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Books > Social sciences > Warfare & defence > Military life & institutions > Regiments

The 48th (South Midland) Division 1908-1919 (Hardcover): Dr William Mitchinson The 48th (South Midland) Division 1908-1919 (Hardcover)
Dr William Mitchinson
R1,331 R1,035 Discovery Miles 10 350 Save R296 (22%) Ships in 9 - 15 working days

On the outbreak of war, the South Midland was the second strongest division in the Territorial Force (TF); by October 1914, it was considered to be the second most efficient of the TF's fourteen 1st Line formations. Like other TF divisions, its pre-war officers and other ranks came from a variety of urban and rural backgrounds, trades and professions, but in contrast to the Kitchener formations, all of its units had a history and tradition dating back to the mid-19th century at least. It became the third TF division to be despatched to the Western Front and, having spent 30 months in France and Belgium, it deployed to Italy as one of the British formations tasked to support the Italian Army. In the same way as the majority of British divisions, 48th (South Midland) Division was not an especially spectacular formation, with no particular or outstanding success to its name. It did suffer the indignity of having its commander sacked, but on the whole, it earned a reputation as a good, solid, reliable formation. This volume explains the division's pre-war difficulties in trying to raise, equip and train efficient units; it also assesses those units' successes and failures in their major engagements. It examines the extent to which the TF ethos and the division's local character were maintained during the course of the war and how well its various constituent units adapted to the tactical and operational evolution apparent within the British Army. The key elements of command and leadership - and what in modern conceptual doctrine is known as 'fighting power' - are analysed across the component units, with considerable attention also being paid to the essential roles played by the supporting arms. The book offers a comprehensive study of the character and activities of a reasonably typical TF division, but also of a formation which although competent and efficient, received few of the plaudits enjoyed by many of its fellow 'Saturday afternoon soldiers'.

Desert Rats (Paperback, New Ed): John Parker Desert Rats (Paperback, New Ed)
John Parker 2
R305 Discovery Miles 3 050 Ships in 12 - 17 working days

In the recent war in Iraq, the 7th Armoured Brigade, bearers of the Desert Rats insignia, was immediately engaged in some of the fiercest early fighting, ultimately taking Basra for the Allies. The war in Iraq revived public focus on the Desert Rats whose famous battles of World War II helped turn the tide of German dominance. After World War II the Desert Rats re-emerged as part of the NATO forces during the Cold War years, and in other major deployments in the 1991 Gulf War, Bosnia and Kosovo. In this latest of his military histories, John Parker once again draws heavily on the drama of first-hand accounts for a story that is a seminal part of modern military history.

From Maubeuge to the Rhineland - History of the 1st Division in the Great War (Paperback): Simon Peaple From Maubeuge to the Rhineland - History of the 1st Division in the Great War (Paperback)
Simon Peaple
R888 R711 Discovery Miles 7 110 Save R177 (20%) Ships in 9 - 15 working days

From sore-footed reservists and old sweats in 1914 to conscripted men after 1916; the 1st Division faced the challenge of war from beginning to end. This account includes a rare glimpse into Operation Hush which might have provided a successful strategic alternative to the blood-soaked ridges around Passchendaele. Drawing heavily on the combat records of the unit formations it offers a blend of military analysis and insights into the lived experience of the men whilst outside the front line. This book brings alive the record of the 1st Division. Starting with mobilisation in 1914 and its deployment as part of the original BEF, the story of the 1st Division is taken right through to the occupation of Germany after the Armistice.The book encompasses the familiar battles of 1st Ypres and Aubers Ridge before looking at the Somme from the perspective of a division fed into the line after the battle started. The book opens with a detailed discussion of the extent to which Britain had committed itself to supporting France before 1914. As the title says, 1st Division was there on the Western Front from the very beginning to the beyond the end of hostilities and therefore exemplifies so much about the way in which the men of the British Army faced the trials of this dehumanizingly large scale conflict.

