe’s day fighter arm (der Tagjagd) from its inception to 1942. Organized campaign by campaign, this chronological account interweaves brief biographical details, newly translated personal accounts, and key moments in the careers of a host of notable and lesser-known Luftwaffe aces.Spitfire Ace of Aces: The Photographs of Johnnie Johnson
By Dilip Sarkar. 2021
Air Vice-Marshal James Edgar ‘Johnnie’ Johnson CB, CBE, DSO & Two Bars, DFC & Bar, DL was a character literally…
from the pages of Boys’ Own: an individual who became the RAF’s top-scoring fighter pilot of the Second World War. A one-time household name synonymous with the superlative Spitfire, Johnnie’s aerial combat successes inspired schoolboys for generations. As a ‘lowly Pilot Officer’, Johnnie Johnson learned his fighter pilot’s craft as a protégé of the legless Tangmere Wing Leader, Douglas Bader. After Bader was brought down over France and captured on 9 August 1941, Johnnie remained a member of 616 (South Yorkshire) Squadron, in which he became a flight commander and was awarded the DFC a month after Bader’s devastating loss. In time, Johnnie came to command a Canadian wing in 1943, when the Spitfire Mk.IX at last outclassed the Fw 190, and participated in some of the most important battles of the defeat of Nazi Germany, including Operation Overlord and the D-Day landings in 1944, Operation Market Garden and the airborne assault at Arnhem, and the Rhine Crossings, throughout all of which Johnnie also commanded Canadian wings. Johnnie’s remarkable career is revealed through this unparalleled collection of archive photographs, the majority of which are drawn from his own personal album or from other members of the Johnson family. Many have not been published before. Between them, they present a fascinating insight into the man himself, the machines he flew, and the men he served alongside.United States Navy Destroyers: Rare Photographs From Wartime Archives (Images of War)
By Michael Green. 2020
This pictorial history examines the key role played by US Navy destroyers from the turn of the twentieth century through…
the Cold War and beyond.The first sixteen United States Navy destroyers were ordered in 1898. Prior to America’s entry into the First World War, another sixty-three destroyers were commissioned and, due to the U-boat threat, 267 more were authorized by Congress once hostilities were joined.Between 1932 and Pearl Harbor ten new classes totaling 169 destroyers came into service. During the Second World War, American shipyards turned out a further 334 vessels. Of the three classes, the 175 Fletcher-class were judged the most successful.The Cold War years saw the development of seven more classes, while more recent additions include eighty-two of the stealth-shaped Arleigh Burke class. In this comprehensive account, author and military expert Michael Green combines a superb collection of historical images with an authoritative text.Sherman: The M4 Tank in World War II (Casemate Illustrated Special)
By Michel Esteve. 2020
“A superbly organized, well-written, detailed history of the Sherman tank” with hundreds of photos and diagrams included (Armor Magazine).The Medium…
Tank, M4, better known to the British as the Sherman, was the most widely used medium tank by the United States and western Allies in World War II. Reliable, relatively cheap to produce, and easy to maintain, thousands were distributed to the British Commonwealth and the Soviet Union by the Lend-Lease program. It first saw combat in North Africa, where it outclassed lighter German and Italian tanks. By 1944 the M4 was outgunned by the German heavy tanks, but it still contributed to the fight when deployed in numbers and supported by artillery and fighter-bombers.A detailed insight into the development and deployment of the M4, this book covers the design and construction of the chassis, turret, engine, armaments, and munitions, and differences between the variants of the M4. It covers the difficulties facing the crews who fought in this legendary tank, exploring the training they received and the different combat methods perfected by the Allies, including landing from a landing craft, maneuvering in the bocage of Normandy, and fighting in the snow.Fully illustrated with hundreds of contemporary and modern photographs and detailed diagrams, this complete account provides all the technical details of the construction of the M4, its maintenance and repair, and the logistics required to support it in combat.Whether you are a collector, a modeler, or simply passionate about military history, this book will provide you with an unparalleled insight into the M4.“Period photos, preservation shots, interior details, variant schematics, archival excerpts, armament and ammunition drawings, and more . . . Make it your introduction to this legendary tank family.” —CybermodelerWhen elephants fight, it is the grass that suffers. This ancient proverb of the Kikuyu people, a tribal group in…
