This third volume in the Battle Colors series focuses on the unit insignia and tactical aircraft markings of the 9th USAAF in the European Theater of Operations during World War II. All combat elements assigned to the Ninth AAF in the UK from 1943-45 are included: fighter, troop carrier, bombardment, reconnaissance, night fighter and liaison units. Squadron fuselage codes and recognition colors are shown within their respective sections and include maps with chronological listing and dates of each units assigned stations. Camouflage paint schemes with diagrams showing government specifications for the official placement of insignia and tactical markings for all major USAAF combat aircraft in the ETO are also covered.

In their companion volume to British Army Cap Badges of the First World War, authors Peter Doyle and Chris Foster present an overview of the main cap badges worn by the British Army during the Second World War, which continued the rich and varied tradition of British regimental insignia. This book describes and illustrates, for the first time in high quality full colour, the main types of cap badge worn. With many amalgamations, war-raised units and special forces, British military insignia from the period have a surprising range that differs substantially from that worn by the soldiers of the previous generation. As in the first book, this volume contains contemporary illustrations of the soldiers themselves wearing the badges. Employing the skills of an established writer (and collector) and artist, it provides a unique reference guide for anyone interested in the British Army of the period.

Sailors in Forest Green is a detailed examination of the uniforms and equipment used by Navy personnel attached to the U.S. Marine Corps during World War II. Navy hospital corpsmen, Seabees, combat photographers, demolitions experts, and many other Navy specialists served with USMC units from 1941-1945. This subject is often overlooked today. Sailors in Forest Green is the first book of its kind to address this previously unexplored and fascinating topic. It is lavishly illustrated with over 800 previously unpublished archival and contemporary photographs, documents, and dramatic reconstructions. Both U.S. Navy and Marine Corps uniforms are highlighted, including officer and enlisted dress uniforms and insignia, combat and fatigue uniforms, camouflage, field gear and experimental equipment. Additionally, gas masks, medical supplies, and explosives are featured as well. Anyone with an interest in World War II militaria will marvel at this new and exciting breakthrough!

A gloriously illustrated volume that looks at the remarkable armor of a key Habsburg commander and its relationship to contemporary Renaissance fashion This sumptuously illustrated book celebrates a curious masterpiece of German Renaissance art--the Landsknecht armor of Wilhelm von Rogendorf (1523). Recently conserved to its original glory, this magnificent suit of armor, made for a trusted courtier, diplomat, and commander of infantry units for the Habsburgs, deceives the eye: the steel sleeves drape in graceful folds, with cuts in the surface, suggesting the armor is made from cloth rather than metal. The author of this fascinating volume explores the question: why does the armor look this way? Stefan Krause delves back five centuries to the political, social, and cultural context in which von Rogendorf lived. Among other key venues in the Holy Roman Empire, this story takes the reader to the court of Emperor Charles V in Spain and to Augsburg, the leading center of armor making, where Rogendorf was introduced to the court armorer of Charles V, Kolman Helmschmid (1471-1532). Helmschmid was famous for his inventive and masterfully sculptured works, and this book elaborates on his unique contributions to the history of armor, and how and why von Rogendorf's suit was informed by contemporary fashion. Distributed for the Kunsthistorisches Museum Vienna

A perennially popular topic the ancient world continues to yield incredibly rich archaeological finds. Based on years of detailed research, Dr Raffaele D'Amato now presents a new history on the dress and equipment of Roman Centurions from the Roman kingdom to the height of the Republic. In addition, thanks to his detailed research amongst Roman gravestones, the book also includes several reconstructions of actual named individuals and two lavish scenes showing combat between two Centurions and a Triumphal procession.

These groundbreaking volumes present, for the first time, a comprehensive view of the World War II German Armys most elite formation: Grossdeutschland. Exceptional detail of rare uniforms and unique insignia are woven with Grossdeutschlands history and development from an independent motorized regiment in 1939 to a panzergrenadier division within a corps that adopted its name in 1944. Its two closest sister units, the Wachbataillon Berlin and the Fuhrer Begleit Battalion are also covered in the same superb level of detail. Awards, decorations, portraits and personal effects of common soldiers and noted personalities, covering every arm of service within the units, are presented in over 3,000 spectacular color and black and white images.

