The war of 1914-1918 was a military, political and social disaster. No other war changed the map of Europe so dramatically and more than 15 million people were killed. The dramatic political and social changes of the period were mirrored in the uniforms of the armed forces, and the contrast between pre-war Europe and 1919 could not be more apparent. This unique illustrated book charts the developments in military uniform in fascinating detail: how the remaining reds and blues of 1900 soldiers died out in preference to browns, greys and greens. It also tracks the evolution of hardware and ammunition. Evocative photographs of the struggle and stunning illustrations of the uniforms show in detail the changes, reforms and modifications of all the major powers, Great Britain, France, Russia, Germany and Austria-Hungary. This unprecedented volume is an incredible visual study of the uniforms of a pivotal period of military history, and of its context.

After the Fall of France in 1940, a new puppet state was set up in the south. Officially known as the French State, it is better known as Vichy France. This collaborationist Vichy regime's armed forces were more active and usually more numerous than German troops in the task of hunting down and crushing the maquis - the French Resistance guerrilla forces This book will cover the organization and operations of Vichy French Security Forces, including: the new Vichy Police Nationale, particularly their Groupes Mobiles de Reserve, the Service d'Ordre Legionnaire , and the Milice Francaise, a ruthless anti-Resistance militia armed partly with British weapons captured from SOE airdrops. Fully illustrated throughout with contemporary photographs and commissioned artwork, it tells the story of Occupied France from the perspective of those who sought to keep it in German hands.

An accessibly written and superbly illustrated introduction to armor used for battle, tournament, and ceremony This engaging book offers an introduction to and overview of armor in Europe from the Middle Ages through the 17th century, focusing in particular on the 16th century when plate armor reached its peak of stylistic beauty and functional perfection. Created by highly skilled armorers, often in cooperation with noted artists and commissioned by wealthy patrons, armor was worn for centuries on the battlefield, in festive tournaments, and for ceremonial events. Through informative discussions of representative works from the Metropolitan Museum's world-renowned collection, this new addition to the popular How to Read series shows what to look for when examining armor, the pieces that make up a typical suit of armor, how the parts work, the various methods used to decorate armor, and how armor became an important part of so many museum collections today. The book features a wealth of new photography of historically important armor and other works of art from the Metropolitan Museum and select pieces from other institutions. Published by The Metropolitan Museum of Art/Distributed by Yale University Press

This book was written to provide an in-depth study of the Danish and Norwegian armies of the Napoleonic Wars. The goal was to provide a working document which is as accurate as possible, covering the uniforms of these armies, their weapons and their evolution as well as their colours and a look at their basic tactics. Although this is principally a uniform book, historical background is also provided to place the details in their context. This first volume covers the uniforms of the High Command, Guard, and Line and Light Infantry, their arms, equipment, and colours. The product of five years of research, this study grew out of the author's desire to provide a reference for friends who were painting Danish wargames figures. It soon became apparent that very little was written on the subject in English and this led to extensive research and consultation with experts including Alan Perry of Perry Miniatures and Jorgen Koefoed Larsen. Every effort has been made to reconcile conflicting sources, rather than risk perpetuating myths and errors, and the result is a comprehensive and lavishly-illustrated reference work on this significant but often-overlooked Napoleonic army.

Drawing upon the latest literary and archaeological research, this is an in-depth study of the Roman Army units based in the Eastern Provinces during the turbulent third century of the Roman Empire. In this book, eminent Roman historian, Dr Raffaele D'Amato, looks at the notoriously under-represented history of the Roman armies during the middle 3rd Century whose records have been obscured by the chaotic civil wars of that period between usurpers to the Imperial authority of Rome. Following on from the previous title, MAA 527, Roman Army Units in the Western Provinces (2): 3rd Century AD, this book considers the evidence for troops in the Eastern half of the Empire specifically around the Balkans, Mesopotamia, the Middle East and North Africa and looks at the weakness of Imperial central authority which inevitably led to local particularism and a wide range of appearance in regional commands. Dr D'Amato uses literary, painted, sculptural and archaeological sources to reconstruct this little-understood period of Roman military history and, with the aid of meticulous coloured artwork, photos and detailed charts, reconstructs the appearance and campaigns of the Roman forces stationed in the East.

