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Books > Social sciences > Warfare & defence > Weapons & equipment > General
An unforgettable story of discovery and unimaginable destruction
and a major biography of one of America's most brilliant--and most
divisive--scientists, "Robert Oppenheimer: A Life Inside the
Center" vividly illuminates the man who would go down in history as
"the father of the atomic bomb." Oppenheimer's talent and drive
secured him a place in the pantheon of great physicists and carried
him to the laboratories where the secrets of the universe revealed
themselves. But they also led him to contribute to the development
of the deadliest weapon on earth, a discovery he soon came to fear.
His attempts to resist the escalation of the Cold War arms
race--coupled with political leanings at odds with post-war
America--led many to question his loyalties, and brought down upon
him the full force of McCarthyite anti-communism. Digging deeply
into Oppenheimer's past to solve the enigma of his motivations and
his complex personality, Ray Monk uncovers the extraordinary,
charming, tortured man--and the remarkable mind--who fundamentally
reshaped the world.
Treasures of the Royal Armouries is a photographic journey through
Britain's national museum of arms and armour. It reflects the
diversity of the Royal Armouries' collection, which was assembled
over many centuries at the Tower of London and now spans the
ancient world to the present day. At the core of this journey is
the museum's unparalleled group of Tudor armours which derive from
the Greenwich Armoury of Henry VIII, but European swords, paintings
and manuscripts are equally well-represented. Stunning pieces from
Asia are included, as are key items from the national collection of
firearms, started in 1631 by Charles I and now housed at the
National Firearms Centre, as well as larger guns from the National
Artillery Centre at Fort Nelson. Each of the 115 entries tell
compelling stories, tracing the histories of individuals, campaigns
and cultures across millennia. They also consider the place of arms
in an increasingly turbulent world and the new challenges that
technology presents to a modern army. Treasures of the Royal
Armouries is a lavishly illustrated account of some of the most
interesting pieces of arms and armour in existence.
First published on the 15th anniversary of the Falklands War in 1982, THE SECRET WAR FOR THE FALKLANDS is nothing less than the secret history of the conflict, the first time the Royal Navy had been engaged by an enemy since 1945. In terms of hardware it was a test of the world's latest air and defence systems and a unique opportunity to push competing fighters to their limits in an environment that stretched men and aircraft alike. This book focuses on OPERATION CORPORATE, the task force assigned to retake the Falklands, and on the clandestine efforts to deny General Galtieri the one weapon that could have turned Corporate into a humilating defeat for Britain - the French-manufactured Exocet missile.
The first two volumes of this definitive history of German armor
are now available in English! Known for its emphasis on detail, the
Spielberger series shows in factory, test and combat photographs,
and detailed line drawings, all production models, prototypes and
modifications of specific armor and military vehicles. Volume I
covers all variations of the "Panther" tanks, including all
vehicles that used the Panther chassis. Volume II on the
Sturmgeschutz assault guns, shows all short and long gun versions,
as well as the various support vehicles of the Sturmartillerie.
Upcoming volumes include: Volume III on the Panzer IV, and Volume
IV and the Panzer III.
In January 1943, when the "U.S. Submachine Gun, Caliber .45, M3"
was officially adopted, it was a step into the future of
weapons-manufacturing technology. In absolute contrast to the
milled, high-quality Thompson models, the M3 was almost completely
made from sheet metal. Many soldiers mockingly called it "Grease
Gun," owing to its visual similarity to the mechanic's tool, but it
soon gained a fighting reputation. The Grease Gun saw action not
only in World War II, but also in Korea, Vietnam, and various other
conflicts around the globe. China and Argentina made copies for
their armies, and US surplus can still be found in foreign service
today. This book tells the complete story of this remarkable
weapon, from development and manufacturing to combat. Included are
descriptions of accessories, ammunition, and experimental models.
The reader will find many hitherto unknown details, background
information, and numerous photos.