Hull Rifles - A History of the 4th Battalion East Yorkshire Regiment, 1914-1918 (Hardcover): Bilton, ,David Hull Rifles - A History of the 4th Battalion East Yorkshire Regiment, 1914-1918 (Hardcover)
Bilton, ,David
R753 R611 Discovery Miles 6 110 Save R142 (19%) Ships in 9 - 15 working days

Hull Rifles looks at the 4th East Yorkshire Regiment during the Great War and examines the origins of the battalion and its history over the three years it fought in France and Belgium. The battalion was involved in some of the bloodiest battles of the war and suffered such high casualty rates in early 1918 that the unit ceased to exist, except in name. The men of the original battalion were Territorials, part-time soldiers who gave their free time to provide home defence during a war. Officially formed on 1 April 1908 as a result of the Haldane changes, the unit could trace its history back hundreds of years and was one of the oldest in the country. All the men were volunteers and held a full-time job. They had committed themselves to regular weekly training and a camp in the summer where they practised large-scale manoeuvres with other units. When the call came to volunteer for overseas service, 80 per cent came forward. Their ranks were quickly filled with new volunteers who were prepared to fight abroad. Volunteer numbers were high and quickly the overseas battalion was at full strength, as was a second for home service. A third battalion was also formed to provide replacements for the men at the Front. As well as fighting on the Western Front, a battalion was sent to guard Bermuda for the duration. The text uses letters, newspaper cuttings and the war diary to provide a detailed picture of a typical Territorial battalion at war. Also included are many previously unseen photographs, a nominal list of the men who volunteered before Christmas 1915, including a convicted murderer, awards, casualty details and lists of officers.

Imperial Bayonets - Tactics of the Napoleonic Battery, Battalion and Brigade as Found in Contemporary Regulations (Paperback):... Imperial Bayonets - Tactics of the Napoleonic Battery, Battalion and Brigade as Found in Contemporary Regulations (Paperback)
George Nafziger
R900 R723 Discovery Miles 7 230 Save R177 (20%) Ships in 9 - 15 working days

Imperial Bayonets examines the maneuvering systems of the French, Prussians, Russians, Austrians and British from 1792 to 1815. It studies infantry maneuvers and firepower, cavalry maneuvers, and artillery. It is THE definitive work on Napoleonic tactics and a must read for anyone wanting to understand the fundamentals of period tactics. It provides not only a discussion of every major maneuver of the five major powers, i.e. from line to square, or column, but does time and motion studies of how long it would take to execute those maneuvers and compares them to the other nations. It covers infantry and cavalry maneuvers on this level. It performs an analysis of both musketry effectiveness and artillery effectiveness, providing curves that demonstrate the effectiveness of both. It also covers brigade maneuvers and army marches.

Our Boys - The Story of a Paratrooper (Paperback): Helen Parr Our Boys - The Story of a Paratrooper (Paperback)
Helen Parr 1
R340 R278 Discovery Miles 2 780 Save R62 (18%) Ships in 9 - 15 working days

WINNER OF THE LONGMAN-HISTORY TODAY BOOK PRIZE 2019 WINNER OF THE TEMPLER MEDAL BOOK PRIZE 2019 WINNER OF THE DUKE OF WELLINGTON MEDAL FOR MILITARY HISTORY 2019 LONGLISTED FOR THE ORWELL PRIZE FOR POLITICAL WRITING 2019 A SPECTATOR BOOK THE YEAR 2019 'Brilliant. The best discussion of soldiers in combat, their motivation, behaviours and fears, that I have come across' Robert Fox, Evening Standard Our Boys brings to life the human experiences of the paratroopers who fought in the Falklands War, and examines the long aftermath of that conflict. It is a first in many ways - a history of the Parachute Regiment, a group with an elite and aggressive reputation; a study of close-quarters combat on the Falkland Islands; and an exploration of the many legacies of this short and symbolic war. Told unflinchingly through the experiences of people who lived through it, Our Boys shows how the Falklands conflict began to change Britain's relationship with its soldiers, and our attitudes to trauma and war itself. It is also the story of one particular soldier: the author's uncle, who was killed during the conflict, and whose fate has haunted both the author and his fellow paratroopers ever since.