The North Africa campaign of 1940-43 brought the British Army its first significant land victory, as they defeated the Italians in a number of battles between 1940-41. This overwhelming success was the trigger for the Afrikakorps deployment in North Africa, and the British then suffered a reversal in fortune at the hands of Rommel's elite troops between 1941 and 1942. They rallied in 1942 to 1943, claiming decisive victories at El Alamein and in Tunisia. For the 8th Army there followed another long, costly struggle up the mountainous length of Italy in 1943-45. This second of three titles describes and illustrates in detail the tropical uniforms and equipment issued to 8th and 1st Armies.

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.

An unprecedented, fully illustrated study of every regimental uniform of the five most powerful empires of the period, with more than 700 photographs, illustrations, and diagrams gathered from sources across the globe

During the period 1880-1914, the soldiers of the great empires of Britain, France, Germany, Russia, and the United States were dressed in a rainbow of colors. Bedecked in elaborate helmets, with ornate weapons and finery, their uniforms represented centuries of regimental history and tradition, and often bore reminders of famous victories and heroic last stands. This book is the definitive study of every regimental uniform in the five empires, including those of the colonies of India, the Philippines, and North Africa. It explains the history behind sartorial peculiarities--such as why the Russian 15th Hussars wore a bright pink uniform and the Wiltshire Regiment had dents on their buttons--and reveals the lives and service experiences of the men who served. This book will be used as both a one-stop reference work and as a brief narrative history of the period.

Reichsmarschall G ring told Hitler that it would take less than a month for his much-vaunted Luftwaffe to conquer the RAF and pave the way for the German invasion of Great Britain. His prediction was to prove disastrously wrong, but for four long months his pilots and aircrew fought for their lives in the skies above the UK. From their bases in continental Europe, the Luftwaffe s fighter pilots escorted the great bomber fleets that sought to destroy the RAF s airfields and installations, and tackled the Spitfires and Hurricanes deployed to defend Britain s towns and cities. Whilst much has been written on the titanic struggle for supremacy fought throughout the summer of 1940 and of the men and machines of both sides, little attention has been paid to what the pilots wore and carried with them in the air. All the objects that a Luftwaffe fighter pilot was issued with during the Battle of Britain are explored in this book in high-definition colour photographs, showing everything from the differing uniforms, to headgear, personal weapons, gloves, goggles, parachute packs and the essential life jacket. Each item is fully described and its purpose and use explained. Fly with the Messerschmitt Bf 109s and Bf 110s across the Channel and see what the Luftwaffe aircrew wore as they took on Fighter Command in what was justly called the Battle of Britain.

A paperback edition of this classic work, which describes and illustrates the uniforms and equipment of the WWII British soldier using original items worn by live models in authentic settings. A huge range of subjects is covered, from the uniforms and equipment of the front line infantryman, to the officers' and men's walking-out dress, the special kit issued to tank crews, air-landed and mountain troops, motorcyclists, medics, arctic clothing, anti-gas kit and assault kit, even down to the demob suits issued to discharged soldiers in 1945.

From its origins as the Consular Guard of the French Republic, and as Napoleon's personal bodyguard, the Imperial Guard developed into a force of all arms numbering almost 100,000 men. Used by Napoleon as his principle tactical reserve, the Guard was engaged only sparingly, being deployed at the crucial moment of battle to turn the tide of victory in favour of the Emperor of the French. Naturally, the Imperial Guard has been the subject of numerous books over many decades, yet there has never been a publication that has investigated the uniforms and equipment of the infantry of the Imperial Guard in such detail and with such precision. The author has collected copies of almost all the surviving documents relating to the Guard, which includes a vast amount of material regarding the issuing of dress items, even in some instances down to company level. This information is supported by an unrivalled collection of illustrations, many of which have never been published before, as well as images of original items of equipment held in museums and private collections across the globe. In addition, the renowned military artist, Keith Rocco, has produced a series of unique paintings commissioned exclusively for this book. This glorious book is, and will remain, unsurpassed as the standard work on the clothing and equipment of the Imperial Guard, and will not only be invaluable to historians, but also reenactors, wargamers and modellers. It is one of the most important publications ever produced on this most famous of military formations.