Kenya, Africa, is as true today as when the words were first spoken, perhaps thousands of years ago. Its essence is simplicity—when the large fight, it is the small who suffer most. And when it comes to war, the smallest, the most vulnerable, are the children. When Elephants Fight presents the stories of five children—Annu, Jimmy, Nadja, Farooq and Toma—from five very different and distinct conflicts—Sri Lanka, Uganda, Sarajevo, Afghanistan and the Sudan. Along with these very personal accounts, the book also offers brief analyses of the history and geopolitical issues that are the canvas on which these conflicts are cast. When Elephants Fight is about increasing awareness. For the future to be better than the past, better than the present, we must help equip our children with an awareness and understanding of the world around them and their ability to bring about change. Gandhi stated, "If you are going to change the world, start with the children."Chinese Grand Strategy in the 21st Century: According to Plan? (Asian Security Studies)
By Thomas M. Kane, Noah Falkovich. 2024
This book examines the state of China’s grand strategy in the 21st century, including political, military and economic factors. Over…
the past two decades, the People’s Republic of China (PRC) has attained the second highest gross domestic product in the world, taken a leadership role in East Asian regional organisations and substantially improved its military capabilities. Each of these developments – and many others like them – have attracted attention from scholars, journalists and policymakers. Less frequently acknowledged – but perhaps of greater significance – is the impressive congruence of Beijing’s accomplishments. This book highlights how the PRC’s successes support one another and pave the way for future accomplishments, and how these successes seem to be achieved in an unusually coherent and purposeful way. As Beijing’s relations with the rest of the world continue to evolve, with events ranging from the ongoing global economic crisis to the turbulence in China’s own stock market which may bring the PRC’s government under pressure to re-order its priorities, this book assesses China’s grand strategy and long-term approach to national policy. It identifies the political, military and economic instruments it is likely to use, the key challenges which it will face, and explores the implications for the global community. This book will be of great interest to students of Chinese politics, foreign policy, strategic studies, international security and IR in general.The Forts & Fortifications of Europe 1815-1945: Germany, Austria-Hungry and Czechoslovakia
By H. W. Kaufmann, J. E. Kaufmann. 1914
&“Extremely well written and presented and gives you every scrap of information you&’ll ever need on cupolas, embrasures and cloches.&”—War…
History Online After the Napoleonic Wars, the borders of Central Europe were redrawn and relative peace endured across the region, but the volatile politics of the late nineteenth century generated an atmosphere of fear and distrust, and it gave rise to a new era of fortress building, and this is the subject of this highly illustrated new study. The authors describe how defensive lines and structures on a massive scale were constructed along national frontiers to deter aggression. The Germans, Austro-Hungarians and Czechs all embarked on ambitious building programs. Artillery positions, barbed-wire networks, casemates, concrete bunkers, trench lines, observation posts all sprang up in a vain attempt to keep the peace and to delay the invader. The strategic thinking that gave rise to these defensive schemes is described in detail in this study, as is the planning, design and construction of the lines themselves. Their operational history in wartime, in particular during the Second World War, is a key element of the account. &“A useful introduction for those wishing to develop a knowledge of fortifications and their impact on the conduct of war.&”—Firetrench &“The maps and plans, especially the plans, are numerous and extremely helpful. They show the arrangement of fortifications in a way that simple text would have found impossible. For those with an interest in European land fortifications of the 19th and 20th centuries, this book is an excellent general survey.&”—The Coast Defense JournalA Military Atlas of the First World War
By Arthur Banks. 2013
“With the ingenious use of maps, diagrams and statistics, this indispensable work explains the strategies of the combatants and the…
diplomatic history.” —The BeaconThis is a unique study of the conflict of 1914–18 on land, sea and in the air, through maps, diagrams and illustrations. Within the scope of some 250 maps, Arthur Banks has presented both broad general surveys of political and military strategy, and the most closely researched details of major individual campaigns and engagements. These are supplemented by comprehensive analysis of military strengths and command structures and illustrations.“One of the best books of maps I’ve seen about any war. With 250 separate maps, you get something on just about every aspect of the war, from the familiar Western Front to the Zeppelin raids over Britain, through to the campaigns in the Middle East and beyond.” —History of War“I am delighted that, after being out-of-print from time to time, this reprint has arrived, to answer the prayers of teachers, pupils, researchers and others who need a quick and accurate reference guide.” —Stand To! (journal of The Western Front Association)Peninsular Eyewitnesses: The Experience of War in Spain and Portugal 1808–1813