At the Forward Edge of Battle Volume 2 - A History of the Pakistan Armoured Corps (Paperback): Major General Syed Ali Hamid At the Forward Edge of Battle Volume 2 - A History of the Pakistan Armoured Corps (Paperback)
Major General Syed Ali Hamid
R615 R503 Discovery Miles 5 030 Save R112 (18%) Ships in 9 - 15 working days

At the Forward Edge of Battle is the first ever illustrated history of the Pakistan Armoured Corps. The Pakistan Armoured Corps is based on a unique blend of values and traditions inherited from its predecessors, and those of the post-Independence national army. The origins of this force can be traced back to the time when the cavalry units of the British India Army were mechanized, in the late 1930s. They were worked up and then deployed extensively during the Second World War, and further moulded during the post-independence period and two wars with India between 1948-1971. By the 1990s, the Pakistan Armoured Corps had evolved into a modern fighting force in thought, organization, and equipment. Based on decades of the author's first-hand experience, extensive research with the help of authentic sources and official documentation, this book provides a detailed and richly illustrated description of the build-up and expansion of the Pakistan Armoured Corps, its culture, organisation, doctrine, equipment, bases, a myriad of events and personalities, and combat operations that shaped it over the last 95 years. At the Forward Edge of Battle, Volume 2, is illustrated with over 100 rare and authentic photographs, 15 colour profiles, and a similar number of maps.

1st Airborne - Market Garden 1944 (Paperback): Simon Forty, Leo Marriott 1st Airborne - Market Garden 1944 (Paperback)
Simon Forty, Leo Marriott
R395 R240 Discovery Miles 2 400 Save R155 (39%) Ships in 12 - 17 working days

While the 6th Airborne Division had landed in France on D-Day and covered itself in glory, its counterpart, the 1st Airborne Division, had last seen action during an amphibious assault at Taranto on September 9, 1943, as part of the invasion of Italy. Returned to the UK in December 1943, it was held in reserve during the battle of Normandy and spent three months waiting for action, as plan after plan was proposed and then discarded, such was the speed of the Allied pursuit of the Germans. In September 1944, however, 1st Airborne played a leading role in Operation Market-the air component of Operation Market Garden, an audacious attempt by the Allies to bypass the Siegfried Line and advance into the Ruhr. It was to be 1st Airborne's last action of the war. Encountering more resistance than expected, including II SS Panzer Corps, the division landed too far from Arnhem bridge, and fought bravely but in vain. Held up en route, particularly at Nijmegen, XXX Corps' advance to Arnhem stuttered and ran late. After nine days of fighting, 1st Airborne had lost 8,000 men around Arnhem when the survivors retreated across the Lower Rhine to safety. During those nine days, however, they had created a legend: first as the small unit under Lt-Col John Frost held the "bridge too far" and then as the Oosterbeek perimeter came under sustained attack waiting for XXX Corps to arrive. The Past& Present Series reconstructs historical battles by using photography, juxtaposing modern views with those of the past together with concise explanatory text. It shows how much infrastructure has remained and how much such as outfits, uniforms, and ephemera has changed, providing a coherent link between now and then.

82nd Airborne - Normandy 1944 (Paperback): Steve Smith 82nd Airborne - Normandy 1944 (Paperback)
Steve Smith
R304 R240 Discovery Miles 2 400 Save R64 (21%) Ships in 12 - 17 working days

On August 15, 1942, the 82nd Airborne became the US Army's first airborne division. Commanded by Major General Matthew B. Ridgway, they trained exhaustively for their new role, which involved parachuting from C-47s and insertion by Waco CG-4A gliders. In April 1943 the 82nd was shipped overseas to Casablanca, North Africa, and on July 9 made its first combat drop as part of Operation Husky, the invasion of Sicily. A second operation-night parachute drops onto the Salerno beachhead on September 13 and 14-provided more experience, and in December the bulk of the division left for the United Kingdom and training for D-Day. Reorganized with two new parachute infantry regiments, the 507th and the 508th, joining the 505th, the division dropped onto the Cotentin peninsula between Ste-Mere-Eglise and Carentan on the night of June 5-6, in a mission codenamed Boston. Their glider-borne component, the 325th GIR, arrived the next day. Widely dispersed on landing, the division overcame its problems and strong German defenses to take the important town of Ste-Mere-Eglise. Further intense action along the Merderet River ensured that the Utah beachhead wasn't compromised, and subsequently the division fought on losing 5,245 troopers killed, wounded, or missing. When withdrawn after 33 days of action, the division could be satisfied it had performed heroically and helped establish the Allied forces' foothold in France. The Past & Present Series reconstructs historical battles by using photography, juxtaposing modern views with those of the past together with concise explanatory text. It shows how much infrastructure has remained and how much such as outfits, uniforms, and ephemera has changed, providing a coherent link between now and then.