This three-volume set is unquestionably the best reference on German SS military uniforms ever produced. This spectacular work is a heavily documented record of all major clothing articles of the Waffen-SS. Hundreds of unpublished bw photos were used in production. Original and extremely rare SS uniforms of various types are carefully photographed and presented here.

Hitler first considered an invasion of Great Britain in autumn 1940, then scheduled Operation Barbarossa, the conquest of the European part of the Soviet Union, for May 1941. Anxious to emulate Hitler's successes, the Italian dictator Mussolini embarked upon unnecessary military adventures in North Africa and the Balkans, which forced Hitler's intervention, diverting and depleting precious German resources, and a six-week postponement of Barbarossa. In this second of four volumes [Men-at-Arms 311, 316, 326 & 330] on the German Army of the Second World War, Nigel Thomas examines the uniforms and insignia of the forces involved in North Africa and the Balkans.

Franz Joseph I and Karl. These emperors ruled a multiethnic empire destined to become one of the central powers in World War I. In addition to the studio portraits shown, the candid photos offer an authentic view of life in the trenches and on the battlefield. Each photo has been carefully chosen and researched to offer the reader detailed information on the k.u.k (royal and imperial) Empire's air, motor and medical corps, as well as infantry, artillery, pioneer and railroad troops. There are chapters covering highly decorated elite units, such as the Bosnian and the Kaiserschuetzen. A full color section of heretofore unpublished photos of original head dress, uniforms, equipment and accessories used by the k.u.k armed forces provides valuable information on the materials, markings, stamps, and construction of field caps, cavalry helmets and flight gear. Also included in this section are pilot badges and cap and collar insignia. This book is an indispensable resource for all historians, collectors, re-enactors, war gamers and model builders.

This volume is the first to explore U.S. visor hats of the 1930s-1950s in detail. Fully illustrated in superb full-color photographs, the variety of service arms, manufacturers, and details are shown for the beginning and advanced U.S. military hat collector alike. Covers visor hats of the U.S. Army and includes: dress blue; band; officers' service; Army Air Force crusher caps; officers' white and pink visor hats; military police; non-commissioned officers' and enlisted men's visor hats; overseas hats; female visor hats; hat Insignia; air cadet, R.O.T.C. and academy; misc. U.S. Army organizations including Transport Service, Convoy Board, Transportation Corps/Water Division, Military Sea Transport Service, and Military Sealift Command. Also covered are the visor hats of the U.S. Navy, Marine Corps and other sea services including: officers' visor hats; technical advisors; warrant, steward, and chief petty officers; female dress hats; academy and cadets; visor hat insignia; maritime service visor hats and insignia; Coast Guard visor hats and insignia; Marine Corps. Other subjects include: Public Health Service; American Red Cross; Volunteer/Foreign Service; Civil Air Patrol; Coast and Geodetic Survey; American Legion and Veteran of Foreign Wars; Sea Scouts/Boy Scouts; children's visor hats; reproduction hat insignia; and maker's logos.

John Langellier and C. Paul Loane have collaborated to produce a resource that not only builds upon the information provided by their predecessors, but also contributes fresh material to the body of existing knowledge. These two highly respected and long-time students of American military history have spent decades locating and analyzing specimens in both public and private collections in the United States and Europe. They have woven their individual research into a concise narrative, accompanied by an extensive selection of illustrations and informative captions. Their overview takes the reader on a journey through more than a half century of change, illustrating the variety of factors that contributed to the evolution of U.S. military headgear during this dynamic period.

In this new, extensively researched volume, U.S. Army uniforms - including enlisted soldiers, officers, insignia, and headgear - from the years 1848-1873 are examined in exacting detail. For the first time, original accounts from official reports, diaries, and other primary sources will be combined with color photographs of extraordinary surviving specimens, hundreds of important black and white images, as well as artwork from the period to tell the story of what the American soldier wore during these years. Army Blue represents more than twenty years of research in major institutions and private collections throughout the United States, and offers a concise overview of a topic which promises to be must reading for collectors, modelers, and curators alike.

