This book charts the history of armoured warfare from the first use of the tank in 1916 right through to the 21st century, adopting military, political and global perspectives. Alaric Searle explores the origins of the tank, the part it played in the First World War and its contribution to the outcome of the war. He considers its role as a tool of propaganda, the military controversies of the interwar period and the employment of armoured forces in all the major theatres in the Second World War. Since the First World War, major and medium-sized powers have invested heavily in armoured forces. Searle looks at the conduct of mechanised warfare in Korea, Indo-China and Vietnam, and during conflicts such as the Arab-Israeli Wars and the Gulf Wars. Armoured Warfare adopts a global perspective, providing the most comprehensive survey of the history of the subject currently available. With a detailed bibliography of both primary and secondary sources, it is an ideal companion for those studying armoured warfare, modern military history and war studies.

Volume 17 in the established series of the "Prince Albert Studies" contains 15 essays and an introductory chapter, reflecting the themes and contents of a lecture programme held at the University of Munich from 1996 to 1999. Eminent scholars from the United Kingdom, all historians from leading British Universities, engaged in "An Anglo-German Dialogue" in the presentation and discussion of their lectures. These lectures provide a panoramic view of British foreign relations over the last 150 years. Paying particular attention to the Anglo-German dimension, the focus moves from the British attitude to the 1848 revolutions, to Kaiser Wilhelm II's relationship to England, right through to the policies of Margaret Thatcher and Tony Blair towards Germany and Europe.

In the first part aspects of British policy towards Germany and Europe in the mid and late nineteenth century are examined, while in the second part the focus is on the role of monarchs in the foreign policy. The third section deals with the nuances of British reactions to various aspects of German attitudes and policies from Gustav Stresemann's concept of international relations. The fourth part has as its theme the contradictions and tensions in Britain's retreat from the world stage. The final section, in examining Britain and Europe since the end of the Second World War, brings the story right up to date, including analysis of both the Labour and Conservative parties' policies towards Europe.

One of the most remarkable mechanized campaigns of recent years pitted the brutal and heavily armed jihadis of Islamic State against an improvised force belonging to the Kurdish YPG (later the SDF). While some Kurdish vehicles were originally from Syrian Army stocks or captured from ISIS, many others were extraordinary homemade AFVs based on truck or digger mechanicals, or duskas, the Kurds' version of the technical. Before US air power was sent to Syria, these were the Kurds' most powerful and mobile weapons. Co-written by a British volunteer who fought with the Kurds and an academic expert on armoured warfare, this study explains how the Kurds built and used their AFVs in the war against 'Daesh', and identifies as far as possible which vehicles took part in major battles, such as Kobane, Manbij and Raqqa. With detailed new artwork depicting the Kurds' range of armour and many previously unpublished photos, this is an original and fascinating look at modern improvised mechanized warfare.

This book charts the history of armoured warfare from the first use of the tank in 1916 right through to the 21st century, adopting military, political and global perspectives. Alaric Searle explores the origins of the tank, the part it played in the First World War and its contribution to the outcome of the war. He considers its role as a tool of propaganda, the military controversies of the interwar period and the employment of armoured forces in all the major theatres in the Second World War. Since the First World War, major and medium-sized powers have invested heavily in armoured forces. Searle looks at the conduct of mechanised warfare in Korea, Indo-China and Vietnam, and during conflicts such as the Arab-Israeli Wars and the Gulf Wars. Armoured Warfare adopts a global perspective, providing the most comprehensive survey of the history of the subject currently available. With a detailed bibliography of both primary and secondary sources, it is an ideal companion for those studying armoured warfare, modern military history and war studies.