Finally, a thorough work on the swords worn by German naval
officers and non-commissioned officers from 1806-1945. The authors,
both experienced collectors, have extensively researched in
archives and numerous public and private collections. Thus they
can, among other things, correct statements about the legendary
A'FA,rstenberg SwordsA, add new information on the various types,
and also provide a list of the wearers of honorary swords from the
days of the Imperial Navy, the Reichs- and Kriegsmarine. This
impressive book includes more than 250 images showing the weapons
and their wearers.
This is the first English language work to examine the subject in
detail and the first in any language to identify, describe, and
quantify variations and production figures for the models covered.
The book focuses on the Czechoslovak Communist period (1948-1989),
but reaches back into the 1930s in order to trace the history of
the 6.35 mm Duo pocket pistol, which remained in production under
the name Z until 1974 with a total of thirteen distinct marking
variations, and the 6.35 mm model 1945, which had its beginnings as
the model 1936. The 7.65 mm model 50 police pistol and its
successor, the model 70, are covered in depth, documenting both
marking variations and a significant number of design changes
introduced during their thirty-three-year production life. The 7.62
mm model 52 Army pistol is given extensive treatment based on data
drawn from over 2,000 specimens; in addition to descriptions of
both standard and rare variants, significant discussion of the
pistol's mechanical characteristics and potential safety problems
is presented. Also covered are the more modern commercial CZ 75 and
CZ 85, the military model 82, and the commercial CZ 83, as are
small caliber target pistols and signal pistols.
During the American Civil War, the mounted soldiers fighting on
both sides of the conflict carried a wide array of weapons, from
sabers and lances to carbines, revolvers, and other firearms.
Though some sections of the cavalry placed their trust in the
sabre, the advent of viable breechloading carbines -- especially
repeaters such as the Spencer -- was to transform warfare within
little more than a decade of General Lee's final surrender at
Appomattox. However, output struggled to keep up with unprecedented
demands on manufacturing technology and distribution in areas where
communication was difficult and in states whose primary aim was to
equip their own men rather than contribute to the arming of Federal
or Confederate regiments. In addition, the almost unparalleled
losses of men and equipment ensured that almost any firearm,
effectual or not, was pressed into service. Consequently, the sheer
variety of weaponry carried reflected the mounted soldiers' various
roles in different theatres of operation, but also the availability
-- or otherwise -- of weapons, notably on the Confederate side.
Fully illustrated, this study assesses the effectiveness of the
many different weapons arming the Civil War cavalryman and analyses
the strengths and weaknesses of the decisions made after 1865
concerning the armament of the US cavalry.
Little has been written about police firearms and weaponry over the
years. Archival records are sparse and the history of the subject
complex. Fortunately, author, Dominique Noel, navigates the subject
with ease taking us through the history of police weaponry using a
wealth of photographs and previously unpublished documents. In this
comprehensive work we see the history of the police firearm from
the early days of St. Louis and the use of the halberd to the
peacekeeper of the 21st Century. In this book you will witness the
evolution of the police institution through the centuries and
discover the difficulties encountered since the Revolution as the
police has changed from a practical armed force to a strategic unit
with an arsenal of equipment. French Language
Superior engineering skills among Union soldiers helped ensure
victory in the Civil War. Engineering Victory brings a fresh
approach to the question of why the North prevailed in the Civil
War. Historian Thomas F. Army, Jr., identifies strength in
engineering-not superior military strategy or industrial
advantage-as the critical determining factor in the war's outcome.
Army finds that Union soldiers were able to apply scientific
ingenuity and innovation to complex problems in a way that
Confederate soldiers simply could not match. Skilled Free State
engineers who were trained during the antebellum period benefited
from basic educational reforms, the spread of informal educational
practices, and a culture that encouraged learning and innovation.