Opel Blitz (German for "lightning") was the name given to various light and middle-weight truck series built by the German Opel automobile manufacturer. Book focused on the light version of the Blitz lorry: Opel Blitz type 3,5-134 & 3,5-157 Opel Blitz type 2,0-12 Opel Blitz type 2,5-35 Opel Blitz type 5200 In this volume the author provides a detailed impression of these vehicles through original photographs, taken both during and before the war by the normal German soldiers who both used and served with these now classic lorries.

Covering in detail the combat and dress uniforms of the United States Marine in World War II, this new volume is destined to become the World War II Marine Corps collector's reference! Shown in detail are the herringbone utilities that Marines wore from Guadalcanal to Okinawa, as well as Summer Service, Winter Service and Dress (Blues) uniforms. A special chapter is dedicated to Marine Corps shoulder sleeve insignia, and "Strikers" that Marines wore from 1943-1947. Other chapters discuss foul weather gear, footwear, headwear, personal items, souvenirs and loot, and a special tribute to the Navy Chaplains who faithfully served Marines in combat. Also covered are the evolution and many patterns of Marine Corps camouflage (1942-1945). There are also dedicated chapters on the Marine Raiders and Marine Paratroop Battalions - known as "Paramarines". This book is filled with an endless array of unpublished and seldom seen wartime photographs, as well as beautifully shot full-color clothing and equipment layouts.

On paper at least the French army in 1939 was the most powerful land army in the world. Sheltered behind the fortifications of the Maginot line was an army which drew its troops from colonies and territories all over the world. It included spahis from algeria, calvary from Morocco, Chasseur Alpin from the high Vosges and some of the world's most modern and powerful tanks. The horrendous losses of the Great War had developed a psychological dependence on fortifications and a lack of flexibility in both tactics and strategy. It's officers were prepared to fight the positional warfare of 1914-18 not the 'Blitzkrieg' of 1940. This book, the first of a five volume set, looks at the uniforms, equipment and organisation of France's military forces during WW2. It details the French army on the eve of war and the troops which fought the "Phoney War", the campaign in Norway and the lightning invasion of France in May-June 1940. Also detailed are the forces of "Greater France" in North Africa, the Middle East and Indochina. Finally, it examines the army and armistice and Vichy France.

This book provides a unique insight into the uniforms and equipment used by British Empire forces between the two world wars. Including descriptions of deployments and incidents during the period, it features detailed photographs of individual artefacts as well as accurate uniform reconstructions in full colour. There are detailed descriptions and background information on subjects such as khaki uniforms, webbing, water bottles, communications equipment and so on. The equipment and uniforms portrayed in the book are derived from a broad range of collections, in order to provide comprehensive coverage of the uniforms and other items used by British Empire forces of the period. Covering British deployments in China, India, the North West Frontier and Palestine, this book is an indispensable guide to British Empire forces from the end of the First World War to the eve of the Second World War.

This book is the culmination of many years' work from two authors who have "lived and breathed" the subject for the past forty years: one, a military antiques dealer of international standing; the other, an extremely knowledgeable collector of German World War I uniforms and equipment. Using mostly never before published period photographs as well as a wealth of highly detailed color studio photos of tunics drawn from one of the world's greatest private collections, it is an absolute must for any collector of World War I uniforms. Indeed, for any collector of German World War I memorabilia, laying out as it does in a very clear and precise way, all the variations of tunic, their origins and usage. This reader-friendly book will help guide the novice and experienced collector alike through the often difficult and confusing information on the subject.

This third volume in the series further provides the reader with an insight into the wide range of uniforms, weapons and field equipment used by the Imperial German Army during World War I. Using over 600 period photographs and color images from items out of private collections and museums, the author displays a broad range of artifacts to the reader, together with detailed descriptions. Topics covered in this volume include: Landsturm Uniforms and Equipment; Cyclist (Radfahrer) Equipment; Colonial Uniforms in China 1898-1918; Colonial Uniforms (Africa and the Southseas); Colonial Police Uniforms (Africa and the Southseas); Horse Equipment; and many other rare and unusual topics.