LeGion Wallonie Tome 1 (English, French, Hardcover): Lienard Andre LeGion Wallonie Tome 1 (English, French, Hardcover)
Lienard Andre
R2,877 R2,116 Discovery Miles 21 160 Save R761 (26%) Ships in 12 - 17 working days

French TextHere is an unpublished work about the Wallonie Legion and its members engaged on the Eastern Front in the uniform of the Heer from 1941 to 1945. Here the reader will dive into the archives and documents still mostly unpublished to this date, including previously unedited stories and also tales of the legionnaires. It offers biographies of most of the officers. One will also find rare and previously unseen archives of newspapers and propaganda for the Wallonie Legion, shedding light on its development and international reputation, so important to the morale of the Legionaries and the families of these men. This work is rich in both written and photographic documentation along with previously undisclosed information about the activities and services LW. It will provide researchers and amateur historians of the Legion many details and clarifications about the "uses and customs," service organizations and actions both inside and outside the LW.

Craftsmen of the Army, Volume III (Hardcover): Craftsmen of the Army, Volume III (Hardcover)
R972 R795 Discovery Miles 7 950 Save R177 (18%) Ships in 9 - 15 working days

The Corps of Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (REME) provides the Army s integral repair and recovery capability. Its soldiers are deployed at the front line and have to be capable of switching instantly from a technical role to fighting alongside those they support, as their many awards for gallantry demonstrate. This, the third, volume of REME s distinguished history covers the period from post-Cold War drawdown to the end of UK combat operations in Afghanistan, during which time REME was continuously involved in operations. The narrative knits together personal accounts of front line experiences with an explanation the political and military background, with a particular focus on equipment support issues. It explains how REME operates and deals with broader issues related to the procurement and support of equipment, and the changing organisations delivering these vital services, within which members of REME have frequently played key enabling roles.

Great Naval Battles of the Pacific War - The Official Admiralty Accounts: Midway, Coral Sea, Java Sea, Guadalcanal and Leyte... Great Naval Battles of the Pacific War - The Official Admiralty Accounts: Midway, Coral Sea, Java Sea, Guadalcanal and Leyte Gulf (Hardcover)
John Grehan
R776 R636 Discovery Miles 6 360 Save R140 (18%) Ships in 9 - 15 working days

The key naval battles against Imperial Japan in the Pacific during the Second World War have been described many times by numerous diligent and skilful historians. Such histories are, of course, the products of many years, even decades, of accumulated knowledge, but also of a received consensus of how the war played out to its, seemingly, inevitable conclusion. That of course is not how it was perceived at the time. Hindsight, as we know, gives us 20/20 vision. The accounts here, compiled for and on behalf of the Admiralty, were written either during or immediately after the end of the war before historians had begun to give their assessments of these momentous events. These accounts were written for internal consumption, to guide and instruct naval officers. It was never intended that they would be released to the general public. As such, there was no jingoistic drum beating, no axes to grind, no new angles to try and find. The authors of these accounts relate each battle, move by move, as they unfolded, accurately and dispassionately. This makes these accounts so invaluable. They read almost like a running commentary, as action follows action, minute follows minute. This sensation is magnified by the absolute impartiality of the authors, their sole attempt being to provide a thorough but very clear and comprehensible record so that others in the future could understand precisely how each battle was fought. These accounts can never be superseded and never replaced. Written by naval officers of the time for naval officers of the future, they are the permanent record of the great victories, and the sobering defeat in the Java Sea, during the struggle for control of the Pacific which, for many months, hung precariously in the balance.