By Charles Esdaile. 2008
Many books have been written about the British struggle against Napoleon in the Peninsula. A few recent studies have given…
a broader view of the ebb and flow of a long war that had a shattering impact on Spain and Portugal and marked the history of all the nations involved. But none of these books has concentrated on how these momentous events were perceived and understood by the people who experienced them. Charles Esdaile has brought together a vivid selection of contemporary accounts of every aspect of the war to create a panoramic yet minutely detailed picture of those years of turmoil. The story is told through memoirs, letters and eyewitness testimony from all sides. Instead of generals and statesmen, we mostly hear from less-well-known figures - junior officers and ordinary soldiers and civilians who recorded their immediate experience of the conflict.Mortars in World War II
By John Norris. 2015
Mortars were used throughout the Second World War by all armies and in all theatres. Although a very simple weapon…
they could greatly enhance the firepower of infantry formations, giving them their own mobile artillery arm. They repeatedly proved their worth in both offensive and defensive situations, breaking up or supporting infantry attacks and laying smoke or illumination rounds. Despite their ubiquity and effectiveness, there have been relatively few works devoted to these important and versatile weapons. John Norris give a brief history of the origins of the weapon and its use in the Great War before moving on to look in detail at the many types developed and used in the Second World War. The design and development of various types and their various munitions (HE, smoke and illumination) are discussed, including those incorporated into fixed defensive systems such as the Atlantic Wall, specialist variants developed for airborne units and those mounted on vehicles to provide mobile fire support. The tactics developed for their use and the structure of the support companies formed to utilize them are also examined in detail. And of course their combat history in the many theatres is outlined, using examples drawing on first-hand accounts of those that used them. This book is sure to be of great value to enthusiasts who collect mortars and their ammunition, re-enactors, modellers and wargamers as well as those readers interested in the history of weapons generally or those of World War II in particular.General Gordons death in Khartoum on 26 January 1885 and the fall of the besieged city to the forces of…
the Mahdi was a crucial episode in British imperial history. It was deeply controversial at the time, and it still is today. Gordon has routinely been depicted as the hero of the story, in contrast to Prime Minister Gladstone who is often portrayed as the villain of the piece, responsible for a policy of drift in Sudan.Fergus Nicolls radical reappraisal, which is based on eyewitness accounts and previously unpublished archive material, refutes the conventional image of both men. Presenting an inside view of Gladstones thinking and decision-making, Nicoll gives the prime minister credit for his steadfast insistence that Britain should have minimal engagement in and zero responsibility for Sudan. Gordon, who succumbed to a lasting mania that skewed his decision-making and undermined his military capacity, is cast in a more sceptical light. This fascinating insight into British policy in Africa exposes the inner workings of government, the influence of the press and public opinion and the power of a book to change a government.Each stage in the rapid sequence of events is reconsidered Gladstones steely determination to avoid involvement, Gordons partial evacuation of Khartoum, the siege, the despatch of the relief expedition that arrived too late, the abandonment of Sudan, and the subsequent political battle over responsibility. The personal cost to both men was great: Gordon lost his life and Gladstone saw his reputation gravely tarnished.Armies of Celtic Europe, 700 BC–AD 106: History, Organization & Equipment (Armies of the Past)
By Gabriele Esposito. 2019
A look at the military might of these ancient warriors who sacked Rome and conquered much of Europe. Although…