Royal Navy Uniforms 1930 - 1945 uses over 400 illustrations - both period images and new colour photographs of original items - to show the clothing of both Officers and Ratings in World War II and during the years leading up to it, when Naval uniforms underwent significant modernization. The illustrations are supported by detailed text describing the development and use of Naval clothing of the time. Its contents include Officers' clothing and effects; Class 1 and III Ratings' clothing and effects; seamens' clothing and effects; battledress and tropical clothing; miscellaneous clothing, personal effects and substantive and non-substantive insignia. This is the first book to offer a detailed study of Royal Navy clothing in the 1930s and World War II and will be a vital resource for collectors, historians and enthusiasts.

Once the flying machine was a practical proposition, its military use became evident and governments needed to develop a way of marking their property. Flying a flag was an obvious but ineffective and dangerous solution so painting the representation of the flag was the natural alternative.

The first known markings to identify nationality were used in the 1910 Bombing Competition in Vienna where each competing machine carried its national colors. Formalized in 1912, precise shapes and colors of military markings were initially introduced by France closely followed by Romania.

Organized by country in 2 volumes, "Military Aircraft Insignia of the World" brings together global markings from such countries as Abkhazia, Afghanistan, Chad and Iran through to Kenya and Kuwait. Over 500 insignia combine with contemporary photographs and a brief history of the military air activity of that country to provide a wealth of information for the aviation historian and modeller alike.

The twentieth century ushered in new forms of warfare. On the high seas the submarine would challenge the supremacy of surface craft, and in the air the aeroplane offered new forms of both attack and reconnaissance. The advent of the tank made cavalry redundant and speeded-up the pace of war. Concealment, or the ability to confuse the enemy, could profoundly affect military operations and individual survival. Uniforms became drab for concealment, but in their camouflaged forms could denote elite fighting units. Artists were mobilised to devise concealment and the natural world played its part. Assumptions were made that had to be corrected. This book explains the fascinating challenges of the new ways of warfare and how concealment by camouflage played its part.

GPS Declassified examines the development of GPS from its secret, Cold War military roots to its emergence as a worldwide consumer industry. Drawing on previously unexplored documents, the authors examine how military rivalries influenced the creation of GPS and shaped public perceptions about its origin. Since the United States’ first program to launch a satellite in the late 1950s, the nation has pursued dual paths into space—one military and secret, the other scientific and public. Among the many commercial spinoffs this approach has produced, GPS arguably boasts the greatest impact on our daily lives. Told by a son of a navy insider—whose work helped lay the foundations for the system—and a science and technology journalist, the story chronicles the research and technological advances required for the development of GPS. The authors peek behind the scenes at pivotal events in GPS history. They note how the technology moved from the laboratory to the battlefield to the dashboard and the smartphone, and they raise the specter of how this technology and its surrounding industry affect public policy. Insights into how the system works and how it fits into a long history of advances in navigation tie into discussions of the myriad applications for GPS.

The Defense Logistics Agency (DLA), an agency of the Department of Defense (DOD), supplies more than 8,000 different items ranging from uniforms and body armour to tents and canteens. Military uniforms are procured through competitive contracts. This book provides an overview of military uniform assessment and procurement.

Academical dress has been worn by students and graduates for hundreds of years and even in this modern time shows no obvious sign of becoming obsolete. Each new university, on receiving its charter, adopts its own distinctive robes. This is an updated and expanded third edition of Dr George Shaw's comprehensive guide to the academical dress of British and Irish universities, produced in accordance with the original author's wishes, and published by the Burgon Society.