The Leeds Pals - A Handbook for Researchers (Paperback): Leeds Pals Volunteer Researchers The Leeds Pals - A Handbook for Researchers (Paperback)
Leeds Pals Volunteer Researchers
R529 R436 Discovery Miles 4 360 Save R93 (18%) Ships in 12 - 17 working days

Many men and boys from Leeds enlisted as volunteer soldiers at the outset of the First World War as part of the national phenomenon of 'Pals' that sprang up across the Britain. The Leeds Pals, who made up the 15th Battalion (Prince of Wales's Own) West Yorkshire Regiment (the City Battalion), trained in rugged Colsterdale and at Ripon, guarded the Suez Canal and were changed irrevocably by their experiences during the Battle of the Somme in 1916 when, on the first day, the battalion was devastated. Who were these men? How did their experiences resonate in Leeds? What impact did they have on the city itself? Using unpublished archive sources and original research, this book adds to our knowledge of the Leeds Pals through case studies and historical overview, revealing how the city treated this one battalion at the expense of others.

So Bloody a Day - The 16th Light Dragoons in the Waterloo Campaign (Hardcover): David J. Blackmore So Bloody a Day - The 16th Light Dragoons in the Waterloo Campaign (Hardcover)
David J. Blackmore
R905 R728 Discovery Miles 7 280 Save R177 (20%) Ships in 9 - 15 working days

Making extensive use of previously unpublished material this book gives an unprecedented view of the Waterloo Campaign from the viewpoint of a single regiment. It reveals the preparations that preceded the battle, the role of the regiment in the battle, and the long months spent in France after Paris fell, until the regiment finally returned home in December 1815. An Order Book for the year, and letters and diaries of several officers, shed light on the internal life of the regiment and their - occasionally humorous - social life.

'A Rabble of Gentility' - The Royalist Northern Horse, 1644-45 (Paperback): John Barratt 'A Rabble of Gentility' - The Royalist Northern Horse, 1644-45 (Paperback)
John Barratt
R745 R602 Discovery Miles 6 020 Save R143 (19%) Ships in 9 - 15 working days

General George Monck once described the Royalist horse as "a rabble of gentility". Modern research has largely dispelled this image of the King's cavalry. However the description seems at first sight appropriate to the body of cavalry known as the "Northern Horse". Formed from those elements of the Marquis of Newcastle's Northern Royalist Army which elected to continue to fight after the crushing defeat at Marston Moor (2 July 1644) during the next 15 months the Northern Horse swept across much of England and Wales , becoming increasingly notorious in the process. United and reorganised by their commander, the formidable Sir Marmaduke Langdale, the Northern Horse, whilst professing loyalty to the King, increasingly followed their own agenda, of renewing the war in the North, sometimes at the expense of the wider Royalist cause. This book looks at the origins and composition of the Northern Horse, the characteristics of its officers and men, their motivation and behaviour, and their impact on those they encountered. It examines their chequered fighting record, a subject of debate even among contemporaries. It will deal with their victories, notably their epic relief of Pontefract in March 1645, and their controversial role at such encounters as Naseby and Rowton Heath. The book makes extensive use of contemporary sources, some used here for the first time. Extensively illustrated, including specially commissioned artwork and maps, 'Rabble of Gentility?' will be welcomed by readers interested in the history of the British Civil Wars, living history enthusiasts, wargamers and model makers, and those interested in the history of Northern England in the 17th century.

The Malayan Emergency - The Crucial Years: 1949-53 (Paperback): Mark Forsdike The Malayan Emergency - The Crucial Years: 1949-53 (Paperback)
Mark Forsdike
R603 R498 Discovery Miles 4 980 Save R105 (17%) Ships in 9 - 15 working days

From 1948 through the 1950s British and Commonwealth forces fought a ruthless communist insurgency on the Malay peninsula. Thanks to sound generalship and the dedication and resilience of the officers and men, the security forces eventually broke the terrorists' resolve. 1st Battalion The Suffolk Regiment was just one of many British units involved in this successful campaign, known as the Malayan Emergency. Their tour between 1949 and 1953 coincided with the most crucial years when the future of the country and, arguably, the South East Asia region lay in the balance. As this book describes in words and superb contemporary images how the Battalion, the majority of whom were National Servicemen, operated under the most demanding jungle and climatic conditions, earning itself an enviable reputation. The Battalion's experiences are well recorded here and typify those of tens of thousand servicemen whose efforts secured a unique victory.