comprised of many distinct tribes and groupings, the Celts shared a distinctive culture that dominated much of Europe for centuries, and enjoyed a formidable reputation as fierce and brave warriors, skilled horsemen, and fine metalworkers. In 390 BC, an alliance of Celtic tribes defeated a Roman army at the River Allia and went on to sack Rome and thenceforth the Romans lived under their threat. In the early third century BC, a Celtic army swept into Macedonia and Greece, won a major victory at Thermopylai, and ransacked the sacred sanctuary at Delphi. Such was their warlike prowess that, when not fighting their own wars, they were sought after as mercenaries by many armies, serving as far afield as southern Egypt. When the Romans invaded Gaul—modern-day France and Belgium—and the British Isles, Celtic armies resisted them fiercely. In this book, Gabriele Esposito studies this fascinating warrior culture, their armies, strategy, tactics, and equipment—they invented the horned saddle and chainmail, and British armies were the last in Europe to use chariots on the battlefield. Also included are dozens of color photographs of reenactors to help bring these magnificent warriors back to life.Julian Romane examines the military events behind the emergence of the Sui and Tang dynasties in the period 581-626 AD.…
Narrating the campaigns and battles, he analyses in detail the strategy and tactics employed, a central theme being the collision of the steppe cavalry with Chinese infantry armies.By the fourth century AD, horse nomads had seized northern China. Conflict with these Turkic interlopers continued throughout the 5th and most of the 6th century. The emergence of the Sui dynasty (581-618) brought some progress but internal weakness led to their rapid collapse. The succeeding House of Tang, however, provided the necessary stability and leadership to underpin military success. This was largely the achievement of Li Shimin, who later became the second Tang Emperor. By the start of Li Shimins reign as Emperor Tang Taizong, effective military organizations had been developed and China reunified. His military campaigns are examples of tactical and strategic virtuosity that demonstrate the application of the distinctive Chinese way of war expounded in Chinese military manuals, including Li Shimins own writings.A Spy in the Sky: A Photographic Reconnaissance Spitfire Pilot in WWII
By Kenneth B. Johnson. 2019
&“An enjoyable ramble . . . the memoir of an unassuming, self-doubting aviator who, despite himself, proved to be pretty bloody good.&”…
—Aircrew Book Review Many stories abound of the daring exploits of the RAF&’s young fighter pilots defying the might of Hitler&’s Luftwaffe, yet little has been written about the pilots who provided the key evidence that guided the RAF planners—the aerial photographers. Ken Johnson joined No.1 Photographic Reconnaissance Unit as an eighteen-year-old. In this lighthearted reminiscence, he relives his training and transfer to an operational unit, but not the one he had expected. He had asked if he could fly Spitfires. He was granted that request, only to find himself joining a rare band of flyers who took to the skies alone, and who flew in broad daylight to photograph enemy installations with no radios and no armament. Unlike the fighter pilots who sought out enemy aircraft, the pilots of the PRU endeavored to avoid all contact; returning safely with their vital photographs was their sole objective. As well as flying in northern Europe, Ken Johnson was sent to North Africa, where his squadron became part of the United States Army Air Force North West African Photographic Wing (NAPRW). In this role, he flew across southern Europe, photographing targets in France and Italy. The Spy in the Sky fills a much-needed gap in the history of the RAF and, uniquely, the USAAF during the latter stages of the Second World War. &“The sorties he flew are nothing less than heroic . . . his writing style is very good, and very humorous at that!&” —Flyin&’ and Ridin&’ BlogOne Leg: The Life and Letters of Henry Wiliiam Paget, First Marquess of Anglesey, K.G. 1768–1854
By The Marquess of Anglesey. 1996
Letters and unpublished material contribute to this dramatic, humorous, and romantic biography of the heroic nobleman written by his descendant.…
Henry William Paget, first Marquess of Anglesey, was born more than twenty years before the French Revolution. Like his famous contemporary the Duke of Wellington, he became a legend during his lifetime. As a youth he was in one scrape after another; in his forties he figured in a celebrated elopement and duel which caused much scandal; but he is best known for his greatness as a cavalry leader. His brilliant timing of the charge of his &“heavies&” at Waterloo averted disaster in the first crisis of that battle. Having lost a leg by one of the last shots fired on that sanguinary day, he was later known as One-Leg Paget. Anglesey was twice lord-Lieutenant of Ireland. He was still in high office two years before his death at the age of sixty-five. Among the famous figures prominent in this absorbing story are the Prince Regent, Queen Victoria, Sir John Moore, Lord Melbourne, Daniel O&’Connell and, of course, the &“Iron Duke,&” with whom Anglesey was often at odds but of whom in old age he became a very close friend.