During the war, their rapid construction and repair of roads,
railways, and bridges allowed Northern troops to pass quickly
through the forbidding terrain of the South as retreating and
maneuvering Confederates struggled to cut supply lines and stop the
Yankees from pressing any advantage. By presenting detailed case
studies from both theaters of the war, Army clearly demonstrates
how the soldiers' education, training, and talents spelled the
difference between success and failure, victory and defeat. He also
reveals massive logistical operations as critical in determining
the war's outcome.
The legendary British, World War II STEN submachine gun is featured
in this concise, illustrated book. Famous for its use by British
elite forces, as well as the French underground during WWII,
variants of the STEN were manufactured and used by many countries
during the war and up through the 1970s. Beginning with its initial
design and construction, the Mk.I and Mk.I*, Mk.II, Mk.III, and
Mk.5 versions are presented in detail, including up-close images of
manufacturer's markings. Superb war-era photographs show the
various STEN models in combat use. Select foreign variants also
discussed include French, Polish, and German types. STEN
accessories such as magazines, ammunition, silencers, and bayonets
are featured throughout the book, as well as rarely seen
WWII-related uniform and equipment items.
During the Second World War, an American behavioural psychologist
working with pigeons discovered that the birds could be trained to
recognise an object and to peck at an image of it; when loaded into
the nose-cone of a missile, these pecks could be translated into
adjustments to the guidance fins, steering the projectile to its
target. Pigeon-Guided Missiles reveals this and other fascinating
tales of daring plans from history destined to change the world we
live in, yet which ended in failure, or even disaster. Some became
the victims of the eccentric figures behind them, others succumbed
to financial and political misfortune, and a few were just too far
ahead of their time. Discover why the great groundnut scheme cost
British taxpayers GBP49 million, why the bid to build Minerva, a
whole new country in the Pacific Ocean, sank, and why the first
Channel Tunnel (started in 1881, over a century before the one we
know today) hit a dead end.
In the Royal Navy vernacular, the term 'greenie' describes the
officers and ratings responsible for the electrical engineering
functions of the fleet. Electrical engineering has 'driven' the
Royal Navy for far longer than one might imagine, from solving the
problem of magnetic interference with the compass by the ironclad
early in the 20th century onward. Author Commander Moore traces the
development of technology from 1850 to today's integrated micro
computers that control almost every aspect of navigation, intel,
and strike capacity. At the same time, he describes how the Navy's
structure and manpower changed to accommodate the new technologies,
changes often accelerated in wartime, particularly in World War II.
Without the full cooperation of naval establishments and
organisations and various public and private museums and
manufacturers, this work would have been impossible to produce.
Written in an anecdotal, narrative style but with a complete
mastery of the science itself, it will appeal not only to those
interested in the history of the Royal Navy but also those many
thousands, past and present, who can claim the honour of calling
themselves one of the Greenies.
A study of the archer and his weapon from the 11th to the 15th
century, focusing on military tactics but also exploring the
archer's position in society. It is a delight to read a book which
recognises the importance of warfare in medieval
times...also...discusses the changing role of the archer in
medieval society. SIR STEVEN RUNCIMAN This book traces the
historyof the archer in the medieval period, from the Norman
Conquest to the Wars of the Roses. From a close study of early
evidence, the author shows that the archer's role before the time
of Edward I was an important but rarely documented one, and that
his new prominence in the fourteenth century was the result of
changes in development of military tactics rather than the
introduction of the famous "longbow". A second thread of the book
examines the archer's role in society, with particular reference to
that most famous of all archers, Robin Hood. The final chapters
look at the archer in the early fifteenth century and then
chronicle the rise of the handgun as the major infantryweapon at
the bow's expense. JIM BRADBURY writes and lectures on battles and
warfare in England and France in the Middle Ages.