'Discipline, System and Style' - The Sixteenth Lancers and British Soldiering in India 1822-1846 (Hardcover): John H.... 'Discipline, System and Style' - The Sixteenth Lancers and British Soldiering in India 1822-1846 (Hardcover)
John H. Rumsby
R1,494 R1,159 Discovery Miles 11 590 Save R335 (22%) Ships in 9 - 15 working days

The Sixteenth Lancers already had a long and distinguished history when they sailed for India in 1822. Over the next twenty four years they fought in four wars, most famously in the Sutlej campaign, against the Sikhs. The Battle of Aliwal, in January 1846, is still celebrated by the successor regiment of the British Army. In their peacetime life in India, the Sixteenth sometimes enjoyed their exotic surroundings, but also endured the perils of a tropical climate - the regiment lost far more men due to disease than in battle. This book examines in detail what regimental soldiering was like in India in those years. It draws on an unprecedented range of sources, most of them previously unpublished. Aside from the official archives, the story is enlivened by a rich collection of journals, letters and diaries left by the officers and men. An important feature of the book is the detailed roll of every officer and man who served in the Sixteenth in the Sutlej. This provides a unique profile of the ranks at Aliwal: where they came from, what skills they brought to the army, why they enlisted, and what happened to them in their army career and afterwards. Some surprising results have been revealed: the high rate of literacy, the high suicide rates, and the proportion of men who stayed on in India when their regiment returned home. The officers were highly experienced and professional, in stark contrast to the amateur attitudes of their fellows in the Crimea. All aspects of regimental soldiering are examined- command, uniforms and weapons, horses, training and medical services, but also how the men lived and played (the Sixteenth's theatre was famous). Many officers and men were from army families, and the period covered shows soldiers' sons growing up in the regiment and often reaching high rank. This unique'social history' approach to the study of a British regiment will appeal to a wide audience; not only to students and academic staff studying military and social history, but also to students of Indian history, and to family historians with army ancestors. The account of the Sutlej campaign is relevant to the world-wide Sikh community. The nominal roll of the regiment will be appreciated by medal collectors, for whom an 'Aliwal' medal to the regiment has a special allure. The successor regiment of the Sixteenth Lancers is again serving in Afghanistan, so that this book has a topical resonance.

The King's Irish - The Royalist Anglo-Irish Foot of the English Civil War, 1643-1646 (Paperback): John Barratt The King's Irish - The Royalist Anglo-Irish Foot of the English Civil War, 1643-1646 (Paperback)
John Barratt
R905 R728 Discovery Miles 7 280 Save R177 (20%) Ships in 9 - 15 working days

The English troops serving in Ireland were vital source of experienced and possibly war-winning manpower sought after by both King and Parliament in the Civil War. The "cessation" or truce which King Charles reached with the Irish Confederates in September 1643 enabled him to begin shipping over troops fro Ireland to reinforce the Royalist armies. During the following year the "Irish", as they were frequently if inaccurately known by both sides were an important factor in the war. The Nantwich campaign (December 1643-January 1644), the consolidation of Royalist control in the Welsh Marches during the spring of 1644, the Marston Moor campaign, and the Battle of Montgomery (September 1644) all received major contributions from the troops from Ireland. Other troops from Ireland, mainly from the province of Munster, provided important reinforcements for the Western and Oxford Royalist armies during the 1644 campaigns in western and southern England. The "Irish" were still a significant part of the Royalist army during the Naseby campaign of 1645, and elements remained in action until the end of the war. The book will look at the Irish campaign and its influence on the experience and behaviour of the troops when they reached England. It will examine their equipment, logistical care, and experience following their return. It will look at the performance of some of the troops, such as the "firelocks" who changed sides and became valuable additions to the Parliamentarian forces. Also examined is the controversial topic of "native Irish" troops who were involved, and a number of prominent indiduals who also srved in the war. Full use is made of extensive contemporary primary sources and also later research.