The United States Marine Corps was one of the phenomena of the Second World War. Greatly expanded from its pre-war order of battle of scattered defence battalions, overseas garrisons and ship detachments, it became a multi-division force bearing the brunt of the hardest fighting across the whole vast expanse of the Pacific theatre of operations. In August 1942 Marines were among the first to strike back at the Japanese in the jungles of Guadalcanal; Marine Raider battalions were formed to carry the fight to the enemy; and from the Central Solomon's landings of mid-1943 it was the Marines who spearheaded the 'island - hopping' amphibious campaign which brought them to Okinawa, on Japan's doorstep, by VJ-Day. This epic story has been well documented in most respects - except one: the uniforms, insignia and personal equipment of the Marines who fought their way across the Pacific. Authoritative, illustrated reference works of this important aspect of World War II's physical history have been notoriously lacking. In this book, long-time collector and researcher Jim Moran fills the gap, with a systematic, detailed guide illustrated with more than 300 photographs, including some 200 close-ups of surviving items in private collections on both sides of the Atlantic. The author covers service and field uniforms at the outbreak of war; the development of the Marine's dungaree's'; the introduction and development of the camouflage uniforms which became the Marine's trademark in the popular imagination; the 782 gear' webbing equipment; the various packs and other load-carrying items; the uniforms, insignia and equipment special to the elite Marine Raiders and Paramarines; the uniforms and accoutrements of the US Marine Corps Women's Reserve; and a range of issue and personal small kit items which collectors may encounter. His research is supported by some 100 wartime photographs showing the identified item in use. Assisted and encouraged by the US Marine Corps Historical Center at Quantico, Virginia, Jim Moran has produced an essential reference for the collector, modeller, illustrator and uniform historian.

A quarter of a century since the award of the last honours and decorations of the southern African country of Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe), this is your chance to own the definitive roll of medal recipients. Rhodesia Medal Roll is the first book to list all gazetted recipients of Rhodesian honours and decorations from their inception in 1970. It even includes over 1,700 previously unpublished awards made between September 1979 and the abolition of the Rhodesian honours system in October 1981. Authoritative: the product of two years' research in the United Kingdom, South Africa and Zimbabwe. Comprehensive: listing over 12,000 separate awards, including awards to foreign nationals and former members of the Rhodesian security forces Accessible: fully indexed by surname With a separate chapter for each award, Rhodesia Medal Roll's large type, spacious layout and generous size (over 6" by 9") make it a pleasure to use-whether researching medals or family history, or simply browsing. Awards are presented in date order, and a full alphabetical index means that it is simple to cross-check awards and confirm entitlements. A definitive record of the award of Rhodesian honours and decorations, and an indispensable companion for enthusiasts of genealogy, medals or military history of southern Africa.

Depicts the uniforms, insignia, decorations, horse equipment, and weaponry of cavalry regiments against the background of events in American military history.

In June 1941 the US Army's air organisations were consolidated under a single command, the Army Air Forces or AAF. Its expansion was rapid and massive, and its contribution to the war effort was substantial. Books abound describing the AAF's impressive combat record, but little has been published to record what the men inside the machines wore to stay alive and effective in the air and on the ground, or, as often as not, in the water. Gordon L. Rottman's detailed treatment discusses the flying clothes, accessories and equipment worn and used by individual airmen fighting their often desperate battles in the sky.

This rare book contains not only complete specifications but detailed line drawings of virtually every item of uniform and equipment issued. It is a valuable reference for articles used during the 1870s and 1880s, the period of the Indian wars.

For much of the nineteenth century, the production of military clothing and equipment was geared to national emergencies. During the Mexican and Civil wars, the hardpressed Quartermaster Department was forced to rely on civilian and, later, European suppliers. A contract system too often resulted in profiteering, inferior goods, and administrative confusion. By 1887 reforms in the system were accompanied by strict specifications for materiel, which were published by the War Department in 1889 and distributed to fewer than sixty officers in the Quartermaster Department.

Never before reprinted, this rare book contains not only complete specifications but detailed line drawings of virtually every item of uniform and equipment issued, from mosquito bars and tent stoves to overalls for mounted men and uniform coat buttons ("the burnishing to be done in the best manner known to the trade"). This valuable reference for articles used by the army during the period of the Indian wars will be of special interest to collectors, historians, archaeologists, curators, and antique dealers.