'Drawing on the stories of the soldiers who were there, this
dramatic history of the SAS is full of bravado. Forged to fight
guerrillas in the sweltering jungles of Malaya... Ryan writes with
the authority of a man familiar with every nuance of the regiment's
tactics, training, weapons and equipment.' - Sunday Times Culture
Tasked with storming mountain strongholds in the desert. Trained to
hunt down the world's most wanted terrorists. This is the
extraordinary story of 22 SAS. The history of the modern SAS is one
of the great successes of post-war Britain. Since it was revived in
1950 to combat Communist insurgents, the Regiment has gone from
strength to strength, fighting covert wars in Oman, Borneo,
Northern Ireland, the Falklands, the Persian Gulf and beyond. In
the process, it has become one of the most indispensable, and at
times controversial, units in the British army Today, the SAS is
regarded as the world's leading Special Forces unit, renowned for
its demanding Selection course and its relentless ability to adapt
to the changing nature of warfare. More than anything else,
however, it is the determination and ingenuity of the SAS soldiers
that has made the Regiment what it is today. Drawing on his
extensive network of contacts and his own experiences, Chris Ryan
tells the story of the men on the ground. From the earliest patrols
in the Malayan jungle, through to the storming of the Iranian
Embassy, the daring raids behind enemy lines in the Gulf War, and
up-to-minute missions to capture or kill notorious terrorists -
this is the gripping, no-holds-barred account of Regiment
operations. Above all, it is a story of elite soldiers fighting,
and triumphing, against seemingly impossible odds.
With Trumpet, Drum and Fife is described as a 'short treatise
covering the rise and fall of military musical instruments on the
battlefield'. Despite there being a plethora of books about
military music, With Trumpet, Drum and Fife stands out from the
crowd in that it explores new areas of the world of military
musical instruments. Its easy to read format and conciseness
unwraps a depth and breadth of detail contained within. The
chapters of the book guide you from the Ancient World through to
the Restoration and up to the modern day giving examples of the
origins and developments of the instruments employed. The author
gives unique and well-researched accounts of the role of drummers
within the military environment. The text explores the historical
context of land battles and the importance of signalling
instruments used in times of conflict. The status and pecking order
of musicians within the military and the unique development of
Drummers' uniforms are also detailed with the images contained
within the book, highlighting specific areas of interest. Mike
Hall's personal knowledge and experiences of being a Senior Drum
Major in the Coldstream Guards add polish and credulity to the
content. Reading through the book you will uncover a mine of
interesting information about the evolution of Drum and Fife duty
and the historical roles of the Drum Major General and the Trumpet
Major. The role of the Boy Drummer is discussed in relation to his
importance on the battlefield and in the application of military
discipline. With Trumpet Drum and Fife is unique in its approach,
is long overdue and fills a niche in military history.
Over the last 150 years, gun designers have sought to transform warfare with artillery of superlative range and power, from William Armstrong's 19th-century "monster guns" to the latest research into hypersonic electro-magnetic railguns.
Taking a case study approach, Superguns explains the technology and role of the finest monster weapons of each era. It looks at the 1918 "Wilhelm Gun," designed to shell Paris from behind the German trenches; the World War II "V-3" gun built to bombard London across the Channel; the Cold War atomic cannons of the US and Soviet Union; and the story of Dr Gerald Bull's HARP program and the Iraqi "Supergun" he designed for Saddam Hussein. Illustrated throughout, this is an authoritative history of the greatest and most ambitious artillery pieces of all time.
The Essential Guide to Airsoft Gear provides the perfect
introduction to assembling some of the most sought-after gear you
need to look the part on the skirmish field. Featuring iconic
loadouts from units such as 22 SAS at the time of Bravo Two Zero,
US Army Rangers and Delta at the Battle of Mogadishu, through to
the modern-day Russian Special Forces of the Alpha Group, it covers
in detail how to recreate the uniforms and equipment worn by each
troop type and explains how to source the different elements from
Airsoft kit retailers. Produced in conjunction with Airsoft
International, the world's best-selling Airsoft magazine, this is
the definitive guide to some of the most popular and distinctive
loadouts ever seen on the skirmish fields of the Airsoft world.
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