The Bloody Road to Catania - A History of XIII Corps in Sicily, 1943 (Paperback): B.S. Barnes The Bloody Road to Catania - A History of XIII Corps in Sicily, 1943 (Paperback)
B.S. Barnes
R606 R493 Discovery Miles 4 930 Save R113 (19%) Ships in 9 - 15 working days

The Bloody Road to Catania commences with the landings by XIII Corps on 10 July 1943 (Operation Husky) between Avola and Cassibile. The inland advance occurred along the eastern coastal road on the invasion's right flank. The countryside consisted of winding narrow roads flanked by high hills. this terrain favoured the defence and skilful German forces took full advantage of it. Road bridges were held to the last man. These focal points were essential to Montgomery's plan of attack. To reinforce the hard-pressed Herman Goering Division, troops of 1st Fallschirmjaeger Division were air dropped into Sicily on 13th July. These were tough paratroopers who had served in Russia and their inclusion into the German order of battle was a great boost to the defenders. The same night the Fallschirmjaegers were dropped into Sicily, the British 1st Parachute Brigade was dropped on to the same landing zone as that of their enemy equivalents. Paratroopers of both sides fought it out near a bridge called Primosole, which eventually fell to the British in the face of furious counter-attacks by the Herman Goering Division. The 50th Northumbrian Division had great difficulty in fighting its way forward and, despite earlier gains, the beleaguered British paras abandoned the key bridge after sustaining enormous casualties. The 50th Division's supporting armour arrived at Primosole and, at the sight of the approaching tanks, the Germans withdrew to the northern bank. The advancing XIII Corps, having fought their way forward in terrific heat and dust, were in no fit state to mount an attack, but Montgomery would not let them rest as the vital Primosole junction was holding up the Eighth Army advance. The 151st (Durham) Brigade attacked the next day and were cut down like corn before the scythe by German paras. For three days the south bank vineyards echoed to the sounds of battle as Durhams and Germans engaged in fierce close quarter fighting. Once over the Bridge Montgomery wanted XIII Corps to press on to Catania airfield. Numerous attacks were launched, but all ended in disaster and stalemate on the Catania Plain. Montgomery then launched XXX Corps in a left hook around Mount Etna This resulted in numerous other costly actions until they too came to a halt. By now the Germans were preparing to withdraw towards Messina. As they did so, weary British units pressed forward. Withdrawing in stages, the Germans fought delaying actions wherever possible. By early August, the Germans began 'Operation Lehrgang', a plan to evacuate all German forces across the Strait of Messina to the Italian mainland. The retirement was conducted with cool efficiency and precision, Allied naval and air forces offering no effective response. Justifiably termed 'A glorious retreat' by the Germans, for the Allies the invasion of Sicily was a bitter victory that would return to haunt them. Thus, thousands of battle-hardened German troops and war material would be redeployed to face the Allies at Cassino, Anzio and Salerno.

Beyond Gallipoli - New Perspectives on Anzac (Paperback): Raelene Frances, Bruce Scates Beyond Gallipoli - New Perspectives on Anzac (Paperback)
Raelene Frances, Bruce Scates
R807 R642 Discovery Miles 6 420 Save R165 (20%) Ships in 12 - 17 working days
British Armoured Divisions and their Commanders, 1939-1945 (Hardcover): Richard Doherty British Armoured Divisions and their Commanders, 1939-1945 (Hardcover)
Richard Doherty
R772 R631 Discovery Miles 6 310 Save R141 (18%) Ships in 9 - 15 working days

A total of eleven British armoured divisions were formed during the 1939-1945 war but, as this highly informative book reveals, just eight saw action. In 1940 only 1st Armoured Division faced the overwhelming German blitzkrieg and it was in the North African desert that the armoured division concept came of age. The terrain was ideal for armoured warfare and six divisions of 8th Army fought Rommel's panzers to a standstill. Three were disbanded prior to the invasion of Sicily and Italy. D-Day saw the Guards Armoured, the Desert Rats, 11th and the unique 79th Armoured Divisions in action. Of particular interest is the influence of the men who led these formations and the way their characters contributed to the success or failure of operations. While some went on the greater heights others were dismissed either fairly or unfairly. The stakes were high. The author describes many fascinating aspects of armoured warfare, from the reluctance to replace the horse, the development of tactics or the different and improving tanks be they infantry support (I-Tank) or the faster cruiser tanks. Due to British design failure, great reliance was placed on the US Grant and Sherman with the Comet coming late and the Centurion too late. The combination of historical narrative and well researched analysis and fact make this an invaluable book for the student of WW2 and armoured warfare.