This third volume in the series further provides the reader with an insight into the wide range of uniforms, weapons and field equipment used by the Imperial German Army during World War I. Using over 600 period photographs and color images from items out of private collections and museums, the author displays a broad range of artifacts to the reader, together with detailed descriptions. Topics covered in this volume include: Landsturm Uniforms and Equipment; Cyclist (Radfahrer) Equipment; Colonial Uniforms in China 1898-1918; Colonial Uniforms (Africa and the Southseas); Colonial Police Uniforms (Africa and the Southseas); Horse Equipment; and many other rare and unusual topics.

In this new book, the development of an altogether new uniform for troops of the United States Army, a few years after the Civil War, has never been told so well or so comprehensively. In this volume, the sequel to the author's highly praised Army Blue: The Uniform of Uncle Sam's Regulars, 1848-1873, John Langellier continues the story of the evolution of American army uniforms during a critical period that saw experimentation and innovation finally surmount conservatism to produce some of the more practically functional and aesthetically appealing martial clothing in American history. The breadth of Langellier's research, coupled with his years of accumulated expertise in the study of historical army uniforms, is evident throughout, and together make this book the most thorough and precise accounting the topic has ever received.

Superb color photographs, including multiple full-views and detail shots, depict over 150 helmets of Germany, Britain, France, United States, Austria, Turkey, and others from World War I. Previously unpublished World War I photographs show the helmets as they were worn.

The fourteenth and fifteenth centuries were a time of great upheaval for medieval France. In 1328 the Capetian line came to an end. This was the trigger for the Hundred Years War (1337-1453) as successive English kings attempted to uphold their claim to the French throne. Catastrophic defeats at Crecy and Poitiers shook the French kingdom to its core. A period of respite followed under Bertrand du Guesclin, but an even more devastating assault was to follow, under the warrior-king par excellence Henry V, and the French disintegration continued until 1429. This book details how the French began a recovery, partly triggered by the young visionary Joan of Arc, that would end with them as the major European military power.

This volume provides an in-depth look at the experience of the ordinary US marine 'grunt' in Vietnam. Organisation of the corps, weaponry, equipment, uniforms, training and medical arrangements are all discussed. However, where this book differs from other similar works is not only in the detail that it goes into but also in the unifying theme of examining all these differing aspects of marine life from the point of view of a soldier serving in the conflict. The author, Charles Melson, actually served in the Vietnam War (1955-1975), and it is this personal experience that allows him to provide such a unique angle on the subject.

This new, extensively researched volume is a comprehensive guide to the history, development, wear, and use of uniforms and equipment during America's involvement in the Vietnam War. Included are insignia, headgear, camouflage uniforms, experimental items, modified items, flak armor, boots, clothing accessories, paper items and personal items from the year 1965 to 1971, all examined in great detail. Using re-constructed photos the author recreates the look and appearance of the American Soldier in Vietnam. Rangers, medics, scouts, RTO's, machine gunners, Pathfinders, and riflemen are all here and accompanied by detailed text. For the first time, see easily recognizable dating system used by the U.S. Government supply system to date the items on the manufacturer tag. A helpful appendix shows, for the first time ever, all forms of post war gear such as ALICE and camouflage like BDUs and the Rapid Deployment Force pattern, and all those that were never used in South East Asia during the Vietnam War. Included is also an easy to follow, detailed description of each item along with a comparison showing the actual wartime produced item side by side with the undesirable so the collector/Historian/Re-Enactor will never make the mistake of utilizing Post War Produced items again. Packed with over 500 detailed color photographs, and over 100 never before seen original photos from veterans, as well as many close-ups, this book fills an important gap in the collectors reference library and will be invaluable for collectors, living historians, re-enactors, modelers, curators, and artists alike.

This long-awaited book fills a gap in knowledge of the uniform clothing, headgear, equipage, and weapons of the United States Navy during the Civil War period. Based on original accounts from official documents, newspapers, diaries, letters, and other primary sources, the well-written text is accompanied by a wealth of period images of navy personnel, many of which are identified and published for the first time. Numerous photographs of surviving articles of clothing and artefacts throw further light on life in a blockading fleet or on the High Seas from 1852 through 1865. With great clarity the author explains the various changes to officers' uniforms and for the first time provides a detailed analysis of the clothing worn by ratings and enlisted men. A much needed book in a long overlooked subject, Bluejackets is an essential reference work for collectors, living historians, modellers, and curators, as well as anyone with a general interest in the Civil War at sea.