Old Soldier Sahib (Paperback): Frank Richards Old Soldier Sahib (Paperback)
Frank Richards
R313 R257 Discovery Miles 2 570 Save R56 (18%) Ships in 9 - 15 working days

From the author of the celebrated Great War memoir

Canadians on the Somme, 1916 - The Neglected Campaign (Hardcover): William F Stewart Canadians on the Somme, 1916 - The Neglected Campaign (Hardcover)
William F Stewart
R1,180 R943 Discovery Miles 9 430 Save R237 (20%) Ships in 9 - 15 working days

Ordered lines of heavily laden soldiers with rifles at `high port' trudging through mud against uncut barbed wire under heavy machine gun fire is the enduring view of the Somme 1916. What makes Canada's Somme campaign so difficult to characterise was at times this was true, but so were times Canadians advanced at speed over dry ground through smashed German defences. Over the course of 80 days, they encountered all types of weather, ground conditions, defences, and defenders. They achieved stirring victories, and suffered staggering defeats. Thus, Canada's Somme experience was not a simple binary of either victory or defeat, but both and most combinations between. These battles do not lend themselves to grand narratives and sweeping accounts of triumph over great odds. This perspective contributes to the absence of detailed operational studies devoted to Canada's military contribution to the Somme campaign. Resulting in 24,029 casualties, the Somme was the second longest and costliest campaign of the Canadian Expeditionary Force. It represents a critical inflection point in the Dominion's conduct of the war as all spheres of its military effort were impacted by its effects. The corps, however, demonstrated sufficient potential that General Sir Douglas Haig assigned the Canadian Corps the crucial role of seizing Vimy Ridge during the next major British offensive. Nevertheless, Canada's campaign remains a neglected aspect of the Somme campaign with no study devoted to its course. This volume addresses this gap in the available literature by examining the Canadian experience at the operational and tactical level. Its primary focus is on how the Canadians fought and why they battled in the manner they did. Focusing on a single corps brings a perspective on aspects of the campaign that are washed out in the general narratives. This allows for a finer grain examination of diverse topics, such as operations, command and control, and tactics. The period the Canadians served also receives less coverage in general campaign accounts, and it witnessed a set of significant changes in operations as both sides adjusted their tactics. Illustrated with numerous maps and images, 'The Canadians on the Somme' is Bill Stewart's second book.

Reckless Fellows - The Gentlemen of the Royal Flying Corps (Hardcover): Edward Bujak Reckless Fellows - The Gentlemen of the Royal Flying Corps (Hardcover)
Edward Bujak
R1,504 Discovery Miles 15 040 Ships in 12 - 17 working days

The Royal Flying Corps, later the Royal Air Force, was formed in 1912 and went to war in 1914 where it played a vital role in reconnaissance, supporting the British Expeditionary Force as 'air cavalry' and also in combat, establishing air superiority over the Imperial German Air Force. Edward Bujak here combines the history of the air war, including details of strategy, tactics, technical issues and combat, with a social and cultural history. The RFC was originally dominated by the landed elite, in Lloyd George's phrase 'from the stateliest houses in England', and its pilots were regarded as 'knights of the air'. Harlaxton Manor in Lincolnshire, seat of landed gentry, became their major training base. Bujak shows how, within the circle of the RFC, the class divide and unconscious superiority of Edwardian Britain disappeared - absorbed by common purpose, technical expertise and by an influx of pilots from Canada, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa. He thus provides an original and unusual take on the air war in World War I, combining military, social and cultural history.

Fallschirmjager Brigade Ramcke in North Africa, 1942-1943 (Hardcover): Edgar Alcidi Fallschirmjager Brigade Ramcke in North Africa, 1942-1943 (Hardcover)
Edgar Alcidi
R2,320 R1,696 Discovery Miles 16 960 Save R624 (27%) Ships in 12 - 17 working days

This book is an in-depth photographic study of the famed German Brigade Ramcke paratroop unit. The story of Ramcke and his elite troops is described here through the soldiers recollections: from their formation in Germany, life on the North African front, and their legendary five-day breakthrough behind enemy lines. The book is heavily illustrated with unpublished photographs and documents of the troops, as well as details of their uniforms, vehicles, equipment, and theater made insignia.

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